Eastern Ma & New England Area Fishing Reports

[Fishing Rhino]

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[DogBone_384]

MassRob, try this link:  http://www.mafishfinder.com/great-herring-pond-159-location.html

[massrob]

Thanks alot guys. Great info I'm definitely gonna try that tip with the elaztech worms. My shopping list just got a little longer haha.

[Janderson45]

Do you have a boat of any type? 

 

If you do, I'd suggest Great Herring Pond.  If you are determined to catch a smallmouth, this is the place.  The largemouth fishery is better than that described in the Mass ponds information.

 

http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/dfw/habitat/maps-ponds/dfwgrea.pdf

 

If you're interested, I'll send you a private message with some particulars on baits and areas that have been consistent producers, and some others worth trying but are usually feast or famine. 

 

One word of advice.  Get to the ramp early.  There is not much parking and the cops love to ticket those who park off the side of the nearby roads.

 

I'd be interested in what baits are typical producers for you here?  I've yet to fish great herring but it's on the list along with numerous others in the plymouth area this season.

 

Massrob-  I can't speak to whether or not it produces like the others mentioned (the only pond i've fished in plymouth more than once) but "Halfway Pond" has been a pretty good producer of small mouth, large mouth, and pickerel for me in recent years.  Can't speak to the numbers of smallmouth there compared to the mossbacks, but I've caught numerous good smallies there... it's a real hidden little gem too, I typically have the whole body of water to myself if I go during the week.  Access consists of only a few holes in the brush that run along side the dirt road abutting the pond, so you're only really going to get a canoe or kayak in there,  but a great spot none the less in my opinion.  

[massrob]

Oh that sounds like a good place is that the actual name of it halfway pond? I love to fish when I'm the only one there. Sounds like a good place to try I haven't been fishing much lately as work has been crazy. I got out yesterday and caught a tiny bass on a frog. But my mom caught her first bass and that was pretty awesome. All I saw was her swing the fish in and it was nice 2 lber. Pretty good day. Thanks for al the suggestions guys I really appreciate it. I'll try to post if I catch my first smallie.

[Fishing Rhino]

I'd be interested in what baits are typical producers for you here?  I've yet to fish great herring but it's on the list along with numerous others in the plymouth area this season.

 

Massrob-  I can't speak to whether or not it produces like the others mentioned (the only pond i've fished in plymouth more than once) but "Halfway Pond" has been a pretty good producer of small mouth, large mouth, and pickerel for me in recent years.  Can't speak to the numbers of smallmouth there compared to the mossbacks, but I've caught numerous good smallies there... it's a real hidden little gem too, I typically have the whole body of water to myself if I go during the week.  Access consists of only a few holes in the brush that run along side the dirt road abutting the pond, so you're only really going to get a canoe or kayak in there,  but a great spot none the less in my opinion.  

 

In no particular order.  Wacky worm, Yamamoto 4" watermelon w/red and black flakes on a Jackall 1/8 ounce jig head.  I prefer the Gamakatsu wacky jig head because it slips through vegetation much better, but the head is lead.

 

Shaky head.  Vike 3/16th ounce jig head with a 4/0 hook with a Strike King Super Finesse worm, peanut butter and jelly or coppertreuse.  The SK worm is elaztech so you'll need to use a safety pin heated over a candle to melt a hole in the center of the head along the center line to about 1" deep.  You'll also need to close the top coil on the bait holder into a loop so you can slide/twist/thread the bait over the coil.  Use a drop of Loctite Super Glue to button the head of the worm onto the coil and jig head.  You can rig it weedless hiding the point of the hook in the bait, or run the hook through the worm so that the bait will hang straight with the point exposed.  I prefer the latter.

 

Other good baits are the Rage Tail Menace in pumpkin with purple and gold flakes and black with red flakes, Fat Albert in watermelon with red (and black) flake or black with red flakes, You can also use plastic swim baits such as the Keitech Swing Impact Fat or the Lunker City swimming ribster or LC's grubster, all rigged as shown in the image below.

 

 

Be sure to "burp" the glue bottle after using.  If you don't it may form a membrane across the opening.  Hold it upright, and squeeze the bottle two or three times until it stops forming bubbles.

 

The hook pictured above is the Jackall.  I prefer using the Keitech 1/8th ounce tungsten super round 2/0 jig heads. 

