Wachusett?

[bb1]

Anyone tried the resy lately?

[redjeepman]

I would like to try wachusett once before the res. is closed for the season You should call b&a bait & tackle for a report the number is508=835- 4558 tight lines rjm

[albacized]

I would like to try wachusett once before the res. is closed for the season You should call b&a bait & tackle for a report the number is508=835- 4558 tight lines rjm


I called him last weekend and he said the laker fishing was still spotty....But I'm sure the action should be improving on a weekly basis based on the time of year

[jalthoff]

As I slowly (and painfully) give up on saltwater for the year, a little freshwater fishing sounds better and better. Did I read the Mass site correctly in that Wachusetts is open for fishing until Nov. 30?

Anyone have any insights on fly fishing for lakers in November? I've caught them on a fly in Wyoming (Below Jackson Hole's dam), but never targeted them here .....

[bb1]

As I slowly (and painfully) give up on saltwater for the year, a little freshwater fishing sounds better and better. Did I read the Mass site correctly in that Wachusetts is open for fishing until Nov. 30?

Anyone have any insights on fly fishing for lakers in November? I've caught them on a fly in Wyoming (Below Jackson Hole's dam), but never targeted them here .....

The whole month of Nov. will be good laker fishing there. Just find a place you can cast, as you can not use your waders in the Wachusett. Many of the lakers will be right next to shore.

[albacized]

Yup - and there are a couple of spots along the Rt 110 side where they'll start hitting well in shallow water as the water cools down this next month (won't say exactly where, but they are couple of the more popular spots aside from the typical 140 causeway/church locations on the opposite side)

[jalthoff]

Cool - sounds like it'll be worth the drive.

I assume flies are streamers/minnow imitations? Small - not longer than 2 inches???

Intermediate lines?

Thanks for the input all!

[jalthoff]

The whole month of Nov. will be good laker fishing there. Just find a place you can cast, as you can not use your waders in the Wachusett. Many of the lakers will be right next to shore.

Just to make sure I understand, is wading not allowed? The site says:

DCR permits SHORE FISHING ONLY at the Wachusett and Sudbury Reservoirs from dawn to dusk daily during the fishing season.

Does "shore fishing only" mean you cannot step in the water, or that you can't use a kayak/float tube, etc.?

[bdowning]

All of the above. No waders, no hip boots, no boats, no float tubes. In other words, you have to fish from dry land within the area that is designated reservoir watershed property.

The good news is that the lakers can get close to shore in Nov, especially at dusk, so fly fishing is feasible. Personally I would go with a floating line or sink tip. These fish are not far from the surface. Metals work very well for the spinning crowd, so I would definitely bring some flies with some flash in them. I don't think they need to be especially small. Flies you use for landlock salmon would probably be fine.

-bd

[jalthoff]

Excellent - thanks - very helpful!

[albacized]

Slow - managed one fish (laker) in 2 hours fishing up until dark. While I won't devulge where I was fishing, it was one of the more popular locations (I wasn't up for a walk)...but I was amazed no one was there fishing aside from me and I took it as a bad omen, which seemed to come to pass.

I will say that I think the fish are there but still hanging deep - indeed the water felt warmer than the air temp. The one fish I caught was dredged deep and I missed one other hit that was also deep - all my casts along the more shallow shoreline or higher in the water column resulted in absolutely no hits.
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[Wildfisherman]

I fish the reservoir at least 3 or 4 times a week lately because I only live and work within a mile of it. Even now that the water is cold its still slow. Last weekend I got one laker, 19 inches, and a few bites on shiners at gate six. That was for 5 hours of fishing. I fished both Sat. and sun. I've tried about a dozen spots since the water got cold and had very minimal luck, with small fish. Lost a "nice" one, prob about 4 pounds early last week near the sandy point, gate 8. Lost it on a 3/4 oz. Kastmaster. The lure fishing has been very slow for me and I've only pulled a few out this year on them. Shiners just cant be beat. Got a tank full of some very nice, and large shiners that I caught at one of my top secret honeyhole goldmines. I'm hoping this weekend the wind will finally give us all some love and calm the hell down so I can hit up one of my more productive spots. Maybe this time catch something bigger than what I would use for bait for the goliaths.

[Wildfisherman]

I caught a nice fat 20 inch rainbow today, in the rain, wind/waves, in the short hour I had after work at 5:00. Caught around 5:40. Caught her on a 1/2 gold kastmaster.

[bb1]

Had a nice laker yesterday on a crippled herring in deep water.

How nice? What side?
We (3 -4 people) didn't get anything by the causeway.

[bdowning]

Anyone chuck swimming plugs for lakers? I generally throw metals, but looking to catch something above "rat" size this fall (on artificials only). My possibly crackpot theory is that a small to medium sized Yozuri or Rapala swimmer might entice larger fish.

