Conference wahoo::fishing

South Watuppa Pond in Fall River is a prime smallmouth lake. North Watuppa is
even better, but it's the drinking water reservoir, and off limits to all but
politician's pals.

There's an excellent state launch ramp. Take I 195 from Swansea; use the Route
24 South exit, and immediately get off at Brayton Avenue. Go left 1/4 mile to 
the  traffic light with a barroom on right, where you want to turn left again
onto Jefferson Street. Go (slowly) down Jefferson Street all the way to the
end, up and over an overpass and around a tight (150�) bend to the left. That
road goes directly to the launch ramp. Plenty of parking. 

You'll find smallmouth around the rocky structure at the northernmost end,
and along the northeast shore. You can pick up an occasional (small) 
largemouth along the western shore, south of the ramp. I never found a hole
deeper than 18' in Watuppa. Fish it in the morning. After lunch the wind always
comes up, and the chop can surprise you. Whitecaps are common in mid-afternoon.
When you leave the ramp, beware of a rock about 1/4 mile to the north; comes out 
of nowhere, far from shore. It surfaces in late summer.

A few years ago Field & Stream called South Watuppa "the best smallmouth bass
lake in SE New England." The smallmouth vary from silvery green to pure copper
color. Lots of white and yellow perch here, and an occasional huge pickerel. 
When I was a kid I saw a goldfish come out that took two kids to carry. Must 
have been ten pounds. Late summer always produces an algae bloom, and that's 
the ball game. The lake turns into a few thousand acres of pea soup. Local 
politics prevents a fix from happening within our lifetime.

Art

I just thought of one more, but I don't have much info on it. Sabbatia Lake is
in Taunton, not too far north of you. Over the past few years I've heard of
some wallhanger largemouth coming out of there.

New England Fisherman has had reports of big bass taken there, but I don't know
whether it's just more of their "Joe's Tackle advertises in NEF so we'll 
run hawg reports from the ponds around them" philosophy.  

Art

       I realize that Webster is more south central but this is the
    closest topic I could find.
       A friend asked for info on launching sites on Webster Lake.  His
    father went there this summer and was more than a little surprised to
    find out what they wanted to charge him to launch.  Anyone know if
    there are any free launch sites or if the state is still charging
    this year?
       Bob Puishys, you out there?  The residents should know!
    
    				Thanks,
    					B.C.

Hey B.C.

	The charge is only during the summer months, Memorial Day to Labor Day,
all else is free I believe.......

Bigbird

    
    
    There is a small shallow state ramp FREE of charge in the 3rd lake. The
    main ramp in Webster is owned by the town and they charge whatever
    they want to.
     The town ramp is free before Memorial day and after Labor day. The
    little state ramp fills up quick so you'd have to get there early. I've
    launced there with my blazer ok, but a car may have some problem.
    
     - Dave
     

       Thanks Guys, I'll pass it on!
    					B.C.