 

Run the point of the hook along the centerline of the bait until it gets to the end of the bend (or the straight part of the shank) and exit the point at the top center of the body of your bait.  Put a drop of glue between the nose of your bait and the jig head.

 

Most of the time the bait will pass cleanly through vegetation.  When you feel it "snag" the plant just pull slowly, gradually increasing the pressure.  If you try to rip it free it's more apt to snag.  As soon as it comes free, give it some slack to allow it to drop.  If you feel resistance when you pick up the slack keep tension on the line, and feel for life on the end of the line.  It could be slight tug or head shake.  As soon as you feel life, set the hook.

[DogBone_384]

Finally got my first bass of the year.  Got down to Wampatuck State Park in Hingham around 11:00 and had to leave around 3:00 to get back to work. Caught a decent size sunny (great colors) on an in-line Mepps spinner and the LMB (about a pound or so) grabbed my crawfish colored Chatterbait.  Also scared something big in the reeds.  I was tossing a chartreuse spinner bait and I'm pretty sure I hit whatever it was over the head because it took off with a big splash.

 

Another guy fishing there caught a 3 - 4 pound LMB on his first cast (picture = proof).

Aaron Reservoir is a big place.  It's going to take some time to figure out where the big fish are.

 

Time permitting I'll be back there tomorrow.

 

Surface water temps were in the low 70s.

[Janderson45]

Oh that sounds like a good place is that the actual name of it halfway pond? I love to fish when I'm the only one there. Sounds like a good place to try I haven't been fishing much lately as work has been crazy. I got out yesterday and caught a tiny bass on a frog. But my mom caught her first bass and that was pretty awesome. All I saw was her swing the fish in and it was nice 2 lber. Pretty good day. Thanks for al the suggestions guys I really appreciate it. I'll try to post if I catch my first smallie.

 

Yup, here's the mass . gov pond map of it... 

http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/dfw/habitat/maps-ponds/dfwhalf.pdf

 

I've only ever been on it when 2 other kayakers were on it, and that was only twice.  Pretty good sized little pond too.  

[Janderson45]

In no particular order.  Wacky worm, Yamamoto 4" watermelon w/red and black flakes on a Jackall 1/8 ounce jig head.  I prefer the Gamakatsu wacky jig head because it slips through vegetation much better, but the head is lead.

 

Shaky head.  Vike 3/16th ounce jig head with a 4/0 hook with a Strike King Super Finesse worm, peanut butter and jelly or coppertreuse.  The SK worm is elaztech so you'll need to use a safety pin heated over a candle to melt a hole in the center of the head along the center line to about 1" deep.  You'll also need to close the top coil on the bait holder into a loop so you can slide/twist/thread the bait over the coil.  Use a drop of Loctite Super Glue to button the head of the worm onto the coil and jig head.  You can rig it weedless hiding the point of the hook in the bait, or run the hook through the worm so that the bait will hang straight with the point exposed.  I prefer the latter.

 

Other good baits are the Rage Tail Menace in pumpkin with purple and gold flakes and black with red flakes, Fat Albert in watermelon with red (and black) flake or black with red flakes, You can also use plastic swim baits such as the Keitech Swing Impact Fat or the Lunker City swimming ribster or LC's grubster, all rigged as shown in the image below.

 

 

Be sure to "burp" the glue bottle after using.  If you don't it may form a membrane across the opening.  Hold it upright, and squeeze the bottle two or three times until it stops forming bubbles.

 

The hook pictured above is the Jackall.  I prefer using the Keitech 1/8th ounce tungsten super round 2/0 jig heads. 

 

Run the point of the hook along the centerline of the bait until it gets to the end of the bend (or the straight part of the shank) and exit the point at the top center of the body of your bait.  Put a drop of glue between the nose of your bait and the jig head.

 

Most of the time the bait will pass cleanly through vegetation.  When you feel it "snag" the plant just pull slowly, gradually increasing the pressure.  If you try to rip it free it's more apt to snag.  As soon as it comes free, give it some slack to allow it to drop.  If you feel resistance when you pick up the slack keep tension on the line, and feel for life on the end of the line.  It could be slight tug or head shake.  As soon as you feel life, set the hook.

