Been sick for the past few weeks so this is far from perfect I will add on but I wanted to get it out before trout stocking starts on the cape
this ended up being to long so it is in two posts split up fresh and saltwater
Let's get the disclaimer out of the way first. I don't work for Masswildlife I am not a EPO or a attorney This is for informational purposes only! Always check the local and state laws! The laws are constantly changing
Of course if you are going to be looking for fish with fins and you are 15 or over you are going to need a fishing license!
The good news it's shall issue!
And you don't need a class... Its available at mass fish hunt... There are two types fresh and salt water... Get them here
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/licensing/
The freshwater license is valid in Massachusetts only...
The saltwater license has reciprocation in NH RI and CT… more info here
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dmf/recreational-fishing/recreational-saltwater-permits.html
I have decided the most logical way to split this up is buy salt and fresh water. Then buy species, If you are looking for locations there will be an additional write up on locations in the green members area! I will not leave a guide "spot burning” locations for anyone to see So if you want more info on where to fish GO GREEN!
I really cant go over everything as far as laws and size limits to bring fish home however its all here for fresh water: http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/
Here for saltwater http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/fishing/saltwater/
Fresh Water
Equipment/Tackle
a
few quick words on fresh water tackle
The amount of fresh water fishing Tackle available is insane! The biggest thing to keep in mind some fishing equipment (especially lures) are made to catch fish some of it is made to catch fisherman!
Freshwater Rod & Reel
There a few different options here but if you're a beginner I would highly recommend a spinning combo in the 50-120 dollar range from a dicks or bass pro if you're a beginner or getting back into fishing after a long time..
If you plan to target mostly panfish rainbow trout and brook trout a light action rod will be best.
medium action is a great all around rod for just about everything fresh water in the state.
medium/ heavy or heavy action is great for throwing big baits at largemouth or big water spots where you don't have a boat or a boat is not allowed buy boat like wachusett reservoir..
Lead sinkers/jigs:
a few years back they ban all lead sinkers and jigs in Massachusetts waters under an ounce... It was for the children no doubt..
Like in waterfowl hunting the best alternative is tungsten if you can afford it... For the rest of us there is steel...
Line: Often over looked it connects you to your fish! This is not the place to go cheap! A high quality line matched to your rod and reel will allow you to get the most out of your cast and make sure it gets back to you!
One of the biggest mistakes I see from inexperienced and even long time weekend warriors is either cheap or too heavy line... Go with the highest quality line with the thinnest diameter that will still allow you to cast without losing your rig...A common misconception is you need 50 pound test in case you catch a 50 pound fish nothing can be further from the truth! I have caught a lot of 30+ pound stripers on 15 pound test and lighter mono over the years... In applications where casting is not involved heavier line is more acceptable.. There are applications for heavy line when casting but for 90% of the time if you are standing on shore lighter is better!
There are 4 major types of line
(mono filament): tried and true been around the longest of the modern lines. On the plus side Its cheap, easy to use and cast and available almost anywhere! Its has decent invisibility.. The main con with mono is stretch.. It can act like a rubber band at times.. This can translate into less line feel when working a lure and it can make it harder to set a hook!
Also all mono is not created equal the cheap bargain spools are absolutely worthless..They are often to stiff have horrible memory and diameter this also goes for the "free line that comes spooled on some of the rod and reel combos available at big box stores..
However a good quality mono is generally where I go to for most freshwater fishing... Also my brother is considered by many to be one of the best recreational saltwater fisherman in the state of Rhode Island and uses only mono...
Braid/super braid:
Some Braided line like Dacron has been around forever.. however 95% of the braid around today is of the super braid variety. For the most part it started showing up in the early to mid 90s under the spiderwire brand and now just about every line manufacture has at least one super braid product. On the plus side its incredibly strong and thin! It also Has absolutely zero stretch...
Some of the cons are, Price...It can be quite expensive compared to mono..Also you will want to put some backing on your reel before you lay on this stuff as it can have a tendency to slip.. Its highly visible and 90% if the time you will need a leader of some type. You also may need to learn a few new knots as some of the traditional knots can slip when using braid.. Also there is a huge variance from brand to brand in performance. Depending on what its made out of..Some are very soft and have low memory while others are quite stiff and can almost be kinked..Try a few see what you like.. I personally use power pro...
