I’ve visited 30 U.S. states and each boasts its own unique charm. Yet, few places jump out to me like catching a hooked bass on a warm spring day in Maine. Despite weathering my first nor’easter, I enjoyed the culture and fishing in this rocky, wet and green northern state.

When I craft an adventure, I hope for four things: interesting people, stunning scenery, delicious food and a solid tug on my fishing line. Maine delivered on all fronts, living up to its motto, “The Way Life Should Be.” On my journey through the 23rd state I was warmly welcomed, feasted like a king, fished inside a marine layer and explored up the coast from Biddeford to Bar Harbor.

Let’s start with the food; I’m a sucker for seafood, especially shellfish. But chunks of lobster drowned in mayo didn’t sound appetizing. So, as soon as I deplaned in Portland, I had to try a famous lobster roll.

Turns out cold, flaky, bright, white lobster lightly tossed in mayonnaise and heaped on a toasted, buttery bun is pure mouth bliss. I found out everyone has a favorite twist on the gourmet sandwich. My choice is hot or cold lobster drenched in melted butter on lettuce and a toasted bun. Life-changing!

My culinary adventure didn’t stop with lobster rolls. I indulged in haddock sandwiches, clam chowder, scallops, crab cakes and, my favorite, oysters on the half shell. I went on a true seafood extravaganza, but blowing through and beyond my food budget was worth every penny…

Leading up to the trip, I anticipated clear skies and pleasant temperatures for the full seven days. When I arrived, I received a text from Robert John LaFreniere, my salt fishing guide, informing me a nor’easter was rolling in and our plans would change. I had never experienced a nor’easter, so I didn’t know what to expect.

When I travel to kayak fish, I rent a full-size van to carry my gear and borrowed kayaks. I also camp in the van so I don’t have to pay for lodging and I wake up in position for each day’s adventure.

I spent the first night in the boat ramp parking lot. Sometime around midnight, I woke to the sound of rain pounding the walls of the van and echoing through the cargo space. I thought to myself, “I’ve fished in worse.”

In the morning, I crawled out of my tin box and met LaFreniere, a young man with a thick red beard reminding me of the Gorton’s Fisherman.

Robert was rigging up fly rods in a thick, wet fog. “We’re in a marine layer,” he said as moisture seemed to collect from the air on my rain jacket. It wasn’t raining but the air was thick and sodden.

I stuffed my camera in a waterproof housing and stored it in a dry bag. We launched into a skinny channel and let the rising tide carry us into “the Pool.” As we cruised with the current, Robert said the weather report called for a small craft warning so he planned to fish in a protected bay.

We paddled past moored lobster boats into a shallow flat. The monochromatic sky cast a grey light over the steely water making for moody photos. Shooting conditions were difficult; as soon as I pulled out my camera it was covered in water droplets. I could only fire off a couple shots before I had to wipe the camera dry.

My kayak drifted in the wind while I cast a large white swimbait across the shallow water. I watched the tide slowly rise and consume the bank. Robert said the depth increases to six feet at high tide. He promised the deeper water would bring striped bass to feed.

We fished for about an hour before my lure got slammed…

Tournament days are always buzzing with energy. Participants have studied the lake, cleaned up their tackle boxes, bought a new widget that’s sure to help them catch fish, and devised plans A, B and C. I started slinging a Whopper Plopper around every laydown and grassline. The plan paid off and I landed two decent-sized pike.

As I climbed out of my sardine can at dawn, the parking lot was clouded with excitement. After meeting Jason and prepping my kayak, I wandered around the parking lot talking to anglers and checking out their boats.

Most of the anglers had trolling motors and elaborate fish finder setups. One guy even had three fish finders screens.

To keep me competitive, Jason had arranged for me to borrow a NuCanoe Pursuit with a MotorGuide trolling motor. Sitting in the cushy seat, I hit the handheld controller and flew across the water.

I caught up with Jason and followed his lead. We fished shallow, we fished deep and we fished transitions in every direction using every lure I had on the boat. Fishing was slow. I managed to catch a smallmouth on a white spinnerbait. I first spotted the fish on my fish finder screen and then cast to the area and slow rolled the lure.

Jason was fishing hard, so I left him so I could take photos of other anglers. Using the trolling motor, I cruised from angler to angler. Everyone was focused on the fish finder screen, searching for the winning fish…

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