It isn’t often that a striper on the line is loathed, but such has been the case for North Shore smelt sleuths who can’t keep them off their offerings intended for smelt. Those closer to The Hub are more “lucky” since it appears that they finally have the smelt all to themselves. To push the smelt theme a little further, landlocked smelt awash on the shoreline of one of the Bay State’s blue-ribbon waterbodies is a “shore fire” sign that there was a massacre at the hands of salmonids.

Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Report

While it may be a bit out of my designated area codes, I can’t resist passing along a sizzling-hot bite regarding fish of bad intentions. Toggin’ in Buzzards Bay is borderline insane right now. When the petulant November weather allows, Captain Jason Colby has been making a killing on blackfish, some of which have topped 10 pounds. Recently, he took out Johnny Hoffman, who is the brains and brawn behind the Fishing Academy, and after a day of bailing the big blackfish, the normally verbose Johnny could barely mutter more than a request to book another trip. The fish are no longer shallow but have moved off to depths of 40-feet-plus. They’re hitting both jigs-and-crabs and crab-and-bait rigs. What I was surprised at on a recent trip is that I was able to tend bottom with a 1-ounce Tidaltails Jig even in 45 feet of water. Jigs with bean-shaped heads allow an angler to downsize the jig since the design slices through the water and deflects current. We probably have little more than 1 week left to this unique fall fishery so take advantage while you can!

Bob Pronk from Green Harbor Bait and Tackle has been hearing from a few diehards that there are plenty of mackerel available just off the South Shore out to Stellwagen Bank and Peaked Hill Bar. The few that are dropping a jig among wrecks, reefs and contour lines at a minimum of 60 feet are coming up with cod for their efforts.

When Rick from Fore River Bait and Tackle in Quincy has to make repeated grass shrimp trips that can only mean one thing – they’re catching smelt. Lisa from the shop said that they have suddenly turned on with Pemberton Pier being the best bet so far. Other piers in Hull such as the public pier as well as the Nantasket Saltwater Fishermen’s Club pier are also fishing well. Just maybe it is time to revisit previously dead locations such as Nut Island, Hewitts Cove, the Summer Street Bridge, Castle Island, the Winthrop Public Pier and the pier at Deer Island.

According to Noel from Bridge Street Sports it’s hard to say if there are many smelt around since anglers can’t seem to get their Sabiki rigs past hickory shad and schoolie stripers. Look for a smattering of stripers, shad and just maybe smelt off the Commercial Street Pier in Marblehead, the Beverly Pier, Salem Willows, Pickering Wharf and in Gloucester, the State Pier.

Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Report

Eddie of B And A Bait and Tackle in West Boylston told me that there are plenty of landlocked salmon lurking among pools and undercut banks throughout the Stillwater River but some that have been caught and released have the slack-bellied look of spawned-out fish. It looks like some salmon are falling back to the main reservoir. On the Route 70 side of Wachusett, some of the shoreline was awash with dead smelt that may have become asphyxiated from being balled up by predators. This may be a sign that lakers have moved closer to the shoreline. Some nice rainbows are being taken on a small shiner under a float from the reservoir, especially at drop-offs.

Pete Santini of Fishing FINatics in Everett said that recent boat restrictions implemented in Walden Pond – carry on craft only – have taken a lot of pressure from this scenic spot and the fishing has improved. Walden has a fluctuating smelt population and when numbers are up can result in some impressively healthy holdover rainbow and brown trout. Pete’s brother Bobby and his son have been scoring stocked bows as well as a few holdovers from White Pond.

New Hampshire and Southern Maine Fishing Report

Fred from Suds ‘N Soda in Greenland told me that a handful of hardcore smelt enthusiasts, who can’t wait until Great Bay locks up, are catching a few smelt from the float at Rye Harbor as well as Odiorne Point. Another spot Fred recommends is off the railroad trestles at the mouth of the Squamscott River. Fred suspects some are trying for winter flounder among the quieter stretches outside of the Piscataqua River and maybe Pepperell Cove in Kittery Maine.

Here’s a reality shock: Dylan of Dag’s in Auburn, Maine predicted that if Sunday’s weather prediction holds true – 29 degrees high, 14 low – than they’ll have the first black ice of the season. While no one is suggesting you dust off your traps and book a room just yet, it may be high time to get your gear in order and start thinking of the next chapter in New England fishing – hardwater! Hopefully, it’ll be here before you know it!

Best Bets for the Weekend

There are some signs of hope on the smelt front as the folks at Fore River B&T are seeing more of a demand for grass shrimp. Nighttime is best: find a lit pier, a quiet stretch of water and drop a Sabiki rig full of “decapitated” grass shrimp (pinch off the heads and toss that portion in the water) and hopefully you’ll get a glimpse into why smelt fisherman traditionally were among the most fanatical anglers in New England. Trout continue to please among Walden and White ponds, while a spoon, fly or shiner offered to the fish gods of Wachusett Reservoir is liable to catch everything from white perch to a landlocked salmon.