Concord River near Bedford?

[Steve H.]

With mild temps forecast for this weekend, was thinking to squeeze in one last trip.  Anyone have any advice on catching pike in the Concord River?  Looking to put in at the Bedford Boat Ramp off 225.

[lowaccord66]

From my limited research that venue for pike is not mentioned very often.  I've heard that there are decent pike in there.  I'm tempted to go for pike myself but typically do very poor this time of the year when the weather warms.  Give me a huge cold front and strong northeast winds.  Not comfortable for the angler but in my experience way better bite!

Water temps should still be in the 50's so I'd be throwing all artificial lures no meat yet and I've been having success with large flies and spinnerbaits. 

[Steve H.]

Thanks for the feedback Jon.  This would certainly be a recon situation to check out the area.  I'm new to river fishing this year with my Lund and have hit the Merrimack and Androscoggin and figured I'd try the Concord.  Interesting what you say about a better fall pike bite being associated with snotty weather.  Probably why I've never done well then.  But still should be nice run to see new water.  I'll be throwing hardware for sure.  I have a box of Mepps Giant Killers and the like that have served me well in the spring.

Looks like more interesting water down toward Sudbury so I'll likely launch in Concord, instead of Bedford, and head south from there.  I hear Fairhaven Bay is a good place to try down that way.

[lowaccord66]

I'm following this thread.  Let me know how you do.  And ya that's just my results for this time of year.  I should mention that later in December I've had really good days when it warms up and there's a slight sw wind.  Then by end of December I'm usually done chasing them open water.

[Roccus]

fish the set backs...the water should be high enough to hold a few..I haven't fished them there in about 10 years.. but there are quite a few, those that do it regularly are pretty tight lipped.. and I dont blame them.

[Steve H.]

fish the set backs...the water should be high enough to hold a few..I haven't fished them there in about 10 years.. but there are quite a few, those that do it regularly are pretty tight lipped.. and I dont blame them.

Thanks Roccus.

[lowaccord66]

Joe knows and now my interest is piqued....good luck Steve!

[SalmonAndStriper Stalker]

might have to try it one of these days. not too far from me.....

[lowaccord66]

might have to try it one of these days. not too far from me.....

You have room in your boat?  I'll bring a 8 and 10 weight fly rods!

[SalmonAndStriper Stalker]

You have room in your boat?  I'll bring a 8 and 10 weight fly rods!

there should be. will have to see when I can make my quabbin seal appointment.

[Steve H.]

Well, I'll certainly have to refer to Saturday's excursion to the Concord River (Sudbury River, really) to be a reconnaissance trip and little more.  Okay, maybe it was considerably more in that it was a beautiful day on a very interesting and scenic river where I had never before visited.  That unto itself was certainly worthwhile.  Casting a line at the pilings of the Old North Bridge within view of the Minuteman Statue and Revolutionary War battlefields was worth the trip down from NH.  And gazing upon the multi-million dollar 'old money' homes (mansions) lining the banks as we boated south to Fairhaven Bay were really something to see.  We put in at the Lowell Rd. landing quietly in the early morning but returned around 1 PM to find a small circus of activity.  Evidently paddling is extremely popular in that area and my Lund got some dirty looks.  There must have been 60 vehicles parked near the launch and along side the roadway. 

For the fishing, it was virtually non-existent.  Granted, for the most part we were burning search baits such as large Mepps in-line spinners, big Husky Jerks and chatterbaits.  The water was 47 and we simply couldn't get anything to chase.  The water was low and most of the attractive cover was high and dry.  We spent hours fan casting in the bay but a few 'phantom' bumps were all we could claim.  Schooling crappie were showing in places by their dorsal fins creating 'nervous water' as I call it.  That was it.  A buddy of mine who came down with his boat got a few crappies on shiners and his buddy got a ~2lb bass on a jig, but a very slow day for sure fishing wise.

[bogtrotter]

Very detailed report, Steve. 

The kind of "actionable intelligence" that I highly approve of!

It's a pity the fish weren't hitting, but, alas, those days go with the territory - - and, at least (as you said) you had an enjoyable day on the water and performed solid reconn for the future.

[Steve H.]

at least (as you said) you had an enjoyable day on the water and performed solid reconn for the future.

Yes, indeed.  Thanks.

[lowaccord66]

Kayakers and boats are like skiers and snowboarders I guess.  They tend to be absent on my favorite fishing days...poor weather.  Maybe it would make sense to visit that fishery in snotty weather.  Or at least cloudy weather. 

[Steve H.]

Maybe it would make sense to visit that fishery in snotty weather.  Or at least cloudy weather.

I'll definitely be hitting it next April/May before the water warms up in the spring.  I think Sunday was a bit of an aberration due to the historically warm November weather and, well, covid.  People have just been coming out of the woodwork this year to spend time outdoors.  The warm spell definitely exacerbated that this past weekend.