Braid is my line if choice for saltwater surfcasting..
Fluorocarbon... Looks like mono but is ultra clear and virtually disappears underwater.. It also has less stretch than traditional mono. The main use I have for it is leader material for finicky freshwater fish or as a leader for fishing with braid... It is used as a primary line as well. However personally I find it far more expensive than mono and in my opinion does not perform as well as braid or traditional mono in most situations.
However you will almost always find me fishing with a fluorocarbon leader salt or fresh surf casting or trolling.
Steel: I use steel line a lot on conventional reels when jigging for.stripers from a boat. This is basically the only application I use it for. However it is a extremely effective technique and will be covered later on in the guide.
Lead core… Used to get down into deep water when trolling from a boat! (they now have downriggers for this and are far more common.. However if you're on a canoe or don't have the funds for downriggers this is a great option!
Knots... Best suggestion I can give here is hop on to YouTube look up knot wars.. However my jack of all trades is the San Diego jam knot. heres a youtube search for it knot wars https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=knot wars&sm=3https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=knot wars&sm=3
Fresh water
Trout
Surprisingly Massachusetts has one of the best if not the best trout stocking programs in new england Stocking Rainbow, brown, brook and the brown/brook hybrid the tiger trout.
The fish get put out from march through may. The mass wildlife website has a weekly stocking report on their website! Many ponds are stocked every week in the spring! The hatcheries are also open for tours!
Its easy to find a good trout spot every trout stocked pond in Massachusetts is listed on the mass wildlife website.
This is a put and take fishery don't feel bad about taking a few home for dinner!
Native Brook trout: a few rivers hold native brook trout in mass they are very small, rare and beautiful... Look around the brooks in the wachusett mountain area... However I not a advocate of bringing these home for dinner.. But shit this is merica as long as your legal go ahead... I will be the guy with the frown on his face...
Best techniques...
Power Bait: Probably the most popular method a small hook with a gob of this smelly dough fished off the bottom is highly effective on freshly stocked rainbow/brook trout! I actually prefer the power eggs over the traditional, as it always stays on the hook.. No matter how haírd you cast... I like orange power bait but it comes in every color thats in the crayola crayon box
Rigging power bait (with a slip rig)
You will need
egg sinkers various sizes
egg hooks or small hooks, or special power bait hooks... whatever you have or prefer
12-16 inch Fluorocarbon leader.. 4-8 lb test
Powerbait/eggs
Barrel swivel
tie the hook on end of the leader the other end gets the barrel swivel thread the egg sinker on to the main line and tie the line onto the other end of the barrel swivel.. you should have a hook leader swivel and a egg sinker sliding up and down the main line..
Throw on a gob of power bait or a couple power eggs main thing here is drop it.in the water make sure the power bait is.floating the hook off the bottom.
Worms: Use the same rig as for power bait.. However get your hands on a "worm blower" (about 3 bucks at Walmart) and inflate your worm son it floats your hook!
Shiners: You can use again the slip rig posted above or just.hang them under a bobber. Also a dead shiner inflated with a worm blower on a slip rig is deadly on big brown trout! You will not get a lot of browns this.way but my largest browns have all come from this method.
Artificial lures...
Spoons/spinners: small copper spoons, and kastmasters make great lures for fresh stocked trout of all types! A walk through any fishing department will also carry a ton if trout spinners. Easy to cover lots of water just remember a snap and barrel swivel to make sure your line doesn't end up a twisted mess..
Crank baits: Skinny small crank baits work well in trout.. Not the big fat honking bass type but the small skinny type. My favorite the yo zuri pins minnow..
Fly fishing...
Really there is so much here I don't know where to begin.. Getting into fly fishing to many can be a commitment that many people simply don't have the time or energy to do.. However if the "fly guys" are doing far better then you there is a alternative! You can attach a clear slip bobber to your line followed by a fly leader or a fluorocarbon leader and a fly This will allow you to cast the fly on your traditional spinning gear.. I use primarily nymphs on ponds and rivers and its very productive.
