You’ll need to flip more than just the calendar if you intend to keep catching as moving forward you can expect freshwater to be more fruitful than the salt. Of course, there will always be those who just can’t help themselves and for them the striped bass game is still very much on!
Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Report
If you peak into the world of the striper fanatic who does not have the word quit as part of their vernacular than you’ll find an angler who is missing more than connecting, but still optimistic.
Pete from Belsan Bait in Scituate said that he has a few of those diehards who are exclusive of the kayak or surfcasting fraternity as most boaters have put their rides to bed. While hardly a slam dunk there are enough random schoolie feeds between Scituate and Plymouth to satisfy these dogged few with the bonus being an occasional drag-pulling surprise! Boaters who still have their vessels at the ready are more often than not targeting tautog in Buzzards Bay and occasionally much closer. Local marinas/estuaries are full of green crabs for bait and jetties that hold tog such as what you’ll find in Plymouth, Green Harbor, Bryant Rock, Scituate and Cohassett. The shop is moving shiners at a steady clip for those who view fall as prime time for largemouth that just don’t get enough of their love during the salt season. Timing for that is good as hawgs lurk among opening pockets of dying weeds. Pete recommends Scituate Reservoir, Lilly Pond and the smattering of no-name cranberry bogs that dot the south shore. For trout, many are crossing the bridge into the Cape to fish the frequently stocked spots such as Peter’s Pond and Spectacle Pond.
Churned up seas are about the only thing putting a damper on the terrific tautog fishing aboard the Little Sister according to Captain Jason Colby. Tog seek sanctuary and won’t budge when the bottom is muddied, but post-storm, limits in Buzzards Bay are expected to be the outcome more often than not. The skipper expects to set sail until at least Thanksgiving Day, weather permitting.
Lisa from Fore River Fishing Tackle said that diehards are still picking away at a few schoolies with latest reports coming from Nantasket Beach. Fish can still be found among harbor rivers as they feast on drop-back river herring fry and some of those fish are impressive regardless of the season.
Tomo from Tomo’s Tackle in Salem said that one of his staff members is still catching striped bass on the North Shore. Not every trip is successful but all this guy is talking about is getting back out there again! Possible places to intercept that eleven-month striper are Lynn Harbor, King’s Beach and Devereux Beach. For something salty closer to the shop, mackerel have been busting bait right behind Pickering Wharf in Salem.
Liz from Surfland told me that the most recent linesider luck took place over the weekend off the oceanfront and out through the refuge. One guy in the shop, as we spoke, was convinced he was going to get them this weekend! Super Strike topwaters and Charlie Graves Tin Squids have been working well during the day, while “blurple” Gibb’s Danny’s have been the top choice at night.
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Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Report
Eddie of B&A in West Boylston said that Wachusett Reservoir is hot on all fronts. The Stillwater River has good numbers of salmon with one report of a 27-inches that was caught and released! The Quinapoxet River was muddied but has cleared and with that has come improved fishing, especially for rainbows. The main reservoir can be special this time of the year for rainbow trout as well with the unique, purplish hues of the holdovers a real treat for the eyes. Find the contour line of a drop-off and suspend a small shiner at the edge and you may have luck as I have in the past. Smallies are in close as well with Carl Hewitt of Sterling catching a 4-10 beauty recently on a shiner.
Patrick Barone of Charter The Berkshires has been spending time targeting trout among the Swift River. The tailwater Quabbin Reservoir is low this year so salmon have not made it over the Winsor Dam but the recently stocked rainbows are making a nice consolation prize. Patrick knows where the native brookies lurk in the Swift and he has guided anglers to 24-inch beauties there! He has also been spending a lot of time in Housatonic and Connecticut Rivers for pike and trout. Beginning in November he’ll be working the “night shift” as he puts patrons into walleye, which is a pretty rare treat for the Bay State! David from Merrimack Sports said that the shop is carrying premium baits for pike enthusiasts who are catching them the Concord River. Some of the shiners he’s carrying are over 5-inches long! Not everyone is targeting toothies with big shiners however, as Tewksbury Pond is producing some very nice largemouth bass. Round Pond in Haverhill is known for trout but there are some corker bass in there as well. No word on northern pike action yet in the Merrimack River but when current settles down there, the coves should come alive.
Massachusetts Fishing Forecast
With less going on in the salt, Scituate anglers are hitting cranberry bogs as well as reservoirs along the South Shore for under-appreciated black bass and pickerel fishing! Scituate Reservoir and Lilly Pond are perennially promising. Regarding reservoirs, it’s hard to top the mighty Wachusett Reservoir with the only rub being whether to target the rivers for rainbows and salmon or the massive Chu’ itself for lakers and smallies! Regarding rivers consider the blue ribbon Swift River which is among the best in the state or a host of salmonoids. The Concord and Merrimack Rivers may lack the esthetics of some of those pristine rivers out west but the pike that grow big there more than make up for it.