Mystic Lakes, Medford, MA, good spots? Options

[Jerome]

Jerome:

There's a coincidence, I live in Arlington too. I fish mostly in the upper Mystic Lake. I don't think I have ever seen anyone else fishing for carp there, but there are lots of doubles. I was under the impression that I had my first twenty there this Spring, but now I don't trust my scale. (Although it seems to err on the low side.)

Bill

Hey Bill,

I never tried carp fishing in either Mystic Lake. Actually, I am planning to go give it a try tonight, at the dam, on the lower lake side.

Where exactly do you fish out there?

Cheers,
Jerome

[Ermghoti]

I'm generally in the river itself, down towards the dam, but I've heard two independant reports about where the Alewife Brook empties. Stories involve 20's, but not from reliable sources.

[Jerome]

Ermghoti,

yes, I see exactly where you mean. And heard similar stories. Actually, I did try to fish there earlier this year (after chumming 2/3 evenings before; was in April maybe) because I was convinced it would be a good spot, but didn't catch anything. And somehow I never tried again. Thanks for reminding me, I'll give it another try.

Upper in the Mystic river, I've been fishing there for crappies quite often 2 years ago, but never saw a carp jump. Where exactly do you go?

Did you try the Alewife brook itself ? This is extremely shallow, you can see the carps roaming. Good spot to experiment baits & chumming.

Jerome

PS. as to my attempt two days ago fishing close to the Mystic lake dam, it wasn't very successful... I did see a couple of jumps though, but very small fishes.

[Ermghoti]

Oops, I meant << edited>>. Tons of carp, anything in double digits is exceedingly rare.

This post has been edited by Jerome Moisand: Nov 7 2004, 09:33 PM

[noboatbilly]

Jerome:
On the East Side of Upper Mystic along the Mystic Valley Parkway there is a point -- it's easy to see on the Mass Wildlife pond map. There is a parking area right at the point. I believe its the second parking area heading South from the big beach parking area on the North end of the lake. The North side of the point is good in the Spring, but this time of year there are big beds of pads that make it hell to land a fish. I have caught on the South side, but there the bottom drops off quickly. Right at the end of the point where you are facing the houses on the West side is where I generally fish. You have to climb down a steep bank to find a couple of small fishable spots. You can find a gradual slope at about 12-15 feet here. There's a weed bed about 10 yds out so I generally fish beyond that. This year I have had more doubles than singles here.

HOWEVER, last Saturday I blanked here for the first time in weeks. I saw only one fish in about 4 hours. A guy in a kayak told me there were carp thrashing around in the shallow backwater just north of the main lake, so I am guessing they were on the spawn. I think I'll give it another try tomorrow.

Another spot that's easier to get to is just East of the beach on the North end of the lake. This gets crowded in mid summer, however, so I only go there early and late. For early season I had some success this year in the backwater just where it funnels into the main lake. The water warms up faster there, but in summer it is choked with pads.

So now you know my swims, hope to see you there soon! (You too, Eric)

Bill

By the way, Jerome, I tried to reply to your email -- did you get it?

[Jerome]

Thanks a lot, Bill, for sharing the location of your favorite swims. More doubles than singles? This sounds pretty good... I'll probably give it a try on Sunday... But I'm not sure yet.

(and no, I didn't receive your e-mail, strange).

Eric, yes, we were not speaking of the same dam, I meant the one between upper mystic lake and lower mystic lake... I had no idea one could fish near Costco. Great, we're discovering quite a lot of new spots! Will be a nice summer & fall, exploring all these spots.

Personally, I mostly fish Spy Pond in Arlington and the Charles.

Thanks again, guys! Considering how you both scored at the CAGI, I will definitely follow your advices!

Jerome

[Jerome]

Thanks a lot, Bill, for sharing the location of your favorite swims. More doubles than singles? This sounds pretty good... I'll probably give it a try on Sunday... But I'm not sure yet.

I did try tonight. I found it very easily, great directions.

It is indeed a good spot. In two hours of fishing, I landed a 14.5 lb (biggest carp I caught in a couple of months!), then a small one, then botched a third run.

