Kayak Fishing Manchester, Massachusetts: Masconom Park, Gales Point and Singing Beach

Fish Any of These Three Areas for Consistent Catches of Pelagics like Striped Bass And, Offshore, Groundfish Such as Cod

Of the numerous kayak fishing areas off CapeAnn, Massachusetts, which includes the towns of Manchester, Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Ipswich, a few stand out for their close proximity to a variety of structure lines and fisheries.

In particular off Manchester are the cheek-by-jowl fisheries of large, open sand beaches adjacent to marshland areas, rocky islands and submerged ledges. Species in the area range from the expected and ubiquitous species stripedbass and bluefish, the former especially between late May and mid-October, to lesser-targeted species such as cod, pollock, flounder and mackerel.

Below are highlights of some of the varied fisheries in the area, with notes on parking and access, etc., as well as latitude and longitude in the even you are a gps user.

Singing Beach, Manchester.

Parking restrictions during the summer. This is not the most convenient place in Manchester to put in (the portage across the beach is about fifty yards) but it's worth using if you're interested in trolling the shores as far east as Magnolia or the outer chunk areas Great and Little Egg Rocks.

Be wary of dumping surf when the seas are up. Drive to the roundabout at the beach's edge, unload, then park in the lot behind the bathhouse.

Masconomo Park.

Parking here can be tough in summer, with just a small handful of spots reserved for non-residents.

Launch from the edge of the park that lies closest to the marsh. When paddling out to the fishing areas, mind the marked channel, which is both narrow and busy on weekends. The channel itself can be an effective trolling area on an outgoing tide.

Manchester Police Station.

Public parking lot and ramp. Parking regulations change here on a fairly regular basis. Usually no problems during the off-season. Carry down the asphalt ramp to put in. At low tide the bottom of the ramp is slick and reveals an abrupt dropoff.

Paddle beneath the train bridge and head downchannel through Manchester Harbor to Ram and House Islands, Whaleback Ledge, Halftide Rock, the Misery Islands, etc. Be mindful of the narrow boat channel, which can get crowded on weekends.

Tucks Point.