-bd

[Slappy]

How about a jighead and a plastic. 6" hogys have picked off more than a few decent lakers for me in the yak and I hooked a really large one on a 7" that came off without being seen. --124-3 lakers do love plastics!

[bb1]

Anyone chuck swimming plugs for lakers? I generally throw metals, but looking to catch something above "rat" size this fall (on artificials only). My possibly crackpot theory is that a small to medium sized Yozuri or Rapala swimmer might entice larger fish.

-bd

Bass fishermen use smimming plugs/stick baits there all the time. You might want to try them w/ a small rubba' core sinker ahead?
But it seems most large lakers are taken DEEP....3/4 - 1 oz. spoons.

I have thought about the same thing, and maybe rubba' fish....but they don't cast very well and it's windy there most of the time.
The other theory is to go UL, and enjoy the rats....and see if your that good of a fisherman if you luck into a large.

So far this fall your lucky to catch anything though....and I am not expecting for it to get much better in the next 3 weeks.

[bdowning]

UL is usually the way I go. If I use a Hogy or sluggo on a jig head, I'm probably going to have to hit a different location (unless I rig the plastic very light) since where I normally fish is not especially deep .

4-5 years ago, it seemed like small lakers in the resy were as common as perch. Didn't do nearly as well last couple of Novembers, not sure what's up with that. We'll see what this Nov brings.

-bd

[bb1]

Last year there was a bumper crop of YP and the fishing was pretty good....you could catch 3,4 5 in 45 min (knowing where & when) on spoons many days. Or catch some YP and use them for (free) bait....even small lakers were taking YP larger than most shiners. Never got around to that myself.
By UL @ Wachusett I mean a 1000/1500 size reel w/ 10lb. braid and a 4-6lb. fluorocarbon leader, (not the usual 500 reel & 5' UL rod w/ 2-4 lb mono)....that should handle most of the nicer lakers.

Personally I usually use a small FW baitcaster w/ 8lb. floro line to wing out 1/2oz. spoons. And a larger setup for 3/4oz. in deeper water.

[bb1]

Was fishing trout spot and the mouth of boathouse cove route 70 side.;)

I was using a YP Cripple Herring (3/4oz.) last year, they slammed it!
Do CH lay on there side while retrieving, mine looked that way?

[NausetDog]

What's a YP Cripple Herring lure? I googled it but couldn't find one.

[bb1]

What's a YP Cripple Herring lure? I googled it but couldn't find one.

Try 'CrippleD'....Lures Jensen.

[NausetDog]

Thanks I found it!

[bdowning]

Not much doing yesterday at the 'Chu late afternoon to dusk, although I had a few hits. A few guys near me livelining perch weren't doing much either. Saw one laker on a stringer and another one that got off as the guy was reeling it in.

-bd

[BobG]

I can't help but wonder in a small yellow perch Sebile might be a big time ticket at Wachusett?:brow

[bb1]

Didn't even see a fish caught yesterday, Rt. 70 side, or last weekend, causeway/high-tensions fishing dusk....haven't heard much coming from the Rt.110 areas either, but will try there next.

[bb1]

I can't help but wonder in a small yellow perch Sebile might be a big time ticket at Wachusett?:brow

Or my invention, a 'Stick Shadd'....with a single hook from the nose sticking up like a Tsunami rubba' shad! --127-3-
My buddy bought a small YP color Storm Kickin shad for the resy....hasn't used it yet though, they don't cast that well.

[NausetDog]

bd, whaere did you see the one laker on the stringer? I had one on my stringer at gate 36 and gave it away to another angler yesterday

[bdowning]

I was thinking a Kickin' Shad as well. How deep do they dive? (or do they ride just under the surface?) The area I typically fish is not all that deep and it wouldn't take much to dig down in the weeds, stickups, or snags.

BobG, I didn't think Sebile made anything small?? (#$119)

In the past, I've noticed that when I see ripples from schools of yellow perch swimming around there, I know they are being pushed by something and I get a few solid hookups on lakers. But not much bait seen on Sat. It was FAC, and the loons were doing their yodeling thing at dusk, pretty cool...

-bd


Or my invention, a 'Stick Shadd'....with a single hook from the nose sticking up like a Tsunami rubba' shad! --127-3-
My buddy bought a small YP color Storm Kickin shad for the resy....hasn't used it yet though, they don't cast that well.

[bdowning]

PM sent.

-bd

bd, whaere did you see the one laker on the stringer? I had one on my stringer at gate 36 and gave it away to another angler yesterday

[bb1]

I was thinking a Kickin' Shad as well. How deep do they dive? (or do they ride just under the surface?) The area I typically fish is not all that deep and it wouldn't take much to dig down in the weeds, stickups, or snags.

