Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Charles River Fishing Report: Early May Stripers and Bass Bite Heats Up
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Charles River Fishing Report: Early May Stripers and Bass Bite Heats Up
This is Artificial Lure with your Charles River fishing report for Sunday, May 4, 2025.
The early May bite is picking up steam on the Charles right now. Stripers are starting to show up in better numbers, with both schoolies and some decent slots reported in the last couple days. Most of these fish are following the alewives that are running the river, especially in the lower basin stretches and up by the dam. Sunrise today was at 5:32 AM, with sunset at 7:47 PM, giving anglers plenty of prime low-light hours to target active fish. Local veterans agree the early morning and evening bites are best, especially around bridge pilings and drop-offs where hungry stripers and bass lurk for passing bait[5].
Weather is mild and breezy, with air temps starting in the low 50s this morning and warming up near 62 by afternoon. Skies are partly cloudy, perfect for keeping glare off the water and extending the bite into mid-morning. There’s no rain expected, and winds are light out of the west. Tidal influence in the Charles is weaker upstream of the locks, but if you’re fishing closer to the harbor, aim to fish the incoming tide for more active fish movement.
As for what’s biting, stripers are hot right now, and there have also been solid largemouth bass catches from the Watertown stretch up to Waltham, along with rainbows taken near the Newton and Auburndale parks. Flounder reports are increasing as well for those venturing out toward the harbor’s edge or the mouth of the river[1][2][3][4].
Top lures for the day are white or silver paddle tails, soft plastics mimicking alewife, and classic topwater plugs at dawn. Seaworms are a killer bait if you can get them, especially for stripers. For bass, try spinnerbaits or weedless jigs close to submerged structure or along weedlines. If you’re targeting rainbows, small spoons like the Thomas Buoyant in a sunrise color are a proven winner[4].
Hot spots for today include the stretch around the Longfellow Bridge—which offers good access to both deep channel water and structure—and up near the Watertown Dam, where the current concentrates bait and predators alike. Don’t overlook the shady edges under the bridges, which often hold fish all through the day[5].
To sum it up: the spring run is ramping up, early and late are best, and if you follow the bait, the fish won’t be far behind. Tight lines and see you on the river!
The early May bite is picking up steam on the Charles right now. Stripers are starting to show up in better numbers, with both schoolies and some decent slots reported in the last couple days. Most of these fish are following the alewives that are running the river, especially in the lower basin stretches and up by the dam. Sunrise today was at 5:32 AM, with sunset at 7:47 PM, giving anglers plenty of prime low-light hours to target active fish. Local veterans agree the early morning and evening bites are best, especially around bridge pilings and drop-offs where hungry stripers and bass lurk for passing bait[5].
Weather is mild and breezy, with air temps starting in the low 50s this morning and warming up near 62 by afternoon. Skies are partly cloudy, perfect for keeping glare off the water and extending the bite into mid-morning. There’s no rain expected, and winds are light out of the west. Tidal influence in the Charles is weaker upstream of the locks, but if you’re fishing closer to the harbor, aim to fish the incoming tide for more active fish movement.
As for what’s biting, stripers are hot right now, and there have also been solid largemouth bass catches from the Watertown stretch up to Waltham, along with rainbows taken near the Newton and Auburndale parks. Flounder reports are increasing as well for those venturing out toward the harbor’s edge or the mouth of the river[1][2][3][4].
Top lures for the day are white or silver paddle tails, soft plastics mimicking alewife, and classic topwater plugs at dawn. Seaworms are a killer bait if you can get them, especially for stripers. For bass, try spinnerbaits or weedless jigs close to submerged structure or along weedlines. If you’re targeting rainbows, small spoons like the Thomas Buoyant in a sunrise color are a proven winner[4].
Hot spots for today include the stretch around the Longfellow Bridge—which offers good access to both deep channel water and structure—and up near the Watertown Dam, where the current concentrates bait and predators alike. Don’t overlook the shady edges under the bridges, which often hold fish all through the day[5].
To sum it up: the spring run is ramping up, early and late are best, and if you follow the bait, the fish won’t be far behind. Tight lines and see you on the river!
