Massachusetts Fishing report 05-16-2010

[Sport Fishing]

Unlike May weather, May fishing always fantastic 05-10-2010

As usual, springtime on the North Shore brings us unpredictable weather. One day it's in the 80's and the next down in the freezing range.

However, one thing is for sure — the fishing right now is hot all over.

The Merrimack, Parker and Essex Rivers are just starting to really heat up. The stripers are now running upstream in full force. Kay Moulton, the woman who knows everything about fishing, reports in from the Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island that the fishing has been on and off.

"Three guys caught 15 stripers with some keepers one day last week," she noted. "The fishing has been spotty. When the wind is from the east, the beachfront seems to get active. Lead-headed jigs with soft baits are working well. The shad fishing has tapered off, but if you put in the hours, you will catch a few."

The boys using flies have had some luck with clousers and deceivers being the best bet. Blue over white seems to be the best color.

The ocean fishing has been nothing short of terrific. Let's start with flounder. The harbor areas have been producing a lot of keepers. Flounder do not like strong tidal currents, so try fishing on the muddy or sandy edges where the current is less dramatic.

Flounder are real bottom feeders, so it is important to keep your bait down. The best way to fish for them is using a flounder spreader rig you can buy at any of the bait stores. Use enough sinker to be sure the rig is bouncing in the mud.

You might want to use a long shank hook like a Chestertown. I usually use a size 6. The flounder have a small mouth, but they tend to suck the bait in deep. The longer shank hook will help you when you have to take the hook out of them. Flounder do not seem to be leader shy. I use a heavy 40-pound length above the rig.

If you like to anchor up, try this technique. Cast your rig as far as you can. Let it sit on the bottom a bit, and then slowly, ever so slowly, mend the line back toward the boat. A little twitch, let it sit; a little twitch let it sit. Do not be in a hurry, but impart a little movement to your rig to get their attention.

If you get no response, cast 15 degrees to the right of your first cast. Repeat this process until you have completed the circle. Cast right back to the spot if you catch one. If you don't catch any, up anchor and move your boat to a spot where if you cast backwards toward your previous spot you will just overlap the cast. You will be amazed how quickly you can cover a huge area in a couple of hours of fishing.

The cod and haddock fishing continues to be good but not as great as it was a few weeks ago. Both will respond well to clams and/or jigs fished deep. Again, these are bottom feeders. Get your jig or clam right down on the bottom.

I use a tandem rig that has a pink squiggly soft bait on each hook. I tip each one with a generous portion of clams. Here is where a lot of folks are penny wise and pound foolish. Do not scrimp on the clams. A fresh clam leaves quite a trail of smell as you drift it along the bottom.

Be sure, like flounder, that your bait bounces on the bottom. If you have to use 20-ounce lead in the current, use it. If you are drifting along and your bait is 20 feet off the bottom, you are just not going to catch as many fish. Use a drift anchor if you need to slow down your boat. Deploying one or two over the side can considerably reduce your speed over the bottom. Something as simple as two buckets filled and on a rope lashed to a cleat can materially affect your speed.

For the jig lovers, try tipping your jig with bait. The jig sozzling up and down will leave a trail of clam juice that will only enhance your rig. Again, as with the bait, rig, you have to make sure your jig reaches the bottom.

Up north, the freshwater fishing is fantastic. The water levels in the streams is almost perfect. The lakes are warming to the point that shoreline spawning may be a little earlier than usual.

My friend, Stu Bristol brought up an interesting idea. You might want to wear a little orange in May if you are walking the brooks fishing. This time of year is still turkey season in all of the states, so It would be a little added protection.

Last Monday I talked with Jeff up at Weatherby's Resort on Grand Lake Stream in Maine. He tells me that the Hendrickson's are hatching. One fellow caught 18 fish last Sunday with dry flies, which is quite remarkable.

The fishway is usually opened on June 20 or so, so there is still plenty of time to fish one of the more remarkable streams in New England.


http://www.gloucestertimes.com/sport...ways-fantastic