Eastern Ma & New England Area Fishing Reports

[grampa1114]

Ewizza...using a rig like Rhino just showed us...get as close as you can to 6' to 8' weeds...cast as far as you can and bounce the lure back to you...vary retrieve speed and set hard when you feel a tap. Then take a pic and show us how well you did.

Grampa

[ewizza]

Thanks grampa. Ill give the jig a shot and see what happens.

[Fishing Rhino]

You guys would do well to listen to Grampa.  I met him four years ago and been fishing with him ever since.  He hasn't given me a bum steer yet.  

 

Be advised, one of his favorite "lines" is "I fished there once, but it was a long time ago."  When he says that, you can be certain that he is on a first name basis with many of the fish in that pond/lake, and that he knows where every bump and blade of grass is on the bottom.

[MrE1979]

Hey all you MA guys new to the site. Live in Worcester. Love fishing new places and fishing with new people. Met a lot of great guys on iceshanty.com and myfishfinder.com. Hope I can get to meet some of you.

[Fishing Rhino]

Welcome aboard.  I'm sure you'll get that chance.

[Janderson45]

Glad to see some activity on here!

I fished Tucker's pond in Rhode Island on Tuesday and landed 5 largemouth with the lunker at 3.5 lbs. caught 2 on a finesse rig similar to what rhino posted, 1 on a hollow bodied frog, and two on a flipping bait (shell cracker) in the thick weed cover. Conditions were pretty bluebird, sunny and 80 degrees. Was on the water from 5pm-830.

Would love to meet and go fishing with anyone from here at any point. As I've stated before I'm a kayak fisherman, so itd be easy enough to meet another member from here at the water body of their choosing. Would also of course love to get out on a bass boat, gas and beers afterwards on me .

Got an opportunity to fish China lake in southern Maine over Fourth of July weekend, I've heard and read some good things about the fishery, hoping for the best!

[ewizza]

I got out to Houghton's last night but I was fighting traffic so I did not get a change to rig up a jig. What I did do is use a small 1/8 ounce shad spinnerbait. I caught a nice 2 or 2 1/2lb bass about four feet deep. This was on an ultralight spincaster with 4lb test. Nice to finally be on the board on this pond. My son was with me and he caught an nice sized pickerel on a drop-shot rig with a gulp! earthworm. 

 

Water is really warm there. I wish I could 'see' the depths. I can't seem to find the drop off's. Anyway, it's a start!

[grampa1114]

Welcome aboard.  I'm sure you'll get that chance.

Yeah...what he said...

[Jigfishn10]

I took the day off to attend my daughter's middle school graduation ceremonies today. Afterwards, I thought it would be a good idea to get my 3rd fish outing in for the season, so I hit Houghtons for a bit.

It started off well enough, the bass were liking my gold/chrome rippin rap on an erratic retrieve but so did this 1 particular pickerel. It had all 3 trebles in its mouth. I grabbed the fish by the back and under the gills so I could perform a little surgery. Well my patient was a little impatient and started thrashing around a bit causing enough chaos to bury the rear treble hook in the tip of my finger. So now I have 1 hand holding a thrashing fish with a lure in its mouth and a free hand which wasn't so free anymore....OUCH!

First time in 20 years I buried a hook in my hand. I guess thankfully, the rear hook was a #8 hook otherwise I think I would have been in a different level of pain.

Stay safe my friends!

[DogBone_384]

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!

Welcome to the forum!

[ewizza]

I took the day off to attend my daughter's middle school graduation ceremonies today. Afterwards, I thought it would be a good idea to get my 3rd fish outing in for the season, so I hit Houghtons for a bit.

It started off well enough, the bass were liking my gold/chrome rippin rap on an erratic retrieve but so did this 1 particular pickerel. It had all 3 trebles in its mouth. I grabbed the fish by the back and under the gills so I could perform a little surgery. Well my patient was a little impatient and started thrashing around a bit causing enough chaos to bury the rear treble hook in the tip of my finger. So now I have 1 hand holding a thrashing fish with a lure in its mouth and a free hand which wasn't so free anymore....OUCH!

First time in 20 years I buried a hook in my hand. I guess thankfully, the rear hook was a #8 hook otherwise I think I would have been in a different level of pain.

Stay safe my friends!

 

Hawg - do you find crankbaits to work well in this pond? I've tried rattle traps, crawfish colored with no joy. Maybe the gold/chrome would work better. I seem to have very little action here. 

[grampa1114]

Well Rhino and I went to Whitehall yesterday, yes in the Monsoon, and filled the boat with 11/2-4 lbers bouncing stuff through the 4'-8' weeds. Guys the stuff works, all you have to do is use it. Yesterday the ribster and a 4" power worm did most of the work.

[Jigfishn10]

Hawg - do you find crankbaits to work well in this pond? I've tried rattle traps, crawfish colored with no joy. Maybe the gold/chrome would work better. I seem to have very little action here. 

