Topic: Bass tracker in RI

[Curt - NC]

Quabbin is a 20K+ acre reservoir NE of Springfield, MA, an area of 5 towns that was flooded in the late '30s to provide water for eastern Massachusetts.  Northern end is Orange, MA and southern end is around Ware. There are no buildings, docks or anything on the shoreline.  The lake is about 13 miles long and has restrictions, max hp 25 4 stroke, all boats must be inspected ($40.00) and 'sealed".  If seal is broken, boat is not allowed back on lake. No Mass license needed, $5 per day fee plus a couple od bucks for parking.  I buy an annual $25 senior pass that includes everything plus anyone in my car with me.

It is a fishermen's paradise especially during the spring. 2 years ago, one of our "crew" caught a 7lb 1 oz small mouth. No pleasure boats, PWC or general public to deal with, boat rentals available, three great state maintained launches.  Just put Quabbin into a Bing or Google map search.  There is a Quabbin website with all the details.  It really is an under fished lake due to the hp and inspection restrictions.  75 smallmouth spring days are a norm.  The only places that beat it in New England are some of the Maine lakes.

@RAYZCT I'd love to try to connect with you to fish there this Spring, if possible. Especially since our trip fell through last year 

[RAYZCT]

I'd like to try again, a lot depends on how my back holds up but a Quabbin trip would be a test or two before we go on our annual Maine trip.  A Spinal Stenosis condition is so unpredictable.

[Curt - NC]

I'd like to try again, a lot depends on how my back holds up but a Quabbin trip would be a test or two before we go on our annual Maine trip.  A Spinal Stenosis condition is so unpredictable.

No problem @RAYZCT

No pressure from this end at all. If it happens, that'd be great, but I understand that sometimes life gets in the way of our best-laid plans 

[RAYZCT]

It did last year, we cancelled our trip partly due to my back issue and mostly due to the guys' schedule problems.  My boat is still set up for Quabbin so I won't be fishing anywhere else before the Maine proposed trip.  Quabbin will be a good test to see if the back will handle a whole day of fishing or what I might need to modify to make it work.  I could end up as a ho in my own boat. LOL

[Curt - NC]

It did last year, we cancelled our trip partly due to my back issue and mostly due to the guys' schedule problems.  My boat is still set up for Quabbin so I won't be fishing anywhere else before the Maine proposed trip.  Quabbin will be a good test to see if the back will handle a whole day of fishing or what I might need to modify to make it work.  I could end up as a ho in my own boat. LOL

@RAYZCT So you didn't get to go to Maine last year? Wow! You've been doing that trip for quite a few years. Funny how things change 

[kp1267]

@RAYZCT thanks for the info.

[kp1267]

@Joe P I think you owe me about 7K   I took your advice and went to look at the Pro Team 175 TXW and fell in love with it, luckily so did my wife (who doesn't fish) after some upgrades, flooring, fishfinder etc I was well over the 9 grand I budgeted for my first boat, but you only live once so F it.

[Joe P]

You got to get what you want the first time or you'll regret it later

Congratulations, your going to love it

[RAYZCT]

Curt, the stars just didn't line up.  I didn't have the energy to organize the trip and didn't feel at the time we had to make our decision, that I would be able to pull my weight just like the other guys.  That's what makes our trips great and inexpensive, everyone, and I mean everyone does their part.  I have cook and clean up crews lined up for each day and if it's your turn to cook you might have to cut your fishing day short, but the guys do it.

Most of the crew are hunters and fishermen and they often want to make one of their special meals so it's no problem for them to volunteer to cook.  At the last trip we had a fish fry from fish one of the anglers had caught ice fishing the previous winter.

As I mentioned before, we had an unusual number of guys that couldn't make it for the week we had reserved.  This year is looking good, looks like a crew of 12-14, I'm just hoping my back holds up.  Gets you thinking when your primary physician mentions surgery.

I'll keep you posted on Quabbin assuming we ever get an ice out.

[Curt - NC]

Sounds good Ray. I hope, for your sake, that your back holds up and heals up!

[GetSome87 - CT]

I own a Pro Team TXW175 and love it. Definatley a good choice on a budget. It may not have sparkly paint but you can still catch fish in it! I got it with the 60horse and 35mph is plenty fast for what i do and it gets up out of the water and on plane quick enough (a little quicker would be nice). And smart move on the electronics upgrade. Nice buy. Have fun!

[Bob W - RI]

KP1267,  Congrats on your new boat. Bought the PT175 as my first real boat back in 2001, the first year they were all welded hull and 10 inches wider beam. I still use it often and plan on going to the 190 in the next year or so. Upgrading the trolling motor and electronics is always a good move. Best of luck and see ya on the water.

Bob W.