Quabbin question

[Tuc]

As some of you might have read. I am renting a boat from gate 8 on SAT.I am new to fishing this body of water.How would you guys fish it from a rental boat. I have made 4 rod holders 2 for horzontal (out stretched from the sides of the boat and 2 verticle.this will put 4 lines in the water spread over 20 feet. I will buy whatever gear you guys suggest from Dicks tomarrow night.

[buckmanjr]

maybe some big mepp spinners? I dont have any experience trolling on quabbin either.

[Crestliner]

I've fished the Quabbin for about 25 years now and still have doubts about my ability to find and connect at times :) First off, what are you fishing for? And second, is trolling the way you "really" want to go to increase your odds of connecting? Gate 8 is the salmon/laker side of the Quabbin. Yeah....I know a lot of them can be caught at other locations, but this area is prime due to it's depth and structure. It is a tough location to fish unless you have downriggers and know the area quite well. If you are trying to just get some fishing action, you might be better off at Gate 31 or 43 where the bottom structures vary much more and the smallmouth can make the day. If you are set on Gate 8, I'd give drifting with shiners a go. Set two lines each man/woman....one freelined out about 50 yards and another on with about 1/2 oz. of lead. You usually can count on a breezy day at this Gate so you will be able to cover a lot of territory and maybe get into some action. Hope this is of some help? Good luck :)

[Tuc]

OK we had a lousy day.Next time i will take your advice on trolling OR not trolling,and try drifting.I have been focusing on gate 8 because of my fishing partners but now I refuse to fish another gate untill I get a salmon..nevr caught one before..

[fisher16]

OK we had a lousy day

Just because you didn't catch fish it doesn't have to be that bad. You just fished one of the most pristine waters in the northeast. I am sure you saw some amazing scenery. I have had bad days at quabbin its a tough place when things aren't going right but remember that theres more involved in just fishing. Its still alot better than doing work right. It you keep at it sooner or later you will hook up. The spring time bass fishing should begin to take off on quabbin soon. There are some really nice largemouth, and smallies that roam the shallows.

[YOTE BUSTER]

right about now i would be drifting live bait20 30 feet from shore consintrate were the larger brooks feed the pond.A hell to tell you the truth i wouldn't even bother with gate 8 .I would be hammering the smallies out of gate 43 or 31Grinning1

[Crestliner]

I totally agree! Gate 8 is the least productive this time of the year. Unless you're a downrigger troller. Gate 31 and/or 43 are prime for drifting shiners (at the "pass") for salmon or hitting the submerged humps for smallies, or going into "Graves Landing" for largemouth. It's all open there and full of fish. My fishing buddy Walt nailed a couple of nice salmon drifing shiners this past weekend at the pass. It's not hard and can be very productive, depending on the wind.

[Power_Worm]

"Graves Landing" for largemouth? Where is that only fished quabbin once that was a week or two ago. We wanna go for largemouth where are some hot spots?

[YOTE BUSTER]

Stop at R&R sporting goods or gate 8 tackle they should have detailed maps You might even beable to purchase one at the ramp.

[Crestliner]

"Graves" is on the eastern shoreline almost directly across from "the pass" if you know where that is. Stop at the launch station and they may have a map for you. "Graves" is shallow in spots, so be aware. Largemouths should be on their beds now. Check water temp when/if you arrive there.