 

Hey ewizza, for some reason I do well in this pond with moving baits. Sometimes lipless crankbaits other times a spinnerbait, spoons get it done as well as jerkbait - early and late in the season. Browns and watermelon green often produce, but loud orange and chartreuse often work as well. I don't beat myself up over color as much as I focus on presentation. Just my fishing style I guess.

 

Lipped cranks can be tough in this pond. I used to have success with them but digging into some of the weed clumps and pond snot can be a real buzz kill for me. I'd rather keep my lures and my body moving about the pond than pulling weeds off every hook and lip. Again, that's just my preference.

 

Walking and popping bait really excel here in the past for me. I haven't topwatered yet this year as my outings have been few and far between, but I do enjoy the top water bite on this body of water.

 

Long casts to the second weedline or breakline is needed this time of year. If any fish are shallow, they're usually on the smaller side of small.

 

I have heard of some nice catches frogging the lillys, but again, I heard it, I never witnessed. I fish there a lot on my way home, so take that with a grain of salt. It certainly doesn't hurt to try.

 

Hope this helps and I wish you luck my friend!

[ewizza]

Hey ewizza, for some reason I do well in this pond with moving baits. Sometimes lipless crankbaits other times a spinnerbait, spoons get it done as well as jerkbait - early and late in the season. Browns and watermelon green often produce, but loud orange and chartreuse often work as well. I don't beat myself up over color as much as I focus on presentation. Just my fishing style I guess.

 

Lipped cranks can be tough in this pond. I used to have success with them but digging into some of the weed clumps and pond snot can be a real buzz kill for me. I'd rather keep my lures and my body moving about the pond than pulling weeds off every hook and lip. Again, that's just my preference.

 

Walking and popping bait really excel here in the past for me. I haven't topwatered yet this year as my outings have been few and far between, but I do enjoy the top water bite on this body of water.

 

Long casts to the second weedline or breakline is needed this time of year. If any fish are shallow, they're usually on the smaller side of small.

 

I have heard of some nice catches frogging the lillys, but again, I heard it, I never witnessed. I fish there a lot on my way home, so take that with a grain of salt. It certainly doesn't hurt to try.

 

Hope this helps and I wish you luck my friend!

Thanks Jigfishn! I hate all the weed gunk too and prefer to keep moving. Ive been using spinners here more than anythingbut would love to throw some topwater baits. I really love headon torpedos but I haven't see any fish action on the surface. I would say it's too early in the season and maybe it is but the water in that pond is already really warm. I have been casting long, trying to probe deeper and I guess that will be the way to go. It's a bit frustrating not knowing what its like out there though.

 

My favorite place to fish was always the charles up in mlillis but now that I am shorebound that is out of the question.

[massrob]

Well I got back to work this week after my vacation and a guy from work asked if I wanted to go to Mascoma lake camp ground this weekend. I said of course if theres a lake and I can fish. So I guess they have canoes to use so I'll be fishing out of one. Does anyone know anything about this lake? I've found out it has smallmouth and largemouth. And I have a map. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks guys. Oh its in Lebanon new Hampshire.

[Jigfishn10]

Thanks Jigfishn! I hate all the weed gunk too and prefer to keep moving. Ive been using spinners here more than anythingbut would love to throw some topwater baits. I really love headon torpedos but I haven't see any fish action on the surface. I would say it's too early in the season and maybe it is but the water in that pond is already really warm. I have been casting long, trying to probe deeper and I guess that will be the way to go. It's a bit frustrating not knowing what its like out there though.

My favorite place to fish was always the charles up in mlillis but now that I am shorebound that is out of the question.

You know, some of my better days on topwater came when there was no surface activity, so don't count that out. In my book, if the water is topwater type water from a calmness perspective, then I'm giving the dog a walk!

My best luck with spinnerbaits have been with gold blades. Don't know why, but gold blades always did it for me there.

[Pradopower]

Just got back from fishing the Concord River along the Carlisle, Concord stretch. Put the kayak in at the route 225 ramp, which is really nice by the way. Didn't catch anything. Heard and saw some fish jumping here and there but couldn't get anything to bite. I tried several different baits, senkos, swim senko, zoom toad and a spinnerbaits with no luck.

Anyone ever fish the Concord? I've read and heard the fishing is slow due to high pressure over the years. I've fished there a few times without much luck.

I would have loved to catch a couple but still a beautiful morning on the water.

[grampa1114]

Spent the morning on Buffumville Reservoir with Gramma...plenty of keeper bass, some nice crappie and a huge pickerel. Swimmin Superfluke Jr. and 3"  Sluggos did all the damage. Fished hard in 8' weeds.

[MrE1979]

Headed to the Cape for the weekend hitting the Canal for some of the striped variety in the AM then hitting a few local ponds for some Monstah LM with my daughter.  Hope I got some pictures to post up here for you guys.  Happy 4th to everyone.  Stay safe and tight lines!