 

Some great ideas in there, I'm fishing Watchaug pond in Charlestown, RI tomorrow which I think probably shares some similarities with Great Herring pond...goes to about 40ft deep with pretty clear water and  I've struggled in clearer deeper ponds in the past and have definitely had more luck in shallower water with less transparency and more weed growth.. But I want to challenge myself and keep improving at all types of fishing.  

 

I'll definitely throw some more finesse like smaller baits with weed guards tomorrow.  I have some 3/32oz tungsten ball jig heads that I've been using with the elaztech "zmann finesse TRD" which I think could work nicely.  I've also got some VMC wacky rig jig heads with little weed guards that I like, I've only got 5" senkos but I'd bet they'll still whack it.

 

Are you fishing all of these presentations on a spinning rod?  Lighter fluorocarbon?  I fish a medium action (although more like MH as it's a tidemaster inshore model) st croix spinning rod, other than that I've got all casting rods meant for heavier baits.  Currently I've got 20lb braid on my spinning rig but I'm considering changing to 10 or 12b seaguar invisx that I've got laying around.  In the past when I've fished clearer water I've simply tied on a fairly large fluorocarbon leader and had pretty good results, but I'm not sure if fishing straight fluorocarbon would trigger more bites or if it would just be easier to manage and have one less failing point.  

 

 

Here's one of me setting the hook on a topwater in the slop the other night

[massrob]

That's an awesome picture. I've never tried florocarbon before but I'm going to be putting 8 lb invizix on before I go on this trip. I just use braid with everything because all the places I fish have dirty water. And I'm not very good with tying knots so leaders are difficult for me. I can't wait for this vacation. Thanks for that map and all the tips guys I would be lost without this place.

[Fishing Rhino]

All are on spinning rods with six or eight pound fluorocarbon and a six foot length of 15 pound fluorocarbon line for a leader, tied on with an Albright knot.  I got tired of losing baits to the pickerel.  All they had to do was to nick the six or eight pound test, and they were gone along with the bait.

 

Last year, on the forum Road Trip to Wilson, I caught a 45 pound channel cat on a wacky worm on six pound test InvisX.  Was fishing with Ghoti at the time.  He asked me if it pulled hard, so I handed my rod to him and let him play with it for a while.

 

It was just a straight up and down battle in about forty feet of water.  It was hanging on a ledge on a bluff wall in about fifteen feet of water.  When it realized it was hooked it headed for the deeper water.  Just as well, there were no snags for it to use to break off.

 

I also have a spinning rod with four pound Seaguar InvisX fluorocarbon.  It's now rigged for drop shot fishing.  A few years ago that was my main style of fishing, and I did well with it.  Now, I rarely fish with a drop shot rig.  I plan to do more of it.  Did really well with it in fifteen feet of water at Great Herring.

[BR1AN]

Cloudy and Rainy yesterday the pickerel bite was on and managed a 2lb bass off a senko. I need to get out on the boat bad.

[Fishing Rhino]

It's going on three weeks now that this little pond has been on fire.  I went out yesterday afternoon for about four hours and caught over thirty largemouth and one smallmouth bass.  Caught only two pickerel.  Even they can't seem to beat the largemouth to the bait.

 

Going out again tomorrow morning in my canoe (haven't been on the Nitro in three weeks) to see if they are still in a cooperative frame of mind.

 

I've never seen anything like it over such an extended period of time.  It hasn't mattered if it's cloudy or sunny, rainy or dry, windy or calm, or the passage of weather fronts.  These are not hungry, skinny bass.  They are all plump with plenty of spunk when they realize they are hooked.

 

I've had days when the fishing has been as good, or nearly as good, but not for days on end.

 

The best part is that it's only five minutes from my doorstep to the ramp.

 

I'm going to make the most of it while it lasts.

[Janderson45]

Anyone on here a member of any Massachusetts or area bass fishing clubs? I know a few exist and I've checked out some of the clubs listed for Massachusetts here on bass resource.. Just wondering if anyone that frequents these forums is a part of any of them?

I've certainly got some interest, would love to start fishing with some new people and learn some things. Most of the time I fish by myself or with a buddy or two, which is great, but they don't share the same knowledge or passion for it that I do, and I'm certainly not going to pick up any pointers from them... In fact when I do fish with friends I often find it limiting in the sense that they don't want to be on the water as long as me, and I'm always stuck fixing their birdsnests/backlashes and tying their tackle for them.

