bobh64

Unless your going to Umbagod lake it would be safe to say post spawn is in full swing,

Finally took my boat out at Swains for the first time this season. Just under 2 dozen but nothing over 2lbs in size the lake is in post spawn. Black jigs with craw/brown chiggars, texas smoke wacky rig and a couple banging a squarebill around rocky areas. Hoping to get many more fishing in this season. Have fun all.

Heard it was a good day to fish my buddies did well to. Ed took first and my buddy Paul must have tied you. A lot of fish taken in less then a foot of water. They said the same thing about senko's and jig's did very well.

Two buddies of mine Ed and Paul are doing the same tournament, Good luck.

Just fished Province Lake today up the street from there, Smallmouth are active on chatterbaits with purple on it. Stick baits were still working for largemouth even wacky rigged senkos around the rocks. The wind will be the deciding factor on Lovell if it gets above 10 mph it will slow the fishing there. The launch area will be great if the sun is up as will the weed line which is now starting to grow. (just past the first no wake maker) Colder or cloudy weather head to the south behind the islands. The banks along the south west side (bottom middle of the lake) is my go to for smallys this time of year. Iknow its not much but hope it helps. Forgot to post Province temp was 58 so spawning will happen soon and stick bait fishing will slow down.

Fished Rust pond for 6 hrs today tough day in the rain and wind but caught a nice chunky 3lb LM and 2 SM a pound each Stick baits (shadow rap silver minnow) was the way to go today.

Here you go MaineBass, Sorry the pic came from a friends phone. Fish came from Winni the other Sunday.

I haven't been up at winni yet, but I have seen photo's of a 4 fish weigh in for 22lbs from a tourney up there sunday. the biggest was a few ounces over 8lbs in that bag.

Just hit the news the new rage tail swimmer looks interesting and come packed 6 vs Keitech 5 I know there are some Ragetail fans here.

Since I live on the NH-ME border I have been doing Maine bass tournaments, lake access is better and the fishing pressure is a lot less. A new club Moe's Bass Busters even has Weds tournaments this year.

The NH bass tournament schedule has just been posted. Amazing Squam (big)has 29 tournaments on it. Can't these clubs learn how to fish other waters? http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/fishing/tournament-schedule.html

Big price difference between the names. But still great baits all around

My preference is Jerk baits (I prefer shadow rap) shallow or deep on northern face coves open to the sun Slow is your presentation. don't be afraid to slowly hop a spider grub or run some light spinner baits around rock piles or sunken trees square bill baits bumped on rocky gravel structure will get some hits soon. as Phil said structure will play a factor so knowledge of the water will help. This is for Phil_NH Match the hatch lol

Yes it was fun learning by practice made some nice chigger style baits in different colors and flake. Something to do on the rainy days for sure.

Going to a friends house tomorrow to learn how to pour my own plastic baits going to try my hand on some chigger style craws first. Can't wait for first cast.

OK truck back with a new engine after the break in period it is time to finally go fishing after looking at some of our group of people lucky enough to go fishing the past weeks I will be happy to breath the air on open water with a smile. Now the hard part where to fish first.

eBay and Tackle warehouse I buy the close out color jigs from tackle and put my own skirts on. My tube jig heads I got from lead free jig heads.com they are ok but made from bizmuth.

I started a couple years ago and slowly swapped everything over. Other then a lead tester or a hot flame to see if it melts or scrapping the paint off there's no way to tell with out a package. The only thing I had to get rid of were my tube weights. My tungsten jigs are smaller and harder to the comparable lead weight size.

I have had real good luck with the shadow rap from rapala both the deep and shallow diver silver with black top. first fish last year with ice still in the water was with the shadow rap. I cast then reel it then let it sit and maybe twitch it every 30 seconds near any structure sunken trees or rocks that come close to the surface in the water fish like that because big rocks will hold some heat. if you see any grass growing thats a good place to catch roaming bass. Don't be afraid to throw square bills either banging on shallow rocks.

A buddy of mine just sent a picture of him in his boat catching bass on open water. Still trying to find out where he fished but I think it might be Onway lake in Raymond.

NIce hearing talk about open water but I will have to wait a little longer for water to open up for my boat and the fact I'm getting a new engine put into my truck this week. Thinking of making a trip to Swains to see how the ice is there. It's usually the first place for me to ice out.

Casting jigs usually come with a 3/0 hook rather then the bigger 4/0 or 5/0 hooks If you read the fine print chatter baits will be legal because of the steel spoon attached.

Good point, I am going go out on a limb here and say what ever state license you show they will go by that states rules. It would be interesting if it does go by the actual border. I always have both NH and ME permits. I have never seen a maine warden on Great East always the NH patrol.