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Massachusetts => Ice Fishing Massachusetts => Topic started by: ArthurTagnv on Jan 11, 2019, 08:24 AM

Title: Barton's Cove
Post by: ArthurTagnv on Jan 11, 2019, 08:24 AM
Been driving by for nearly a month now and wanted to see what the ice was like. Stopped in the little park area across from Chappell Auto Sales, there was probably close to 8-10 inches of black ice as I didn't have any real means of spudding it an educated guess will have to do. Walked about probably 150 yards or so towards the ramp and it was all safe hard black ice.
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: pmaloney86 on Jan 11, 2019, 08:28 AM
Thanks for the report.  I was curious how it setup with all the rain.
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: KillerFish on Jan 11, 2019, 09:37 AM
Lots of ice/space on the cove. I wish there were more fish...
although gold pins have come from there in the past several years...
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: Jschumacher on Jan 11, 2019, 09:52 AM
Saw 3 guys out there last weekend coming home from up north
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: Jonesie925 on Jan 12, 2019, 11:06 AM
Thinking about heading there tomorrow...never been there. Any danger spots to keep away from?
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: KillerFish on Jan 12, 2019, 11:14 AM
Thinking about heading there tomorrow...never been there. Any danger spots to keep away from?

Be very careful wandering toward the dam/main river - the currents can be very dangerous out that way - if you stay in the main cove you will be fine - slow fishing but the potential to catch anything in the river -
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: capt.shay on Jan 12, 2019, 02:58 PM
Thinking about heading there tomorrow...never been there. Any danger spots to keep away from?

Come to the gathering on Feb. 2nd and we will show you the best of The Cove!  Getting on can be a little tough some times with the river going up and down, stay away from the state ramp islands and out that way and you will be fine. 
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: Jonesie925 on Jan 12, 2019, 06:12 PM
Thanks Guys! I’m definitely going to try and make the gathering this year :tipup:
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: BFFlynn51 on Jan 12, 2019, 07:50 PM
I'll be there tomorrow too.  If you see a gray pop-up shanty, that'd be me.
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: mossboss on Jan 13, 2019, 06:01 PM
Thinking of going there next weekend, how much ice is there
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: Jonesie925 on Jan 14, 2019, 10:06 AM
I'll be there tomorrow too.  If you see a gray pop-up shanty, that'd be me.

How’d you make out?
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: BFFlynn51 on Jan 14, 2019, 11:59 AM
How’d you make out?

If anyone smells skunk, its left over from my day yesterday.   Marked tons of fish jigging, couldn't get anything to bite.   Only a couple flags, took tons of line but dropped the bait... 

I didnt catch anything, but any day outside is good enough for me.
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: KillerFish on Jan 14, 2019, 01:20 PM
If anyone smells skunk, its left over from my day yesterday.   Marked tons of fish jigging, couldn't get anything to bite.   Only a couple flags, took tons of line but dropped the bait... 

I didnt catch anything, but any day outside is good enough for me.

Pretty typical day on the cove
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: Fishskins on Jan 16, 2019, 09:52 AM
Hey all,  I am headed out there really soon...

Any gear advice for Barton Cove?

Line should be green? grey?
recommendations for jigging colors and types of jigs (S pimps or other)?

This is only my second season ice fishing...

Thanks,
Karl
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: flyfish413 on Jan 16, 2019, 09:53 AM
Hey all,  I am headed out there really soon...

Any gear advice for Barton Cove?

Line should be green? grey?
recommendations for jigging colors and types of jigs (S pimps or other)?

This is only my second season ice fishing...

Thanks,
Karl

What are you trying to catch?
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: Fishskins on Jan 16, 2019, 09:56 AM
What are you trying to catch?

I would prefer trout...
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: flyfish413 on Jan 16, 2019, 10:28 AM
I would prefer trout...

It's not to say that you couldn't catch a trout there but I don't think it's considered a trout fishery. However there are plenty of lakes within a half hour of there that hold trout.