[carlm01]

I'm in the same boat. I end up fishing mostly by myself,  There's a few clubs around ,best place to start looking is right here , check out the bass club forums and it'll direct you to new england clubs then see if there's one close to you ..  Good Luck.......

[massrob]

I know of some clubs but I'm not sure of the names I would go on mafishfinder that's a good place to find clubs I would think. I've seen them post their tournament results on that website. We should make our own clubs from the guys on here there's a bunch of people that post on here.

[BR1AN]

MassBassBoys on Facebook and Instagram has a nice following. FilthyAnglers is another one out of MA but they seem more nation wide with people buying t-shirts and posting pictures from outta state.

[carlm01]

I will say I did look into the clubs I have a new 16ft Lowe skorpion w/a 20 hp mercury and was basically told by several clubs that my boat was too small

[grampa1114]

Not  that this hasn't been tried before but...why don't you guys try fishing with each other? Believe it or not there are some pretty savvy fishermen out here in Eastern Ma. that you just might have something in common with...It worked for me...

[massrob]

Had a great day today fishing with Fishing Rhino. Caught my first smallmouth and it was awesome. Lost a bunch of fish including at least a 5 lb largie cuz I saw it jump right at the boat and it was gone. Aww man I'm gonna regret that one for awhile I didn't know how big it was til he jumped. What a great day though first time in a real bass boat. Wow those things can fly. None of this would have been possible without these forums. Thanks Fishing Rhino can't wait til next time.

[tpc50boston]

Massrob convinced me to join as a member of bassresource.com. I was with massrob and Fishing Rhino. I was right next to massrob when the fatty jumped hook. He was pretty devastated. Fishing Rhino was as very kind to take out on Great Herring Pond and share his local knowledge and yes, his Z8 can fly! Thank you again Fishing Rhino!

[Jigfishn10]

Not  that this hasn't been tried before but...why don't you guys try fishing with each other? Believe it or not there are some pretty savvy fishermen out here in Eastern Ma. that you just might have something in common with...It worked for me...

 

Totally agree, I had the opportunity to fish with grampa1114, Rhino and Tate in the past and have had a great time fishing with them. I Tx fished in the past in MA and NH, but by far my more memorable outings were with the folks I met on here!

 

Rhino, my work schedule has been crazy busy, but I'm seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. I'll be PM'ing you soon!

[carlm01]

Yup I fish with a guy up in NH and am joining his club soon ...But am always looking to meet new guys and get out for a day of fishing .........

[Fishing Rhino]

Massrob convinced me to join as a member of bassresource.com. I was with massrob and Fishing Rhino. I was right next to massrob when the fatty jumped hook. He was pretty devastated. Fishing Rhino was as very kind to take out on Great Herring Pond and share his local knowledge and yes, his Z8 can fly! Thank you again Fishing Rhino!

 

You're welcome.

 

LOL, don't anyone tell tpc that 40 mph in a bass boat ain't flying.  But if you've never been 40 mph on the water it certainly seems like flying, when you're running into a heavy chop.

[ewizza]

Hello everyone! I'm another eastern MA local fisherman. I actually joined bassresource because of this thread  

 

Basically I'm shorebound and always looking for good places to drop a line. I've hit Houghton's a few times the past week and had almost no luck at all. Hooked into one good bass on a small shad spinnerbait but he jumped off about 6 feet from me. Other than that no bites - and no action on the water either. I usually get there around dusk and I would expect to see some jumping but there hasn't been any at all. 

 

Watching the other anglers while I'm there I don't see them pulling in anything either. Going to try it in the morning next week and see if there is any difference. Any suggestions on what to throw would be appreciated. I like the small spinners here since the pickerel and even the crappie will hit it. Was thinking about drop-shotting a gulp earthworm deeper, see if I can find any cover or drop offs.

 

I hit Buckmaster a couple weeks ago and pulled in a few small bass. Not sure where all the fish are hiding. The ones I got were in the lillies. This pond has always been kind of unproductive for me.

 

Love any thoughts on other places to try. Anything close to the two I mentioned above is a plus since I like to try and throw a lure in after work when possible.