Headed to Duxbury Beach about 4:30 Am tomorrow. Had enough of fresh water fishing last week in Vermont, itching for the salt and some large. Did get a nice fat 24" pickerel that was fun on light tackle though. (Sorry #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, didn't have a scale! <img src="/Images/Wink.gif"><!--e3-->) If any of ya are around, stop and say hello. I've got the tan Sud Chemie Prototech hat. See ya....

Tons of fish moving down that way!!! You should have a ball!!!

Steve in Mass,

I was considering an oversand vehicle pass at Duxbury next year, what are your thoughts?

I live in Weymouth, so its just a hop down there. Is the fishing fairly consistent throughout the year? Do you get bass and blues?

I'm interested in getting my wife out a bit more and would be more successful with some beach buggy fishing. She loves cruisin' the beaches over on Nantucket and doin' some surfcasting (I kinda like it too).

Any input would be appreciated... hooks on.

Yeah, I have some input....if she needs some coaxing, make it sound like a "date"! Just the two of you all alone staring at the stars, sunrise, or sunset <img src="/Images/Happy_Face.gif"><!--e1--> And most certainly make her feel equal! Make sure she has the proper tools so it doesn't see like she is getting the short end of the stick, and make sure she is dreesed in the proper clothing! If she gets cold out there I can almost guarantee she won't want to go back! <img src="/Images/Happy_Face.gif"><!--e1--> Remeber women get cold easier than men do!! <img src="/Images/Happy_Face.gif"><!--e1--> Good luck!

Schoolie Monster - I have never gotten a pass because for me it's about an hour from Foxboro, so I don't know if I could make it worth it. However, I have heard that the best fishing in Duxbury is down at Gurnet, which you would need a pass to get to unless your willing to walk for miles. As far as consistency, beach seems to produce better from mid summer throughout the fall. Last year I got a 34" er as late as October 17, when I gave up on Mass fishing for the year, though I'm sure they were probably around for another few weeks after that. Actually, I talked with the Harbor Master that day and he was suprised that there were still fish around. But I don't think that it's because the fish aren't there, I think it's because the fishermen aren't! Earlier in the year, the bayside holds quite a few stripers, and guys get them over there throughout the season. Last year had one day that I was getting small (14" - 18") fish on every cast in the bay, sometimes doubles on both the teaser and the diamond jig. There were literally millions of them. Also, early in the spring there are usually quite a few tautog. A few years ago, the bay would produce nice flounder in the spring and fall, but the last few years they've beeen scarce to non-existent. Also have seen lots of shad in May - June, guys get them on shad darts and then live line them. Of course, if you fish the bridge, you need a good bridge gaff (not so good for the stripers!) or else have to walk the fish to shore, which is a pain.

One problem with the beach at Duxbury is it is very flat, so the in-between tides can be tough to get enough water. Need to be there near dead low or two hours before to two hours after high tide. That may be different in Gurnet, never been down there. Also have found that at night, bait fishing can produce a lot of skates. I have found the best time to be when high tide falls right around sunrise, most of my fish have come just as the sun hits the horizon. Case in point - Saturday was there at 5 AM. High tide was 7:40. Was throwing chunks with the intention of throwing some lures when the water got high enough. About 5:45, a guy comes down and starts throwing a smilin' Jim, gets 4 or 5 fish right in a row for about 20 minutes, and then they turned off. The bait fish were just starting to move when they turned off. I switched over to a MegaBait and threw for an hour and got nothing. No hits on the chunks, sun came up, and while it was cloudy further west, the sun was bright at the beach. Should have gone on Sunday under the cloud cover. Oh well.

Haven't seen many blues around the last few years, though on the bayside two years ago I had one day that you could get as many as you wanted. About 10 years ago, there was a blue blitz on the beach at mid day, guys pulling them up left and right for about two hours, all on poppers and bombers, they wouldn't touch chunk bait.

All in all, it's a good spot. Both this year and last, I had fish everytime I went (except this past Saturday!) but as with anywhere, you just have to be in the right place at the right time.

Steve, I've heard that Gurnet can be a great place to fish. You have alot of rocky structure and deep, moving water all around that point. I have not fished it because of needing that pass or walking 5 miles on beach sand..

Schoolie Monster,
I've purchased the pass for Duxbury the past few years. For non-residents, the price went up to $200 this year. I think its only worth it if you (or your) wife will spend time beach going as well. I doubt we'll buy it next year as we only went to the beach a couple of times. I agree with Steve about the tides, however time of day doesn't seem to mean as much for me. I've never caught a keeper at Duxbury but have caught numerous schoolies - up to 26". For me seaworms work best on a hi-lo rig with circle hooks. Skates are a problem for sure. I've caught them in the middle of the day in the height of summer as well as at night. Never had any success with artificials there. I've only seen bluefish come through there a couple of times but I'm sure they're around.

Thanks for the input guys. We probably would use the beach pass for more than just fishing. My wife and 3 year old daughter love hangin' out on the beach and it would be nice to have a place to take friends and family when they visit.

So, my final question would be this:

Is it a nice, sandy beach? I guess at $200 bucks, I would want to get alot of use out of it.

Thanks again.

For the most part it is sandy, a few lines of small rocks here and there. Changes as to the amount of rocks exposed with storms, etc. I would say it is similiar to Wollaston Beach except there is no mud at low tide, all sand. Water is generally very clean and clear, and while a few times I have had weed in the water, for the most part it is weed free.

Yes beach is sandy although as Steve said it varies with storms as to amount of rocks. Far southern portion is very rocky. Very kid friendly, especially at low tides with the shallows and sandbars. It can get very crowded in the summer, and they limit the number of vehicles on the beach (2000 I think). There was some talk about non-residents being limited to the same number as residents which would result in long lines for non-residents, but I don't know if it is enforced or not -- this years weather was so bad we rarely even went!