Freetown Fishing Guides
Freetown fishing charters put anglers on the Assonet River, Long Pond, and nearby coastal waters for largemouth bass, trout, pickerel, and seasonal saltwater runs.
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Freetown, MA Fishing Guide
Fishing in Freetown, Massachusetts revolves around a mix of freshwater lakes, rivers, and easy access to Buzzards Bay for inshore saltwater trips. Most local charters and guides offer half-day or full-day outings, with some specialty trips focused on targeting trophy largemouth bass in Long Pond or chasing striped bass along the coast. The Assonet River, a tidal tributary of the Taunton River, offers steady action for panfish, pickerel, and occasional striped bass pushes, especially in the spring. Long Pond is the largest natural freshwater body in the state and a major draw for anglers, with multiple launch ramps and a structure-heavy shoreline ideal for bass fishing with light tackle or fly gear.
Saltwater anglers can reach Westport, Dartmouth, or Fall River launches within 20–30 minutes, putting them right into Buzzards Bay where striped bass, bluefish, and scup dominate the inshore bite. Typical run distances offshore aren’t long, with productive grounds found just outside the harbors, around rocky points, and near channel edges. Buzzards Bay has a relatively protected layout, so it allows small-boat charters to fish effectively in most conditions.
Seasonally, spring brings active bass and trout fishing in the ponds and rivers, while striped bass make their first push up into the Taunton River system. Summer sees warmwater species dominate inland lakes, with night trips targeting largemouth and pickerel. Saltwater trips at this time key in on stripers under schools of bait and bottom fishing for scup and sea bass. Fall is a strong transition period, with stripers and bluefish blitzing inshore and freshwater action picking back up as water temps drop. Winter brings opportunities for ice fishing on Long Pond and other nearby lakes, with perch and bass the usual targets.
Freetown sits in a prime location, giving anglers the best of both worlds — trophy freshwater bass waters like Long Pond and easy saltwater access to Buzzards Bay. Whether it’s casting jigs along rocky points, trolling the Taunton River channels, or dropping bait rigs for bottom fish offshore, the options are wide open across the seasons.
Fishing Seasons in Freetown
Spring (March–May)
Spring fishing in Freetown starts as soon as the ice clears off Long Pond and nearby lakes. Largemouth bass stage along drop-offs and points, making jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics the go-to presentations. Trout stocking in the Assonet River and other small streams offers good action with live bait or ultralight spinners. By late May, striped bass push into Buzzards Bay and make their way up the Taunton River, where anglers drift eels, soft plastics, or plugs around current seams. Half-day trips are common in spring, with both freshwater and saltwater action within short reach.
Summer (June–August)
Summer in Freetown brings steady freshwater action for largemouth bass, pickerel, and panfish in Long Pond, especially early mornings and evenings. Night fishing is popular for bigger bass, with anglers throwing topwater plugs and jigs near weed edges. Saltwater trips focus on striped bass early in the season, shifting toward bottom fishing for scup, sea bass, and tautog around reefs and rock piles. Buzzards Bay warms quickly, and trolling umbrella rigs or casting metal lures into surface feeds often pays off. Families often choose short inshore trips in summer for steady action close to shore.
Fall (September–November)
Fall is prime time for both saltwater and freshwater anglers around Freetown. Striped bass and bluefish school heavily in Buzzards Bay, often feeding aggressively on peanut bunker and squid. Casting plugs, metals, or trolling along rips is highly productive. In freshwater, cooler temps trigger largemouth bass and pickerel to feed heavily before winter, with crankbaits and spinnerbaits producing solid catches. Full-day charters are popular in fall, as both offshore and inshore bites stay consistent throughout the day.
Winter (December–February)
Winter in Freetown is mostly about freshwater fishing, with Long Pond and other lakes offering good ice fishing opportunities when conditions allow. Perch, crappie, and bass are the most common targets, with tip-ups rigged with shiners a standard approach. Some winters see safe ice by mid-January, while in milder years open-water casting remains possible. Saltwater activity slows significantly, but some hardy anglers still bottom fish for tautog and holdover striped bass in protected areas. Winter trips are usually shorter and focused on local freshwater opportunities.
Freetown in Homer
- Largemouth Bass – 1–6 lbs. Found in Long Pond and local lakes, best in spring and fall with jigs, plastics, and topwater plugs.
- Smallmouth Bass – 1–4 lbs. Caught in deeper sections of Long Pond and rocky points with crankbaits and drop-shot rigs.
- Trout – 8–18 inches. Stocked in rivers and ponds each spring, taken on spinners, flies, and live bait.
- Chain Pickerel – 1–4 lbs. Present year-round in weedy backwaters and pond edges, often hitting spoons and live shiners.
- Striped Bass – Schoolies to 40 lbs. Run through Buzzards Bay and the Taunton River from May through October, caught trolling, casting plugs, or drifting eels.
- Bluefish – 3–10 lbs. Blitz Buzzards Bay in summer and fall, taken on metals, topwater, and chunk bait.
- Scup – 1–2 lbs. Common inshore bottom fish in summer, taken on baited rigs over rocky bottom.
- Black Sea Bass – 1–5 lbs. Found on reefs and wrecks in Buzzards Bay, targeted with jigs and squid strips.
Freetown Fishing FAQs
What are the main launch points around Freetown?
Long Pond has multiple ramps for freshwater trips, while saltwater charters typically depart from nearby Westport, Fall River, or Dartmouth into Buzzards Bay.
How long are typical fishing trips in Freetown?
Half-day trips (4–5 hours) are common for freshwater or inshore saltwater, while full-day trips give more time to explore Buzzards Bay or work Long Pond thoroughly
Do charters provide fishing gear?
Yes, most guides and charters provide rods, reels, bait, and tackle, though anglers can bring their own setups if preferred.
Is a fishing license required?
Yes, Massachusetts requires a freshwater license for inland fishing and a saltwater permit for coastal trips. Charter captains usually cover permits for saltwater outings.
When is the best time to fish in Freetown?
Spring and fall are considered peak seasons, with striped bass and bluefish action in Buzzards Bay and excellent largemouth bass fishing in Long Pond.
What techniques work best here?
Light tackle and fly fishing are common for bass and trout, while trolling, jigging, and bait rigs are standard for striped bass, sea bass, and scup in Buzzards Bay.
What species are available year-round
Largemouth bass, pickerel, and panfish can be caught in freshwater lakes all year. Striped bass are seasonal, but holdovers can be found in rivers during mild winters.
How many people can a charter accommodate?
Most freshwater trips are limited to 2–3 anglers per guide boat, while larger saltwater charters can handle 4–6 passengers comfortably.
Are there specialty trips available?
Yes, options include night fishing for bass in Long Pond, fly fishing the Assonet River for trout, and seasonal bottom fishing charters in Buzzards Bay.