Eastern Ma & New England Area Fishing Reports

[Mr. Aquarium]

2 hours ago, Frezzy said:

Big Smallies are still chomping.  Got my 3rd over 6lbs this season in the warm temps yesterday.  She went 6.2lbs and was just fat as all hell.  Wish I took a pic of her belly.  Still looking for that 7+ and will be throwing nothing but big baits for the rest of the season... 

Holy hell 3 6lbs smallies? That’s something to talk about. Wow 

[DogBone_384]

3 hours ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

Got my 3rd over 6lbs this season

Congrats!  And a big welcome to BassResource to @Frezzy.  

 

@Saltysmalljaws has some serious competition!

[Frezzy]

2 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

Congrats!  And a big welcome to BassResource to @Frezzy.  

 

@Saltysmalljaws has some serious competition!

Thanks DogBone!  Been lurking for about a year and decided it was time to share some reports.

 

Hoping to score a few more nice Smallies before it's get too cold.

[Saltysmalljaws]

9 hours ago, Frezzy said:

Thanks DogBone!  Been lurking for about a year and decided it was time to share some reports.

 

Hoping to score a few more nice Smallies before it's get too cold.

Welcome Frezzy. Those are some absolute slobs! If you are a Chu fisherman, do you happen to know my buddy Chris? He loves wandering the shores up there with a Jackall rerange

[Frezzy]

15 hours ago, Saltysmalljaws said:

Welcome Frezzy. Those are some absolute slobs! If you are a Chu fisherman, do you happen to know my buddy Chris? He loves wandering the shores up there with a Jackall rerange

Thanks Salty!  Yeah the Chu is my stomping grounds.  Fish it 3 days a week all season for bass.  I’m sure I have run into your buddy Chris at some point.  Tough to beat a Jerkbait at the Chu.  The jig bite is good now as well.

[Mr. Aquarium]

Saturday a buddy and I wanted some smallies, beautiful day bit chilly.  We struggled, no fish finder I forgot the power cord for it. I got 2 smallies a few small yellows and a nice white on a blade.  Had a whack on a tube and got a pickerel  at sunset. 
 

sunday, I busted out the yak. Hit a pond I’ve been to once 7 years ago. Started off with a blade and tube.  Paddled around, finally found em. Quick flurry of action, got 4 bass quickly in one area.  Got 3 on a tube and 1 on a jig I made.  Twin 2.10s, 3.5 and a 4. No other fish for the rest of the time at this spot. Sun setting I tried for a hailmary at my honey hole. Quickly got one on a blade, then bunch on a tube. I ended up with 6 bass a few nice perch and a pickerel.  All in an hour. Nothing big biggest was just shy of 3. 

[DogBone_384]

I threw my waders in the car and went south, randomly picking Little South. Starting with a V110 and gold Binsky, I found nothing but wilted salad.  I quickly walked over to Great South and spooked a decent LMB away from shore.  I tried to coax him into a jerkbait, but no go.  I traded the Binsky for a Ned and worked the NW shore for a bit without success.  There was topwater action, likely white perch, beyond my casting range, but I tied on a Rapala skitter walk and tried my best.  Again, no go.  I also spooked a good sized SMB, who was also right on the bank.

 

I moved west along the bank, but just couldn't get deep enough do keep my jerkbait off the bottom.  I swapped the Ned to a Sungill Rage Tail Menace on a Matt Allen jig head.  A small SMB whacked it upon hitting the water. I saw one school of baitfish against the shore in the NW corner in some grass.

 

I finished up at the NE corner where it drops off by a point.  Couldn't get a bite there either, but a school of finger sized fish hung around my legs for a few then went on their way.  Perch, perhaps?

 

Today was just a case of being shore bound and simply not being able to cast to deep enough water.

 

The highlight of my trip was not getting skunked and the Bald Eagle that flew over me just before dusk.

 

Congrats to a coworker (that I can't get to join BR) on his 5-2 and 5-3 LMB.  He got them at different ponds on the South Shore today, on a Psycho-Gill swimbait.

 

 

 

[Don51]

I used to wade around Little South this time of year. I don't ever remember weeds being a problem. Must be something recent. You should have hit Little like I keep saying. The trout bite is on this time of year! 

[MassYak85]

12 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

I threw my waders in the car and went south, randomly picking Little South. Starting with a V110 and gold Binsky, I found nothing but wilted salad.  I quickly walked over to Great South and spooked a decent LMB away from shore.  I tried to coax him into a jerkbait, but no go.  I traded the Binsky for a Ned and worked the NW shore for a bit without success.  There was topwater action, likely white perch, beyond my casting range, but I tied on a Rapala skitter walk and tried my best.  Again, no go.  I also spooked a good sized SMB, who was also right on the bank.