Salmon: A quick note
Broodstock: We for a few years had a salmon stocking program in Mass that officially ended this year..(a handful of lakes got a handful of fish) But in the past 3 it has been a joke as the CT river hatchery in Vermont was taken out buy a tropical storm. There are a few still roaming around out there!
Landlocked: Only found in the quabbin and wachusett reservoir.. Tips and techniques will be covered in that portion of the guide (hopefully we have a few volunteers who know a lot more the I do)
Atlantic: Atlantic salmon found mostly in the CT River are protected you should release them with care immediately it is illegal to even so much as take a picture with one.
Panfish
Not stocked that I know of anywhere in Massachusetts but live in most places.that are wet.
Crappie: Also known as lamp lighters, strawberry bass, calico bass and I am sure a few other names to me they are the best eating fish in fresh water.. They taste something like a flounder or fluke..
There are 100 crappie lures out there and they take live bait as well! Here is a great how to from youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZY1Bq5X4KE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sunfish/yellow perch/white perch etc.
Worms bobbers and kids! Need I say more?
Yellow perch are great eating right after ice out but as the year goes on they start to taste like mud!
Largemouth Bass/small mouth bass
They are everywhere! Will bite almost.anything! Turn on ESPN and there's a bunch of southern guys showing you how to catch them! For me I like rubber worms and Sanko worms.. Wait for the water to warm up in may before you try top water lures! Get up early or fish late in the day for your best chances.
Northern Pike
Have been stocked in a few ponds and lakes in Massachusetts these can be found here.. My experience with these "gators" has always been through the ice. The Massachusetts section if the iceshanty.com forum will give you all the info you will ever need to know! There are a ton of passionate and knowledgeable guys on there... Just don't hop on and ask for there honey holes.
Pickerel
Usually one of the easiest fish to find right after Ice out also known as slime darts. There the pikes baby brother however no stocking needed these fish are everywhere its wet! Try a spinner a spoon or a live shiner.
this ended up being to long so it is in two posts split up fresh and saltwater
Let's get the disclaimer out of the way first. I don't work for Masswildlife I am not a EPO or a attorney This is for informational purposes only! Always check the local and state laws! The laws are constantly changing
Of course if you are going to be looking for fish with fins and you are 15 or over you are going to need a fishing license!
The good news it's shall issue!
And you don't need a class... Its available at mass fish hunt... There are two types fresh and salt water... Get them here
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/licensing/
The freshwater license is valid in Massachusetts only...
The saltwater license has reciprocation in NH RI and CT… more info here
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dmf/recreational-fishing/recreational-saltwater-permits.html
I have decided the most logical way to split this up is buy salt and fresh water. Then buy species, If you are looking for locations there will be an additional write up on locations in the green members area! I will not leave a guide "spot burning” locations for anyone to see So if you want more info on where to fish GO GREEN!
I really cant go over everything as far as laws and size limits to bring fish home however its all here for fresh water: http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/
Here for saltwater http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/fishing/saltwater/
Fresh Water
Equipment/Tackle
a
few quick words on fresh water tackle
The amount of fresh water fishing Tackle available is insane! The biggest thing to keep in mind some fishing equipment (especially lures) are made to catch fish some of it is made to catch fisherman!
Freshwater Rod & Reel
There a few different options here but if you're a beginner I would highly recommend a spinning combo in the 50-120 dollar range from a dicks or bass pro if you're a beginner or getting back into fishing after a long time..
If you plan to target mostly panfish rainbow trout and brook trout a light action rod will be best.
medium action is a great all around rod for just about everything fresh water in the state.
medium/ heavy or heavy action is great for throwing big baits at largemouth or big water spots where you don't have a boat or a boat is not allowed buy boat like wachusett reservoir..
Lead sinkers/jigs:
a few years back they ban all lead sinkers and jigs in Massachusetts waters under an ounce... It was for the children no doubt..
