Massachusetts Fishing Report – April 30, 2020

Pictured above: Landon age 13 of Berkley, Mass, got his first striped bass of the season this week.

“Class” is now in session, two to three year old schoolies averaging between 12-15 inches with the occasional outlier stretching to 20” have invaded Massbay – and not a moment too soon! Flounder fishing continues to show promise for so early in the season and those hauling out for haddock are coming back happy. Freshwater fortunes remain good with Wachusett and Quabbin yielding some impressive catches.

Massachusetts South Shore Fishing Report

In spite of the devastating news regarding the suspension of his and other for-hire charter businesses, Captain Mark Petitt of Fire Escape Charters took time out to inform me that schoolie striped bass have invaded the Three Bays! This selflessness is typical of the skipper who is given to taking disabled veterans groups fishing for free! Years ago I spent a lot of early seasons fishing with my good buddy the late Captain Charlie Lemieux, and we would do best following the tide into Cordage Channel, Billington Ledge and Cripple Rocks. Charlie’s go to lure was a 3/8 to 5/8 ounce yellow/white bucktail jig and boy did we croak them on that. Other spots worth considering are the mouths of Ellisville Harbor, Bartlett Brook, Eel River and the Town Brook. Captain Petitt also found haddock much closer than Stellwagen Bank and a lot of sea herring.

Pete Belsan from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate said that there are enough schoolie reports trickling in to convince him that migrants have arrived! Green Harbor, Rexhame Beach, the South River and the North River are all worthy considerations to catch that first fresh fish. Pete’s picks for those early fish are the smaller versions of Bill Hurley’s Jerk Bait, Daddy Mac Viper, Smilin’ Bill Bucktail and the Kastmaster. The shop is carrying sea worms and it is expected that this weekend will yield the first factual flatfish catch in Scituate Harbor!

Greater Boston Fishing Report

Lisa from Fore Fore River Fishing Tackle in Quincy told me that fresh striped bass are now in the harbor as well! Solid schoolie reports have come in from the Weir River, the Weymouth Back River and the Neponset River. The ladies at this shop are also fans of Bill Hurley’s wares but also recommend Storm Shads, Rebel Jumpin’ Minnows and Yo-Zuri Mag Darters. Of course something can be said for a juicy seaworm, lump of clam or chunk of mackerel soaked off of Web Park or Hull Gut. Should you opt for bait, remember that in-line circle hooks are now mandatory for bait use, the tube and worm being one of the few exceptions.

Pete Santini of Fishing FINatics in Everett felt that the migrant mob invasion of rivers, marshes and estuaries is imminent and if they aren’t already here, it should be days away. First picks are the Charles, Mystic, Pines and Saugus Rivers. However it’s never too early to switch off in hopes that something larger will find your offering. Back during the glorious times when river herring were an option, our first trips were not estuarial endeavors in search of that first schoolie, but instead we’d be live-lining alewives off beaches in Winthrop and Revere and our first fish were surprisingly large – and we caught them as early as May 4th! Not all bass big enough to breed do so and the ones that don’t begin the northward jaunt earlier than the rest. It takes willpower to keep casting into chilly beach rollers while it seems everyone else is racking up dozens of micros in sheltered rivers but hook an early May 15-20 pounder and it’ll all be worth it!

While not lights-out flounder fishing, Captain Jason Colby, captain of Little Sister Charters, is ending the April season with a better flounder showing than in previous years. When temperatures crest 50 degrees, look for the Little Sister to be one busy boat! He’s finding fish off the Peddock Island coves and Deer Island flats. I’ve also been hearing good things about Sculpin Ledge.

Massachusetts North Shore Fishing Report

The take from Tomo of Tomo’s Tackle in Salem is that patrons are reporting fresh striped bass from the South Shore through Boston now! Anglers working Al Gag’s Whip-it Fish and the 3.5” Hogy Pro Tail are having a lot of luck. The Saugus River should fill in with schoolies any day if they are not there already. For an ocean spot, Tomo recommends casting seaworms off Red Rock off the Lynn shoreline. The Danvers River as well as the mouth of the Forest River should have fish soon as well. The shop has a hardcore kayak cadre which have actually been targeting haddock off the Magnolia coastline. This was a place late last September where some of those folks were able to pick off a few cod during the two weeks when anglers were able to keep one.

Noel Leslie from Bridge Street Sports in Salem said that an angler looking to jig up a few mackerel off the Beverly Pier actually caught a very small schoolie striper the other day! Mackerel are staging just outside of Salem and Gloucester Harbors.

Martha from Surfland said that schoolie reports from the Little River in Gloucester and in the Merrimack River are now a reality. Accounts are that the fish are bright, white and fresh-looking. Most of the Merrimack fish have been caught by anglers targeting shad with the stretch of the river behind the Chipendale Dance Studio in North Andover.

Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Report

The tales of ten pound lake trout being told by Eddie of B&A in West Boylston are enough to make one think that the schoolies can wait! Deservedly, business has been brisk for Eddie as throngs of anglers are having a blast at Wachusett Reservoir. Rather than haul in a magnificent fish for a weigh-in and glory shot, most are just flashing pics of pig smallies and big lakers up to 11 pounds to the shop owner. There have also been salmon taken up to nearly 4 pounds. Because opening day was so late this year, more smallmouth bass are figuring in the catch than usual and as anyone who fishes this reservoir with regularity can attest, the smallies here are something special! Reports of shoals of smelt are also encouraging. Good reports are coming in from Gates 6, 13, 19, 22 and 35. Some specific spots to consider are Bull Rock, the Cellar Holes, Scar Hill Road, Andrews Harbor and Tahanto Point. Shiners, spoons and even bass jigs are working.

Rod from Flagg’s in Orange said that the shoreline of Quabbin is hot also with lakers, rainbows and smallies all cooperating. The hot Gates have been 8, 31, 35 and 43.

Massachusetts Fishing Forecast

Fortunately in spite of these stressful times we are being blessed with the return of the striped bass! The Three Bays of Plymouth/Kingston and Duxbury now have schoolies. As do many of the rivers/estuaries in Greater Boston. For a shot at something that could pull drag, toss a jig/soft plastic, swimmer or even spook into the suds of Wollaston Beach, Yirrell Beach or Revere Beach. Odds are you won’t yet connect but if you do – woah! Farther north there are reports of fish which “look” fresh in the Little and Merrimack Rivers and while not spectacular shad are moving upstream in increasing numbers. Still, it’s hard to ignore the pull of Wachusett and Quabbin, especially as reports pile up of sweetwater gamesters far bigger than the current crop of schoolies.