Massachusetts Fishing Report- April 18, 2024

After months of largely living without, we are on the threshold of a little salt in our angling diets and you don’t have to be a nutritionist to know that that’s a good thing. While freshwater continues to occupy center stage briny options are increasingly in play.

Massachusetts South Shore/South Coast Fishing Report

Captain Mark Rowell of Legit Fish Charters out of Scituate is preparing to sniff around some inshore reliable waypoints this weekend for haddock. As to how close to shore? In the past in April through May he has found fish just off Plymouth in 70-100 feet of water and close enough to be caught by kayak! The pattern has been that the fish stay put until later in spring when the fish will move off to the SW Corner of Stellwagen Bank and later to the NE/NW rim of the bank. While that is then, now I’m hearing of a haddock action much farther north with New Scantum rewarding with limits. Elsewhere on Jeffrey’s Ledge look for redfish luck among rocky sections and wrecks.
 
Pete from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate said that holdover stripers are beginning to awaken to an alewife snack in the North River with the Stone Bridge area being especially productive. As for other saltwater options the appearance of dandelions are not only a homeowner hint to take care of their lawn but are also a tip that soon tautog will be moving inshore to spawn among local estuaries.
The freshwater focus is now divided between black bass and brookies, bows and other types of trout. A few of the better reports are coming in from Norris Reservation, Jacobs Pond, Scituate Reservoir, Pitts Pond, Oldham Pond and Furnace Pond. If you’re looking for something different sink a crawler down to the bottom since bullheads are beginning to bite and when caught from clean water can be scrumptious. Pete’s pick of the week is Jacob’s Pond because it is shallow and warms up the quickest.

Greater Boston Fishing Report

While I don’t know of any shared ancestry between Nostradamus and Captain Brain Coombs, the Get Tight Sportfishing skipper has exhibited an uncanny ability to predict when the first linesiders will liven up the Bay State. By the remote chance that some of you may be interested in such a thing, Brian’s betting on Buzzards Bay within the week. Now won’t that be a game-changer! Meanwhile he’s been having fun with an unlikely trio: holdover stripers, big yellow perch along with super-sized sculpin.

The best news of all however came courtesy of my conversation with Lisa from Fore River Fishing Tackle in Quincy who told me that she’s been running out of seaworms, which can only mean one thing – flounder! The only report she can confirm is at least one successful trip came out off of Hull, possibly by Peddock Island. Alewife numbers are cresting in the Weymouth Back River. As for freshwater, she told me that brown trout in Hougthon’s Pond has been big news with some having luck with small shiners. Island Grove Pond, Cleveland Pond and Oldham Pond have been among the best for bass.

A flounder report would not be complete without a word from Pete Santini of Fishing FINatics in Everett who coincidentally on the fist try did not answer his phone because he was busy tying Zobo Rigs which are my favorite flounder rig! What makes this rig special is the hook placement which places one bait off the bottom. Flounder are a curious critter and have excellent eye sight and will notice a worm/clam up high weaving in the current. The fish finder/slip sinker system the rig employs is brilliant too because it gives the fish just a second or two to make off with the bait before detecting the weight. As for the other saltwater quarry, haddock are up north where anglers such as Steve April have a bead on them near Jeffrey’s Ledge. As for freshwater the trout are hitting well at Lexington Reservoir, Ashland Reservoir, Hopkinton Reservoir, Lake Cochituate and Crystal Lake, Many of these water bodies now sport brown trout as well. Regarding bass, shiners and jerk baits have been best in the Assabet River and the sloughs near Edgewater Park in Wakefield.

Massachusetts North Shore Fishing Report

Tomo of Tomo’s Tackle in Salem said that haddock and redfish have been hitting well off the Curl near Jeffrey’s Ledge in 180’ of water! Flounder should be stirring off Swampscott, Lynn, Manchester and Gloucester. Shore action is limited with sea herring off the Beverly Pier about the only option with low light ideal conditions for them.

Matt from Three Lantern Marine in Gloucester just started selling seaworms as anglers are venturing out for flounder. Traditionally early season spots in Gloucester Harbor are Niles Beach, Ten Pound Island and Pavilion Beach. According to the shop water temperatures are warmer than usual so biting blackjacks may be in play. For haddock, the best bet is Southern Jeffrey’s Ledge.

While Surfland Bait and Tackle in Newburyport is synonymous with surf fishing for striped bass and bluefish, Liz and Martha who run the shop never shy away from supporting a good cause. One is the Eighth Annual Salt Addiction Fishing Charity Event that local firefighter Jamiel Ortiz hosts, the proceeds of which benefit a different child every year. This year’s event is dedicated to two 9 year old children who suffer from Cerebal Palsy. While there will be more on that later, here’s the link if you’d like to get involved.
And while it’s a month away the shop has also announced the date of their annual Demo Day which will be on May 18th between 9-11 am. Angler’s will notice that the time of the day is appropriately slotted as to not interfere with prime dusk to dawn fishing hours! In addition to showcasing wares from Penn, Van Staal, St. Croix and Berkley there will be tackle tailored to Plum Island which you’re not likely to find elsewhere. On the fishing front, the shop is selling seaworms with some targeting flounder off Cranes Beach. A few shad have been encountered in the Merrimack River as well.

Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Report

Wachusett Reservoir continues to pack a punch with an incomparable combination of “wildscape” views, pristine water and a plethora of impressive species but a cast away. During my last two trips I caught a 5 pound laker and on the next trip a 4 pound smallie with the added bonus of watching salmon porpoising out of the water while pushing smelt. There really is nothing like the Chu. Eddie ofB&A Bait and Tackle Co. in West Boylston told me that crappie are now part of the equation with pin-sized fish falling for small/medium shiners between the causeway and the Stone Church. As usual the crappie cooperate best at dusk and dawn. Browning Pond has been good for brown trout. Rick from Jerry’s Bait and Tackle said that Sudbury Reservoir has been hot for largemouth bass as has Wallum Lake. For trout Hopkinson, Ashland and Louisa Lake are the local best bets. Beginning next week we should have a take on Quabbin Reservoir from our man on the Q – Dave “Turtleman” Riley.

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Massachusetts Fishing Forecast

While freshwater is fun our pro-level passion in the Bay State is the salt and we’re starting to see some light. Lawn watchers may be fretting over those darn dandelions but others noticing them are thinking of tautog. A few flounder have been found in the harbor and a trip up north for the ground fish gang is revealing haddock and redfish. That’s not to dismiss freshwater in the least as those lucking into a nice largemouth in the Assabet or salivating over a Chu salmon surface-chewing on smelt can attest. I guess that’s why they call it – sweetwater!