Like in waterfowl hunting the best alternative is tungsten if you can afford it... For the rest of us there is steel...
Line: Often over looked it connects you to your fish! This is not the place to go cheap! A high quality line matched to your rod and reel will allow you to get the most out of your cast and make sure it gets back to you!
One of the biggest mistakes I see from inexperienced and even long time weekend warriors is either cheap or too heavy line... Go with the highest quality line with the thinnest diameter that will still allow you to cast without losing your rig...A common misconception is you need 50 pound test in case you catch a 50 pound fish nothing can be further from the truth! I have caught a lot of 30+ pound stripers on 15 pound test and lighter mono over the years... In applications where casting is not involved heavier line is more acceptable.. There are applications for heavy line when casting but for 90% of the time if you are standing on shore lighter is better!
There are 4 major types of line
(mono filament): tried and true been around the longest of the modern lines. On the plus side Its cheap, easy to use and cast and available almost anywhere! Its has decent invisibility.. The main con with mono is stretch.. It can act like a rubber band at times.. This can translate into less line feel when working a lure and it can make it harder to set a hook!
Also all mono is not created equal the cheap bargain spools are absolutely worthless..They are often to stiff have horrible memory and diameter this also goes for the "free line that comes spooled on some of the rod and reel combos available at big box stores..
However a good quality mono is generally where I go to for most freshwater fishing... Also my brother is considered by many to be one of the best recreational saltwater fisherman in the state of Rhode Island and uses only mono...
Braid/super braid:
Some Braided line like Dacron has been around forever.. however 95% of the braid around today is of the super braid variety. For the most part it started showing up in the early to mid 90s under the spiderwire brand and now just about every line manufacture has at least one super braid product. On the plus side its incredibly strong and thin! It also Has absolutely zero stretch...
Some of the cons are, Price...It can be quite expensive compared to mono..Also you will want to put some backing on your reel before you lay on this stuff as it can have a tendency to slip.. Its highly visible and 90% if the time you will need a leader of some type. You also may need to learn a few new knots as some of the traditional knots can slip when using braid.. Also there is a huge variance from brand to brand in performance. Depending on what its made out of..Some are very soft and have low memory while others are quite stiff and can almost be kinked..Try a few see what you like.. I personally use power pro...
Braid is my line if choice for saltwater surfcasting..
Fluorocarbon... Looks like mono but is ultra clear and virtually disappears underwater.. It also has less stretch than traditional mono. The main use I have for it is leader material for finicky freshwater fish or as a leader for fishing with braid... It is used as a primary line as well. However personally I find it far more expensive than mono and in my opinion does not perform as well as braid or traditional mono in most situations.
However you will almost always find me fishing with a fluorocarbon leader salt or fresh surf casting or trolling.
Steel: I use steel line a lot on conventional reels when jigging for.stripers from a boat. This is basically the only application I use it for. However it is a extremely effective technique and will be covered later on in the guide.
Lead core… Used to get down into deep water when trolling from a boat! (they now have downriggers for this and are far more common.. However if you're on a canoe or don't have the funds for downriggers this is a great option!
Knots... Best suggestion I can give here is hop on to YouTube look up knot wars.. However my jack of all trades is the San Diego jam knot. heres a youtube search for it knot wars https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=knot wars&sm=3https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=knot wars&sm=3
Fresh water
Trout
Surprisingly Massachusetts has one of the best if not the best trout stocking programs in new england Stocking Rainbow, brown, brook and the brown/brook hybrid the tiger trout.
The fish get put out from march through may. The mass wildlife website has a weekly stocking report on their website! Many ponds are stocked every week in the spring! The hatcheries are also open for tours!
Its easy to find a good trout spot every trout stocked pond in Massachusetts is listed on the mass wildlife website.
This is a put and take fishery don't feel bad about taking a few home for dinner!
Native Brook trout: a few rivers hold native brook trout in mass they are very small, rare and beautiful... Look around the brooks in the wachusett mountain area... However I not a advocate of bringing these home for dinner.. But shit this is merica as long as your legal go ahead... I will be the guy with the frown on his face...
Best techniques...
