Standing on the beach today and driving around the coast was almost more than I could bare today.  I want to throw some flies and see what comes up.  The itch is certainly there and I think next year may be very much about the salt.

Here is a little video that I certainly enjoyed.  Be forewarned its a long one.

Odiorne is probably a good bet.  Lots other possible spots in the area too depending on if you are with the family or not.  Fort Stark is really pretty in New Castle on Wild Rose Lane.  The Wentworth mansion (the yellow gold one)and the adjacent property and walking paths have access down into the creek where there could be schoolies around.  Nice lawn at the mansion to picnic etc.    Pierce island in Portsmouth might slso be spot with the family.  Adams point on the Durham point road on great bay is also nice for a walk.  My friend got a few stripers off Fort Foster in Kittery last week.  There is a playground there too.  Rye harbor also might be a good bet.  Hampton harbor is good too but then you have to deal with Hampton.  We live in Hampton and generally avoid it down there.  I once went down there forgetting about the traffic and ended up stuck for over an hour one car length from turning around to get back home while the guy a few cars up went out to get pizza.  

I haven't done much striper fishing since Jack came along.  The jetties and rocks and current on Grest bay just don't seem all that safe yet.  Never tried surf casting from the beach.  A boat opens up a lot on the seacoast on Great Bay and in the river.  So much is posted and resident parking only.  I use a nine weight with a fast sink shooting head.  Have an intermediate but have rarely used it.  My fly selection is probably out of date.  Generally black deceivers and clousers and similar in chartreuse and white.  A casting basket is really really helpful.  Last summer off Hilton park we got into a few small bluefish mixed with the schoolies. For blues, I've mostly fished poppers with steel leaders.  Mostly on the cape. 

 I'd be happy to give it a go somewhere.  Unfortunately I don't have a boat.  Never doing anything the easy way, I started building one a few years ago and realized I bit off more than I wanted to chew.  Never got that far, so I finally gave it up and started another a month or so ago which is going much faster.  My rationalization with my wife was that it would spread the cost out over time!  Next season we will hopefully be on the water.  

As far as the gear goes, you don't really need anything fancy.  For schoolies I think anywhere from a 7-9 could work.  I used an LL bean outlet reel for a few years before it fell apart.  I built a couple spinning/casting rods last fall to set up Jack and I for bass fishing.  I used the MHX Mudhole tackle rods and they are really nice.  If I were going to build a rod, I'd definitely consider using an MHX fly blank.   My brother in law uses a Redington 9 weight and I think he has liked it.  

 I have an 8wt you can borrow, Shaun has it right now but after his vacation you are welcome to it.

i can also help with the kayak safety, I was an ACA instructor.

if you really want a nice rod on a tight budget wait until the Marlborough show next year and pick up on of the ShuFly blanks.  Skip also has some decent budget reel to get you started.  I may even have the guides for you.

 I also have an 8 wt and pleuger reel you could borrow but no line for it.  You're welcome to use it until you get set up and swap your line onto your new outfit when it's ready.  

A safety class for the kayaking is probably smart especially if you're in the currents around here.  A woman died yesterday at Chapmans landing in Stratham.  Wasn't wearing her life jacket.