So assuming you find a place that holds trout, the answers to your questions are simple: Main line color doesn't matter but I would be using a 4lb fluorocarbon or mono leader and small tungsten jigs with plastics or small spoons like pimples or slender spoons.
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: KillerFish on Jan 16, 2019, 10:33 AM
I would prefer trout...

No trout in Barton’s Cove - it’s part of the CT river - so you can only catch what swims in the river
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: Fishskins on Jan 16, 2019, 02:58 PM
No trout in Barton’s Cove - it’s part of the CT river - so you can only catch what swims in the river
I may wear my "Newbie" sign with big arrow pointing at me for the Barton 12 annual... LOL
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: KillerFish on Jan 16, 2019, 03:00 PM
I may wear my "Newbie" sign with big arrow pointing at me for the Barton 12 annual... LOL

Lol - no worries - we all start somewhere - Good luck to you!
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: Papa Sly on Jan 16, 2019, 04:35 PM
I may wear my "Newbie" sign with big arrow pointing at me for the Barton 12 annual... LOL
There are trout in the river caught one years ago shad fishing. Have also seen salmon.
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: Fishskins on Jan 16, 2019, 06:43 PM
Lol - no worries - we all start somewhere - Good luck to you!
After a little research, for the tungsten, demon or swedish pimps, since gear adds up real quick $$$, what colors are best at barton?  Orange, clown or white?  Is imitating the bluegills productive?  And do the plastics help?  Or just get some spikes?  And what size spoons?  3/16?  The tungsten get really small...  Like 1/50oz... Any words of wisdom are helpful. (And I stole the subject of this original post, sorry)... Obviously just for jigging...
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: BeerMe! on Jan 16, 2019, 08:30 PM
After a little research, for the tungsten, demon or swedish pimps, since gear adds up real quick $$$, what colors are best at barton?  Orange, clown or white?  Is imitating the bluegills productive?  And do the plastics help?  Or just get some spikes?  And what size spoons?  3/16?  The tungsten get really small...  Like 1/50oz... Any words of wisdom are helpful. (And I stole the subject of this original post, sorry)... Obviously just for jigging...
Would you also like someone to put some fish on your line for you too? It's called fishing , not catching for a reason.
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: pmaloney86 on Jan 17, 2019, 08:46 AM
After a little research, for the tungsten, demon or swedish pimps, since gear adds up real quick $$$, what colors are best at barton?  Orange, clown or white?  Is imitating the bluegills productive?  And do the plastics help?  Or just get some spikes?  And what size spoons?  3/16?  The tungsten get really small...  Like 1/50oz... Any words of wisdom are helpful. (And I stole the subject of this original post, sorry)... Obviously just for jigging...

I like the small tungstens, like a 1/32, pair with a wax worm or meal worm.  I prefer live bait over plastics but plenty of people use plastics successfully.  As for color I like chartreuse or gold but its good to have a variety.
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: capt.shay on Jan 17, 2019, 09:58 AM
Would you also like someone to put some fish on your line for you too? It's called fishing , not catching for a reason.

Dammmm son.  The man readily admitted he is a newbi, he is just asking for advice.  That is what we are here for. 

Get yourself one of these Hali's (that color/size) and tip it with a maggot.  Buy an extra set of chains (long ones) because they can and do break.  With that, you will catch fish on the cove.

(https://assets.fishusa.com/product_images/42051051/Variations/500-8.jpg)

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/214KTW1YHGL._AC_US218_.jpg)
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: pmaloney86 on Jan 17, 2019, 11:50 AM
Hali's are the Gary Yamamoto senkos of ice fishing.  IMO they are way over priced, especially with the garbage chain and hook they come with, but they sure do work.
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: capt.shay on Jan 17, 2019, 01:40 PM
Hali's are the Gary Yamamoto senkos of ice fishing.  IMO they are way over priced, especially with the garbage chain and hook they come with, but they sure do work.

