Eastern Ma & New England Area Fishing Reports

[MassYak85]

21 hours ago, gjfisher said:

Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving.  Few bass today, but a big pile of yellow perch.  They went nuts at every bass lure I threw today.  Caught them on jerkbait, small swimbait, drop shot and even 3/8 oz jigs!  I have never seen them so aggressive feeding.  I did manage to catch two bass--one on a jackall rerange and one on a drop shot in 28 FOW.  Water temp was 48-50 degrees.   

The perch can be insane this time of year.

 

I had a good weekend fishing a tailspinner. Caught almost all of my fish between 15-20FOW on steep breaks. Seems like the Fall Feed is still going strong. I couldn't put down that tailspinner. Got some nice bass between 2-4lbs and the biggest white perch I've ever seen. I submitted it for a pin lol. Pickerel were going nuts too and got into a school of yellow perch, probably caught 20 in 30 casts. 

 

This is my unofficial end to the season. Sucks cause it's been such a mild year I'd love to fish up until Christmas but with Covid I doubt I'll get to squeeze much more in aside from some shore sessions. Couldn't ask for a much better last weekend though. I'm definitely starting to feel more comfortable fishing deep. 

[Dunks N Dinks]

Had a tough but rewarding Saturday on John's Pond with Mr. & Mrs @Saltysmalljaws.  Fun to see that tag-team at work, and it was also fun to try to put the puzzle-pieces together on a pond i hadnt fished since mid-April. We skipped back and forth fishing the outside, then inside weed-edges around submergent vegetation, finally finding ourselves much deeper looking for 'pelagic' brownies. We overlapped with a few active smallies every few hours, but never really found a primary school. Luckily, some monster pickerel kept our crew busy wrangling slime-rockets and retying most of the day. On the bright-side, almost all of the bass bites we got were solid quality, with our best 3 on the day going for >10lbs. It was my turn to do the big fish honors after salty smashed that 4lber on LPH earlier in the week...and my first bite of the day didnt disappoint...this beauty of a 4.06 smallie tail-walking around the boat with a single blade-bait treble in its upper lip gave me goosebumps. Also added a one-eyed 3.25 largie to the mix. 

[Styguy922]

16 hours ago, MassYak85 said:

The perch can be insane this time of year.

 

I had a good weekend fishing a tailspinner. Caught almost all of my fish between 15-20FOW on steep breaks. Seems like the Fall Feed is still going strong. I couldn't put down that tailspinner. Got some nice bass between 2-4lbs and the biggest white perch I've ever seen. I submitted it for a pin lol. Pickerel were going nuts too and got into a school of yellow perch, probably caught 20 in 30 casts. 

 

This is my unofficial end to the season. Sucks cause it's been such a mild year I'd love to fish up until Christmas but with Covid I doubt I'll get to squeeze much more in aside from some shore sessions. Couldn't ask for a much better last weekend though. I'm definitely starting to feel more comfortable fishing deep. 

 

Glad you had a good outing!  I had similar results...water temp was low after a cool night and morning hovering around 39-40 up on the Nashua River (has since gone up a bit).  I was slowly twitching a vision 110 in around 5-8 FOW.  Caught just one bass, a few crappie, and several big pickerel....one went over 4 lbs it was the biggest I think I've ever caught lol.   Never caught many crappie up in that area before this weekend, so I'm hoping their population isn't blossoming and thus competing for small prey with smaller bass that still need to grow!  I think, based on the fact my pickerel/crappie to bass ratio was so high, I should have targeted some deeper areas/drop offs but they are few and far between on some of these rivers.

 

What were the water temps for you?  I'm hoping to bag some decent bass this December with the extended forecast looking fairly mild in MA

[MassYak85]

4 hours ago, Styguy922 said:

 

Glad you had a good outing!  I had similar results...water temp was low after a cool night and morning hovering around 39-40 up on the Nashua River (has since gone up a bit).  I was slowly twitching a vision 110 in around 5-8 FOW.  Caught just one bass, a few crappie, and several big pickerel....one went over 4 lbs it was the biggest I think I've ever caught lol.   Never caught many crappie up in that area before this weekend, so I'm hoping their population isn't blossoming and thus competing for small prey with smaller bass that still need to grow!  I think, based on the fact my pickerel/crappie to bass ratio was so high, I should have targeted some deeper areas/drop offs but they are few and far between on some of these rivers.

