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Try something different? From: Ramblin' sam (209.116.75.192), Massachusetts
Hi! all i've learned over my 35 years of fishing has taught me that if i'm not catcthing bass i'm either not changing my bait & tactics (depth/retreive especially)enough or i'm either not over fish or i'm over fish that are turned off.figuring all that out can be really frustrating when your not catching anything it's hard to switch from a bait that you have confidence in,one you've slayed them with countless times,to something you've had minor success with before or something new completly,i know if i throw something new and catch something and whether i continue to catch bass or switch to something else,i'll try that lure again another time but if i don't catch anything i'll have a hard time using it again. example;there are bass fisherman who continue to nail em on buzzbaits,i've got a couple of those propwonders and haven't had one hit yet.needless to say they sit in their spot in my tackle box.because they've yet to prove to me first hand they can catch bass,i try to alway's tell myself, you can't catch a fish on it if you don't throw it in the water more than a couple casts,in a couple of spots,in one area of water,on just one pond or lake,but still i have little confidence a buzzbait. my suggestion is to try other lures in your tacklebox first,especially on water you fish often,if you have no luck you can always switch back to your favorite "go to" bait. having confidence in more than one lure makes you more versitile,when the brother fisherman on a fishery tell me what their hitting them on i usually won't use it on purpose,i don't want to offer the fish the same thing as everybody else,unless i come up empty handed then i swith to what they used. so get out those jitter bugs n hula poppers, spinnerbaits n cheek chubs n stick baits son and good luck fishing!!!!! here's some more info if any you need needs ..... "as long as we don't fall in,it was a good time fishin'"... see ya ........ramblin' sam marden ..........having more than one rod makes switching easier,being able to try something else by simply changing rods but even if i only have one rod with me i'll use a smaller size, decent quality double-locking wire swivel clip(i use a small barrel swivel w/ a lenth of mono/flourocarbon & hook of choice when i fish soft plastics most of the time,when i want to switch to something else i can take it off completly rigged to easily be put back on by clippling the barrel swivel on the clip of your rod, having the extra weight will obviously have effect on the sink rate of your bait but unless the water is really clear i don't worry about it) back to the swivel, i really notice better performance from my lines (mono/superline) with a clip,it really eliminates a lot of line twist from when you cast your lure as it spins during trajectory through the air and from when you retreive you bait through the water. anyway if you knew all this already i didn't mean to insult your knowledge if helps you out,even better! No Bass From: No Bass (130.215.27.43), Massachusetts I have fished Wachusett Res about a dozen times in the last two years and have NEVER caught a thing. I have even tried the infamous Gate 35 a few times with the same results. I have fished for both trout and bass. The only reason that I tried is that I would read the fishing reports in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette every Tuesday morning and read about various nice fish being taken. But I have gotten wiser in the last two years and started wondering...taken by who? There are tens of people who fish that reservoir every day and if one Jimmy catches a nice bass here, then Johnny catches a nice trout way over there and those are the only fish reported for the week, then it sounds pretty good when the reporter writes his report. What about the other 150 people who didn't catch a thing all week? Hope this helps. If you want to catch fish, go somewhere else.