Ha Ha...Sonar Senko...!!!!!
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: SalmonAndStriper Stalker on Jan 17, 2019, 02:36 PM
I only use halis when fishing for goldens. Otherwise the hooks are too small. I lost countless trout on them because too small hooks
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: SalmonAndStriper Stalker on Jan 17, 2019, 02:36 PM
I only use halis when fishing for goldens. Otherwise the hooks are too small. I lost countless trout on them because too small hooks
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: Fishskins on Jan 17, 2019, 02:56 PM
I like the small tungstens, like a 1/32, pair with a wax worm or meal worm.  I prefer live bait over plastics but plenty of people use plastics successfully.  As for color I like chartreuse or gold but its good to have a variety.

Thanks all!  They are pricey.  This starts me in the right direction and been reading up on old posts on the Hali's and the hook mods.
I am headed out to Comet Pond in Hubbardston to try some stuff out this weekend...
See some of you on the 2nd at Barton.  Beerme, I'll even bring you a beer even though your a troll...
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: SalmonAndStriper Stalker on Jan 17, 2019, 04:42 PM
Thanks all!  They are pricey.  This starts me in the right direction and been reading up on old posts on the Hali's and the hook mods.
I am headed out to Comet Pond in Hubbardston to try some stuff out this weekend...
See some of you on the 2nd at Barton.  Beerme, I'll even bring you a beer even though your a troll...
Good luck at comet. I personally have had next to zero luck there through the ice but I know people can do okay there. 
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: KillerFish on Jan 17, 2019, 08:58 PM
Good luck at comet. I personally have had next to zero luck there through the ice but I know people can do okay there.

I’ve caught nice Brookies and tigers there. Lack of baitfish means only bugs to feed on - and those trout seem to do better in that environment. Set up shallow - 6 feet or less
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: SalmonAndStriper Stalker on Jan 17, 2019, 09:06 PM
I’ve caught nice Brookies and tigers there. Lack of baitfish means only bugs to feed on - and those trout seem to do better in that environment. Set up shallow - 6 feet or less
I do a number on them in there open water. 20 fish days are not uncommon. Now ice is a different story. My favorite pond for tigers.
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: Fishskins on Jan 18, 2019, 09:13 AM
I do a number on them in there open water. 20 fish days are not uncommon. Now ice is a different story. My favorite pond for tigers.

Interesting.  Two of the guys im going with have been to comet before. 
I was reading an old article from ice shanty from 2013 where the guy took the chain off a heli sukkula and added his own 6" floro leader with a #14 scud fly... I am putting one together to try it out... 
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: flyfish413 on Jan 18, 2019, 10:58 AM
There are trout in the river caught one years ago shad fishing. Have also seen salmon.

So have I. Not surprising considering the CT is fed by hundreds of tributaries that hold/ are stocked with trout.
Title: Re: Barton's Cove
Post by: flyfish413 on Jan 18, 2019, 11:04 AM
Interesting.  Two of the guys im going with have been to comet before. 
I was reading an old article from ice shanty from 2013 where the guy took the chain off a heli sukkula and added his own 6" floro leader with a #14 scud fly... I am putting one together to try it out...

I've done this with some success on perch but not trout. Granted I don't fish specifically for trout much but my favorite method is drilling 2 holes 2 feet apart and dropping a small tungsten jig down one hole and sending a larger bait with some flash and vibration (slender spoon usually) down the other to draw them in. When I see some marks on the sonar if they aren't smashing the spoon I'll pull it up and start working the tungsten. I usually tip it with a tiny plastic minnow or grub with some kind of tail on it. Seems to work well, turned a 25 trout day at Crystal Lake in CT doing this last year. Just keep in mind that "counts" as two lines in the water. If I already had 4 traps in I'd pull the hook off the spoon to comply with the letter of the law.