COD FROM NORTH SHORE BEACHES:

With the arrival of the cooler temperatures of fall fishermen are starting to think of surf fishing for cod. There are many locations throughout the North Shore that surfcasters cast generous portions of sea clams and are rewarded with keeper sized cod. Cooling waters signal a start of cod moving inshore from the offshore banks, becoming active and feeding heavily.

As we get deeper into the fall season, more and more cod will move in and create some good fishing. Cod will remain in local waters throughout the fall and winter months. Dressed against the sometimes bitter night weather, fishermen can score when they fish the night tides.

Baits for surf fishing are varied and all offerings generally translate into successful nights. Productive baits include sea clams, clam necks, squid strips, shrimp and sea clams. Strips and chunks of herring can also be very productive.

Let’s take a look at some of the popular beaches fishermen frequent during the cool and cold off season beaches..

RED ROCK: The first location that we will look at is Red Rock in Lynn. Red Rock is actually a park. It is well lighted and there is sufficient parking along Lynn Shore Drive. Fishing can be tricky as landing a fish requires maneuvering over slippery rocks. Caution is advised.

To get to Red Rock from Boston, fishermen will take the tunnel to Rt. 1A through East Boston and Revere until you arrive in Lynn. Once you arrive in Lynn, you will be on the Lynnway. At he end of the Lynnway take a right onto Nahant Street. At the end of Nahant St. take a left onto Lynn Shore Drive. Red Rock is about ½ mile away on the right.

An alternative route would be to follow Rt. 128 to Rt. 129. Remain on Rt. 129 through Lynn passing Sluice Pond and Flax Pond until you get to Lynn Shore Drive. Take a right onto Lynn Shore Drive and Red Rock will be a short distance away on your left.

DEVEREUX BEACH: The next location is Devereux Beach in Marblehead. This popular ocean facing beach is located off Beach Street. From Boston you will arrive in Marblehead by following Rt. 1A to Rt. 129. Continue on Rt. 129 until you reach Marblehead. At Beach Street, take a right. Devereux will be on your right a short distance away.

An alternative route would be Rt. 128 to Rt. 114 east. Follow Rt. 114 right into Marblehead. Take a right onto Beach Street at the firehouse and follow to the beach. There is plenty of parking but the parking lot is closed at 10 pm.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT: Just up the road from Devereux Beach is Chandler Hovey Park, also known as Lighthouse Point. This can be a very productive location but extreme caution is urged as fishermen must fish off the sometimes slimy rocks.

To get to Lighthouse Point, take a right out of the Devereux Beach parking lot, crossing the causeway to Marblehead Neck. Follow Ocean Ave. Around the Neck until you reach the park.

SALEM WILLOWS: The Salem Willows Pier is one of the most popular locations for cold weather cod fishermen. The pier is easy to locate and provides very comfortable fishing conditions. To get to the Salem Willows Park and fishing Pier, follow Rt. 128 until you reach Rt. 114. Follow Rt. 114 east until you reach the center of Salem. Once in the downtown area, go straight instead of following 114. You will enter New Derby St that will change to Derby Street. Continue on Derby St. until you reach Fort Ave. And continue on Fort Ave. Right into the Salem Willows Park. The fishing pier is located just over the rise at the end of the parking lot. The pier is wheelchair accessible.

WINTER ISLAND: Winter Island is located just before the Salem Willows. At the Marine Lab there is a fork in the road. Bear right onto Winter Island Road. Follow Winter Island Rd. Right into Winter Island Park. There is plenty of parking and spots to cast a line. You can fish along the launching ramp but I like to fish the area around the lighthouse. Further past the lighthouse is a beach that many fishermen like to fish.

BEVERLY FISHING PIER: The Beverly Fishing Pier is located just over the Salem/Beverly Bridge. To get to the pier, follow Bridge Street over the bridge. Once over the bridge, the pier is on your right. The parking lot is located right at the pier. Because there are no steps to get on the bridge, this is an excellent location for handicapped fishermen. It is wheelchair accessible.

SINGING BEACH: Singing Beach located in Manchester-By-The-Sea and is another location that can be very productive during the fall and winter period. Fishermen can find Singing Beach by following Rt. 1A to Cabot St. in Beverly. Take Cabot St. to Hale St. then to Rt. 127 which is Bridge St. in Manchester. Stay on Rt. 127 until you come to Beach Street. Beach St. will bring you right to Singing Beach.

An alternative route is Rt. 128 to the Pine St. exit. Follow Pine St. to Rt. 127 and then to Beach St.

Parking at Singing Beach is in the parking lot only. Police are very aggressive in tagging illegally parked cars.

AROUND GLOUCESTER: There are quite a few locations around Gloucester that can prove to be productive during the cold months of the year. Some of these locations are the Gloucester Breakwater, Good Harbor Beach and Long Beach. The Breakwater can be found by following Rt. 128, through both rotaries to East Main St. and then to Eastern Point Road.

Good Harbor and Long Beach can be found by following Eastern Ave. to Marina Drive. Marina Drive will take you to Thatcher Rd. Where you will turn left. Good Harbor Beach is a short distance down the road.

Long Beach is just a short distance further up Thatcher Road. Many fishermen follow Thatcher Road to locate secluded and productive fishing locations. Almost hidden access points can be found leading to rocky areas.

These are just a few of the many spots frequented by local fishermen and visitors to the area. When the colder months start to wear you down, grab a rod and bait for an enjoyable change of pace.