 

I moved west along the bank, but just couldn't get deep enough do keep my jerkbait off the bottom.  I swapped the Ned to a Sungill Rage Tail Menace on a Matt Allen jig head.  A small SMB whacked it upon hitting the water. I saw one school of baitfish against the shore in the NW corner in some grass.

 

I finished up at the NE corner where it drops off by a point.  Couldn't get a bite there either, but a school of finger sized fish hung around my legs for a few then went on their way.  Perch, perhaps?

 

Today was just a case of being shore bound and simply not being able to cast to deep enough water.

 

The highlight of my trip was not getting skunked and the Bald Eagle that flew over me just before dusk.

 

Congrats to a coworker (that I can't get to join BR) on his 5-2 and 5-3 LMB.  He got them at different ponds on the South Shore today, on a Psycho-Gill swimbait.

 

 

 

The Psycho Gill has been killing it. I actually haven't fished mine as much this year. The first year I got it I couldn't put it down but I don't know if it's just me not giving it the time but I haven't had much luck on it this year.

[Mr. Aquarium]

I need a 3 piece, and a trout from Joey 

[guidoStow]

3 hours ago, Frezzy said:

Fished the Sudbury Reservoir this afternoon from noon until about 3:45pm.  Been hammering the Chu so decided to switch it up.  I want to love this place so much, but it always disappoints me.  I live 10 mins away and it just looks like it holds big bass.  I got about 15 or so pickerel and a half dozen yellow perch.  Not even a sniff from a bass.  Most fish came on the big Megabass Max LBO Jerkbait.  Tried lipless, spinnerbait and the Jack Hammer as well.  The other times I have fished here its usually an absolute dink fest with nothing over a pound or two.

 

Does anyone catch quality bass out of the Sud?

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!        

I'm on the list for a Psycho now.  Traded some messages with Joey today and I'm up soon.  Can't wait to try it in the spring.

 

Any size to the Pickerel?

 

[Frezzy]

3 hours ago, guidoStow said:

 

Any size to the Pickerel?

 

Nah, not really.  They were all on the smaller side.  

[Styguy922]

6 hours ago, Frezzy said:

Fished the Sudbury Reservoir this afternoon from noon until about 3:45pm.  Been hammering the Chu so decided to switch it up.  I want to love this place so much, but it always disappoints me.  I live 10 mins away and it just looks like it holds big bass.  I got about 15 or so pickerel and a half dozen yellow perch.  Not even a sniff from a bass.  Most fish came on the big Megabass Max LBO Jerkbait.  Tried lipless, spinnerbait and the Jack Hammer as well.  The other times I have fished here its usually an absolute dink fest with nothing over a pound or two.

 

Does anyone catch quality bass out of the Sud?

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!        

I'm on the list for a Psycho now.  Traded some messages with Joey today and I'm up soon.  Can't wait to try it in the spring.

Funny, I usually do terribly on the Sudbury too, but I managed to catch a nice 4.86 lb’er and several nice fish this spring in one outing.  Other than that, very limited success.  It’s highly pressured.....
 

I am chomping at the bit to fish this week.  Took tomorrow off to fish, gonna try and fish Thanksgiving AM if the family will let me ;), and then will try the rest of the weekend as well.  

[MassYak85]

Hit up Quinsig today from 9 to 2 with my dad. We did pretty decent. Blades, tailspins, and jerkbaits were the ticket. Got tons of perch and crappie on everything, and we each got a largemouth on a tailspin in about 25 FOW on the fall. I managed 3 quality bites in one area from Smallies, all on a Damiki Vault. They were all sitting on a drop-off that goes from 10 to 25 quick, hopped off the bottom. First bite was a nice fish, but it bent out the rear hook during a run at the boat, my bad for fishing the stock hardware I guess. Swapped the hooks out and went back to it. Next cast another one, probably similar sized. That one I landed, very healthy probably just over 3lbs. Got another shortly after, a little smaller maybe 2lbs. 

[bassroyd94]

On 11/23/2021 at 8:45 AM, MassYak85 said:

The Psycho Gill has been killing it. I actually haven't fished mine as much this year. The first year I got it I couldn't put it down but I don't know if it's just me not giving it the time but I haven't had much luck on it this year.

If you ever want to let go of that psycho gill...  

[MassYak85]

23 hours ago, Frezzy said:

 

I'm on the list for a Psycho now.  Traded some messages with Joey today and I'm up soon.  Can't wait to try it in the spring.

When did you get on the list? I actually got mine on a super lucky drop. Then I was on the list for like a year but ended up letting my dad take that one. He said he re-added me to the list but it's been a while. I should shoot him a message. Pretty sure he closed it and is just finishing it out at this point. Whenever he releases that Trout again I gotta try and get one.

