BEST BASS BETS: ONE FISHERMAN’S OPINION

This can be a tricky article to pen because no matter who you talk to each angler has his or her favorite bass holes. Some of the best bass holes are nothing more than the size of a farm pond or have limited access and tight parking, there for I will not mention them in this article. All the ponds and rivers listed will have adequate access and suitable parking. They will also be able to handle fair to good sized groups of fishermen.

The first pond that I will talk about happens to be a favorite of mine. It is enjoyed by a good many family groups and is located just outside the town of Lynnfield, MA. Pillings Pond is only 86 acres and can be fished in a day. The depth of the pond varies as it was dredged a few years ago. After the dredging, fishing improved greatly. Access is somewhat limited to a small park off summer St. Parking can be a problem but can be accomplished by parking on the side street just beyond the park. There are no facilities for boats launching but car toppers can be carried from the road. Pillings is highly developed and therefor shore fishing is limited to the park area.

This is a perfect place to take the family for a day of fishing. There are benches along the shore and this area is generally very productive. The species that inhabit Pilling Pond are: largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch and rock bass. Good numbers of 1 to 3 pound bass are regularly caught from shore with much larger bass caught from boats. Working the numerous weedline that are in the pond will often times give up five and six pound bass to persistent boat fishermen. Shiners attract the greatest numbers of lunkers.

At Pillings, plastic worms, spinnerbaits and buzzbaitswork particularly well. I prefer the intermediate colors. During the summer when weed growth is heavy, try adding a small cork to the head of the plastic worm, making it a popper. This bait is extremely effective during the early evening and into the nighttime hours. Work this popper in the heaviest weed cover and around the rocks and docks.

The next choice of ponds that I would like to mention are not known for their bass fishing and are overlooked by a good number of fishermen. Because of the large number of trout that are stocked in these ponds, they are not thought of for bass.

Sluice Pond in Lynn is a popular trout pond but is overlooked for it’s potential for bass. Many bass that are caught are in the five pound range. The biggest drawback for fishing at Sluice Pond is that it is located in the heavily populated city of Lynn, MA. The pond is heavily developed and the water traffic is also very heavy.

There is a boat launching facility located in the northwest cove and has parking for about thirty-five cars. The maximum depth of the pond is sixty feet and vegetation is limited to the coves at the north and south ends of the pond. There are numerous areas around the pond suitable for shore fishing.

Because the pond is heavily developed, some of the best bass fishing takes place along the many docks along the shoreline. Don’t overlook the weedbeds and dropoffs. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits work particularly well. I prefer late day bass fishing at Sluice. Water traffic drops off and the day draws to a close. During this time of the day poppers become very effective along the shoreline and the numerous walls that are scattered around the pond.

Pleasant Pond, located in Wenham, is another trout pond that is overlooked by most bass fishermen. This popular pond is a 43 acre pond that is located about a mile off Rt. 1A. The maximum depth at Pleasant is 44 feet and has an average depth of 20 feet. Though some bass fishing takes place along the beach, most bass are caught along the southeast section of the pond. The weedbeds are very productive albeit somewhat difficult to fish. Shiners drifted along the edges of the weeds can be very effective but be prepared for an occasional big pickerel. Plastic worms, weed walkers and structure spoons, especially rigger with a pork rind, can be very effective. Other popular baits include crankbaits, spinnerbaits and soft baits.

Chebacco Lake in Hamilton/Essex is the next body of water we will look at. This is probably one of the most popular largemouth bass lakes in the area. There is a launching facility at the southern end of the lake with suitable parking for eighteen cars and trailers.

Chebacco Lake is a good sized body of water that covers 209 acres. It is extensively developed thus limiting shore access to the boat ramp and beach. The heavy weed growth is one reason that Chebacco supports great bass fishing. Fishing any one of the numerous coves should prove to be productive but frustration will become evident when bass wrap you in the weeds. This is no place for the light line enthusiast.

Most fishermen will use shiners along the weeds. As many fishermen will attest, large bait will generally translate into large bass. Pike sized shiners from 6 to 9 inches are a prized bait. The best time to fish Chebacco is from dusk on. One fish, weighed unofficially on a portable digital scale weighed in at just over ten pounds before it was released. Lunkers are definitely present in Chebacco.

Putnamville Reservoir in Danvers is another popular location for bass fishermen. Located just outside the town of Danvers on Rt. 35, Putnamville is an easy body of water to fish. There is plenty of shore access and motors are not allowed. On the Rt. 35 side of the reservoir there are coves, flats, brickbrack and points that all contain good numbers of fish. The productivity of this area is generally dependent on water levels and the time of year. Both live and artificial baits attract good numbers of bass, although live bait seems to be preferred.

During the spring and into the heat of the summer, most fishermen seem to prefer the Rt. 1 side of the reservoir. Access is gained through Reservoir Drive. In this area there is a wide assortment of suitable bass habitat. There are retaining walls, shallow flats, deep channels and an island. This whole section can be fisher effectively from shore. I happen to like this area during late night summer fishing.

The Merrimack River is not a bass pond but has excellent bass fishing. The section of river between Lawrence and Lowell is well known to bass fishermen but my favorite section of river falls in Haverhill. There are numerous coves and points with back-eddies and submerged structure that makes this section a bass haven. The stretch of river can be found along the Rt. 125 connector, Rt. 495 and the Ward Hill Industrial Park. This area can be fished from shore with landowners permission as well as from a boat.

The Ipswich River is the last body of water we will discuss. One of my favorite sections of river falls in Danvers and Topsfield. To access this part of the river follow Rt. 97. The river will run alongside and under the road. There is a section of river that runs under an old railroad bridge, forms a deep pool and is very productive. Drifting live bait throughout this part of the river produces good numbers of largemouth bass and a few lunkers.

Artificial baits work well along the river. Plastic worms attract good numbers of fish along the weedy back waters. Crankbaits, spoons dressed with pork rind and spinnerbaits are also very effective.

These are all productive areas that are easily fished. Just a reminder, make sure you leave the area cleaner than when you arrived. Just by picking up a bit of litter, you help to keep the areas clean and open to fishing in the years to come. Tight lines!