boat ramps.

[JeffA]

i just bought a basstracker, i'm looking for some boat ramps around Wmass, i know of the one by the oxbow off RT5, wheres the best bass fishing on the CTriver?
thanks

[noresman]

There is a launch on the river on Medina St in Chicopee and Jones Ferry off Rt 5 in Holyoke. These are below the dam. There are launches in Hatfield and Sunderland but the river is tricky in these areas depending on water conditions. Bartons Cove on rt 2 in Gill has a nice ramp and the river is easily navigable till you get about 3 miles upstream. Good smallmouth fishing with the chance for pike and walleye thrown in.

[JeffA]

that spot in Gill sounds good, do you have a way to mapquest it?There is a launch on the river on Medina St in Chicopee and Jones Ferry off Rt 5 in Holyoke. These are below the dam. There are launches in Hatfield and Sunderland but the river is tricky in these areas depending on water conditions. Bartons Cove on rt 2 in Gill has a nice ramp and the river is easily navigable till you get about 3 miles upstream. Good smallmouth fishing with the chance for pike and walleye thrown in.

[HoneyBear]

To Mapquest it - type in Barton Cove, Route 2, Gill, MA. You should come up with a pretty good map of the area.

[Gary P]

Honey Bear, where is it tought to navagate 3 miles up from Bartons? He should be able to run the whole section up to the Vt line with nothing to worry about...except lots of 10" fish!

[Gary P]

MAck the best fishing on the river is in Vt/NH, hands down. but if you have to stay in Mass either the Bartons section or OXbow section, however it still takes years to learn these and the seasonal movements of the bass, don't be surprised if you get the big skunk a few times. the oxbow section has its run of hazards so pay attention to boueys if you go down river and going up river, once past the big dyke ( not smith college) in Hadley, you best idle until you learn the channel, If you venture out of Sunderland, I would not attempt to run on plane until you know your way around and pay attention to the water level and REMEMBER where it is each time you go out. There are many gravel bars and ledges and flats that even a tracker may not get over in low water.

[JeffA]

where is the launch in Sunderland?

[YOTE BUSTER]

under the bridge in sunerland.there is a 15 mile an hour speed limit.bring a few spare propsLaughing1 Laughing1 Laughing1 you'll need themThumbsup

[HoneyBear]

Honey Bear, where is it tought to navagate 3 miles up from Bartons? He should be able to run the whole section up to the Vt line with nothing to worry about...except lots of 10" fish!

Wasn't I that said that - it was Noresman.

[Gary P]

HB, my bad...Mack, I will show you, you just have to take me out there! FYI, you have to park your trailer at the library once launched

[noresman]

I was just relaying info I've been told. If you look at the map of the river at Bartons someone has written in areas where it is shallow. Personally the farthest upstream I've been is just above the Northfield picnic area. And I have caught plenty of smallies over 18" in this stretch of river.

[JeffA]

there is no ramp in Sunderland right? just gravel, can i get a tracker in there?
hows the fishing there?

[Gary P]

Yes there is a ramp in Sunderland, it is .4 miles from my house! it is under the Bridge, you have to park at the library and it is gravel, A tracker should be no problem as the gravel is packed tightly, but 4wd would help although probably not necessary. If you do go, do NOT go on plane anywhere until you learn your way around, there are many gravel bars and rocks. for instance, under the bridge there is only 1 small channel the width of a boat under the whole huge bridge, the rest of it is rock ledge and gravel. it is tight to the 2nd pillar from the Deerfield side, going down river stay on the deerfield side all the down to the powerlines, then be real careful. going up river, do not attempt to go past the top of the 2nd island on plane or you WILL lose your prop! the fishing is mediocre at best but some nice smallies can be found as well as some huge pike. 15mph speed limit and no pwc.