[Frezzy]

2 hours ago, MassYak85 said:

When did you get on the list? I actually got mine on a super lucky drop. Then I was on the list for like a year but ended up letting my dad take that one. He said he re-added me to the list but it's been a while. I should shoot him a message. Pretty sure he closed it and is just finishing it out at this point. Whenever he releases that Trout again I gotta try and get one.

I got on the list back in early January of this year.  He said it was a 10 or so month wait at that time.  He's a little behind, but not by much.

 

Getting one on a drop is incredibly lucky.  You must have a horseshoe up your ass.  

[Frezzy]

After catching a pile of slime darts yesterday at the Sudbury Reservoir I decided to hit up a spot I know I can catch quality fish at this afternoon.  Wind was brutal and it was chilly.  Ended up with 4 nice Smallies all fat cookie cutter fish between 4-4.8lbs.  Blade bait bite is heating up.  Damiki Vault in half ounce caught all the fish.  They probably would have hit the Jerkbait as well but wind was a major problem.  This was the best of the bunch at 4.8lbs.

 

[Styguy922]

Took the kayak out today on a small reservoir along the Nashua River in hopes of getting a couple bass before i succumbed to the cold wind.  Wind was steady and cold and even with some good gear on, my hands were taking a beating - need some better gloves for fishing! 
 

Water temp started off around 42 so I immediately tried for some deep water.  There is a relatively large (and deep) pocket on this section that gets down to around 12 ft - deepest part of the river in the general area so I figured it may hold some bass along what was left of the weed edge along the break.  Wind was a pain so I used a ned rig and got bit on my first cast.  Brought fish to the boat but he came off - bummer.  After that, was a brief window of consistent action.  I may have spooked the fish after a gust of wind pushed my kayak right over them.
 

Managed to get 4  LMB really quickly on the ned which was real fun!   After that, landed a HUGE pickerel and then the wind picked up, sun went behind the trees, water dropped to 39/40, and I had to go warm up.  Fun little session.  Sneaking out tomorrow in the AM before the festivities begin and remembering to wear a few more layers  

 

[MassYak85]

Great to see everyone get rewarded for getting out in the cold today! My reel and guides were freezing up quite a bit until about 11. Rod guides not so much an issue just needs a dip into the water, but the reel line guide made finesse fishing tough when the line feels likes its sawing through something with every turn of the handle. I hear you on hands though. I rock cheap fingerless fleece gloves and it's usually not too too bad unless it's like below 20 with the wind chill. Usually the two fingers that I rest under the reel seat on the rod get the worst of it with water dripping down and conduction from the reel seat.

[MassYak85]

I think we're gonna go out one last time tomorrow and torture ourselves before calling it a year and shifting focus to ice season. Wind chills in the teens...at least if we catch any it will be cool to do it with snow on the ground. 

 

I'm sure there will be some freak warm days this winter with the way the weather has been going this year. I'm definitely gonna keep one of my kayak racks on through the winter I think. 

[guidoStow]

Rainy, gusty, chilly day should have been perfect for Esox but that was not to case today. First real day of fishing from the new kayak and I continue to be delighted. Threw just about everything in the box over the full water column with only one small suggestion of interest but no contact. Oh well...

Lots of green pond weed action still going on...

Was less delighted to step off the launch ramp and fall full into the water though. A very cold packing session followed...

[MassYak85]

Well, that's the unofficial end to my season. Me and my dad took his boat out one last time. Was gonna try Hamilton Res, but the design of the ramp and drawdown made that a no-go, same with Brimfield so we ended up at Quabog. Wind was brutal, wind chills in the teens. We fished the same area the whole day it was somewhat sheltered but still had some depth. I struck out fishing blade baits, finesse jigs, and jerkbaits. My dad got a decent one on an Swaver 168 and a 3-3 slow rolling a big Musky Spinnerbait with some hair. Water temps 37-38. 

 

I still plan to go out once or twice more in my kayak if we get some warm days (hopefully with no wind ahem). Overall a great season. Me and my dad both broke our PB. I felt like I learned a lot and got more confidence in a bunch of techniques, and felt like even in the cold water and transition periods I still had a decent feel for things. My goal this year was 5 over 5lbs including two 6s. I came up one 6lber short of that goal but until this year I had never gotten two 5s in a season so I'm stoked on the progress. And there's still a little time to still hit it.

 

Next year I'm not sure if I wanna aim for consistency or make my goal just to get a 7. One of these years I want to commit just to big baits for a year but I don't think I'm quite where I want to be yet to do that. 

[Mr. Aquarium]

Awesome season @MassYak85. 
Hope no ice down here! I saw fish up top last weekend at 3 ponds 

[MassYak85]

21 minutes ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

Awesome season @MassYak85. 
Hope no ice down here! I saw fish up top last weekend at 3 ponds 

I almost wonder if the milder winters down there might mean bigger fish in the long term. Longer Falls and no ice should mean more time to feed up and longer growing periods in theory right?