Eastern Ma & New England Area Fishing Reports

[Jigfishn10]

I was hoping to start fishing this weekend but my plans have changed. My son's baseball coach wants a practice tomorrow ahead of Sunday's opening day double header.

 

There's always next week.

[Janderson45]

Had the yak out in Webster today.  I'm a bit of slow learner and continue to kayak fish in these huge bodies of water lol...

 

weather and wind made it tougher than it should have been, but managed to catch a few largemouth. I paddled and fished all over the place looking for smallmouth, couldn't seem to locate them all day despite it being my target species.

 

I was however able to locate some huge schools of white perch and a limit of largemouth hanging around the perch.  The perch were huge so you woulda thought the largemouth mixed in them would be on the bigger side.. wasn't the case for whatever reason.  Biggest of the day didn't even break 2.5lbs.  All in all caught 5 largemouth and too many white perch to count, all of the fish came on a blade bait/silver buddy.  

 

Water temps were a balmy 41 degrees at the start, and warmed up to a blistering 42 degrees by 5pm.  Air temps were in the low 40s, wind 10-15mph out of the north west, with frequent 20-25mph gusts.  What was originally forecasted as 90% overcast wound up as 90% clear skies.  

 

Largemouth were all caught in 18-25 feet of water, I think the smallmouth were up shallower, but can't confirm as I didn't catch any.  The largemouth had zero fight in them, the white perch fought significantly harder lol.. 

 

Not the largest I caught but only one I took a picture of as it was the first. The rest of them were pretty similar in size 

 

 

 

[je1946]

13 hours ago, Janderson45 said:

Had the yak out in Webster today.  I'm a bit of slow learner and continue to kayak fish in these huge bodies of water lol...

 

weather and wind made it tougher than it should have been, but managed to catch a few largemouth. I paddled and fished all over the place looking for smallmouth, couldn't seem to locate them all day despite it being my target species.

 

I was however able to locate some huge schools of white perch and a limit of largemouth hanging around the perch.  The perch were huge so you woulda thought the largemouth mixed in them would be on the bigger side.. wasn't the case for whatever reason.  Biggest of the day didn't even break 2.5lbs.  All in all caught 5 largemouth and too many white perch to count, all of the fish came on a blade bait/silver buddy.  

 

Water temps were a balmy 41 degrees at the start, and warmed up to a blistering 42 degrees by 5pm.  Air temps were in the low 40s, wind 10-15mph out of the north west, with frequent 20-25mph gusts.  What was originally forecasted as 90% overcast wound up as 90% clear skies.  

 

Largemouth were all caught in 18-25 feet of water, I think the smallmouth were up shallower, but can't confirm as I didn't catch any.  The largemouth had zero fight in them, the white perch fought significantly harder lol.. 

 

Not the largest I caught but only one I took a picture of as it was the first. The rest of them were pretty similar in size 

 

 

 

Ditto that with Webster.  Fishing Rhino and I were there last Thur. and I managed 5 fish, only 1 LM of about 2 lbs.  All the rest were non bass, all on blades and we beat the place to a pulp, we too could not locate a smallie, same water temps of 41 degrees.  New boat just came in & now I can't get an Ultrex TM, everywhere is sold out. Shame on me for not getting one when they were available.  I'll be in touch when the Q opens, I still have my other Q boat that serves me well.

[Janderson45]

3 hours ago, je1946 said:

Ditto that with Webster.  Fishing Rhino and I were there last Thur. and I managed 5 fish, only 1 LM of about 2 lbs.  All the rest were non bass, all on blades and we beat the place to a pulp, we too could not locate a smallie, same water temps of 41 degrees.  New boat just came in & now I can't get an Ultrex TM, everywhere is sold out. Shame on me for not getting one when they were available.  I'll be in touch when the Q opens, I still have my other Q boat that serves me well.

 

What model Ultrex are you looking for?  Basspro recently got a bunch back in stock it seems, most of the models are available online now, they has been on backorder for a while.  I'm thinking about picking up a 24v/45"shaft Ultrex from basspro now too since they're back in stock and I'm ordering my Lund from the factory without a TM. 