Chu is not good anymore From: Bill Fang (129.44.181.109), Massachusetts I have been there few times this year. Usually is empty hands. This place is a hyper. Unless state allows you put a boat in the water, you are very difficult to catch anything there. The bottomline is, maybe one fish for every 4 hours, is that worth it? no kidding From: jay (166.68.134.175), Massachusetts I hate that place I went there alot about 4 years ago out of about 17-23 trips I caught 1 small mouth bass Interesting Advice... From: Ao (192.18.128.13), Massachusetts We've had mixed results there before. We had a few biggies much earlier in the season. Were' pretty green, so a few good size fish is a good day for us. This weekend was a bust though. Good idea on switching it up. I still don't have much expierence with anything other than the jig, or senko's. It's something I need to work on. I figured switching the color might be enough, but it didn't get the fish, so I guess not. thanks AO Wachusett Experience From: Jl (67.75.3.83), Massachusetts Hello All, This past June to now I have been fishing wachusett quite a bit. Over the summer I did pretty good on size of fish, usually around 3-4lbs with 3 that were over 5lbs. The numbers are not high though, averaging about 5-7 fish per trip of 6hrs. I fish gate 8 and gate 35 mainly. I was at gate 8 on Monday and caught 2 fish, one 4lb smallmouth and one 2lb smallmouth off the sandbar at the end if the gate 8 trail. I have never caught many fish on a trip there. The fish are there, I know it. The cooler weather may have sparked a change, and I call on anybody with some experience to help this board out. A guy named "Ed" used to post alot on this reservoir and I took his advice to find the patterns I have. Anybody have any other ideas? Try other lures From: Russ (66.30.192.230), Massachusetts I have to agree with the earlier replies about trying other lures in your tacklebox. Like most anglers, I have my confidence & "go-to" lures, but sometimes, even on a body of water that I know very well, the fish don't bite. It may be do to the weather, time of day, time of year,, clarity of water, etc. I always try to figure out where/what the fish are doing & why & then throw the appropriate lure. Like you, the senko is one of my confidence lures. I caught my biggest bass ever this summer when I untied my senko & threw a Culprit because the water was murkier than usual & I knew a ribbon tail would provide more vibrations in the water. Fishing with other people like my brothers & boo-boo have also provided some insight into other lures/presentations that I normally might not use. You might try finding a new or old friend to fish with. Sometimes, you'd be surprised by what you can learn from someone else! At the least, misery loves company! And you know that old saying, a bad day fishing beats a good day working! Russ Old or New Friend... From: Ao (68.187.231.142), Massachusetts Well, we've been sorta hoping at some point to fish with someone more expierenced, just to see how others do it. We both pretty green, thou we've been trying to get out at least once a week, and were learing. I think as much knowing what to throw, is knowing how to throw it. I'll be sure to toss a few curves tonight, and let you know how the Nashua treats me tonight. AO Ao - Don't forget WHERE to throw your lures! From: Russ (66.30.192.230), Massachusetts Ao - The other important thing (probably the MOST important) is knowing WHERE to throw your lure. LM bass are usually hanging near structure or holding behind currents, hanging in the shade (when it's bright & sunny), etc. Bass are relatively lazy (but smart) PREDATORS & will hold in a location where they can ambush their food without too much effort. Look for structure (laydowns, stumps, etc.) or vegetation (lilly pads, weeds, grass, etc.) near banks (if you're fishing from shore) & toss your lures where a bass will think it's food or an intruder. There are a lot of good websites with lots of tips/tactics on bassing! Hope that helps! -Russ Bad Wachusetts? From: Richard S. (209.150.34.120), Massachusetts Well, I rarely like to comment on something that I know little about. However, in this instance I've read about a large group of you fine folks that are having a bit of trouble in this reservoir. It may not be worth two cents, but let throw out some thoughts. In my many years of fishing (with probably way too much time on the Quabbin) I've always found that success amounts to only one thing: location. Knowing that this body of water is by shore only, the odds are not exactily in your favor to begin with. But that's O.K....you can still do some things to stack those odds somewhat in your favor. Do you know where to fish? Yes! Great...why? Why are the fish there? There has got to be a reason. A point dropping off into deep water. A baffle damn (always fish the windward