Angler Andy

@DogBone_384 When I read your post, I found it quite a shock. I've only been out once on the kayak this year and you've been out 24X - wow - hardcore fisherman. I've always found April really tough anyway, as of late, I was thinking of trying for stripers in the Taunton River but upsteam as they follow the alewives. I have found May to be the month where the fishing really begins in this area and very dependent on the body of water. Some postings about other areas of the country, I could never match the numbers they seem to produce. I just don't think this area supports that kind of numbers. Plus, honestly, I was hoping for a meetup at Norton Reservoir this year as discussed earlier and I was going to suggest mid May. Anyway, take care and I hope the fishing drought soon disappears.

Went fishing out in the kayak today for about four hours (9-1). Water temps were hanging around 57-60 degrees. Nice to get out and fish. I concentrated on the north end of the lake. Three pickerels, one sunfish, one trout but it shook the lure as it leaped out of the water, one yellow perch. Use a lipless, paddletail, worm, kastmaster, and a jerkbait. The trout was on the kastmaster, the other fish were all on the jerkbait. Two other anglers on the water informed me they caught a few crappie and two bass. If all goes well, I'm shooting for another day on another lake.

Bait Monkey Warning! Written on my bulletin board: The Society requests proof of successful fishing in order to keep providing funding.

The nice days lately seem to be calm and cold or warm and windy up to 20mph. Or small craft advisories in effect, one day had a gale warning too. Not good for a canoe or kayak. This day (April 4th) I decided to wet the line with a little shore fishing. Weather was mostly cloudy, windy, air temps was 55 degrees and water temps was 48-50 degrees. The water temps surprised me as I thought it would be a little colder. It was windy (gusts 24mph) but coming out of the northeast. Since I was fishing from shore on the north side of the lake, I thought I might still have a chance. I arrived at the lake and it was worth a shot to fish. Starting off with a new jerkbait and after a few casts I really liked the action, thinking, I need to get more of these as I fished it. Then I snagged the lure and had to break off. I don’t like shore fishing and this is one of the main reasons. OK then, let's switch to a cheaper paddletail just in case I get snagged again. The very first cast of the paddletail, It gets snagged. That’s it, I’m done. I break off and future shore fishing is a no go for me. The positive: 1) I get to order more lures 2) I met another fisherman and chatted for a little while and shared some fishing information and 3) I finally got to fish even for a little while. I'm looking ahead next week for a good day. Cheers.

@MassYak85 Good grief, I forgot all about that. Thanks for the reminder. And it includes canoes or kayaks equipped with trolling motors.

@Mr. Aquarium That's a good fish day!

It's official: Snow accumulations are 41" for my city and I am still digging myself out. On the bright side, I'm getting my arms ready for paddling the kayak ;)

Southeastern Mass got hit hard. Some area weather spotters reporting 36-40" of snow. Seen a news station helicopter flying around. I'm taking a break now, and still digging my way out.

Pond map of Norton Res

Southeastern New England, especially Rhode Island/Mass. As of 1 P.M., Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport recorded 32.8 inches smashing the famed Blizzard of '78 which was 28.6 inches. T.F. Green Airport is the area of official weather records. As of this writing, snow is still coming down. Travel bans are in effect until further notice, National Guard units deployed, emergency vehicles needing heavy equipment to plow ahead of them to respond. I don't think the mail is coming today ;)

I fished the Norton Res a few times in 2024 but not 2025, and as far as I know, one can still launch from there. When the snow/ice disappear and time permits, I'll swing by and check it out.

Well then, plan a meetup at Norton Res in the near future (Late April/ Early May?). I've fished it a few times and put in with a kayak near the Chinese Restaurant off of Rt140/Mansfield Ave. I'm told ever since the spray for weeds it has not been up to its former glory. I've never used it but there is an unimproved ramp off of Lazy Lane for the bigger boats, the parking lot is small, I've seen the bass boats on the water.

I went to my first fishing expo and came away unimpressed. Besides paying the entrance fee, the only items I purchased was food. I walked around for just over an hour looking at the various booths and wares displayed. I was not in the market for anything in particular but if I saw a good deal I would have made a purchase. However, I saw no real deals, except maybe the Lew’s section that had 20% off everything. But I was not in the market for Lew’s. Lot’s of custom bait companies that I was not familiar with that had some nice paint schemes on their lures. Another booth displayed a reel I was interested in, but was the regular price as any retail store. Why would I go to the expo and pay full retail? There was one company booth, despite no waiting lines, appeared very chaotic. I had no idea what was going on there. I was going to ask about the rod particulars but left due to the odd circumstances. I did bump into one BassNation Angler, shook his hand and said he looks taller in person then on youtube. It was an experience I was interested in but left with a "meh", not for me.

@T-Billy The Mepps 2026 Master Catalog came in the mail today and I went looking for your photo. Yep, there you are!