[Jigfishn10]

Headed to the Cape for the weekend hitting the Canal for some of the striped variety in the AM then hitting a few local ponds for some Monstah LM with my daughter.  Hope I got some pictures to post up here for you guys.  Happy 4th to everyone.  Stay safe and tight lines!

 

You as well, good luck!

 

I'm hoping to get the Zodiak in the water up in ME and fish for stripes as well!

[Janderson45]

Headed to the Cape for the weekend hitting the Canal for some of the striped variety in the AM then hitting a few local ponds for some Monstah LM with my daughter. Hope I got some pictures to post up here for you guys. Happy 4th to everyone. Stay safe and tight lines!

As far as the canal goes, best advice anyone can give you there is get a bicycle and rig it up to hold some tackle and some pvc rod holders. Ride up and down the canal looking for blitzing fish, and when you find them target them with top waters. Early morning right before and after sunrise is usually best. I've also found it's better this time of year when current is flowing from buzzards bay to cape cod bay. Not the only way to catch fish there, but the only way I've had any sort of sustained success throughout the years. I usually call it a day around 10AM. Good luck!

[Jigfishn10]

Hit Houghton's on the way back from work and managed 2 LMB in the 1-2 hours I was there. 1 1/4 lber on a Rapala Rippin Rap and a 1 1/2 lber on a Yozuri 3DB Popper Ghost Shad. Left because of the beach crowd.

 

Heading to ME tomorrow to launch the Zodiac and to tube for stripes.

 

Have a great 4th of July, Guys!

 

John

[Fishing Rhino]

Took my nephew from Florida out on Sawdy for a morning's fishing.  He caught 22 bass on a Rage Tail Craw, watermelon red (is there any other color?) flake.  It was rigged weightless on an Owner Twist Lock, 5/0 hook. 

 

I don't know how he did it, but he never once got hung up in the rocky bottom.  Fish averaged close to two pounds per.

 

Meanwhile, I caught fifteen on a variety of baits, and got hung in the rocks about fifteen times, maybe more.

 

Dark and early tomorrow morning I'm taking him to Great Herring in Plymouth with the bass boat.  I think he'll like it better than the canoe.  Now, if only the fishing is as good.

 

After that, the next outing will be to a pond with plenty of lily pads, maybe Santuit on the Cape.

 

He's around 'til next Monday, so he'll get a good taste of the local fishing around here.

[JG233]

I just started fishing again after many years. I have no clue where to fish around Boston. I tried Horn's Pond last night and had no luck using cranks, spinners, and a topwater. 

I've been reading this thread and it seems like Houghton's would be a good place to try next. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. No boat available, but renting would be great. 

Thanks! 

[Fishing Rhino]

Took my nephew from Florida out on Sawdy for a morning's fishing.  He caught 22 bass on a Rage Tail Craw, watermelon red (is there any other color?) flake.  It was rigged weightless on an Owner Twist Lock, 5/0 hook. 

 

I don't know how he did it, but he never once got hung up in the rocky bottom.  Fish averaged close to two pounds per.

 

Meanwhile, I caught fifteen on a variety of baits, and got hung in the rocks about fifteen times, maybe more.

 

Dark and early tomorrow morning I'm taking him to Great Herring in Plymouth with the bass boat.  I think he'll like it better than the canoe.  Now, if only the fishing is as good.

 

After that, the next outing will be to a pond with plenty of lily pads, maybe Santuit on the Cape.

 

He's around 'til next Monday, so he'll get a good taste of the local fishing around here.

 

Great Herring, fugedabout it.  We spent three hours and caught a couple of decent bass and a few runts, but not enough to hold our interest.

 

Off to another, and it turned out to be a good move.  We caught several bass, the largest being four plus pounds.  They came in all sizes and shapes.  The bait of preference was the Lunker City Grubster and swimming ribster in clear water and silver flash coloring.  They must look like herring to the bass because they showed little to no interest in many other proven baits.

 

The path home was quite eventful.  After leaving the last pond we headed home and the transmission locked in one forward gear.  Reverse worked, but only one forward gear.  Still under warrantee so I called for roadside assistance, and told them I was towing a boat with the truck.

 

They made arrangements to get the truck to the nearest Chevy dealer which GM paid for, but I'd have to pay for the towing of the boat.  Less than an hour later a ramp truck showed up.  Loaded the truck on the bed, affixed a ball to the crossmember that can also be used to tow a second car.  That tow cost me a c note. 

 

Called home and my wife headed to the dealership in Hyannis and our older daughter's boyfriend showed up with his pickup and towed the boat home for me.  Everyone got home eventually, but it was not the itinerary I had planned for the day. 

 

However, my faith in humanity went up a few notches.  While the tow truck guy was loading the truck, three people offered to tow my truck to my home, until I told them it was about an hour's drive.  Nonetheless, it was refreshing to know there are some people out there with kind hearts.

 

I will get my truck back by next Monday at the latest, depending on what they find when they hook up all the electronic testing gizmos to the unit.  I'm betting that the repair will be to replace the tranny with a remanufactured piece.