Most have been riding out the storm with one eye on the weather forecast while looking for some semblance of hope, but then – there are the other guys! Hardcore, never-say-die types who withstood the combers or simply switched gears and venues and focused their efforts inshore, or in less, and found feeding fish. To stay in the game deeply into the tenth month, you have to think beyond the salt, and for that we increasingly have sweetwater options.
Massachusetts South Shore and South Coast Fishing Report
As fun (and delicious) as the bonito have been aboard the Little Sister, some might chirp that those little tuna just aren’t in the category of false albacore. Well, Captain Jason has been catching them also. Should a screaming drag not be your priority, than there is the tautog option which will only get better the closer water temperatures get to 50 degrees. In fact some of the more memorable trips have been Thanksgiving mornings for what the skipper has referred to as “saltwater turkey’s”! Cod will continue to be a factor with the contents of the onboard coolers looking increasingly impressive.
Pete from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate told me that anglers looking for a respite from the rollers have sought sanctuary and striped bass in lee sections of the Three Bays, Green Harbor River, Damon’s Point ,the Herring River and by the Cunningham Bridge in Cohasset. As seas begin to settle you can expect some of the more ferocious feeds of the season involving both bass and bluefish out front along area beaches. Just maybe best of all is that less persnickety predators should await piscators as fussiness will give way to the need to feed. Eels are selling briskly, as are shiners, as anglers begin reappointing themselves with largemouth bass from Pitts Pond, Old Oaken Bucket Pond, Jacob’s Pond and Lilly Pond.
Greater Boston Fishing Report
Regarding shops, Laurel from Hull Bait and Tackle told me that her shop has added a second, state of the art, 24/7 vending machine. In it you’ll find the gamut of baits including pogies, mackerel, herring, seaworms and clams. You’ll be able to put the seaworms to good use without waiting from Hull Bay through the A Street Pier. One angler in particular has been racking up impressive numbers of mid-30” stripers on the tube-and-worm with his “secret” – lead core line! If you know stripers than under most circumstances the biggest bass in the school will stick close to the bottom with lead-core putting that offering right in the strike zone. As rough as it has been some have been weathering the rollers and tossing out a morsel of mussel into the maelstrom. Those churned up quahogs send out a come hither signal to passing bass which they cannot resist.
Lisa from Fore River Fishing Tackle in Quincy said that the smelt news is promising from the Summer Street Bridge as well as the Hull Public Pier. In the past the A Street Pier has been good also, Rivers have redeemed many an angler recently who were unwilling to forge the rough stuff. The Weir, Weymouth Fore, Weymouth Back and Neponset all have their fans. My top tip on the rivers is to splash in a kayak at the ramp at the Pope John II Park and work the edge of the eel grass with swimming pugs, your favorite soft plastics or a tube-and-worm.
Uncharacteristically Captain Brian Coombs was not putting fish into his Get Tight Sportfishing CC when we spoke – because he was having an oil change! He still has a bead on those tiny tuna and expects to be in the thick of them soon. “Tiny” is relative with some of the false albacore topping 15 pounds! What might be in play soon are squeteague. At about this time last year he had a bead on trophy versions of those unique fish – referred to as tiderunners – and you can bet he’ll be on the lookout for them again.
Pete Santini of Fishing FINatics in Everett said that business was brisk during the blow because anglers simply sought tranquil water inside of the Tobin Bridge from the Little Mystic River to the Chelsea Creek out through the Amelia Earhart Dam. Pete’s killer Tuscano tube has been doing a lot of damage as has eels which he still has in stock. Among the bridge and pier pilings which dot that area Doctor Ricardo has been plucking out 18/19” sea perch which make are an unheralded species that make for fine eating.
Massachusetts North Shore Fishing Report
Tomo from Tomo’s Tackle in Salem said that in spite of 6’ seas one of the shop’s staff found birds, blues and bass into the upper 30” range in the Swampscott, Marblehead area. He was using resin Joe Baggs jigs which sink into the strike zone faster than lead. Peanut bunker are ubiquitous and have grown to about 4”. Surf sharpies shook off the seas and have been doing well between Magnolia and Gloucester. Pogies can be found among the mooring field of Salem Harbor while in the sound there are scattered schools with both bass and blues in tow.
TJ from Three Lantern Marine and Fishing told me that the shop just placed an additional order for eels which is a sure indicator that the night striper bite is still on. His recommendation for that type of fishing is off Pebble Beach as well as Good Harbor by the inlet. Once the combers calm down the backshore of Gloucester should be a good bet also. Another option to consider is near the Granite Pier which has also been historically good for smelt. The shop is also selling trout goodies in preparation for the inevitable visits from the hatchery trucks soon.
In spite of the nasties, Martha from Surfland Bait and Tackle in Newburyport had no problem coming up with a report. Bass and blues had been observed blitzing throughout the storm, Some anglers experienced the curse of the surf caster which goes something like, “blitzing fish will always be just beyond casting range!”. With conditions as such, there was no jealously towards kayakers and boaters since none of them could forge the furious sea. Plum Island Sound was the pick for those looking for more placid conditions with both the tube-and-worm as well as eels working for fishers. As for the mung factor, Martha told me that it was unpredictable with weeds bothersome one day while it all cleared out the next. With a break in the blow predicted all should settle down except for the feeds which should be at their peak.
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Massachusetts Fishing Forecast
Once seas settle it should be game on for blitzes of all kinds off Long Beach in Plymouth, Hummock Beach as well as Egypt and Mann Hill in Scituate. Should you seek both sanctuary and stripers the North River and Little River in Cohasset should fill the bill. The Westport side of Buzzards Bay can now be counted on for occasional false albacore to go along with the already strong tog and bonito bite. Harbor honchos merely shook off the gnarly seas and found action in Hull Bay as well as the Weymouth Back River, Neponset River, Little Mystic and Mystic River. Surf anglers on the North Shore took some blows but the blistering bass and blue bite more than made up for it. Soon some will flip the switch from the salt to sweetwater especially as the stocking trucks roll forward – but why wait? Smelt numbers in Wachusett continue on an upward trend which is resulting in hefty lake trout. The Chu’s remarkable rainbows should become part of the catch as well soon and I wouldn’t be surprised if the recent rainstorm didn’t bring the first wave of landlocked salmon into the Quinapoxet and Stillwater Rivers.
See ya at the striper fest!
Great to see you Walleye!
Same here, my wife and I had a blast! Sending you some Bedazzle fly’s made for you for the spring, I’ll send them to the shop. Tight lines Kevin.