Eastern Ma & New England Area Fishing Reports

[Fishing Rhino]

Well guys, the weather has been terrible here.  It's either cold, rainy, or windy.  I thought there might be a day or two where I could get on the water and be reasonably comfortable, but the windows of opportunity closed before they opened.

Now, I'm focused on getting all the yard work done around here before I start my annual trek to warmer climes.

Going to hook up with Grampa1117 for a couple of days on Lake Marion (Santee/Cooper) in South Caroliina.  From there, it's on to Pickwick with maybe a side trip for a couple of days at Guntersville.

I hope the weather improves around here for you guys. 

When I get back, I'm looking forward to some outings together. 

[Mike2841]

Went out for a couple hours Sunday morning. It was freezing and I didn't catch anything, still nice to be out though. I hope everyone had a good Easter. 

[DogBone_384]

Stopped by BHR on the way back from Fall River.  On the 4th or 5th cast I felt a dead line, so I leaned back a little bit, then set the hook.  My blue/black Chatterbait rewarded me with a 4 pound 6 ounce bass in the same area my 4/11 came from.   Today's wind was a little much, even for spinning gear, so I packed it up to get home, finish some housework, and get myself ready for work.

If there's no extra work tomorrow, I'll likely be back there for a while, unless I decide toss the kayak in my truck and look for other waters.

I didn't get the water temp.  The wind was 15+ mph, coming from the north.

Good luck to everyone else.

[BR1AN]

no bass fishing for me yet, hope to try soon. Been taking advantage of the stock trout for easy dinners Been doing pretty well with catching our limits every outing. Went out on the boat Saturday and got some on rooster tails. Packed up the boat and went on the beach to set up some powerbait and grabbed 2 more within the hour.

I am def ready for some bass fishing though. Got a new rod and plan on throwing some big swimbaits this year.

[DogBone_384]

On 3/27/2016 at 6:54 PM, Treeguy827 said:

Unfortunately not yet I'm looking into getting a small fishing kayak but just fishing from shore for now I fished a small pond off wareham st in carver last night caught a large pickerel. hoping to up load some pics of fish I catch in the area

Look up Doug Gray.  He own's Billington Sea Kayak in Plymouth.  He's a good guy.  His shop is on Billington Sea (hence the name) and lets you paddle before you buy.  I bought my Lure 11.5 from him and love it.  He had a '15 11.5 leftover I was going to buy for my wife, but I snapped a leaf spring and allocated fun money for the repair.  He was selling it at a nice discount.  Consider giving him a call.

[bass_masster]

On 3/28/2016 at 1:48 PM, Treeguy827 said:

Yup that little spot on the bend wasn't very good. I live walking distance from sampsons pond but only being able to fish from shore restricts me from getting to any decent spots. Won't be doing any fishing to Thursday afternoon most likely...have any of you locals ever had the chance to fish edaville reservoir? Some big bass in there but they can be real strict over there  

Used to fish it years ago when we were kids, had a slick way in too, and worked there for a time and knew some people, but haven't wanted to risk it anymore since, despite it being a good fish. Water is pretty dark/heavily stained but definitely good fishing.

[Treeguy827]

3 hours ago, bass_masster said:

Used to fish it years ago when we were kids, had a slick way in too, and worked there for a time and knew some people, but haven't wanted to risk it anymore since, despite it being a good fish. Water is pretty dark/heavily stained but definitely good fishing.

Yeah very big fish... it almost never gets fished because of the level of strictness (believe you need a makepeace sticker to be allowed in its about 50 dollars,  could be wrong about this) but if you can get in it's a good time. There is a way in off meadow st if you take some bog roads also other ways in. I heard they used to have tournaments  in there back in the day but it's obviously pretty blocked off now. Any recommended spots in the carver I could be unaware of? I work in needham was thinking about stopping at houghtons today sound like a good idea?

[DogBone_384]

Got out of work this morning, did my chores, spec'd out a side job, and bolted to Ponkie to get some bass.  That WAS the plan.  Started on East end and worked towards the SE area where the big rocks are.  Used a Shadow Rap Shad and blue/black Chigger-Craw (that netted my pair of 4 pounders..).  Managed a 10 oz perch (great colors) and two dink pickerels.  It got windy after lunch, which made for a tough afternoon with the bait casters. 

