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Top 10 Saltwater Fish to Catch in New Hampshire

Top Ten

Fish to Catch in New Hampshire

Striper runs and cod battles, saltwater without apologies.

New Hampshire saltwater doesn’t hand out easy wins. Striped bass tear through these tides, redfish hold their own, and bluefish keep every cast interesting. Cod and tuna test your grit, while cusk and tilefish show you the ocean’s odd side. If you want a mix of classic action and serious variety, this coastline delivers.

Striped Bass (Striper)

World Record 81 lb 14 oz
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut

Signature Fact Their eggs must stay drifting for about 48 hours-sink once, and the entire spawn suffocates.

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Redfish

World Record 94 lb 2 oz
David R. Deuel / 1984
Hatteras, North Carolina

Signature Fact Males literally drum-low booms you can feel through the hull on calm spawning nights.

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Bluefish

World Record 31 lb 12 oz
James Hussey / 1972
Hatteras, North Carolina

Signature Fact They practice brutal "surplus killing": slashing dozens of baitfish even with bellies bulging to the gills.

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Atlantic Cod

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World Record 98 lb 0 oz
Michael A. Desormeaux / 1969
Petty Harbour, Newfoundland

Signature Fact Genetically rebellious, Atlantic cod ditched MHC class II and helper T cells, rewriting immunity with beefed-up alternatives.

Bluefin Tuna

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World Record 1,496 lb 0 oz
Ken Fraser / 1979
Aulds Cove, Nova Scotia

Signature Fact Bluefin run a built‑in furnace, keeping muscles, eyes, and brain up to 20°C warmer than seawater.

North Atlantic Cusk

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World Record 37 lb 11 oz
David A. Robinson / 1992
Jeffreys Ledge, Gulf of Maine

Signature Fact The only North Atlantic codfish sporting a single, unbroken dorsal fin running almost nose-to-tail.

Wolfish

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World Record 52 lb 5 oz
Sigurður H. Magnússon / 1978
Iceland

Signature Fact Its blood carries natural antifreeze, letting it swim in water cold enough to slush your guides.

Golden Tilefish

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World Record 63 lb 4 oz
R. D. Cummings / 1966
Ocean City, Maryland

Signature Fact Underwater masons, they build shell-lined, rock-fortified burrows so dense they form "tilefish towns" visible on sonar.

Ribbon Fish

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World Record 11 lb 0 oz
Antonio J. Rodrigues / 2005
Portugal

Signature Fact At up to 2.5 meters yet belt‑thin, it sometimes hovers vertically, powered by a scarlet‑crested dorsal ribbon.

Bluntnose Stingray

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World Record 374 lb 0 oz
Ivan L. Pate / 1992
Chesapeake Bay, Virginia

Signature Fact In Hypanus say, males seasonally grow spiky, gripping teeth for mating, then switch back to flat shell-crushers afterward.

FAQs

What fish can you catch in New Hampshire?

You’ll find striped bass, redfish, bluefish, Atlantic cod, bluefin tuna, cusk, wolfish, golden tilefish, ribbon fish, and bluntnose stingray in New Hampshire saltwater.

What is the best time of year to fish in New Hampshire?

Saltwater fishing in New Hampshire is strongest from late spring through early fall when striped bass, bluefish, and cod are most active.

Where are the best places to fish in New Hampshire?

Stick to coastal saltwater spots around New Hampshire for your best shot at striped bass, bluefish, cod, and more.

What gear do you need for fishing in New Hampshire?

Bring sturdy saltwater spinning or conventional setups, heavy leaders for striper and bluefish, and enough muscle to handle cod or tuna if you hook up.

What are the easiest fish to catch in New Hampshire?

Striped bass and bluefish are usually the most accessible and reliable catches in New Hampshire’s saltwater.

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