 

Quabbin is open next weekend, I'll probably be out there opening day in a rental out of gate 8 as I have been the past 3 years.  New management last year, they no longer let you park a car in line as a "space holder", you now have to be with your vehicle at all times which is a bummer.  Slept in the truck while in line last year, lots of other people did as well.  Hopefully the wind cooperates this year, winds kicked up to 30mph out of the south last year on opening day, I was in a rental at the top of the gate 8 area navigating 2-3 foot waves all the way back to the launch, sure made things interesting!

[MassYak85]

I don't think I've ever fished webster this early in the season but when I do go I almost always seem to hook up with a smallie somewhere off the lighthouse. 

[je1946]

4 hours ago, Janderson45 said:

 

What model Ultrex are you looking for?  Basspro recently got a bunch back in stock it seems, most of the models are available online now, they has been on backorder for a while.  I'm thinking about picking up a 24v/45"shaft Ultrex from basspro now too since they're back in stock and I'm ordering my Lund from the factory without a TM. 

 

Quabbin is open next weekend, I'll probably be out there opening day in a rental out of gate 8 as I have been the past 3 years.  New management last year, they no longer let you park a car in line as a "space holder", you now have to be with your vehicle at all times which is a bummer.  Slept in the truck while in line last year, lots of other people did as well.  Hopefully the wind cooperates this year, winds kicked up to 30mph out of the south last year on opening day, I was in a rental at the top of the gate 8 area navigating 2-3 foot waves all the way back to the launch, sure made things interesting!

The Ultrex i need is the 80 with a 60" shaft, the 52 is too short on the V hull.  I hear you on the opening day thing  when I was younger I'd wait, but those days are long gone for me.  I won't be there until the first Wed.  The first Mon is also Patriots day so it'll probably be packed the first 3 days.  Hoping the weather stays as cool as it has so those water temps stay nice and cool.  I'll be in touch as we get closer.

[Mr. Aquarium]

Florida was a fun trip. Fishing was a lot tougher then what people said it would be! Had a lot of confidence but I was humbled real quick!
It took us 25 hours to get there! Got lost picking up my buddies Girlfriend in Ny. 
We went freshwater the first 2 days in Miami! I caught a pleco ( the sucker fish that clean fish Tanks) a spotted tilapia, a blue tilapia and a gar. Had a few hits more hits. Didn’t have any luck with peacocks or snake heads! My buddy and his girl wanted some alone time so i went fishing for a few hours. I came back at  1230 ish, they locked the door so my key wouldnt work.  Both of them are deaf so knocking isnt an option. Hotel security, who could let me in, was no where to be found. So I went fishing! Caught my first snook! I was so happy’ if I didn’t get locked out I wouldn’t have caught the fish! Fished till 330 am, my buddy woke up and saw my text. so i did manage to get in and sleep for a few hours. 
The next 2 days we wen on a charter for sailfish, mahi and sharks! The first day was slllllooooowwwwww! Had one hit from what we think was a king fish. We only caught one false albacore. That’s bait for them down here. We didnt even see a shark, NO SHARKS IN FLORIDA? I don't understand!!!!! something was off. we had a big dead albie out there soaking for HOURS, not even a hit.  The captain felt bad for us so he said we could come the next day and try again just tip the mate! The next day was a lot better! We caught a grouper. I caught my first snapper, we also caught a remora (the fish that live with sharks), and 6 birds. We saw a few sailfish and had one come up on the bait. That night we fished until 330 am! I caught an ocean catfish with a huge spine at the first spot. The next spot we saw a ton of snook up under the docks! We caught a look down. Such a weird fish. We didn’t hook an snook! The last 2 Days were for inshore fishin! My friends wanted to sleeping I said hell no, I’m in Florida I’m fishin! So I went out exploring! I had a few hits wind was blowing hard!!! No fish. Went back to hotel then headed to an inlet. Saw some big fish being caught’ huge 20lbs red! I missed bunch of lady fish cuz we were up on a pier with no bridge net! My buddy did get one lady fish! 
The next day we went back inshore fishin! First spot we saw a lot of bait, needlefish,
Sheepshead, and a ton of mullet! The last spot we were greeted with fish feeding on bait. I caught a small snook and caught my first sea trout. Had a lot of hits and spooked some nice fish! Later that night we went back to inlet, saw lady fish busting but couldn’t get one! My buddy and his girl hooked a few small snook but couldn’t get one, they landed one lady fish. 
The wildlife was incredible. It’s like Jurassic Park! 
We saw sea turtles! Giant iguanas, snakes, huge birds, dolphins and manatees! On the charter I stuck a remora to my leg! Met some awesome people! The guys on the charter were awesome. Met a cool English dude on the charter. I even hand fed some tarpon!

