Fishing In Southeast Ma/rhode Island

[Branden Cordeiro]

Hello everyone,

 

I am new to the forums, and I would like to discuss the possible fishing spots in Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts. I live near Fall River, MA and I have done a lot of fishing in the past few years. I love saltwater fishing, but I also like freshwater. I always have the worst luck in the freshwater though. I have not had much luck in the past year going for largemouth bass in the local ponds. I have caught maybe 3 or 4 largemouths in the past year. I have tried Milford Pond in Swansea, Brickyard Pond in Barrington, Warren Reservoir in Warren, and the Warren Reservoir in Swansea, but I haven't had much luck at all. I used to have plenty of success at Milford Pond and Warren Reservoir (Swansea), but I am not sure what has happened over the past couple of years. Maybe I am not fishing correctly? The spots are all over fished? Freshwater fishing in this area is frustrating, as there are not alot of ponds to fish at, and the few ponds that are around are either on private property, closed to fishing, or over fished. Does anyone have any recommendations for me and my friends for possible areas to try out? Or maybe some advice on some fishing tactics? Keep in mind, I don't keep the fish.

 

On the saltwater side, I frequently go fishing for skipjack in the summer, and it's a blast. I get 10-15 at a time, and throw them all back so I can catch them again! My favorite area to hit off is in the back of Kickemuit Middle School in Warren, RI in the summer months of July, August, and September. Outside of going fish with my dad a few times on a boat off of Noman's Island, I don't have much experience on the saltwater side outside of that. I know people have great success in the spring catching schoolies in upper areas of Narragansett Bay (especially the tidal rivers) and I would love to try those areas out. Does anyone have an fishing reports, advice, or help regarding surf casting in the saltwater areas of Upper Narragansett Bay? Has anyone tried out Colt State Park in Bristol, RI; Barrington River in Barrington, RI; or the Warren River in Warren, RI?

 

Thanks for the help guys.

[bclark7b]

What types of baits are you throwing?

[Branden Cordeiro]

What types of baits are you throwing?

 

I use alot of the Powerbait. I once in a while use spoons, rooster tails.

 

But, in general, I use the Powerbait the most often, in the freshwater.

 

When I am fishing for skipjack, I use live minnows that I catch in a trap or those snapper popper things.

[bclark7b]

I don't do any saltwater fishing so I know nothing about that, but for the bass you should pick up some jigs, rage craws, square bill crank bait, and some spinner baits... that will be a few thing that will get started how's the water clarity where you're fishing?

[Branden Cordeiro]

I don't do any saltwater fishing so I know nothing about that, but for the bass you should pick up some jigs, rage craws, square bill crank bait, and some spinner baits... that will be a few thing that will get started how's the water clarity where you're fishing?

 

The water clarity is murky in most of the ponds in the area. What tactics do you use on those lures? Like do you reel slowly, etc.?

[bclark7b]

Ok here is what I would try first because in my opinion it will be the easiest way to catch a fish. I would go down to the local Walmart and pick up a chartreuse spinnerbait. Tie that on and then just reel it in. Try varying your retrieval speed to see what the fish are looking for. A second option would be a crank bait. I love a chartreuse and black square bill. Look into even getting one with a rattle in it if your water clarity is gonna be on the muddy side. Retrieve that just like the spinner bait. Try a slow retrieve a few times and get faster until you find what speed the fish want.

[Branden Cordeiro]

Ok here is what I would try first because in my opinion it will be the easiest way to catch a fish. I would go down to the local Walmart and pick up a chartreuse spinnerbait. Tie that on and then just reel it in. Try varying your retrieval speed to see what the fish are looking for. A second option would be a crank bait. I love a chartreuse and black square bill. Look into even getting one with a rattle in it if your water clarity is gonna be on the muddy side. Retrieve that just like the spinner bait. Try a slow retrieve a few times and get faster until you find what speed the fish want.

 

What would you recommend for weedy water?

[je1946]

Welcome to the forums.  Living and having access in So East Ma you are ln bass heaven, and some of the best water in the entire state of MA.  Go on the states fish and wildlife site and browse thru it. The cape is premier water for small and largemouth bass and is heavily stocked with trout, now is the time for the best of yr fishing, the bass are moving into the shallows to spawn, jerkbaits with long pauses and jigs with hula grubs will put you into the bass, for trout powerbait and spinners and spoons will do the trick. A lot of the ponds hold both species, Sheeps pond, Cliff pond, Long pond in Breswster/Harwich.  If you don't want to cross the Cape Cod canal there's gd water thru the Rochester Wareham and Carver areas, especially if you can get onto the cranberry bogs, you'll have to get permission but if you ask and be polite and promise not to litter some bog owners will let you on.  You truley are a lucky young man living so close to those places  so please check out the States web site and go catch them.

[Lostinthewoods]

Jigs, worms, jerk baits and cranks are my go-to. The water around here typically isn't muddy but is certainly not clear and I find "shocker" type colors don't usually produce. Green pumpkin, black/blue, bluegill and perch colored lures are what work for me. Best advice, slow down your retrieves! The bass are biting now but I've had no luck thus far burning lures back to the bank. I'm assuming you're fishing from the bank. If that's the case, dress accordingly, apply your bug spray and get into areas that others aren't willing to get into. Make your own bank "access." Downed trees, points, stumps, grass, lily pads and weeds are all bass magnets. Keep at it, you'll have success sooner or later!

[Jigfishn10]

It doesn't sound like you fish lures very often, so before you get all gangster on a lure buying spree, I suggest you check out the articles section of this site: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_articles.html and maybe the tackle forums: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/forum/8-fishing-tackle/. There's a wealth of information contained in those to sections alone. I'm not trying to suggest that the members on this thread gave you bad advice, but generally guys will suggest their favs which may not fit your style. Next thing you know it, your out some serious cash on products you bought but don't like.

 

Just MHO.

[ragetail1061]

Totally agree! Dont go spendin a ton of cash until you figure out what suits your style, and doesnt anyone out there buy tackle from their local mom and pop shop anymore? Support the local businesses that are scraping by everyday! These are the guys and gals that really know what works in your area and where they are biting fresh or salt! They can also let you in on places to get to in your area. Long live the local business!