Mainebass1984

Caught in good ole' Maine

New persona best caught in Nov 9 lbs 1 oz

You can catch big bass all year long. Everything freezes up year. No open water. If you want to go fishing there is only one choice, icefishing.

Icefishing can be a blast. They certainly do put up a fight. Its like you just them in like dead weight. It is completely different then fishing with a rod and reel. Your hand is the drag. If the fish want to make a run you have to give him line while maintaining tension on your line. I have had some pretty amazing days through the ice when you are none stop busy. Biggest bass through the ice was a 6-9 and he put up a hell of a fight.

I ice fish for bass quite a bit. It can be pretty fun. I usually target warm water ponds with decent weed growth. Big shiners work best. I use 12lb test flouro and a 10 foot leader. You will want to tie a barrel swivel at 5 feet. I usually fish in 10-15 feet of water a couple feet up off bottom.

It was an amazing season. Every year I have three goals. To catch more fish, to catch more big fish and to catch the biggest bass of my life. This year I caught 1298 bass from April 12th to Nov 17th. The most I have caught in a season. Got into some really good bites on a variety of lures. I caught more bass over 7 lbs then I have ever caught in a season. The end of the year was fantastic. I caught my biggest bass a 9 lb 1 oz largemouth. For the year I finished with 4 7lbers, 3 8lbers and the 1 9 lber. All fish caught from VT and ME. The crank bait and the jig were the two most productive lures for me this year. I hope this coming year I can reach all my goals again. Still looking for a northern strain 10 lb largemouth. They do exist, I swear it. Go big or go home.

I set my standards high every time I am out on the water. I aim for an average of 20lbs five fish every outing. Doesn't always happen. Another goal I aim for every time on the water is to figure out a big fish pattern. I feel like I got to set my standards high to keep pushing myself to be a better fisherman.

How about some doubles caught on one lure on one rod ...

When I am out ice fishing I am always moving around unless I am really catching them good. I move around a lot. Most people just set up there traps and wait. I am always jigging one hole as well. I seem to have more luck jigging them then on tip ups. Last Sunday I jigged up a 3-10 largemouth on my ultra light jigging rod and 2 lb test. That was a challenge. I was jigging for smelt.

why do you think there isn't much sport in ice fishing ?

Those are two dandy Browns. The first pic the 24 incher had definitely already spawned all her eggs. The 26.5 incher is a big ole male. Some very nice fish. Everything up my way is covered in ice.

Once fall turnover occurs up here in New England the fish become very predictable. Its my favorite time of year to fish. The tend to congregate leading to some fast fishing. Its one of the best times of the year for big bass in New England.

Nice Browns. Looks like they are in full spawn mode. Are you seeing many redds ?

I cant choose just one blade bait jig drop shot jerk bait crank bait Either way.... Got to fish slow

Very interesting to hear all the different OPINIONS. Personally I don't fish for largemouth on beds. I think its easier to catch the fish that are about to spawn or have just moved off beds. I do enjoy smallmouth bed fishing. It is the only time I really sight fish. When I go smallmouth bed fishing I am usually taking my mom, dad, niece or a friend that fishes a couple times a year. They have a blast watching fish hit their lure and being able to catch significant numbers of fish.

Having samples aged by 3 different biologists. First result was 16+ years old. That means that bass was spawned in 1997.

Specific isolated offshore structure in Maine. In a three outing period I caught a 8-1, 8-3, and a 9-1 off the exact same spot on the same lure with the same specific cast.

I like fishing in cold cold water. The last day I was fishing this year the water temperature was 36 degrees. The last 3 times out fishing in my boat this year I was breaking ice. The fishing can be really productive. As mentioned before fish slow and then fish slower. I like to target isolated off shore structure. I seem to have my best luck on very steep drop offs in 15-30 feet. I have caught them as deep as 45 feet. I usually fish a jig, a blade bait or a drop shot. Don't under estimate a crankbait.

rubber worm or a jig

1. Specifically target bigger fish 2. Fish isolated off shore structure 3. Have confidence in what your doing, be patient, prepare your self, give yourself the opportunity.

If you are paying them to take you fishing then they shouldn't be fishing. You as the client should be getting first cast on everything.

I will let you know how much she weighs in the spring when I catch her again. If I miss her in the spring then I will find her in the fall.

I use a rapala digital scale. It is has been very accurate for me. I have one pound weight that I check the scale with often. When weighing in pounds and ounces the one pound weight always has come out to exactly 1 lb on the digital I use. If weighed to the hundredth of a pound it is always within .05-.10 of a pound. I always weigh my fish in pounds and ounces..

I have had the unfortunate luck of catching some pretty weird things. A rod and reel, a water snake, a sea gull (funny story), a shoe, a tire, a seal (talk about peeling out drag), and a 35 lb snapping turtle.

That fish was in insanely good shape for its age. It could have been caught before but it didn't have any marks from being caught previously. A very clean and healthy fish. I wonder how big she will be in a couple years or so.