Here is the picture of the biggie (well, according to my standards!).

Bill, thanks a lot, I will definitely go back to this spot! Took me a lot more of fishing hours to land a 14 lb in Spy Pond...

Attached image(s)

 

[Carpaholic]

Jerome -

Congrats on a fine catch. Your smile says it all. Also well done to your fellow New England carpers for sharing spots and info. You guys are a model for us all.

[noboatbilly]

Jerome:
Well done! I was there Saturday morning and managed a couple of high singles (botched one possible double) so I think they are back feeding.

[Jerome]

I tried again tonight, starting from 7PM. Didn't get any fish until I was ready to pack, then... a screaming run... worked on the fish, close to the shore, close the net, didn't see it very well, was probably a high teen, tried to land it with the net a tiny bit too fast... and hell went loose. Lost it. DARN AND SUPER DARN.

But... this being said, aside from carps, this spot has some other "value-added features". When I fished last week-end, a lady nearby was quite impressed with the carp I caught. So she bought some (saltwater!) fishing gear and was back tonight, not quite knowing what to do with it until I arrived. So... she asked for some help, which I was very glad to provide...

Ok, let me check that my wife is not reading behind my back... No, she isn't.

The lady was actually young and very pretty and... dressed in a tight swimming suit (bikini type). I got some problems concentrating on properly tying the knots... Only one little problem... Her boyfriend was with her... Oh well, nothing is perfect...

Nice spot, Billy...

[noboatbilly]

I only fish there in the early morning so all I meet is ugly guys in boats and the occasional unleased dog. I've learned to grab my bucket of groundbait and hold it over my head whenever a loose dog comes into the swim. I once had a Rottweiler suck up all my bait in one big gulp.

[Big Carphuna]

Nice going Jerome,
You up for a Merrimack pilgrimage sunday?

[Jerome]

You bet! Whatever time will suit you! Just send me an e-mail or give me a phone call...

Would you believe that I'd rather catch a 20lb or more than giving another fishing lesson to the pretty lady? We are really crazy guys....

PS. Bill, give it a try one evening, the lady is yours... She's definitely prettier than the Rottweiler... Just be careful to the boyfriend, he may bark & bite.... <_<

[Jerome]

Actually my last post on this thread was (ALMOST) quite accurate... I went back to this spot this evening. I didn't find the pretty lady, but I caught 4 carps (plus one run I messed up), first one was a nice 14 lber, and the fourth one was a maddening... 19.5 lb.

Which is my new PB, yeah! But not yet the 20 lber I'm chasing since beginning of this year... Only half a pound missing, aaarg!

Bill, I have no doubt that your scale was accurate when you caught this 20+. Mystic Lake is definitely home to bigger carps than my usual fishing spots.

Only bad note: I spent 1/2 hour cleaning up the place, which was littered with bottle debris, half-eaten food, and even two diapers (yep, full of it). Some people are so disgusting.

Anyway, this is not important, I'm an happy guy tonight, I broke my PB, yippee!!

PS. Just to give proper credit, I guess that out of the 19.5 lb, I should really claim only 6lb of it... And credit Bill for 6lb (cf. the great spot), my wife for 6 more (very effective chumming balls/bait, plus insisting on me trying to fish after dusk), and Garry for 1.5lb (catapult!). Thanks to all. But the PB is mine!

[noboatbilly]

Jerome:
Congratulations on your new PB. I personally don't think there is anything magic about 20lbs. Even though I have one 20 I consider my best fish to be a beautiful mirror of about 18 lbs I caught a few weeks ago in a steady rain. That fish was enough to keep me carp fishing for atleast another five years. Anyhow, chances are you'll pull a 20 out of there soon.

As for the garbage, ain't it unbelievable. I always carry a big green garbage bag with me and usually fill it. I've actually found worse things than diapers (but I didn't pick them up.) You really only get this in July and August.

Do I understand correctly -- your wife chums for you? Does she have a sister? (Just kidding, I'm already married.)

Bill