As of November 8, 2024, the Charles River in Boston is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the late fall season. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

The tide is expected to be high around 9:30 AM and low at 3:30 PM, with moderate tidal currents that are ideal for targeting fish in the transition zones. The weather forecast indicates partly cloudy skies with mild temperatures, making it a perfect day for fishing. Sunrise is at 6:54 AM, and sunset will be at 4:43 PM, giving you ample time to fish during the best light conditions.

Yesterday saw a good amount of fish activity, particularly in the early morning and late evening hours. Anglers reported catching a mix of school-sized striped bass, with some respectable catches in the 32-36 inch range. Bluefish and even some inshore sharks were also active, taking advantage of the abundant bait such as peanut bunker and herring fry.

For striped bass, soft-plastic baits like creature baits, crayfish imitations, and ribbontail worms on a weighted hook are effective. Topwater baits work well in the evenings for largemouth bass near shoreline structures. Bright-colored shallow-diving crankbaits and spinnerbaits are good near downed trees, while dark-colored jigs are better along the many bridges and pilings. In deeper waters, spoons along with weighted and lipless crankbaits are more effective.

Hot spots include the wider waters of the Lower Basin, especially along the bridge pilings that provide shade and ambush points for feeding. The area around Pickering Wharf in Salem, although a bit north, has also seen blitzes of shad and mackerel, which can attract striped bass.

If you're looking for a specific spot within the Charles River, consider the Amelia Earhart Dam through the Shraffts Building, where kayakers have been picking up striped bass using a Santini tube-and-worm setup. Another good spot is near the shoreline structures in the early morning or evening, where topwater baits can be particularly effective.

Overall, the Charles River is still providing plenty of action for late fall fishing, so grab your gear and take advantage of these favorable conditions.