 

What were the water temps for you?  I'm hoping to bag some decent bass this December with the extended forecast looking fairly mild in MA

We hit up Webster, water was still mid 40s. My notes from last year this same weekend had the water there at 39. So we're definitely a few weeks behind schedule.

[DogBone_384]

I fished Snake and Buck’s Pond yesterday.  I caught 1 pick, 1 SMB, and one fat YP at Snake.  All three were caught on a 1/4 oz Damiki blade bait.  Winds were tough most of the morning.  I didn’t really mark much.

 

Buck’s coughed up four small LMB.  Three came on a green pumpkin/chartreuse Ned and the fourth on a perch jerkbait whose mfg. I don’t remember.

 

Water temps at both ponds was 50.x - 51.x and air pressure was 29.6.

 

I achieved my goal of catching fish in open water every month of the year, but overall, I’ll give 2020 a C-.  I broke 3 pounds in May, and had one over 2 1/2 in August, but overall couldn’t break 2 pounds the rest of the year.

 

My first Summer owning a bass boat didn’t turn out to be as much fun as I thought.  Like everything, it’ll just take time and patience (!?!?!?!?) to get out of my comfort zone (kayak/small waters), learn the new electronics and how to efficiently fish big waters.

 

A big thanks to SaltySmallJaws and Mr. Aquarium for their help this year.

 

I can’t say I’m done for ‘20, but if it is, JANUARY isn’t far away.

[DogBone_384]

On the recommendation of Professor SaltySmallJaws, I dropped in Smalls pond for a little bit before getting off Cape for the season (!?!?!?!).  Under his tutelage I grabbed two big yellow perch and one short and F A T LMB, and lost something similarly sized.  My Damiki DC100 hooked onto 3, and a T-rigged 5" Fluke got whacked by one of the bigger perch.

 

Water temps were high 49.x and winds were 15 mph upon arrival and 20+ by lunch when I left. Air pressure was 29.9.

[Mr. Aquarium]

How deep is that place?  Been thinking of hitting it 

[DogBone_384]

I left the Firehouse this morning and finished my side job around 1:30.  It was too nice to stay home so I packed a kayak and took off for Lake Massapoag in Sharon.  The ramp was engulfed with 1-2" waves, so I turned back and headed for my 'home' pond: Ponkapog.  On the way to Ponkie I realized I was about to pass Canton Reservoir.  I stopped here because it's an easier launch and has decent protection from winds coming from the south.

 

About 45 minutes in I grabbed a 3.06 and 1.32 LMB with a threadfin shad Jackall Rerange 110 on consecutive casts.  I stayed until just about dark. 

 

Water temps were 46.x and the air pressure was 30.  

 

If this is my last trip in 2020, not a bad way to finish up.

[MassYak85]

On 12/4/2020 at 7:00 PM, DogBone_384 said:

I left the Firehouse this morning and finished my side job around 1:30.  It was too nice to stay home so I packed a kayak and took off for Lake Massapoag in Sharon.  The ramp was engulfed with 1-2" waves, so I turned back and headed for my 'home' pond: Ponkapog.  On the way to Ponkie I realized I was about to pass Canton Reservoir.  I stopped here because it's an easier launch and has decent protection from winds coming from the south.

 

About 45 minutes in I grabbed a 3.06 and 1.32 LMB with a threadfin shad Jackall Rerange 110 on two consecutive casts.  I stayed until just about dark. 

 

Water temps were 46.x and the air pressure was 30.  

 

If this is my last trip in 2020, not a bad way to finish up.

It seems that's the way it goes this time of year. You find them and they're grouped up and can get some on consecutive casts and then nothing for a while. 

 

Anyone get out before the Noreaster? 

[DogBone_384]

14 hours ago, MassYak85 said:

Anyone get out before the Noreaster? 

Canton Res was it for me.  Family duties kept me off the water yesterday.

[Styguy922]

21 hours ago, MassYak85 said:

It seems that's the way it goes this time of year. You find them and they're grouped up and can get some on consecutive casts and then nothing for a while. 

 

Anyone get out before the Noreaster? 

