Mall-crazed shoppers aren’t the only drivers that are appearing distracted lately. Be on the lookout for hardwater junkies who can’t help but point to roadside ponds while yelling out, “look, skim ice”! For a further appetizer anglers only have to look up north where they are already out on the ice. While not there yet, Bay State anglers are remaining busy catching trout, bass, pike and panfish.
Massachusetts Fishing Report
Pete Santini of Fishing FINatics in Everett told me that Greater Boston anglers are taking advantage of trout stocked ponds/lakes such as Jamaica Pond, Walden Pond, White Pond and Horn Pond. I’ve been roaming the shoreline of some of these local spots and catching pretty little leaping rainbows on gold/red Thomas Colorados. Pete pointed out Wrights Pond, Turner Pond, Swains and the Golden Hills Ponds as early freezes. Every time my buddy Steve Langton mothballs his Hobie Outback for storage for the winter, he gets a yearning to shove off – one more time! Those attempts are duly rewarded in Greater Boston Rivers with yellow perch, white perch as well as the occasional carp surprise. It takes some doing to boat one those finned freight trains from a yak while spooled up with 4 pound test but he did it. While the last picture I saw of his yak had it wrapped up like a Christmas present, something tells me that it won’t be the last hurrah!
Eric from Lunkers in Ashland said that trout remain the top target in the Metrowest area. Most patrons of the shop are equally distributed between Ashland Reservoir and Hopkinton Reservoir. Power bait, in various incarnations, has been the go-to catcher for rainbows while the occasional holdover brown trout has been more inclined to fall for a small shiner or blown-up dilly. As to areas which will be among the first to freeze, Eric tossed out Heard Pond, Fairhaven Bay and Purgatory Cove on the Charles River as possibilities for a variety of warm water species.
Rick from Jerry’s Bait and Tackle in Milford told me that Dan Southwick, who has perennially been one of the shop’s sharpies, expects to have an ice report by next week! Meanwhile Ashland Reservoir is the local pick for rainbow trout. Rick fished in the rain off Gate 20 in Wachusett Reservoir on Thanksgiving and while others were in the throes of tryptophan, he came tight to two solid lake trout on 1 1/2 ounce Kastmasters, both of which unfortunately came unbuttoned.
According to Eddie of B&A Bait and Tackle Co. in West Boylston some anglers are fairing far better at Wachusett than Rick did and actually landing their catch. Rainbows up to 3 pounds are active in the Quinapoxet River and can be taken close to the dam on spinners. A father and son duo tag-teamed a six pound laker on a 3/4 ounce firetiger Kastmaster on the Gate 35 side of the reservoir. Not all of the credit goes to the anglers as it was Eddie who steered them towards making that lure selection. Smallies are still in close and aggressive. My buddy Rick Holbrook had an especially determined Sally of about 3 pounds shoot out of the deep hole at Sandy Point three times in a row only to fail to connect with his spoon. What is very unusual are the reports of big schools of adult size perch by the Causeway as well as the “south” side of the Chu. I bet that perch from such a pristine place are absolutely scrumptious.
While short on specifics, Joe from Granby’s Bait and Tackle said he’s been selling bait to anglers finding some ice among the Berkshire “Hilltown” Ponds. A call to Martin Farrell of Cheshire who sells bait in that area did not confirm that anecdote. Renegades aside, some have been catching quality South Pond brown trout. This E. Brookfield/Sturbrige gem is the place to do it as it is managed for trophy trout and has a landlocked alewife forage base. Should you decide to troll this place don’t go small in shiner size as the brown trout are used to taking down large forage.
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Business is brisk according to Shawn from Merrimack Sports – Christmas tree business that is! Skim ice has largely put on hold angler attempts up north but what is encouraging is that some of the coves/setbacks of the Merrimack River have skimmed over! First ice is the stuff of myth on that river for par excellence pike fishing and the shop intends on being ready with suckers and big shiners.
Massachusetts Fishing Forecast
This week’s forecast is dependent on whether we get sufficient ice to eke out a hardwater report for next week. While the wait is on, you could cool your ice fishing urges north of the border as I do have word that anglers are already out and about on frozen water there. Meanwhile trout remain the top target for those who want to extend their open water fishing obsession into the 12th month – and beyond! For that we can be grateful for Masswildlife and the generous stockings throughout the commonwealth. As for the salt I’m sure that there are smelt swimming near piers and docks in Hull, Hingham and Quincy. Should you take a peak at a few deadbeat websites such as Walsh’s Deep Sea Fishing, the Yankee Fleet and Eastman’s Fleet you should be able to find some deep sea fishing that is tailored towards pollock.