Gooseberry Point - The Fisherman

Gooseberry Point

2017 10 Gooseberry Point
Image courtesy of Navionics.

They told me they wanted to fish an isolated location, away from the contested waters from Watch Hill to Long Island where access was either limited or non-existent. They were looking for someplace remote, even wild, where the price of admission required effort and stamina to arrive at a place of solitude and concealment; with acres of elbow room and no one close enough to pick your pocket. Rather than the leisurely anglers who would rather park their cars and walk 50 feet to their first cast, you would have to look no further than Tim Coleman and his friend, Doctor Frank Bush to find two hard-charging anglers.

I told them I knew of such a place if they were willing to put up with a rugged hike, mosquitoes, ticks and treacherous footing. Their initial visit to the southernmost tip of Gooseberry was on the afternoon of their first fishing trip and they were curious when I suggested that they wear white socks and light-colored pants. Tim and the doctor partner wanted to walk up the fishy looking east shore but I talked them into hiking up the main path to the fork where we turned left to the east side because the right turn leads to the WW II observation towers.

We reached the point on the bottom of the outgoing tide when the bowl behind the outermost rocks takes a deep dip. If you get caught out on the point on a flood tide and can’t see well enough to pick your way around the hole you could get in too deep and get into serious trouble. One Connecticut angler, who fished there in a wetsuit, told me about being swept off the rock he was fishing on in an incoming tide and was forced to swim. He managed to hold onto his rod and reel, an investment of close to $1,000, but he did lose several plugs from the bag strapped over his shoulder.

Gooseberry Island is part of the Massachusetts State Reservation at Horseneck Beach, which is a wild and secluded spot a short distance away from the little beach, boat ramp and parking lot. I have fished and sea duck hunted along this remote outpost and have seldom seen another fisherman or hiker. At one point the Island (neck if you prefer) was wide open and you could park there and fish all night without concern for getting your vehicle towed or invaded by unruly teens and near-do-wells looking for a place to drink and raise hell off the beaten path. Unfortunately those days are long gone.

Gooseberry has provided us with some great fishing along with tick and mosquito bites, neither of which is without danger of discomfort and disease. I only fish there on the dropping tide because there is a bowl at the tip that quickly fills with water, and when you attempt to leave due to rising tide you could step into that hole and get into serious trouble. Ask anyone who has run the gauntlet that is known as the Gooseberry Channel on an outgoing tide against a southwest wind and they’ll tell you just how perilous that can be. If you decide just to walk the trails I would suggest wearing long tan or white pants, gym shoes with white socks with the pants legs tucked in and a liberal dosing of tick and insect repellent. I guided two friends on a fishing trip there who thought my request was a bit outlandish until we arrived at the rocky point and they began to count the number of ticks on their socks and pants.

Gooseberry Island is a wild and remote location that is a challenge for any fisherman or hiker, and I suggest you walk it with a friend. Another of our readers told of a friend who suffered a severe ankle sprain walking the beach along the east shore and struggled to make his way back to the parking lot. A walking staff, similar to the type surf fishermen use to probe the bottom would be a welcome addition on your trip. Bring a rope to drag your catch back home and be careful out there!

Related

SANDY-HOOK

Hot Spot: Sandy Hook

Hot Spot: The Old Stone Church

ROBINS-ISLAND

Hot Spot: Robins Island