 

I was able to get out on Friday in my kayak as yesterday was pouring/snowing all day.  Water temps were around 42-43 F.  Natural pond just south of the NH border, have caught my PB there before (actually this past spring!).  Couldn't find any fish for the first hour or so, didn't see any on my Lowrance on the steep drop offs or deeper pockets.  Bagged a nice yellow perch on a red lipless but then switched to the Vision 110 and bagged 2 LMB in short succession of one another.  They appeared to be schooled up on a deep flat with hard bottom.  Both fish were around a pound, maybe a bit more, so nothing big but good looking bass with nice color.  Felt good to get a couple of them in December. 

 

Hoping to get out later this week or Saturday as it is supposed to warm up again and maybe I can get something a bit bigger (fishingreal slowwww).  I'm just going to keep throwing jerkbaits and blade baits until ice presents itself.  Hope everyone is able to find some luck!

 

[DogBone_384]

4 minutes ago, Styguy922 said:

Hope everyone is able to find some luck!

Welcome to the forum. You’ll find it a great group of people!

[Styguy922]

8 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said:

Welcome to the forum. You’ll find it a great group of people!

 

Thank you!  I've been following these forums for years and finally decided I should contribute .  I've made just a handful of posts so far but you'll be seeing more of me!

[MassYak85]

39 minutes ago, Styguy922 said:

 

I was able to get out on Friday in my kayak as yesterday was pouring/snowing all day.  Water temps were around 42-43 F.  Natural pond just south of the NH border, have caught my PB there before (actually this past spring!).  Couldn't find any fish for the first hour or so, didn't see any on my Lowrance on the steep drop offs or deeper pockets.  Bagged a nice yellow perch on a red lipless but then switched to the Vision 110 and bagged 2 LMB in short succession of one another.  They appeared to be schooled up on a deep flat with hard bottom.  Both fish were around a pound, maybe a bit more, so nothing big but good looking bass with nice color.  Felt good to get a couple of them in December. 

 

Hoping to get out later this week or Saturday as it is supposed to warm up again and maybe I can get something a bit bigger (fishingreal slowwww).  I'm just going to keep throwing jerkbaits and blade baits until ice presents itself.  Hope everyone is able to find some luck!

 

Nice! Usually my last fish of the year comes on a blade bait. I picked up a couple Jackall Deracoup tailspinners this year though and they were money in November. I was still working them at a decent pace considering the water temps, just enough to keep off the bottom. I wish I had stuck with the Hudds a little more this fall but it was hard to do when they're visibly chasing tiny baitfish schools. 

[Styguy922]

39 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Nice! Usually my last fish of the year comes on a blade bait. I picked up a couple Jackall Deracoup tailspinners this year though and they were money in November. I was still working them at a decent pace considering the water temps, just enough to keep off the bottom. I wish I had stuck with the Hudds a little more this fall but it was hard to do when they're visibly chasing tiny baitfish schools. 

 

Ha, I'm almost positive I have that model in my shopping cart on tackle warehouse right now - they look real nice.  I had the same dilemma with the larger swimbaits.  Really wanted to just devote a bunch of time using them to get something real big but I succumbed to my impatience......and here I am with no big fall fish!  

[MassYak85]

40 minutes ago, Styguy922 said:

 

Ha, I'm almost positive I have that model in my shopping cart on tackle warehouse right now - they look real nice.  I had the same dilemma with the larger swimbaits.  Really wanted to just devote a bunch of time using them to get something real big but I succumbed to my impatience......and here I am with no big fall fish!  

They are nice, swap out the split rings though. I don't know why they felt the need to cheap out on those for a 10 dollar bait.

[Mr. Aquarium]

17 hours ago, MassYak85 said:

Nice! Usually my last fish of the year comes on a blade bait. I picked up a couple Jackall Deracoup tailspinners this year though and they were money in November. I was still working them at a decent pace considering the water temps, just enough to keep off the bottom. I wish I had stuck with the Hudds a little more this fall but it was hard to do when they're visibly chasing tiny baitfish schools. 

That’s why I bring both. Lot of guys are strictly swimbaits. I’m about getting fish. Jig,

Big 9 Inch swimbait, a ned rig or drop shot. 