I switched to a Yozuri perch colored jerk bait and Hula Grub for a while, working back toward the boat launch.  No go.

Surface temps were low 47.x when I got there around 11:00 and just over 48.X when I left at 3:00. 

No bass today, but I didn't get skunked. 

ADD: I got to test out my Con_ept C I just got tuned by DVT.  What a difference!  Ever see a Shadow Rap Shad FLY?  If you've not already done so, send your favorite reels to Mike @ DVT and get them tuned up... very worth it!

[ranger7717]

3 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

Got out of work this morning, did my chores, spec'd out a side job, and bolted to Ponkie to get some bass.  That WAS the plan.  Started on East end and worked towards the SE area where the big rocks are.  Used a Shadow Rap Shad and blue/black Chigger-Craw (that netted my pair of 4 pounders..).  Managed a 10 oz perch (great colors) and two dink pickerels.  It got windy after lunch, which made for a tough afternoon with the bait casters. 

I switched to a Yozuri perch colored jerk bait and Hula Grub for a while, working back toward the boat launch.  No go.

Surface temps were low 47.x when I got there around 11:00 and just over 48.X when I left at 3:00. 

No bass today, but I didn't get skunked. 

ADD: I got to test out my Con_ept C I just got tuned by DVT.  What a difference!  Ever see a Shadow Rap Shad FLY?  If you've not already done so, send your favorite reels to Mike @ DVT and get them tuned up... very worth it!

i'm  mostly a spinning gear guy, but i have a lews bb1 and a bb1 pro....would these reels be something to tune up, and would i see a big difference ? also, whats the tune up consist of and how much ?

[Janderson45]

I cant speak for DVT, but most all casting reels can benefit from a tune up, even if they're brand new..

thorough cleaning, oil, grease, lube all applied in the correct quantities in the correct places, possibility to upgrade stock bearings for longer casts/smoother retrieves and operation, upgrading stock drags to make them perform more consistently throughout their range of pressures, etc.. 

If you're a DIY kind of guy this can all be done fairly easily by yourself as well, countless videos and walkthroughs on the web to help you disassemble, upgrade/clean and then reassemble your reel.  

[Retired@176]

Landed my first ever brown trout this AM on the good end of a chewed up senko from last year via gammy 3/0 EWG super/ weightless / 24lb. gliss / performaXT30 / kistler mag. MHF spinning from the shore, beautiful animal, catch & release

 

[DogBone_384]

17 hours ago, Janderson45 said:

I cant speak for DVT, but most all casting reels can benefit from a tune up, even if they're brand new..

thorough cleaning, oil, grease, lube all applied in the correct quantities in the correct places, possibility to upgrade stock bearings for longer casts/smoother retrieves and operation, upgrading stock drags to make them perform more consistently throughout their range of pressures, etc.. 

If you're a DIY kind of guy this can all be done fairly easily by yourself as well, countless videos and walkthroughs on the web to help you disassemble, upgrade/clean and then reassemble your reel.  

I agree completely.  I tuned my first couple casting reels myself, but for what DVT charges... I'd rather send my reels to him and work (or fish) while he's doing his thing...

[DogBone_384]

18 hours ago, ranger7717 said:

i'm  mostly a spinning gear guy, but i have a lews bb1 and a bb1 pro....would these reels be something to tune up, and would i see a big difference ? also, whats the tune up consist of and how much ?

I just sent him 3 reels.  The bill was $113 + shipping, which included one $8 drag upgrade for a Shimano Core. Mike tuned both my Lews bait casters: TS1SH & TLP1SH. Both showed improved casting & smoothness, with the Pro a little more.

[BR1AN]

Went to wilmington (silver lake) first time.. No Luck went back to my hometown (Haverhill) no luck...

Still going after trout.. Warming up for them bass

[ranger7717]

7 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

I just sent him 3 reels.  The bill was $113 + shipping, which included one $8 drag upgrade for a Shimano Core. Mike tuned both my Lews bait casters: TS1SH & TLP1SH. Both showed improved casting & smoothness, with the Pro a little more.

a guy in my club does it also.....i'll see what he gets and get back to you for more info if he's too much - thanks

 

quick stop at little washacum  in sterling....nasty wind , but got 1 on jig up against bank next to wood - 'bout a pound and a half

[DogBone_384]

Dropped by BHR for a couple hours before dusk yesterday. Threw a black/blue Chatterbait & Shadow Rap Shad deep along the NW shoreline, then moved to the S corner where I caught the 4 pounders. I switched to a green/red-flake Hula-grub & 1/8 oz Ned. Not so much as a whiff.