edge or side). Or a deep hole a cast out away that you know by countdown is "different". Do you ever see baitfish in these areas? Is the time of year conducive to the fish or bait being there? Ask lots of questions and keep a notepad. More important, USE it. Make notations all the time. Got a themometer? What direction is the wind from. (If the wind isn't blowing into you....you are fishing in the wrong place - period!) Fishing is a puzzle with lots of pieces. Start recording each piece and eventually a picture will develope. I know...this is from a guy who has never fished this place. Take it for what it's worth. Hope some of this is value added to someone :) The 'Chu From: Eugene (216.195.0.34), Massachusetts Richard, that's some great information you gave. I mean that seriously. But just keep in mind one other thing.....THIS PLACE SUCKS! You know how when you go to a new town for dinner you ask the locals where to go and they usually recommend a small, no name place that knocks your socks off. Well, the 'Chu is that big fancy place that can't live up to it's reputation and is sure to disapoint. I live/work a stones throw from there and I can tell you that locals don't go. The only thing this place has going for it are a few stocked trout and a reporter for the T&G who seems to lazy to research other bodies of water so he writes glowing weekly reports about all the action at the 'Chu. I agree with the earlier post asking who all these people are that are catching stuff there. Two local teens who tell the bait shop guy they had a great day and he in turn tells a reporter doesn't amount to a hill of beans. This place is over rated. Do I sound bitter? You bet ya! The Sox just gave up 7. Maybe I should have waited 'til morning to post. Wachusetts (chu) From: Ed (209.91.50.94), Massachusetts Wachusetts re. is a very special place too fish. some day i,d love to see boats in there. but i dont think so. not in my life time anyways (48). but any ways - this year we did,nt get many big fish (smallys) 2-3 5's all year. last week we nail them good out of gate 35. a lot of 4's. very happy with the fish. not much bait - but we got what we needed for bait. that's the tip from ed this week lady's and gent's . don't get all bent out of shape with this place. you got to put your time in here at the chu. my son brian took a larry (largemouth)out of here last summer pushing 10lbs. (fishngate35@earthlink.net) for pic's. on a half piece of worm. it was a tropy fish of a life time in my eye's for my son brian. and the 13 year old kid was as coooool as a cucumber. the only problem he had was too hold up the fish so i could empty the camera on it. time of year sesons do'es play a big part here. big fish odd's are better right after ice out for those true tropy hunter's smallmouth fisherman right up to the bedding stage. but you have to learn it first. take note were you caught a fish - and go back the following week or day. we've got our spots were we fish. and to share them with everone, well lets say my friends whould kill me. bait is the key now until the end of nov.for me. smallys are comeing together as the night's get cooler now. if you find one good fish there will be more in that area. and go easy on them because you can realy depleat the fish. because they are so predictable at autumn time. fish deep. ed There are fish at Wachusett/ Thank you Ed From: Jl (67.75.35.124), Massachusetts Hello to all again, I have caught MUCH bigger fish at Wachusett than at Quabbin in the past 4 months. Thank you Ed for posting, you are right. Finding good structure at Wachusett is hard, everything looks the same! I have a humminbird smartcast castable sonar unit that I have used to map out great structures at gate 8 and gate 35. I catch fish every time I go, but not in big numbers. My hope is that one time at a good spot when I set the hook I will get into a fish like Ed has caught. The same is true for any fishing area. My tops for this season is a 6 lb smallmouth and a 5 lb largemouth both from Wachusett. The fall is here and there is still time, maybe one of those spots will have the big one in the next few trips. Thanks again to Ed for posting, the success I have had is based on your advice. JL P.S on Wachusett/ thanks Richard From: Jl (67.75.35.124), Massachusetts I missed this on the last post, but Richard includes subtle but importabt hints on fishing in his posts. His help has been very rewarding in fishing Quabbin Reservoir this season. I suggest gathering the fishing reports from this site that are submitted from the best fisherman and going over them a few times. Ideas and techniques come out that may be useful, I did not know what a dropshot presentation was until Richard brought it up, deadly at Quabbin deep water structures. Good luck to all! JL Chu From: NoBass (130.215.27.43), Massachusetts Hey Ed, your