The Housatonic River is approximately 149 miles long, flowing south through western Massachusetts and western Connecticut from its orgin in the Berkshire Mountains. It is known for a healthy population of both smallmouth and largemouth bass, as well as northern pike. Spencer Cookson, guide and owner of Berkshire Bass Tackle Shop hits the Housy for late-spring and early summer smallies on topwater.

“The western Massachusetts stretch of the Housatonic River is an incredible and underrated smallmouth bass fishery. I like to target them with topwater baits. I look for stretches of shallow rock flats located near and along drop-offs, which are perfect areas to cover water with the Whopper Plopper. You can get away with throwing the 70 size on a spinning setup, specifically in the 7-foot medium-action range. The Housatonic is an amazing place to explore; I offer jetboat trips to gain access to some of the unpressured sections of the river.”

Rod and Reel: Shimano Stradic 2500 on a 7′ Medium Douglas Spinning Rod

Line: 15-pound Cortland Master Braid

Bait: River2Sea WhopperPlopper 70