Fishing may have been slow but at least I know what to use and where to go! Next time I’m going to fish the salt a lot more then i did! Especially the inshore fish. I’m glad we went freshwater but I wish we didn’t fish that 2nd day. I went I down there for inshore fishing

Thank you for all who gave me info about fishing this area! This place is a whole different world!

I can’t wait to go back

[DogBone_384]

Congrats on a great trip Mike.  Aren't you glad you changed your screen name?

 

I met a deaf kid fishing at that big place in Plymouth. 5'10", dark hair (?), dark baseball cap?  He had a round baitcast reel on his rig.  Might that be him?

[Mr. Aquarium]

Mr. Aquarium is perfect. i love catching different species!

[Janderson45]

Looks like a brief warming trend in the forecast for Friday/Saturday.  I'll be getting out somewhere in the Kayak, location TBD.  Was thinking of fishing the Connecticut River (maybe the Oxbow?) but don't have much experience fishing it so not sure if that's a good gameplan or not.  Anyone ever fish the CT River?  If so, any advice or insight?

 

If I don't hit the CT River I'll either be at A1/Whitehall in Westborough or one of the smallmouth ponds down the cape. 

 

Heres the weather forecast for this weekend, looks pretty wild..

 

 

 

[Mr. Aquarium]

ill be at the chu saturday

[MassYak85]

I've fished the Connecticut several times for striper and smallies with my Uncle but that was always with chunk/live bait. I've never fished the oxbow myself. 

[Janderson45]

2 hours ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

ill be at the chu saturday

Saw a bunch of fish were caught opening weekend, looked like most of them were on the small side though. Saw lots of really little lakers taken.  The Chu definitely holds some great fish though.  

 

I used to fish it a bit more than I do now, shore fishing has become an absolute last resort for me.  Long walks in/out to your spot of choice, chucking kastmasters and soaking bait just doesn't have the appeal to me anymore that it once did...  if I could take a boat or kayak out there I'd be allll over it though..

 

Good luck!  

[je1946]

11 hours ago, Janderson45 said:

Saw a bunch of fish were caught opening weekend, looked like most of them were on the small side though. Saw lots of really little lakers taken.  The Chu definitely holds some great fish though.  

 

I used to fish it a bit more than I do now, shore fishing has become an absolute last resort for me.  Long walks in/out to your spot of choice, chucking kastmasters and soaking bait just doesn't have the appeal to me anymore that it once did...  if I could take a boat or kayak out there I'd be allll over it though..

 

Good luck!  

LOL, wouldn't we all love to get a boat in that place.  Has to be some huge smallies in there that have never seen a lure.  Did you get the results of the tourney on Webster last week?  I heard there were 2 LM over 7 caught.  Yes, confirmed a 7.4 and a 7.7 26lbs to win it.

[DogBone_384]

9 hours ago, Janderson45 said:

I don't hit the CT River I'll either be at A1/Whitehall in Westborough or one of the smallmouth ponds down the cape. 

I’ll be down the Cape M-Th next week, fishing Harwich & Brewster.  Wife’s last weekend of tax season so I’ll be in Plymouth warming up for Cape smallies....

 

If anyone sees an inferno orange Tundra ..... you found me...

[Fishing Rhino]

We still on for the Red Wing this Sunday?

[DogBone_384]

I’ll be there.

