when will the bass be back?

[Flaptail]

I keep half-assed logs but the first fish (fresh/bright what have you) is always taken by myself between the 17th and 21st of April on a point of land looking out over an inlet that empties a half mile away into Nantucket Sound.

I start on Patriots Day (the Massachusetts holiday) on the 15th and go each night until I take a fish. First night is usually one or two tops. Next night is 8 to 10 and the third night the flood gates are open.

A very good friend of mine who likewise starts on the same day but in Bourne on Upper Buzzards Bay reports the same identical findings.

This same friend and I have caught them in Bass River on April 14th as well but fish hold over there so though they were 24 to 28 inches it was not confirmable as to their being fresh run fish.

On Balston 4 years ago I took two fish on a Hopkins No Equal on May 3rd but I am sure they are there earlier by a week or two.

So ten weeks to go. Spring stocking will start in Mid March and that will lead into Schoolie fishing. I usually fish schoolies from 4pm to about 6 then scoot to a trout pond for a couple trout till dark. Makes for a nice evening of fishing.