Post wrote the book when it comes to saltwater fishing
Fishfinder does not often promote fishing books, largely because there are so many published every year. But with Father's Day in mind, we suggest looking at the new paperback edition of Robert Post's classic "Reading the Water," one of the most compelling and readable saltwater fishing books ever written.
Post, a late Martha's Vineyard dentist, had a passion for surfcasting, mainly for striped bass, which inspired him to compile an oral history based upon interviews with 16 experts on the sport who impart their wisdom, advice, and colorful tall tales. This is one terrific gift for $15.
Area A: Cod catches are strong out on the ledges as the party boats are coming up with 30-pounders. Also some good haddock in the mix, pollock and wolffish. Some mackerel have been encountered offshore, but nothing consistent. The shad run has begun in the Merrimack River, and herring are emerging in most of the river mouths, providing bait for the arriving striped bass.
Area B: Rick Newcomb got a phone call from friend Danny Winter of Germantown Tuesday. Message: Close the shop (Fore River Bait and Tackle) and make haste to the riverbank to witness, at low tide, some 2,000 stripers, in Newcomb's estimation, finning on top as they fed on a huge mass of bait. Some keepers in the mix. Also, keepers have come from Black Creek in Wollaston and the Back River in Weymouth. Codfish are hitting at the B-buoy and Boston Light. Better fishing the farther east you go, and Stellwagen is producing cod. Not much flounder activity.
Area C: Same story -- best codfishing happens as you stay off the South Shore. Some schoolie activity in the salt rivers, including Wier in Hingham, Little Harbor in Cohasset, and North River in Scituate/Norwell. Some fine pollock taken off Scituate and up off Peggoty Beach and Fourth Cliff. Dave Bitters of Baymen Outfitters reports cod so thick between the North River mouth to the Cape Cod Canal that anyone can limit on good-size catches. Herring are all over Duxbury Bay with big keepers marking beneath them, but not much feeding so far, though the schoolies are being caught. Lots of mackerel at Provincetown, heading north and east.
Area D: Herring in the runs with stripers giving chase in the Canal and some fine catches around the west end, including Buttermilk Bay. Lots of squid running in the Canal, too. Big fish sure to follow. Lots of tautog in Buzzards Bay, according to Steve at Dockside Bait in New Bedford. Good seabass out at Clevelands Ledge and there are good scup days in the mix. Tautog are strong from West Island along the Mattapoisett shore to Wareham. Look for these fish over the rocks. Mackerel at the Buzzards Bay Tower, best fished on the west-to-east tide.
Area E: Some bluefish and decent bass are showing up off the South Cape beaches and throughout Nantucket Sound. Plenty of fishing going on in Bass River and Pleasant Bay, according to the boys at Goose Hummock. Also, check out Cotuit. Flounder active in Cape Cod Bay.
Area F: Schoolie action with some keepers from Stage Harbor, Nauset Marshes, and up along the Coast Guard Beach shore. Not many reports out along the seashore but the migratory run should pop any time.
