Last night I fished one of Buzzard's Bay's most noteworthy spring fishing spots. In the real old days US presidents like Grover Cleveland would fish here for stripers, trout and plenty of other species.
People have actually been fishing this area since well before the Pilgrims landed. This particular estuary (and others nearby) used to harbor millions upon millions of herring.
This area might not be as productive as it once was, but as far as early season stripers are concerned, this estuary is one of the better bets.​
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River Dams
Many of the rivers and estuaries throughout southeastern Massachusetts have been altered by dams. These dams helped industry, but they made migrations of herring, sea trout and other species very difficult.
After a brief walk through some pine trees I came to one such dam. Water from the upper pond, melting snow and rain was gushing through the dam and down into the river. ​
This is not a spot where I would want to fall in!​
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River Herring
Finding holdover stripers is downright difficult (especially after a super cold winter like the one we just experienced) but I feel my odds are increased by fishing places where herring gather to spawn.
​Despite this dam and other man-made obstructions, I can expect to start seeing herring in this area any day now.
Yesterday I saw what must of been close to 100 cormorants holding just outside the entrance to the Bournedale Herring Run at the Cape Cod Canal, while en route to the above photographed fishing spot.
I didn't stop to check, but all those cormorants may be a clue that some herring are starting to move in to the Cape Cod area.
The air was still and calm last night, unlike today's 25 mph NE wind. I could easily see any disturbance on the water's surface. I kept my eyes peeled for herring and other baitfish, but failed to spot any.
Herring in this area once had a network of ponds and streams to work with. There was more than 550 acres of prime herring habitat before the dam system was constructed.
Nevertheless this particular river is home to a population of herring which are on the rebound, and show signs of making a strong comeback.​
Ice
After striking out at the uppermost reaches of this estuary, I decided to explore towards the south. The water was not frozen over, but ice chunks and ice sheets were still hanging around.
Every so often a sheet of ice would break free into the water, sending a loud "snap!" type sound echoing through the large pine trees behind me. Floating ice sheets would move by me in the outgoing current.
I certainly don't see this very often when fishing for stripers!​
I did not have a thermometer on me so I can't tell you the exact water temperature. However I did put my hand in, and I was surprised at how "mild" the water felt.
The Search
My technique during this trip was pretty simple. I walked along the bank of the estuary and continued casting until my fingers went numb.
Then I would take a break to warm up my hands, and continue casting. I kept things even more simple by only bringing these 3 lures, which work real well when targeting very small striped bass.​
Believe it or not I have heard of some very small stripers in the 16 inch range being taken in this neck of the woods during the past 10 days. These lures work well on fish of that size.
If you watched the video from my report last week, you may of noticed that I was using a much larger lure. That's because I was targeting holdover stripers in the 30-40 inch range during that particular trip.
By 5:30PM I had reached the extent of where I wanted to go. To continue farther, I would of had to bushwhack through reeds and brush, which I had no interest in doing.
So far I had been skunked. The good news was dusk was approaching quickly, and we all know how sunset can sometimes trigger a bite.
A Great Place To Fish
Striped bass can pop up just about anywhere. One day they are here and the next they are miles down the beach.
However some spots just look more "fishy" than others. It could be a rip, boulder field, point or a bar...anything out of the ordinary is a good place to take a few casts.
On my walk back to the car I noticed how far the tide had dropped. I was able to see sandbars and mudflats in places that were covered by water during high tide.​
Just as the sun was setting I realized I could walk through shallow water to reach a small piece of land, which was an island at high tide.
Here's what the spot looks like when viewed on Google Earth:
The piece of land where the arrow is pointing, is an absolutely great place to fish.
Here's what the area looks like in real life:
There is a small channel with a strong current that sweeps right by the spot.
I walked out onto the mud and sand flats and began making casts. The place felt so darn fishy I expected to get a bite from a holdover at any moment.
I could envision larger bass chasing herring here, in just a foot or two of water, once the season gets underway.​
Conclusion
The sky was still bright at 7PM and I was treated to some extraordinary colors.I was in no rush to go home!
Night time is often the right time with regards to striped bass fishing, so I decided to continue fishing into the dark. However I would catch nothing.
I'm not surprised to be not catching any stripers right now. After all it is still March! Nevertheless I will continue searching for holdovers whenever I get the chance.
The ponds have been slowly melting, so freshwater fishing will soon be an option. I am all rigged up with 4lb test line and ready to go.​
In the meantime I will definitely be keeping tabs on the Holdover Stripers forum thread. Nice work keeping this thread active, and I can't wait to see who catches this season's first striped bass!
As always keep me posted with what you think by commenting at the very bottom of this post.
You can also download additional HD photos and Google Earth images of this trip by clicking below.
Member Downloads
An additional 9 HD photos
taken during this trip
3 additional Google Earth images of the area
What do you think?
Let me know by commenting below
Fished that area for years, my office was around the corner. 1/2oz gold kastmasters have always been my go to for holdovers and freshies.
Great tip Jim!
Ryan, Im not really sure of the “unwritten rules” and dont want to give away honey holes but Ive fished this spot for a long time. Ive spoken to a few people who have stated that they are putting in a Herring ladder within the next year over on the spillway side of the Dam. This would great and return more of the natural habitat (and bring in more stripers). Usually in the Spring there is a big eel spawning migration to that spot which brings the stripers. Havent thrown a cast yet, watching water temps……soon!
That sounds terrific Brian and I always err on the side of caution with regards to exact locations. If you think some of these photos are too “revealing” then let me know and I will take them down, no worries there.
It is a great area. A herring ladder over the spillway side would be excellent. The eel spawn is news to me but it makes sense. Let’s keep in touch this spring!
Hold overs or freshies it won’t be long now. Last year was a very cold winter but by May 4th I was into fresh bass. I believe u had found some the week before that? Mathew Bach mentioned on the forum that April last year was his best month for schoolies. So despite the freezing month of February if we have a nice April hopefully the migration is right on time….hopefully. I still havnt made it to the area u fished but I’m hoping next week. Have u caught migratory bass that far back? Good luck! There must be a few little guys swimming back there some where
Yes Brian I have caught migratory fish that far back. In 2013 I got into some bright and fresh schoolies back there on April 18th, which I believe were migratory bass.
Good luck when you head there. I am crossing my fingers for an April heat wave!