Water temps were in the mid 40's and barometric pressure was 29.2.

[JG233]

The weather's been so up and down, I haven't been out at all lately. It looks like that won't change next week.

[carlm01]

yup a little snow tomorrow too

 

[Fishing Rhino]

One more week, and I'm outta here.  I'll bring some better/warmer weather with me when I return.  Looking forward to some mofre outings with you fellows.

[DogBone_384]

Good luck, travel safe, catch some bass, and let us know when you're back...

["hamma"]

Hi guys ,.im new to the south shore. as i read this last page of this thread dogbone mentioned "bhr" and "mike@dvt" could  you tell what bhr and dvt are? I have a few curados that need new bearings and kind of at a loss as to good smaller  bass ponds,....i do know the bigger waters like monponsett, long pd lakeville and plymouth.,... and billington sea is where i caught my personal best,..these are lakes i learned when i was tourney fishing,..the smaller ponds on the so. shore im at a loss.

 thanks for your time,...and keep ya line wet!

[DogBone_384]

30 minutes ago, Keith "Hamma" Hatch said:

Hi guys ,.im new to the south shore. as i read this last page of this thread dogbone mentioned "bhr" and "mike@dvt" could  you tell what bhr and dvt are? I have a few curados that need new bearings and kind of at a loss as to good smaller  bass ponds,....i do know the bigger waters like monponsett, long pd lakeville and plymouth.,... and billington sea is where i caught my personal best,..these are lakes i learned when i was tourney fishing,..the smaller ponds on the so. shore im at a loss.

 thanks for your time,...and keep ya line wet!

Welcome to the forum....

BHR is Blue Hills Reservoir, and DVT is Delaware Valley Tackle.  DVT is a forum sponsor and a great place to have reels serviced and upgraded.

["hamma"]

thanks dogbone, i will check them out

[ranger7717]

excellent...next couple of days off and 5 inches of snow in my yard.....it was 70 degrees in february ....what a trip this state is - gonna try for some smallies at the chu , i guess

[BostonBasstard]

Whats going on fellas, new to the site and first post here. Thought I'd share a little bit of knowledge for anyone in the Newton,  MA area and Waltham, MA area looking to fish the Charles River. For the past 4 years, starting in April I have had the luxury of being able to fish the Charles from my boat and from the shore every single weekend starting around mid-May and ending in early October. Without giving up some of my favorite and most productive spots, I will say that the Charles is no doubt the BEST fishery inside of the 95 belt. The BEST lure for producing the highest number of bass caught is BY far the 6 inch black senko with no specks or flakes. This imitates extremely well a baby eel or a crayfish,  which are by far the best source of protein and favorite food of a hungry largemouth. Lily pads that are located near deeper water and at the edges of beginning of coves will almost always produce a hit with a Texas rigged senko with no weights. When the weeds and water chestnut choke the water by mid summer, I always switch over to a pad crasher frog (made by spro or live target) and this is my favorite technique and style of fishing. Toss the frog in the thickest of slop and pads, and get ready for a heart stopping crash of the water as a bass attempts to destroy your frog. Although it may take many casts before producing a single bite, the one bite is well worth the wait. This technique works best on the hottest of days when the sun is shining brightest and the bass are seeking shelter in the well oxygenated and shady waters of the slop and pads. The edges of the coves , especially around fallen trees and other debris, will be the best places to cast. I have also had a few northern pike rip off my frog and thrash violently at my lure- I am sure they are pike because of the sheer size of the splash and subsequent wave produced in the water. On any given day, if you have a boat, I can guarantee you will catch at least 3-4 good sized bass while working up the shorelines using a black weightless senko. For the real lunkers, I recommend the frog - however, some days it can be hours and hundreds of casts before you get a bite, let alone land a fish. But when you do, you can be sure it's gonna be a big one. Message me if you want more info, happy to share more about this great river. 

- The BASStard