View all episodes
By Quiet. PleaseThis is Artificial Lure with your Charles River fishing report for Sunday, May 4, 2025.
The early May bite is picking up steam on the Charles right now. Stripers are starting to show up in better numbers, with both schoolies and some decent slots reported in the last couple days. Most of these fish are following the alewives that are running the river, especially in the lower basin stretches and up by the dam. Sunrise today was at 5:32 AM, with sunset at 7:47 PM, giving anglers plenty of prime low-light hours to target active fish. Local veterans agree the early morning and evening bites are best, especially around bridge pilings and drop-offs where hungry stripers and bass lurk for passing bait[5].
Weather is mild and breezy, with air temps starting in the low 50s this morning and warming up near 62 by afternoon. Skies are partly cloudy, perfect for keeping glare off the water and extending the bite into mid-morning. There’s no rain expected, and winds are light out of the west. Tidal influence in the Charles is weaker upstream of the locks, but if you’re fishing closer to the harbor, aim to fish the incoming tide for more active fish movement.
As for what’s biting, stripers are hot right now, and there have also been solid largemouth bass catches from the Watertown stretch up to Waltham, along with rainbows taken near the Newton and Auburndale parks. Flounder reports are increasing as well for those venturing out toward the harbor’s edge or the mouth of the river[1][2][3][4].
Top lures for the day are white or silver paddle tails, soft plastics mimicking alewife, and classic topwater plugs at dawn. Seaworms are a killer bait if you can get them, especially for stripers. For bass, try spinnerbaits or weedless jigs close to submerged structure or along weedlines. If you’re targeting rainbows, small spoons like the Thomas Buoyant in a sunrise color are a proven winner[4].
Hot spots for today include the stretch around the Longfellow Bridge—which offers good access to both deep channel water and structure—and up near the Watertown Dam, where the current concentrates bait and predators alike. Don’t overlook the shady edges under the bridges, which often hold fish all through the day[5].
To sum it up: the spring run is ramping up, early and late are best, and if you follow the bait, the fish won’t be far behind. Tight lines and see you on the river!
The early May bite is picking up steam on the Charles right now. Stripers are starting to show up in better numbers, with both schoolies and some decent slots reported in the last couple days. Most of these fish are following the alewives that are running the river, especially in the lower basin stretches and up by the dam. Sunrise today was at 5:32 AM, with sunset at 7:47 PM, giving anglers plenty of prime low-light hours to target active fish. Local veterans agree the early morning and evening bites are best, especially around bridge pilings and drop-offs where hungry stripers and bass lurk for passing bait[5].
Weather is mild and breezy, with air temps starting in the low 50s this morning and warming up near 62 by afternoon. Skies are partly cloudy, perfect for keeping glare off the water and extending the bite into mid-morning. There’s no rain expected, and winds are light out of the west. Tidal influence in the Charles is weaker upstream of the locks, but if you’re fishing closer to the harbor, aim to fish the incoming tide for more active fish movement.
As for what’s biting, stripers are hot right now, and there have also been solid largemouth bass catches from the Watertown stretch up to Waltham, along with rainbows taken near the Newton and Auburndale parks. Flounder reports are increasing as well for those venturing out toward the harbor’s edge or the mouth of the river[1][2][3][4].
Top lures for the day are white or silver paddle tails, soft plastics mimicking alewife, and classic topwater plugs at dawn. Seaworms are a killer bait if you can get them, especially for stripers. For bass, try spinnerbaits or weedless jigs close to submerged structure or along weedlines. If you’re targeting rainbows, small spoons like the Thomas Buoyant in a sunrise color are a proven winner[4].
Hot spots for today include the stretch around the Longfellow Bridge—which offers good access to both deep channel water and structure—and up near the Watertown Dam, where the current concentrates bait and predators alike. Don’t overlook the shady edges under the bridges, which often hold fish all through the day[5].
To sum it up: the spring run is ramping up, early and late are best, and if you follow the bait, the fish won’t be far behind. Tight lines and see you on the river!