BobG, I didn't think Sebile made anything small?? (#$119)

In the past, I've noticed that when I see ripples from schools of yellow perch swimming around there, I know they are being pushed by something and I get a few solid hookups on lakers. But not much bait seen on Sat. It was FAC, and the loons were doing their yodeling thing at dusk, pretty cool...

-bd

I saw a fairly large 'back' chasing bait on the surface (smooth as glass) sat., Rt 70 side. I cast to it a few times but no luck.
Sebile got it's start w/ small....:) The problem w/ the resy is 95% of it is very shallow near shore....perfect to snag your lure, and you can't wade past that....so your lure selection is very limited.
We used a large Kickn' Shad @ the canal w/ good luck, it rides pretty high (2 3/4oz.)....haven't tried the small one yet, waiting to get to some deep water near shore.

[jalthoff]

No luck this morning at first light, although there were fishing moving and chasing bait, so maybe going to turn on?

[Wildfisherman]

I have asked the man behind the counter at Wachusett Bait and Tackle if there has been any big lakers caught recently. I actually drive by there at least once a week and ask, since September. He says "nope" every time and that only a few 3 pounders have been taken, but nothing large like last spring.
The fishing has still been slow for me at least. Not many runs and when i get one its always a small laker. Several times I reeled in shiners to find big bite marks around its body. Darn rat lakers again, trying to swallow a 6 inch golden shiner. I have been hitting some deep water but I'm wondering how the fishing in the shallow( and easier to get to) areas of the causeway and gate 36, rainbow cove area. From what I heard from one source its also slow.

[bb1]

The OTW report says the water is still too warm for lakers. The friends I asked last night said there catching more bass there than lakers.

[albacized]

The OTW report says the water is still too warm for lakers. The friends I asked last night said there catching more bass there than lakers.


Not true - as of last weekend, I started catching them at some more shallow areas off the rt 110 side of the res. That only happens once the water starts cooling off to satisfactory temps (by laker standards)...Earlier in the fall, when the water is still too warm for good action, I usually can only get them while dredging metals down deep...

[bdowning]

I'm going to give it another shot today or tomorrow. At least had some hits last weekend, but no takes. The water temps are headed down, so that should improve things before season end there.

-bd

[bb1]

Not true - as of last weekend, I started catching them at some more shallow areas off the rt 110 side of the res. That only happens once the water starts cooling off to satisfactory temps (by laker standards)...Earlier in the fall, when the water is still too warm for good action, I usually can only get them while dredging metals down deep...

I don't have a thermometer any more (broke at the canal) so I can't really tell.....took OTW/tackle shop report as fact.
Anyway, the reports from fishermen have been, and were yesterday HORRIBLE. Most say spoons aren't working very well at all. I tried the 110 side w/ spoons, shallow and finally caught runt laker....my first of the fall, between 2 of us!

I am kind of looking forward to hanging up the rods this year, as it hasn't been all that productive a fall for me, and I didn't go nearly as often....had other, more important things on my mind.

[bdowning]

Well you are one up on me. Yesterday I took a much longer walk and casted the shorelione at a number of places, both deep and shallow. Not even a hit! Not much love from the Res'y for me this fall either. :rolleyes:

-bd

[bb1]

Well you are one up on me. Yesterday I took a much longer walk and casted the shorelione at a number of places, both deep and shallow. Not even a hit! Not much love from the Res'y for me this fall either. :rolleyes:

-bd

Fishing at Wachusett was absolutely HORRIBLE this year....in the spring the water was SO high (past the shore brush) you could hardly find anywhere to cast, and be able to bring your line in! Then the water went down....the fish don't like that change, and stay away from the shore line. It doesn't even look like the weeds are as thick this year!
Then came fall and still very few fish near shore, after recent years a good fishing. Could the water really be that warm....the air seems to be as cold or colder than recent years?

Still, I'll be fishing this week until closing day....

[albacized]

Fwiw, I met mr skunk yesterday as well...I was chucking metal, I did see a couple of fishermen soaking shiners off that rt 110 with some luck...not a lot, but they did double up on hook ups one time (and I think that was the last fish they caught)

[Wildfisherman]

Fished yesterday and today, from roughly 6 in the morning to 11. Yesterday lost 2 decent ones. Both ended up spitting out the bait. Today at 7:00 a.m, with the winding blowing hard on me from the north, caught a 4.5lb largemouth. Caught on a shiner on bottom. A few hours later caught one 16 in rainbow the same way. Not one other hit, no lakers. I went out later in the afternoon fishing metals and not one hit. I walked a good mile of shoreline from gate six cove to near the big point, spending some extra time around one particular cove that had a weedbed I thought would hold some trout food, and nothing.

[striperking91]

caught three fish today one rainbow and two lakers, surprisingly a guy fishing next to me caught a nice salmon with a blown up crawler

[bb1]

caught three fish today one rainbow and two lakers, surprisingly a guy fishing next to me caught a nice salmon with a blown up crawler

And which end were you fishing?
Salmon love worms....lakers too!