[Mr. Aquarium]

15 hours ago, Janderson45 said:

Saw a bunch of fish were caught opening weekend, looked like most of them were on the small side though. Saw lots of really little lakers taken.  The Chu definitely holds some great fish though.  

 

I used to fish it a bit more than I do now, shore fishing has become an absolute last resort for me.  Long walks in/out to your spot of choice, chucking kastmasters and soaking bait just doesn't have the appeal to me anymore that it once did...  if I could take a boat or kayak out there I'd be allll over it though..

 

Good luck!  

yea that place is awesome! lot of small lakers but giant bass to and a chance for a big laker. my buddy caught a 10lb laker few days ago. ive been fishing there for a few years, im not as gun ho as i used to be about fishing. i make a few trips a year

[Janderson45]

18 hours ago, je1946 said:

LOL, wouldn't we all love to get a boat in that place.  Has to be some huge smallies in there that have never seen a lure.  Did you get the results of the tourney on Webster last week?  I heard there were 2 LM over 7 caught.  Yes, confirmed a 7.4 and a 7.7 26lbs to win it.

 

Wow!  26lb bag is no joke for Massachusetts, and two 7+ lbers to boot... Would love to chat with that guy and hear what pattern he got figured out.  

[MassYak85]

21 hours ago, je1946 said:

LOL, wouldn't we all love to get a boat in that place.  Has to be some huge smallies in there that have never seen a lure.  Did you get the results of the tourney on Webster last week?  I heard there were 2 LM over 7 caught.  Yes, confirmed a 7.4 and a 7.7 26lbs to win it.

Wow! Two sevens in one day anywhere in MA is crazy! I've seen some big ones in webster and it tends to give above average fish when I go but man, that guy had something figured out. 

[Janderson45]

12 hours ago, Fishing Rhino said:

We still on for the Red Wing this Sunday?

 

Red Wing Diner on route 1, I know the place and might be able to make it on Sunday.  What time were you guys planning on meeting?  Saturday looks like the better day to fish with a pretty gnarly cold front moving in Saturday afternoon/night.. so I might just have some availability on Sunday!

[Fishing Rhino]

 

 

 

 

 

9 minutes ago, Janderson45 said:

 

Red Wing Diner on route 1, I know the place and might be able to make it on Sunday.  What time were you guys planning on meeting?  Saturday looks like the better day to fish with a pretty gnarly cold front moving in Saturday afternoon/night.. so I might just have some availability on Sunday!

I think it's one o'clock.  Dogbone, save us the trouble of going backward through the thread to get the time.

[Fishing Rhino]

The meet, greet and eat is at 1:00 p.m. at the Red Wing Diner on Route 1, a couple of miles north of the Bass Pro.  It is on the west side of route 1.  If you are traveling north on route 1 you'll need to take the off ramp on your right just past the Red Wing.  The ramp is not well marked, so you'll need to pay attention.  Take a left at the end of the ramp.  Then turn left at the traffic light to get on the south bound lane of route 1. 

[DogBone_384]

If I don’t work tomorrow I’ll be in Plymouth by 10:00-ish.  Planning on Great South.  If you see an orange Tundra parked at Little South, that’s me.  I’ll be in the blue Lure 11.5.

 

I’ll be at Redwing on Sunday for sure.  Look forward to a big crowd.

[Janderson45]

2 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

If I don’t work tomorrow I’ll be in Plymouth by 10:00-ish.  Planning on Great South.  If you see an orange Tundra parked at Little South, that’s me.  I’ll be in the blue Lure 11.5.

 

I’ll be at Redwing on Sunday for sure.  Look forward to a big crowd.

 

Weather forecast took a serious nose dive for tomorrow... looks like high temperature will be in the mid 50s (original forecast called for around 70 degrees) around 9-10AM, then falling sharply all afternoon until we end up with low 40's/high 30's... Maybe the fish will turn on since we've had a few warmer days and a serious cold front and pressure drop are approaching, fingers crossed.  Sunday highs in the 30's and rain all day... is it spring yet??  I'll plan on joining you guys at Redwing unless anything else comes up.  Tight lines to those getting out tomorrow