[Mr. Aquarium]

Finally got to fish on my trip to the Rockies. Hired a guide to fish Dillon Reservoir in Silverthorn. Fished with Alpine Fishin Adventures.   We fished jigs with meal worms. Gitzit tube and a kastmaster is what the guide used. I switched to my own tied 1/16 ounce jig steelhead jig, crushed em!!!!!!   We only needed to fish 2 holes close together in a cove. 30 feet deep. No structure. Just waiting for schools to cruise by.  WE SMOKED EM!!! First fish was beautiful brownie, hit like a fright train. Next one was a small beautiful Cutbow trout, (hybrid cutthroat and rainbow)  we smoked the little rainbows, but they were so beautiful. Pink stripe, orange fins and white hue around the edge like a brookie. I got a larger bow that that guide thinks it was a cutbow because of the size of it.  But I quickly released it before I got to look for the red mark on the jaw.  The bows are stocked here and are pretty small. They don’t get big here due to the food source. The guide was telling me there’s a die off of bows in the spring and fall. I also got a sucker. I got one of the Wildest prettiest colored rainbow I’ve ever seen. 
 

Unfortunately no Kokanee salmon or Arctic charr.  But hey we smoked the fish, got my first Cutbow and 2 new strains of rainbows.  Such an incredible day.  The scenery was amazing.  
 

Goinf fly fishing Saturday on some prime rivers, then Sunday for spawning  Kokanee salmon. 

[Mr. Aquarium]

Got to fish some prime waters today, fly fished the high country. Absolutely incredible scenery.  We saw elk, bison, and donkeys.  The fly fishin was tough no fish. The guide told me to Head down stream to fish a super deep pool.  Put on the spinning reel on my 4 weight fly rod. Tied on one of
My own tied jigs.  Last 15 minutes of the day. 2 beautiful browns. The bigger brown was The last cast of the trip. 

[Jigfishn10]

I stayed out in Lake Dillon twice @Mr. Aquarium. Loved the area. I was so close on buying property out there but ended up buying in Maine. 
I didn’t get a chance to fish lake Dillon proper but I was able to fly fish the gold medal rivers in surrounding towns. 
Looks like you did well for yourself. Congrats.

[Mr. Aquarium]

6 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

I stayed out in Lake Dillon twice @Mr. Aquarium. Loved the area. I was so close on buying property out there but ended up buying in Maine. 
I didn’t get a chance to fish lake Dillon proper but I was able to fly fish the gold medal rivers in surrounding towns. 
Looks like you did well for yourself. Congrats.

It’s so beautiful out here! I don’t want to leave 

[Jigfishn10]

1 minute ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

It’s so beautiful out here! I don’t want to leave 

I went early august both times, fishing was phenomenal 

[Mr. Aquarium]

7 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

I went early august both times, fishing was phenomenal 

Yea definitely want to come back during the warmer months. Fly fishin in 5 Degree temps is tough 

[Dunks N Dinks]

Cape Tourney Recap: @Saltysmalljaws and I hopped into a team open event on Ashumet Pond Sunday...knowing it may well be one of the last opportunities to get a full session in on the Cape in 2020. We certainly made it count. Neither of us had been there before...but Ashumet sets up similar to most Cape kettleholes with a pretty typical mix (30-70%?) of largemouth and smallies ranging across a mostly-barren bowl with sparse structure elements. Water temps were 44-45 while it was a blustery but warm 55 degree day with a partly sunny post-frontal environment.

 

Our initial game-plan was to look for wintering smallies on deeper break-lines...but that's not how it played out whatsoever. Instead, almost from the start, we began to observe signs of fish ambushing wind-pushed bait MUCH shallower than we had expected...all of them quality-size largemouth. We made the decision to scrap the game-plan and ended up dialing in on a subtle rock-spine (or several connecting rock-piles) in 7-10ft that fish were consistently pushing perch and minnows into...and rotated through this spot every few hours with solid results. We ended up with a limit of ~16.5lbs and won the tourney by 4lbs...most other teams staying out deep and targeting smallmouth. Jake retook big fish honors with a 3.9lber. I added three 3lb helpers alongside on bottom-contact baits. A very memorable day to end the 2020 season. 

 

[Mr. Aquarium]

awesome fish!! Congrats on the win and lunker!!!