Power Bait: Probably the most popular method a small hook with a gob of this smelly dough fished off the bottom is highly effective on freshly stocked rainbow/brook trout! I actually prefer the power eggs over the traditional, as it always stays on the hook.. No matter how haírd you cast... I like orange power bait but it comes in every color thats in the crayola crayon box
Rigging power bait (with a slip rig)
You will need
egg sinkers various sizes
egg hooks or small hooks, or special power bait hooks... whatever you have or prefer
12-16 inch Fluorocarbon leader.. 4-8 lb test
Powerbait/eggs
Barrel swivel
tie the hook on end of the leader the other end gets the barrel swivel thread the egg sinker on to the main line and tie the line onto the other end of the barrel swivel.. you should have a hook leader swivel and a egg sinker sliding up and down the main line..
Throw on a gob of power bait or a couple power eggs main thing here is drop it.in the water make sure the power bait is.floating the hook off the bottom.
Worms: Use the same rig as for power bait.. However get your hands on a "worm blower" (about 3 bucks at Walmart) and inflate your worm son it floats your hook!
Shiners: You can use again the slip rig posted above or just.hang them under a bobber. Also a dead shiner inflated with a worm blower on a slip rig is deadly on big brown trout! You will not get a lot of browns this.way but my largest browns have all come from this method.
Artificial lures...
Spoons/spinners: small copper spoons, and kastmasters make great lures for fresh stocked trout of all types! A walk through any fishing department will also carry a ton if trout spinners. Easy to cover lots of water just remember a snap and barrel swivel to make sure your line doesn't end up a twisted mess..
Crank baits: Skinny small crank baits work well in trout.. Not the big fat honking bass type but the small skinny type. My favorite the yo zuri pins minnow..
Fly fishing...
Really there is so much here I don't know where to begin.. Getting into fly fishing to many can be a commitment that many people simply don't have the time or energy to do.. However if the "fly guys" are doing far better then you there is a alternative! You can attach a clear slip bobber to your line followed by a fly leader or a fluorocarbon leader and a fly This will allow you to cast the fly on your traditional spinning gear.. I use primarily nymphs on ponds and rivers and its very productive.
Salmon: A quick note
Broodstock: We for a few years had a salmon stocking program in Mass that officially ended this year..(a handful of lakes got a handful of fish) But in the past 3 it has been a joke as the CT river hatchery in Vermont was taken out buy a tropical storm. There are a few still roaming around out there!
Landlocked: Only found in the quabbin and wachusett reservoir.. Tips and techniques will be covered in that portion of the guide (hopefully we have a few volunteers who know a lot more the I do)
Atlantic: Atlantic salmon found mostly in the CT River are protected you should release them with care immediately it is illegal to even so much as take a picture with one.
Panfish
Not stocked that I know of anywhere in Massachusetts but live in most places.that are wet.
Crappie: Also known as lamp lighters, strawberry bass, calico bass and I am sure a few other names to me they are the best eating fish in fresh water.. They taste something like a flounder or fluke..
There are 100 crappie lures out there and they take live bait as well! Here is a great how to from youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZY1Bq5X4KE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sunfish/yellow perch/white perch etc.
Worms bobbers and kids! Need I say more?
Yellow perch are great eating right after ice out but as the year goes on they start to taste like mud!
Largemouth Bass/small mouth bass
They are everywhere! Will bite almost.anything! Turn on ESPN and there's a bunch of southern guys showing you how to catch them! For me I like rubber worms and Sanko worms.. Wait for the water to warm up in may before you try top water lures! Get up early or fish late in the day for your best chances.
Northern Pike
Have been stocked in a few ponds and lakes in Massachusetts these can be found here.. My experience with these "gators" has always been through the ice. The Massachusetts section if the iceshanty.com forum will give you all the info you will ever need to know! There are a ton of passionate and knowledgeable guys on there... Just don't hop on and ask for there honey holes.
Pickerel
Usually one of the easiest fish to find right after Ice out also known as slime darts. There the pikes baby brother however no stocking needed these fish are everywhere its wet! Try a spinner a spoon or a live shiner.
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