Fish On! This may be the final report, but it’s not the final chapter this fall

While this may be the last report of the season for this column, the season is not over.In fact, many are thinking this is the start of a late fall run. For all those hardcore bass hounds who don’t mind a little chill in the early morning air, the fall run has finally materialized.And although we’re not seeing those football field size blitzes of years past, the action is certainly hot and heavy right now. While many anglers have stowed away the gear already, those who haven’t are being rewarded now for their efforts. Most local beaches are seeing huge schools of stripers holding tight to the shoreline, as well as schools passing through on South.And the funny thing is, looking at the beaches you wouldn’t think there was a single thing going on. No topwater blitzes, no birds working the water, just barren looking beaches. But toss a live mackerel into the surf in barely 5 feet of water and BAM! Hungry bass are fighting over them. There have been some blitzing fish reported this week in the 26-30 inch range, but for the large fish, the place to be is tight to the beach.We’ve had some huge stripers taken in our waters this week, including multiple 40 pound fish, and many in the high 30 pound range, mostly taken on live mackerel, both trolled along the beachfronts or tossed into the suds.Here’s a look at our areasBoston HarborNot too many reports from the harbor lately, as everyone is talking about the lights out fishing in our area.But everything that is coming through our area has got to pass or go through Boston Harbor, so when things quiet down here, look to Boston as the next logical place to try. I do know that the harbor is still loaded with bait, so don’t expect the fishing to slow down anytime soon there!Some nice fish were reportedly taken this past week on live mackerel out around the Outer Islands and Boston Light. Other than that, a few scattered reports from the Winthrop area of bass taken on chunk bait in the 30-35 inch range.Lynn/NahantArguably the best fishing on the North Shore. The Red Rock crowd has been having a blast as of late, with stripers from 20-40 pounds cruising the boulderfields from dusk till dawn.In Swampscott, one angler reported in one outing catching 4 fish over 40 inches, including a beautiful 40 pounder, and many high 30’s, while slow trolling mackerel along the beaches.The whole stretch from the Nahant to Swampscott is loaded with fish, and has been for a couple of weeks, but lately the fish are much, much larger. Short Beach reportedly saw a blitz of stripers to 25 pounds one morning this week. So for the rest of the Fall Run, there’s really no need to even leave our own backyard.Salem/MarbleheadThe Salem/Marblehad area is picking up nicely. There are plenty of mackerel around, both out around the islands, and inshore by Salem Willows and Jubilee Yacht club. The whole stretch of coastline on RT. 127 has been loaded with quality stripers, and much like Lynn, even though it may look like nothing is going on, beneath the waves it’s a different story. Reports this week were great, of anglers catching double digits of bass from 30-45 inches. Live mackerel have been king, but those chunking bait are doing just fine as well. A couple hot spots in this area have been West Beach, Lynch Park, Beverly, and Manchester Harbor.Cape Ann/NewburyportThe Southern beaches of Cape Ann are seeing fantastic fishing, with some blitzing fish in the mornings. Live mackerel are again responsible for the largest fish being taken around Gloucester.Look for macks around the breakwater as well as Straitsmouth in the Rockport area. The folks at Surfland on Plum Island report quality bass being taken from the parking lots on the reservation.Clams and seaworms are working best. Look for macks by Breaking Rock off Salisbury Beach.The Bottom LineIt’s been a season of ups and downs. The pogies never really materialized this year, minus a couple of weeks in June and a couple in late august to early September.But mackerel made a