How Long is the Season?

[Kibby]

Its a simple question, and I have to admit that I feel pretty simple-minded for asking it, but here goes:

How long can I expect to fish stripers in New England? From when to when? How early in the Spring can I expect to find them, and how late in the Fall?

I'm willing to drive to destinations all up and down the New England Coast, so any advice is welcome here, even if its from someone holding their forehead screaming about how stupid a question this is!

Are you guys still catching them now, today, this 2nd day of November 2012? Are they still hanging around Mass, or would I need to head further south?

I wont take offense at any answer. I'm just here to learn!

[ivanputski]

If you ask my wife how long the season is: TOO LONG!

[fishbones]

They're still around in MA. You can catch them all year round if you don't mind being a little cold, but the migration starts around late March or early April in southern NE. I don't start fishing until the last week of April. Too cold before that and I'd rather not catch and release a bunch of little schoolies and risk causing damage to them.

[WESTPORTMAFIA]

Go to Providence and catch them all year

[Saltheart]

The more south and west you go , the longer the "natural" season. In RI Its March to early Dec. In March and April they are pretty small in general. Many choose to wait until May. In Nov things are very active but in Dec thingsa slow down to a crawl. The funny thing about Dec though is that some big ones are taken then. Now if you head further south , you will find fish.

There are also holdover spots like outflows of power plants and some rivers where the fish winter over rather than migrating south. Search and read about "holdovers".

[chefchris401]

Originally Posted by ivanputski

If you ask my wife how long the season is: TOO LONG!

Mine too.

For me in RI my season starts first week of april, ill start fishing soco areas, salt ponds, the walls, no secret spots.

if the season is good like last year Ill fish til mid to late december, got my last bass on decemeber 7th and my last blue on the 16th. The only reason I stopped going was too much $$$ for gas and needed xmas funds. we had an amazing sea herring run, some big fish were taken too.

If I get real bored in the winter Ill try for some holdovers, its usually slow fishing but every now and again you find em stacked up and some decent fish (hi teen-low 20lb) fish can be found.

If youre new to the area or are looking for spots pick up a shoreline guide for mass and RI. lots of good info and access areas, will get you started here.

Another suggestion is stay active here, lots of great people and usually a few are willing to show people around.

Chef

[Jackbass]

I will be over pretty soon But if you're willing to work for there are fish to be had all winter long. My shoulders just really Starting to scream at me.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Rappin Mikey]

December thru December. I usually start getting decent freshies in MA the last week in April. If I'm not in recovery, I fish until Turkey Day. Afew trips for holdovers in between every year.

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by ivanputski

If you ask my wife how long the season is: TOO LONG!

Just heard that yesterday as I stood at canal after work, I had also fished before work too, as evidently I was supposed to get right home after work Told me I have a problem, U need a 12 step program. Da No kidding. Honey its me U know the guy that fishes way too much, same guy as last 25 years. The fish are still around I tell her, which got me a big friggin deal. So I begged forgiveness and to keep her honest I proceeded to fish the canal this morning and am going out on friends boat tomorrow for some plugging along the Islands. Yup what an a hole. Up your nose with a rubber hose. I am done next weekend as I am feeling it has been too long too but I'd never say that to her. Isn't luv grand

[Kibby]

Good info on something I never knew about.

[Fiske27]

Season Runs as long as the fish are in.schoolies have been really fun, good fishing.

[piemma]

The older I get the longer it last. I don't want to miss anything but I'm usually done by mid-Dec

[Kibby]

I'm really pleased to learn that fish can be had so late in the year. My summer season seems to be over before it starts. I guess I must be getting old, because it seems like I just get into the swing of summer every year only to find out its September already, and I should be gearing up for Fall!

[ProfessorM]

Don't give up yet. Got a good one this morning along with unlimited little ones, but coldddd