Steve In Mass

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.