SMELT SPOTS: CAPE ANN TO DUXBURY

Summer is now only a memory and the fall fishing has been better than expected with great bass action, superior mackerel catches and an increased number of cod. Flounder numbers have been strong and most of all fishermen have been happy. Many of us have hauled our boats already but aren’t quite ready to hang up the rods and reels. As the fall season lengthens, fishermen will start searching popular shore locations in search of smelt.

Smelt fishermen can be seen at many fishing piers and jetties, huddled over Coleman lanterns, catching dozens of feisty little fish that make great tablefare. Gear is simple consisting of a bamboo rod, light line, a supply of split shot sinkers, small floats and a supply of size 8 or 10 Aberdeen hooks. Despite the gear’s simplicity, the challenge lies in the ability to hook and land these feisty little powerhouses. The rewards are simple: a very satisfying meal of fried smelt.

With this simple form of fishing in mind, let’s take a look at the numerous locations along the coast where fishermen cam pursue these feisty little fish.

Cape Ann - Manchester: Starting in Gloucester, one of the most popular locations for smelt fishing is the Eastern Point Breakwater located off Eastern Point Boulevard. To get there, follow Rt. 128 into downtown Gloucester. Pick up Main St. to Eastern Point Boulevard to the breakwater.

Manchester anglers make use of the municiple pier located behind the Police Station. To get to this popular smelt spot, follow Rt. 128 to the Pine St. exit. Follow Pine St. to downtown. The pier is right behind the station but keep in mind that it is hauled out later in the season.

Beverly: Among the North Shore smelt locations, Beverly rates tops among the area’s smelt fishermen. With the numerous piers along the shore, fishermen admit the one of the reasons that Beverly is so popular is because of the comfortable fishing the piers provide. The public pier located behind the old McDonalds building is probably the most popular.

To get to the Beverly waterfront follow Rt. 128 to the Rt. 62 exit. Follow Elliot St. into Beverly. Once into downtown Beverly take a right onto Rantoul St and follow it to the waterfront. Another way into Beverly is to follow Rt. 1A through Revere and Lynn.

The Rivers: Danvers smelt fishermen generally praise the Danvers River. Activity is generally pretty good throughout the river. Some of the more popular areas are around Pope’s Landing and Lancott’s Marina. The town owned floats at the end of McDewell Ave. Also draw numbers of smelt fishermen. To get to this area, follow Rt. 128 to the High St. exit. Follow the signs to Pope’s Landing. Once on High St. continue until you reach the set of lights by the Diner. Take a left at the lights to find Pope’s Landing. To get to McDewell Ave. go straight thru the lights a short distance and McDewell will bo on your right.

Salem fishermen will generally find smelt along the South River. Fishermen will fish off the wall behind the Goodyear Tire store on Derby St. and at the Congress St. Bridge by Pickering Wharf and Derby Wharf. To get to Salem, follow Rt. 1A from Lynn or follow Rt. 128 to the Rt. 114 exit into downtown Salem. Once downtown get onto New Derby St. by the Bank. The next intersection is Derby St. and the second intersection is Congress St.

Marblehead to Boston: Marblehead fishermen make use of the public floats located at the end of Commercial Street. To get to Marblehead follow Rt. 114 into town and Atlantic Avenue. Take a right onto Atlantic onto Commercial Street and follow until you reach the floats.

In Lynn, fishermen make use of the public pier that is located off the Lynnway and just east of the General Edwards Bridge. The bridge crosses the Saugus River. There are numerous other locations along Rt. 1A where fishermen fish from floats at local yacht clubs. It is advisable to check with the yacht club regarding their rules for fishing and if they charge a small fee.

Locations in Winthrop are generally limited to the public landing. To get to the landing follow Rt. 145 from Revere and continue along Shirley Street past the Winthrop Yacht Club to the public landing.

Locations in Boston are simply too numerous to list. Some of the general locations can be found along the bridges that cross over the Fort Point Channel and wharfs along Northern Avenue. Fishermen also fish along the Charlestown Bridge as well as at the mouth of the Charles River.

Quincy to Duxbury: In Quincy, fishermen will fish the public landing located off Edgewater Drive. Reports indicate that many of the yacht clubs allow limited smelt fishing by the public. Before fishing check with the club for any regulations and/or fees. The yacht clubs can be found along Edgewater Drive, Shore Avenue and Quincy Shore Drive.

In Hull, two popular locations are the A Street Pier and Point Allerton. Hingham seem to prefer fishing the town dock and the Broad Cove Marina, both located on Rt. 3A. Crow Point, another Hingham location can be found along the yacht clubs.

Smelt locations can be found in Scituate at the pier by the Harbormaster’s shack. The town pier also offers some good smelt fishing along with the area behind the Pier 44 Restaurant. When fishing these locations please show respect for the property of others.

In Duxbury, fishermen fish from the town pier and by the Harbormaster’s Shack. Both locations can be found by following Rt. 3A to Harrison Street. Another location that is popular is Mattakeeset Court. This spot can be found at Washington Street.

Plymouth locations are numerous and just about all the waterfront docks along Water Street can be fished. Some of the preferred locations are behind McGrath’s Restaurant on Water Street, the town pier the area around Captain John’s Boats and off the breakwater. Warren’s Cove off Rt. 3A and behind Bert’s Restaurant are two additional smelt spots.

A few more locations that promise good smelt fishing are the East Breakwater of the Cape Cod Canal, the Pilgrim Station jetty in Manomet, the jetties at Green Harbor located off Webster Street and finally the Wessequsset Yacht Club located off Rt. 3A in Weymouth.

As the cooler temperatures grip the local region look for the glow of Coleman lantern along many waterfront pier, docks and jetties. A night of productive smelt is rewarded by a bucket of smelt that can be enjoyed in a number of ways