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Gate 43 From: Billy (64.119.130.66), Massachusetts
We have been there few times in the past. We were all on the rental boat. It was totally sucked at main lake with a rental boat. No trolling motor=no shallow fishing; No sonar=no deeper water fishing. However, we had some luck on the pond (forget the name, it starts with Q....something)at gate 43. You can choose either the main lake or the pond next to it. In the past, they let us fish half day here and half day there. Now, you have to pay the rental again to switch place. BTW, anyone know if there is a power limitation on the Q pond at gate 43? (not the main lake) quabbin help From: jon (71.162.105.150), Massachusetts but, if i'm not mistaken....you can rent a boat and a motor, correct??? By looking at the map.... what i think our best plan of attack is to try and get on the water....and find somewhere near the islands...and fish the drop offs.... but i won't know til i get there.... thanks for the info reply to the Q From: Matt B (199.171.216.254), Massachusetts Early spring might be one of the best times to not have to worry about finding suspended smallies...they'll typically move up into the shallower areas...there are a several decent topo maps available...there not great, but they'll give you an idea...launching from 43 gives you numerous shallow water opportunites without ever having to go through the pass... Shallow areas with jerkbaits, soft jerkbait, occasional topwater...should get you bit this time of year...whats tough about the main lake with no trolling motor is the wind, its relentless, but a key factor in spring time smallie fishing...if you are getting lots of small fish, usually the males, you might want to back off the shallow spots to adjacent deeper water...females will hold back, and stage in these areas... The pond, or Pottapog (sp?) is a great alternative to the main lake if its too windy... I'm certainly not an expert, but thats my general advice for spring time smallie fishing...its about as agressive as they get all year, minus the fall feeding binge The Q From: Pete (140.179.133.170), Massachusetts It opens on the 14th from what I understand. Matt said it all, gate 43 would be best place to start. There are 2 launches there one for the main lake and one for the Pottapog pond. The pond is still a good size place but mainly LM's and pickeral good fishing. I do not believe there are Northerns stocked there just pickeral and I have not run into any on the main lake but heard they can get big. The Pog pond you can run into them more. I like fishing both places but if you want smallies go to the main. Right at the launch on the main lake side the channel going out has good LM's and pickeral they are in the river channel all around there. As you head out there are 2 coves on your right watch out for rock walls check out the shore line to see the paths of walls they go under water for long distances. If you go straight towards the islands there is a dike over there it can be good. If you look North from there alot of guys troll for trout and salmon there is a sanican to your left. If you go straight up there are some big coves off to your right a little bit of a ride in a rental. You have to watch for bottom it changes real fast there anywhere. I go a few times a year and still constantly exploring trying to figure it out. Nice place to relax and fish! danke From: jon (71.162.105.150), Massachusetts Hey guys.... thanks so much for what you've given me. Pete, your last line sums it all up. Just looking for a relaxing day out on the water, and some nice fish catching. I'm 25 and have been fishing almost all my life....and the guys i'm bringing with me are younger (teenagers) and are new to fishing....so i'm trying to get them on some bigger water than the small ponds we've fished, and show them that's there's a bigger world out there....so i figure for the rental fee and a 2 hour drive....it ain't so bad.... thank you again... peace, jon Quabbin info From: Jl (12.144.36.2), Massachusetts Hello all, I have fished the Quabbin for the last 4 years pretty hard and here is my 2 cents: I bought one of those castable sonars a few years back from Humminbird with the little green sonar unit and the LCD base and it really helped to locate the kinds of deeper water structure the large fish relate to at the Quabbin. I just tied the unit to a stick and dragged it along the back of the boatat slow speeds. I have upgraded to a Eagle unit now that has the transducer fixed on a suction cup and a small rechageable battery all contained in a little kit from Cabelas. If you are going to fish the Quabbin a bit, one of these options is a must have. As far as places to try, the rock walls suggested in an earlier post are great until about 8-9am when the sun comes out hard. After that deep is the only way to go for smallies over 3-4 pounds. The best spot I have ever found at the Quabbin is between Leveau island and the other larger island (dont have my map handy). Just use the wind to drift back and forth between the roughly 200yard mouth between the points of those islands and there are several great structures you can drift fish. That spot alone has produced 7 of the 10 largest smallies I have caught at the Quabbin, all over 5 pounds. I love the Gray Lady, and where else can you see wild turkeys on the shore, bald eagles in the trees, and some of the most amazing scenaery in Massachusetts for a few bucks for the day! Hope this helps JL Quabbin From: Scott (24.151.130.91), Massachusetts Just to let everyone know I saw in the paper on Tuesday the Quabbin is not opening to boat fishing on the 14th. They are supposed to announce when they are going to open on the 13th...hopefully they will open on the 21... still ice in some coves apparently. bummer From: Jon (71.162.105.150), Massachusetts Thank you Scott.... The 21st was the date we were actually going to go.... what paper was it in? And can you keep us updated??? I will keep checking the website, but I don't if they update it regularly.... Thank you thank you Quabbin opening From: Scott (24.151.130.91), Massachusetts http://www.masslive.com/sousa/republican/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1176018410214770.xml&coll=1 Copy and paste this link. I think it is a Springfield paper...makes it sound like there is a chance for the 14th I guess. I can only imagine that it will be in the Worcester Telegram on Friday. I will post if I find anything out. The Q From: Pete (71.10.237.88), Massachusetts Hey, call this number during the week business hours and ask they will tell you. Quabbin Reservoir 413-323-6921 Can't wait! quabbin opening From: Jon (71.162.105.150), Massachusetts Hey guys, I'm sure you all heard....that the opening is this Satuday, the 21st and what a beautiful day it looks like its gonna be after this week of crap. I have one last question....and maybe it seems silly.... Do you need a trailer hitch to rent a boat at the Q???? I didn't really think about it until right now.... i have an SUV....but there's no hitch on it..... Thanks guys No From: Pete (71.10.237.88), Massachusetts The rentals are right there in the water just waiting for you to load them up. Make sure you there are oars in them because this will be your trolling motor and they have life vests there as well. Just bring your fishing stuff, food & drinks in a cooler. Bring a camera! |
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