Locally, the trout fishing is at a standstill at Little and Long Pond. Largemouth bass fishing is still good at Billington Sea, and Great Herring Pond is producing a few smallmouth. Steve and Bruce made a midweek trip to Long Pond last week, but all they caught was a white perch!
Saltwater maximum weights
In order to enter the state’s annual fishing derby, your catch must be weighed in at an official Massachusetts weigh station and the necessary forms should be submitted. Send them to Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Derby, Quest Center, 1213 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740. Your entry must be within 30 days of your catch. The derby winners are determined by a minimum weight, not length, as some anglers have brought in bass that measured 40 inches, but did not meet the weight requirement of 35 pounds. A few of the species you may find in local waters and their minimum weights are as follows.
Bluefish: 12 pounds
Fluke: 7 pounds (season now closed)
Winter flounder: 3 pounds
Wolf fish: 20 pounds
Haddock: 8 pounds
Cod: 30 pounds
Local weigh stations in the area are: Cherry’s Bait Shop; Grumpy’s (in Manomet); J.P.’s Bait & Tackle, South Meadow Road; G&R Marine, Route 106, Kingston; Red Top, Buzzards Bay; Canal Bait & Tackle, Sagamore.
Scoter 4
Young America Club member, John Mason, caught his second tuna of the season and this one measured 63 inches and was about 150 pounds. His previous fish weighed about 138 and measured 57 inches. These fish were caught off Stellwagen Bank, using live porgy for bait. John’s deckhand, Colin Drain, was onboard for these two fish, and Colin’s main job is to handle the bait and keep the Scoter 4 clean. Colin is also a member of the Y.A.C. fishing team.
Cherry’s Bait & Tackle
Last week I stopped to see Mary, who was in rehab, and we had a nice visit. The two physical therapists were very pleasant, and seemed to keep Mary in good spirits. Of course, she asked me how the bait shop was doing, and I assured her that Anne and Maureen were doing their best to maintain the shop. Cherry’s is open daily at 6 a.m. and closes around 6 p.m. Stop in and check out the new line of saltwater plugs.
Red Top, Buzzards Bay
Tom McCarthy informed me that Tim Garcia weighed in a 24.75 lbs. striper last week that was caught in the Canal. The fishing in the Canal has slowed down a little, but early morning is still producing some big bass. The action at Scusset Beach has improved as Robin Morgan landed a 42-inch beauty using a sea worm. This striper was taken on 12-pound test line and it weighed a hefty 25 lbs.
Wavelength Charters
Capt. Dave Hobson is still doing great off Race Point, with some good-sized stripers. The Wavelength still has a few dates available for some great fall fishing. A couple of weeks ago, he had a charter with a friend of mine, and he is still talking about the trip and the number of bass that they caught!
Capt. John Boats
The inshore fishing has been good, and even a few haddock have been caught on recent trips. As the season winds down, you can still fish for a half a day on the 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. trips. Whale watches are leaving the Town Wharf at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m.
I would suggest reservations for the whale watches.
Quincy Bait & Tackle
I received a very interesting report from Rick Newcomb concerning the striper fishing in the Quincy area. Last Saturday, a large school of porgies came into Quincy Bay, and the stripers were right behind them. Hingham Bay had some scattered bluefish, and the stripers and blues were taken on the “Tube and Worm.” Bob Pike and his buddy Donny had a great trip last week and it started at 10:45 a.m., with a 36-inch bass; 11 a.m., a 28-inch and 33-inch fish; noon, 24, 23 and a second 24-inch striper; 12:45 p.m., a 28.6 lbs. bass that was 41 inches as well as a 27 lbs. striper at 1:45 p.m. that measured 37 inches. These bass were all caught on the “Tube and Worm.”
Canal Bait & Tackle
Bruce gave me another good report on the Cape and Canal fishing, as he weighed in another 32 lbs. bass for Joe Healy and John Dolan’s striper weighed 29.6 lbs. These fish were taken on surface plugs in the early morning hours. Canal Bait & Tackle is located over the Sagamore Bridge, near the Christmas Tree Shop.
Grumpy’s, Manomet
Linda and her husband are on vacation and John Trainer spoke briefly to me last Sunday. He reminded me that applications are available for the John Alden Fishing Tournament, which runs from Friday, Aug. 29, to Monday, Sept. 7. This is a great way to get the kids involved in a derby, and it ends with a cookout at the club. You can pick up an entry form at Canal Bait, as well as the John Alden Club, located off Beaver Dam Road.
Plymouth resident Ken Almeida has been fishing in the area all his life. His column appears every other week during the fishing season. If you have a fish story you’d like to share, write to him care of the Old Colony Memorial, 182 Standish Ave., Plymouth, MA 02360.
Andy-Lynn Boats, 508-746-7776
Capt. John Boats, 508-746-2643
Capt. Tim Brady, 508-746-4809
Bill and Jules Bryant, 617-633-6738
Coop’s Bait & Tackle, 508-627-3909
Fisherman’s Outfitter, 508-747-7440
Fore River Tackle, 617-770-1397
Freedom Boat Club, 617-328-0344
G & R Marine, 781-585-9451
Grumpy’s Bait Shop, 508-224-3300
Jake’s Bait, 508-747-0777
J.P.’s Bait & Tackle, 508-732-9915
Lady Atlantic, 508-747-3434
Lease2Fish, 781-344-5836
Plymouth Charters, 508-747-3772
Jack Reardon, 508-291-0564
Red Top, 508-759-3371
Capt. Rich Schelle, 508-889-6027
Sea Fever Sport Fishing, 781-831-1612
Watersports, 508-747-1577
Wavelength, 508-746-6749
