Tillies or Bust!!

[Bottom-Dweller]

We’ll here goes, my first post!

The weather forecast for this Thursday is looking good so I was thinking of heading off to fish a new area for Cod & Haddock. I’ve never fished Tillies before so I thought I would give it a shot, Rockport appears to be the best place to launch, unless someone tells me different. I did a Google Earth and it looks like a good ramp with plenty of parking. Also can anyone recommend a bait store near the ramp that we can grab some clams (just in case the jig gets slow)? It would be helpful to know what time they open, we’d like to get an early start.

I read the report posted by Mike at Crossroads and he’s been getting good reports from the south eastern edge of Tillies. Anyone been out in this area lately that can confirm, it would also be nice to know what depths you were finding the best bite. I know things change but I gotta start somewhere!

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Corneroffice-NH]

Welcome to the site.
Not too sure on the Rockport launch, but I have used the Glouster ramp behind the high school and its great! navigating the bridge on the opposite tide can be challanging but its not a problem.
not too sure on the bait shops (what time they open) better off calling ahead.
260-300' around Tillies with jigs is last I heard has been putting fish in the box. keep an eye out for charlie too.

keep us posted on how you do - good luck!

[Bottom-Dweller]

Well, nothing short of amazing, Cod, Haddock, Pollock, Cusk & Redfish in that order. Steady all morning, we ended up with 20lbs of fillet each (total 80lbs) full cooler!

Fished the same area all morning from 245 to 350 feet deep – fish everywhere and not another boat in sight.. About noon the dogfish moved in and we called it quits.

Four of us fishing, probably threw back about 100 short cod, they bit on everything we dropped down, usually hooked up within 30 seconds of hitting bottom.

Never going back to Rockport launch, had to get the truck tires wet to float the boat. Think I’ll try the ramp behind the school next time!