Massachusetts Bass Fishing

[BKFoley]

There really isn't a general MA one so here it is.  Post when, where, with what, discuss problems, success, WHATEVER ? ..... just keep it going!

[BKFoley]

I fished a local pond near Foxboro, a day before the snow we just had.  Muddy bottom pond some reeds on the shoreline, was able to reel in two largies one on a Jenko Fishing Trapline Rip Knocker (Lipless) and one on a Baby Boy 2" (Crankbait) in a bluegill colorway, both basically parallel with the bank about 20-30 yards off shore. 

 

 

[Cityfishing]

I fished the Mystic lakes in Medford Ma. (upper and lower) 5 to 6 hours in todays in a kayak. Not one bite saw fish on the fish finder down 25'-30'. Not sure what to do. It was 2 days of wind, water temp 49 degrees. Any input would greatly appreciated 

[BKFoley]

5 hours ago, Cityfishing said:

I fished the Mystic lakes in Medford Ma. (upper and lower) 5 to 6 hours in todays in a kayak. Not one bite saw fish on the fish finder down 25'-30'. Not sure what to do. It was 2 days of wind, water temp 49 degrees. Any input would greatly appreciated 

I had some luck today with a z-man buzz bait casting it near cover along the shoreline, caught 5 dinks.  Wind has been a b**** the past week or so.  If they're deep maybe try a jig and letting it get all the way down there or a deep diving crankbait.  Hopefully the wind slows down next couple of days, and it is supposed to be nice out too.  

 

[Cityfishing]

7 hours ago, BKFoley said:

I had some luck today with a z-man buzz bait casting it near cover along the shoreline, caught 5 dinks.  Wind has been a b**** the past week or so.  If they're deep maybe try a jig and letting it get all the way down there or a deep diving crankbait.  Hopefully the wind slows down next couple of days, and it is supposed to be nice out too.  

 

Thanks for the help my friend. 

[Pondtooner]

Got out on a new small pond in Seekonk today in the Yak. Total 8 fish 6 pickerel 2 Larrys. On the water between 7 and 11:30. Biggest bass was on silver Colorado blade spinner bait. Everything else was on super shallow crankbait. Full disclosure I swear I caught 2 of the picks twice.....lol

[DogBone_384]

I just checked MA's website regarding Quabbin's opening day.  It's open for shoreline fishing and boat opening day is 'postponed' until May 9th (hopefully).

 

Good luck to all you 'westerners' ...

[SigPig94]

Looking forward to hitting Wachusett when it opens.....even though I just bought a fishing kayak, I still look forward to shore fishing.....Wachusett definitely can be moody when it’s windy.....my best days there are when I can get my wacky rigged worm out far enough....beautiful Smallies (and sometimes Largemouths) make it worth the risk.

I grew up in the Berkshires (yes, that IS still MA) but now I live on the north shore of Boston so when I talk about anything but Stripahs, I get funny looks!  Any freshwater recommendations for kayak bass fishing would be appreciated!  Stay healthy fellow Baystaters!

[DogBone_384]

26 minutes ago, SigPig94 said:

even though I just bought a fishing kayak, I still look forward to shore fishing

That will change.  I started kayak fishing in '14 when my daughter started HS.  Fast forward to 2020 and three kayak upgrades later, I think I've fished from shore half a dozen times.

 

Welcome to a great addiction.

[SigPig94]

13 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said:

That will change.  I started kayak fishing in '14 when my daughter started HS.  Fast forward to 2020 and three kayak upgrades later, I think I've fished from shore half a dozen times.

 

Welcome to a great addiction.

Thx DogBone.....looking forward to the addiction....many like you have told me it’s inevitable!  My shore fishing will be for when I realize how out of shape I am and don’t feel like paddling ?

[keagbassr]

1 hour ago, SigPig94 said:

Looking forward to hitting Wachusett when it opens...

Just an fyi the 'chu' has been open for a week or so

[SigPig94]

Thank you Keagbassr!  Being on Covid house arrest has obviously dulled my attention to the important things!

[Gazz]

I’ve been absolutely crushing them on a z man jackhammer with a yamamoto zako trailer. I got my 6 lb new PB as well as several 3-4 lbers when I’ve gone out. I have fished a ton of different baits each time and it seems like I hook up every time I pick up the jackhammer again. This is the specific one that’s working best for me. 

[Don51]

A lot of good reports coming in from guys using the Jackhammer. Why it works so much better than a regular chatterbait I don't know.  

[Derek1]

Anyone know if the stripers are coming in the Merrimack yet. 

[DogBone_384]

Bummer ...

 

https://www.mass.gov/locations/quabbin-reservoir

[DogBone_384]

Didn't get out this weekend, those belong to the family.  While planning my assault for Tuesday I peeked at the state's website, checking the Quabbin's status. 

 

Good news: it's open - ONLY if you bring your boat with a MA seal.  Bad news: no rentals this year, and if you're not a MA resident, stay home. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/quabbin-reservoir-fishing-guide

 

[GSil]

Being my 2nd year bass fishing hard, and 1st time trying in the fall (stuck to summer fishing last year). i can't seem to figure out the fall bite or even where to dangle a line for a bite. last 3 times out, maybe 1 nibble. I usually stick to the smaller ponds in my kayak or jon boat. (furnace pond, johnson's pond, and whitman's pond-weymouth). My go to lures are a black and blue jig with green pumpkin craw trailer and a black hollowbodied frog. Any pointers of what to try/alter?

[Don51]

Try a chatterbait, spinnerbait, suspending jerkbait, ratltrap and a paddletail. If you cannot get fish on any of those then they are not biting! Lol ?
Furnace would be my go to out of those named ponds. Across the street is a good choice also.  ?

[Styguy922]

hi everyone! New to the forums, hope everyone has a chance to get out this weekend! 
 

Fished some spots north of Boston this past week.  Got a couple decent fish on a jig with rage craw trailer but haven’t got much the last few times out.  Should I switch over to more horizontal moving baits seeing we are in the thick of fall? 
 

thanks! 

[roadwarrior]

Give jerkbaits, lipless (RES) and Bandit 200 a try.  My #1 lure is the Rage Tail Menace 

followed by BPS Tender Tube #71 and GYCB Kreature.

 

[Styguy922]

2 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Give jerkbaits, lipless (RES) and Bandit 200 a try.  My #1 lure is the Rage Tail Menace 

followed by BPS Tender Tube #71 and GYCB Kreature.

 

Thanks man I’ll do just that and report back! It’s been sort of warm recently so j wonder if that fall bite is still around the corner.....and also happy Friday to you as well! 

[z3n0rax]

I moved to southeast MA 1 1/2 years ago and have been hitting this area of the state hard with bank and wader fishing. Haven't fished since early december when I caught a 3lb pickerel at Orrs pond in Attleboro. I have a inflatable kayak that I've been thinking about trying out for fishing this spring. I would like to get a regular kayak or a jon boat but my current living situation won't allow for it. 

On 5/7/2020 at 5:02 AM, Don51 said:

A lot of good reports coming in from guys using the Jackhammer. Why it works so much better than a regular chatterbait I don't know.  

From what i understand it has something to do with the sound from the bait itself being different than a regular chatter

[Mikey99gofish]

Lots of ice over the weekend and guys icefishing.  Not so much into it myself but I'm sure it's a lot of fun if you have a buddy with all the gear!!  Cabin fever here in MA is brutal 

[Don51]

That is why I now live in FL! So much wasted time up there in the winter. I look back at the time I spent ice fishing and tell myself I had to be insane!