My two meccas

[Liv2Fish]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Bucket list aside, all three places are difficult and often frustrating to fish. They are also all heavily fished by very experienced fishermen ( lots of competition).

The places get their reputation on giving up some trophy fish, year after year. They don't get the reputation for being easy to fish or reliable spots day in and day out.

I can't speak for Montauk, but I can access the canal or Cutty pretty easily anytime I want. I find that I do better fishing elsewhere most of the time.

MA has hundreds of miles of coast, most of which sees minimal fishing pressure. If you are starting out there are lots of places worth trying before you break the bank and your spirit on the famous spots. Fishing can be, and often is, poor at those as well.

X2 - I live a mile from the canal and it's the go to spot if I only have an hour or so worth of sleep to spare. There are very specific times and locations that will produce. Outside of that, you're better off casting plugs in the mall parking lot. And when you are able to be there for one of those prime times, be there two hours early if you want to get near the spot. And be prepared to deal with being crowded out by people who have no idea how to fish it.

If you do get lucky and get on the spot alone, don't let anyone see you're hooked up....you won't be lonely for long.

I grew up fishing it and it was never crowded like it is now. When the bass show up, I'll post a pic of the banks full of people. It looks like one of those pictures you see from the salmon runs in the NW where there's 400 people in a 100 yard stretch.

I'd pick your closest point of access to the open coast, do your research and hit it hard. Avoid the ditch if you can.

[FishermanTim]

My fishing "bucket list" would include places like:

The Amazon River for wolf fish, peacock bass and golden durado.

Spain for some wels catfish (can reach over 7' long)

Alaska for some awesome halibut and salmon fishing.

Or maybe Australia for some freshwater bull sharks?

[fishbones]

[QUOTE=Liv2Fish;851452]I grew up fishing it and it was never crowded like it is now. When the bass show up, I'll post a pic of the banks full of people. It looks like one of those pictures you see from the salmon runs in the NW where there's 400 people in a 100 yard stretch.
QUOTE]

I usually fish it in the off hours and don't run into too many people. The most frustrating thing about that place (besides losing gear on the lobster traps) is when you walk or ride down the path and the crowds are lined up like you mentioned. There are always guys kicking fish or dropping them into the rocks, or even worse, leaving short fish up on the bank to take home.