[Wildfisherman]

caught one decent laker on a yellow perch today off of gate 35, around 2 in the afternoon. The wind was terrible and when my gutabite flag popped up I thought it was a wind flag, then the line started going out. The funny thing is I caught it within five minutes after setting up, then no more. I opened it to find it had a belly full of small yellow perch, so i guess they are feeding good off schools of the perch in that area. I'm gonna try the area again before the season ends. Some kind fisherman the other day gave me a dozen perch he had left over.

[bb1]

caught one decent laker on a yellow perch today off of gate 35, around 2 in the afternoon. The wind was terrible and when my gutabite flag popped up I thought it was a wind flag, then the line started going out. The funny thing is I caught it within five minutes after setting up, then no more. I opened it to find it had a belly full of small yellow perch, so i guess they are feeding good off schools of the perch in that area. I'm gonna try the area again before the season ends. Some kind fisherman the other day gave me a dozen perch he had left over.

Cellar holes, rook, point?

[Wildfisherman]

Cellar holes, rook, point?

Cellar holes. Today I fished an area off rt 70, very deep water bordering a shallow shelf, and short walk. Caught 2 lakers and got several hits and runs. Good day, considering the way its been this year. Will hit up the spot a few more times before the season ends. Good lure spot too, but a small area in which to cast, let sink, and not get caught on surrounding rocks. Missed a small laker, and a smallmouth bass on a kastmaster the other day.

[bb1]

Cellar holes. Today I fished an area off rt 70, very deep water bordering a shallow shelf, and short walk. Caught 2 lakers and got several hits and runs. Good day, considering the way its been this year. Will hit up the spot a few more times before the season ends. Good lure spot too, but a small area in which to cast, let sink, and not get caught on surrounding rocks. Missed a small laker, and a smallmouth bass on a kastmaster the other day.

I know the spot, I fish that area closing day sometimes....if the wind is right. Nothing like getting 2 good bumps on the bottom on retrieve. Haven't had that much luck there the last few years. Actually there are a couple spots like that....left or right, depending on how far you want to walk :brow

[Wildfisherman]

I know the spot, I fish that area closing day sometimes....if the wind is right. Nothing like getting 2 good bumps on the bottom on retrieve. Haven't had that much luck there the last few years. Actually there are a couple spots like that....left or right, depending on how far you want to walk :brow

That spot was schooling with trout the other day. Almost every time I walked away from the poles for a min I would come back to find the flag up and line going out. Did find other spots in that area, but the one I fished was easier to set up pole holders, and less of a trek through the heavy brush/slippery rocks. Also the other spots were quesionable on the lure casting and bait fishing because of the underwater ledges, having lost a couple kastmasters and nice fish there last summer. I talked to one guy that has been fishing the area. He caught a 12 pounder last April and got it mounted!!! He showed me the pic on his phone as proof. He also said he was getting ocassional 5 to 7 pounders!
I plan to try the area again tomorrow and am hoping the wind doesnt hit me hard there, tho its going to be a blustery one. Just hoping the hill and tall trees across the way blocks it a bit.

[bb1]

That spot was schooling with trout the other day. Almost every time I walked away from the poles for a min I would come back to find the flag up and line going out. Did find other spots in that area, but the one I fished was easier to set up pole holders, and less of a trek through the heavy brush/slippery rocks. Also the other spots were quesionable on the lure casting and bait fishing because of the underwater ledges, having lost a couple kastmasters and nice fish there last summer. I talked to one guy that has been fishing the area. He caught a 12 pounder last April and got it mounted!!! He showed me the pic on his phone as proof. He also said he was getting ocassional 5 to 7 pounders!
I plan to try the area again tomorrow and am hoping the wind doesnt hit me hard there, tho its going to be a blustery one. Just hoping the hill and tall trees across the way blocks it a bit.

PM me if you like....we can exchange ideas about 'spots'.

[bdowning]

I fished Gate 8 yesterday late afternoon with lures. All I caught was a cold. (#$119) Wind was really kicking up.

Went to the other side at dusk, got a few hits, and that was all she wrote. I may give it one more shot on Sunday and that'll be it for the Res'y for me this year.

-bd

[bb1]

Reports were not that good on the 110 side so we fished the 70 side, got a fat 18" laker very close to shore around disk on a 3/4 oz. gold spoon....will try again tues. then hang it up.
Will be rebuilding a canal rod (& reel) over the winter....going spinner, lol.

[jalthoff]

Fished Rt 70 side for a three hours today up until dusk. Nothing, nada. Talked to two guys dunkin bait - they had some runs, but no luck.

How far away is Spring?

[bb1]

Nothing today for me, spooning the high tensions & boat ramp....time to hang it up!

Bill