fishgate35@earthlink.net link comes up with nothing just like the long walk into Gate 35 will get you! If you think the Chu is that great of place to fish why don't YOU give it a try and then post your honest results.I agree with Eugene. This place stinks along with the T&G reports that come out of it...and is MUCH over rated! It is a wonderland place for dreamers. I know Eugene and have see some of the nice fish that he has landed out of waters MUCH smaller than the Chu and fishing from just the shore. This guy CAN fish. Like I have stated earlier...I HAVE put my time in at the Chu and have come up empty every time. One will do alot of walking for nothing. In my opinion you'd have a better chance of catching bass from a mud puddle in your own backyard. Holy chu From: Culprit Master (207.172.102.250), Massachusetts O.K. the chu isn't the easiest place to fish but you have to put in your time. There are time I have gone and gotten skunked other times 3 or 4 fish and other times especially in spring and fall that I have had countless fish... you have to find your own pattern for this place and your own area. Every one and there brother fishes gate 35 I can honestly say I don't even know where gate 35 is because I don't want to fish next to everyone I will take my chances off the beaten path... Not to mention what a gorgeous area this is to fish great views lots of wildlife the quinni and the stillwater rivers to fish in spring and fall, maybe everyone should take a deep breath and relax and try fishing it again with a different attitude if not fine with me, when those smallies are in close to bulk up for the winter and my red flake gitzits are bringing in one after the other I will be grateful that there are more for me...And last but not least take a look at the massachusetts state records for all species of fish and see how many have come out of this place, and one of the few places in the country that has a self sustaining landlocked salmon population, oh and huge lake trout and rainbow and brownies, smallies, crappies largemouth ya really sounds awful suck it up fellas if you don't like it don't fish it but don't rip the place apart for christ sake, take for what is. Try enjoying your fishing trip and be happy you are out there winter is right around the corner. Wachusett From: Lucas (66.152.238.149), Massachusetts I could not agree with Culprit more. Relax everyone. I haven't fished the'Chu for a couple of years. I stoped about the same time I got a boat. I haven't really ever bass fished there, I would always be looking for trout. I have caught some VERY nice Rainbows there for sure. One time while trout fishing I hooked into what I thought was going to be a 10 poung rainbow the way that it was pulling. When it jumped I realized I had a nice smallie 3.5 lbs.There shear # of people that you see there tells me that the fishing MUST be pretty good. If you don't like it there don't go. Simple as that. Chu Ain't bad Son From: Garysan (63.118.223.11), Massachusetts Just moved to Leominster and have been fishing the Res alot this spring and summer. I have had really good luck with the smallies, not knocking them dead by any means but have taken multiple 4+ pounders on Senkos and buzzbaits in the spawn. It's so big that knowing it is the best tackle you can have. I am trying to get around to every gate this year but have found 35, 8 and 14 to be my favorites. But everyone is right in saying that this place is tough to fish, but there is something about making a cast and having a chance at a State record everytime that makes it all worthwhile. Fishing Wachusett From: Alex (65.96.241.95), Massachusetts I've fished Wachusett without much luck. The only way I can think of catching big fish "big boy" style (artificials) is to keep very close track of your bottom baits. You aren't going to get a depth finder in there so this is the best you have. Find out where they are biting on shiners and get your worms, grubs, and spinners there. Trust me, if this place were all of a sudden open to boats the new state record (Bass) would come out of there in less than a year. This is a premium place to fish but just imagine fishing Quabbin completely from shore and you'll understand your difficulty. Wachusetts Reservior From: John (216.204.45.91), Massachusetts What Richard and Ed said make sense. Many regulars routinely bag diferent species of fish from this water year around. They usually show up at the right place at the right time after years of exploring and learning. If many people think Wachusetts stinks, it can be a good news for those local sharpies. Why, they would not need to get up early and occupy their spots earlier than others. Joe at T &G passed away half a year ago, a lady who recently took over his post does not report Wachusetts Rez too much, too often. |
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