Anyone Fished Shades Mills?

[kennyman]

Anyone fished Shades Mills in Cambridge this (or any) time of year. How'd you do? I was thinking about venturing over there tomorrow? Apparently there's a healthy pike population? If you think it's a good or bad idea let me know. If you have a better alternative that'd be appreciated as well. Thanks in advance guys.

Edited December 16, 2006 by kennyman

[jediangler]

Hey kennyman, there are pike at the conservation area and crappie too. I've not had any pike over 24" or any crappie over 9", but that doesn't mean that there not in Shade's, it just means I can't catch em.

I'm wondering, are you fishing from shore?

[kennyman]

Probably from shore,but I could bring my canoe if I had to. I was just going to slide out for a few hours tomorrow if I get a chance, so shore would be easier. How have you had success there?

[jediangler]

In the Sportspal or kayak, I've had luck with small jig & grub combos for crappie.

Any of the usual suspects work for pike. Spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, minnow baits and soft plastics.

Never tried from shore. Work your way past the beach and into the trees for some deeper access and wood structure (stumps and logs).

Good luck.

[G-loomis]

I was there in the summer coming back with the canoe after fishing the morning, only got 1 pike and 1 small bass, I seen 3 other guys in a 12'FT aluminum with 25 crappie most of them 10-13 inchers and one was more than 15 inch +++++

[kennyman]

Thanks for the help/advice guys. Wish me luck if I sneak out tomorrow.

[kennyman]

Just letting everyone know I went out to Shades Mills today and again I suck. I did bring the canoe and that was great just paddling around in December,but I had to park at the gate and carry it in. I didn't have any minnows and that was a fatal mistake. I hooked onto a small pike (clown x-rap), but lost him just before shore. I hardly had him(obviously I guess). I had a pretty big one follow right to shore. I could have almost grabbed him, but he just bumped the lure a couple times and when he saw me,he took right off (I have that effect on others as well). I'll have to remember to keep the baclava on while fishing. Anyway,back to being serious. I watched a couple decent pike get hooked by some locals,but they were using 12" sucker minnows for bait. I wish I had some. Next time I'll know what to bring. Anyway,it was still fun going out,but I forget what it's like to catch a fish.

[jediangler]

Well at least you got out. Shade's does open for ice fishing, if the ice gets thick enough. Try it with the canoe again in the spring, or wait till bass opens in late June. It is small enough that you can fish the whole lake in 4 hrs.

[Mike Pike]

Good report Kenny. Better luck your next time out. At least you had one on and got a good'un to follow.

[ccmtcanada]

Great report Kenny...you have a real knack of writing! Next time, you should post the report as a new thread...more people will read and comment on it.

 

BTW...you dont suck....it was a learning experience. My wife and I have posted some big walleye on here, but what ppl dont really know is that most days we go, we get skunked! We do learn from every time out though.

 

Keep up the great work and reports...and oh yeah...hope Santa is good for you.

 

Cliff