Cape Ann: (3 hooks) Larger bass have been off Eastern Point and Halibut Point in deeper water, with smaller bass being the norm closer to shore. Night is the time to look for larger bass, with eels certainly the bait of choice. Bluefish continue to be cooperative with anglers from the beaches of Gloucester as well as just outside the breakwater. School bluefin tuna have not showed in numbers offshore just yet, but the fishery should improve over the next 10 days. Groundfishing has been consistent, with market-size cod and haddock being taken by party boats.

Marblehead: (3 hooks) Flounder have been abundant just outside the harbor, and anglers are taking their limit. Bluefish continue to take pleasure in wreaking havoc on lures, and large blues are in the waters around the harbor and the Neck.

Salem: (3 hooks) Bluefish and bass have been taken from Winter Island this week even as the summer doldrums seem to be settling in. Around Baker Island, larger bass have been taken at night on both larger top-water plugs and live-lined eels.

Beverly: (3 hooks) Bait anglers fishing from the State Fishing Pier in Beverly have found bluefish, bass and flounder all willing to take their bait. Seaworms baited on a fish-finder rig with a small float work best for flounder, while cut mackerel and clams have been catching blues and stripers.

Ipswich: (3 hooks) Bluefish have taken up residence at the mouth of the Ipswich River as well as off Steep Hill beach and Crane beach. On Wednesday, boat anglers were treated to a top-water blitz at the mouth, with bluefish crashing bait on the surface. Bass fishing at night from the Ipswich beaches has produced larger bass on eels and cut bait.

Newbury: (3 hooks) Bluefish have been taken in the mornings from the Parker River refuge, with Parking Lots 1, 6 and 7 now open. Anglers trolling off Emerson Rocks to Sandy Point have found larger bluefish willing to take most offerings.

Newburyport/Plum Island: (3 hooks)Finicky fish have been swirling on top of the Merrimack all week from the Gillis Bridge to Woodbridge Island, but have been hesitant to take most offerings. I did manage a few fish on a unweighted Sluggo drifted on the top, but other than that, bait has been the rule of the day and night. The oceanfront has seen bluefish close to shore in the mornings and larger fish in deeper water falling for deep swimming lures. Plum Island Point has been producing keeper-size bass, mostly on bait, but the larger fish have been hitting sporadically. Party boats continue to fight through dogfish to get their patrons some cod and haddock.

Salisbury: (3 hooks) Bluefish have been showing up just off Salisbury Beach in the morning this week, and both shore and boat anglers have landed fish in the 8- to 12-pound range. Fishing from the State Reservation continues to provide bait anglers with somewhat steady action for school-sized bass and the occasional keeper.

New Hampshire Seacoast: (3 hooks) Mackerel have been hanging around the mouth of the Piscataqua as well as out by the Isles of Shoals, and large bluefish and some bass have been feasting on them. Further south, Hampton and Seabrook continue to offer good bluefish opportunities during the day and good bass action on eels at night.

Frank Dwyer is the fishing and outdoor columnist for Eagle-Tribune Publishing and is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Contact him at dwyer.f@comcast.net or www.frankdwyeroutdoors.blogspot.com3

Tip of the week: Rinse the salt away

Saltwater, as we all know, can corrode metals quite quickly. It's important to take the extra 10 minutes after every saltwater fishing excursion to rinse off your reels, rods and lures with fresh water. In addition, reels should be checked for proper lubrication every third trip or so to ensure your gear will operate as intended and spare you from costly replacements.