"hamma"

Fall bites may be more subtle, but as said above,. Bass really don't nibble, especially a jig/craw combo. These "nibbles" are most likely panfish or perch. The also mentioned downsizing is a step in the right direction, But the "nibbles" are telling you something, these nibbles mean that there are either more panfish than bass in that area, or the area is void of bass entirely. If the panfish are hitting, bass are most likely active as well. A jig/craw combo should be receiving the tell tale "thump, thump",... lack of this hit, would be telling me to move on to a different area, or relocate yourself within the area you are fishing, and this may not be so far away. The water your fishing is holding fish, just not many bass, so try moving slightly deeper, or the opposite,.. shallower. Also, I'd consider adding a little color to my jig, like a body of a grub, or piece of worm, on the jigs hook before the chunk trailer. This will hold the chunk trailer up on the bend of the hook, stopping it from swinging around during the cast and blocking the hooks point, and you can also be customizing the color, and rate of fall as well. Even just a slight difference in color of the grub body, compared to the jig/trailers color can make a difference. Or you could significantly change the color, with a white or chartreuse grub body. The rate of fall change will occur as the jig now has more bulk, adding more resistance to water as it falls. These changes in color and such, will have absolutely no impact if your not fishing bass waters anyways, relocation is the key. BUT,..adding this "change of color/rate of fall" can make a big difference this time of year, while fishing the "bass water" Also, another rate of fall change will occur by changing out a plastic chunk trailer, for a pork trailer,. The pork is more buoyant, therefore creating a slower falling jig. This may be actually "needed",.. as,.. when the water cools down, so does the bass. A faster moving jig may get a look,.. but not trigger that fall bite. Because it just doesn't appear natural. I "typically" use a plastic trailer in the warmer months of the year, and pork during the slower/colder months. That's not to say you wont find a pork trailer on my flippin' stick in summer, because you may. But mostly the plastics get the nod in warmer waters, just as they are easier to deal with. I hope this helps you some, I know it does for me up here,

If you want to catch fish on a crankbait, fish just them. When you are going fishing off your kayak, only take the crankbaits with you. This will force the issue. You will have to fish just them, and you will eventually find some fish with them. this time of year? eh,..maybe. but next spring just before the spawn, you should start hooking up with a crankbait fish or a dozen

If there's no supporting structures in the way? why not,.. Even if there is, add support where its due. As a fabricator, you should already know, anything can be done, the question being how far do you need, or are willing to go, to accomplish it,.. is what remains. Do you plan on exerting all your weight on this well? is your boats decking fiberglass or wood? and so on

Drop the crankbait for a longer profiled jerkbait, maybe a deep diving model. Depending on the depth and area that your targeting,... that is. This time of year a small black jig and trailer may entice a few hits, as well as bladebait like a silver buddy or sonar. Plastics???? I'd fish on a jighead, but thats a limited amount at best, for me anyways. Not knowing whether your fishing from shore or boat, what type of waters your fishing, and what time of day your there, leaves a world of "wondering" for us to answer. Are you fishing a northern shore? Is this pond sheltered or does it receive some wind? Are you fishing in the afternoon, or morning? What kind of cover is present? Is it a pressured pond, or more secluded? These are all things to consider, as well as weather conditions, type of forage in the pond, and your abilities. New England weather patterns alone can drive any bass angler to the looney bin in late Fall. I've known some of the best tourney anglers in this area, and even they struggle when it gets this late in the year. Many give up bass fishing altogether, either targeting trout, as it provides more action now, or hanging up the hat and winterizing the boat til next year. So, don't be discouraged. It's not really you per se,...

Seeing as I've had a 8' bass hunter for over 30 years, I figured I may find some upgrades on this thread, so I just finished reading all 99 pages yesterday. I found some helpful tips and will be finally adding a new seat,.yeah,..I still have the original plastic "bucket" seat, some clips for my oar, and maybe even a new telescoping oar at that. Even thinking of the push pole/anchor pole option as well. Which is actually a neat idea. Ive had 2 anglers, 2 batteries, and 2 motors on it and actually did so on its maiden voyage. Its kinda tight, but so much fun, and I caught my pb bass off of it prefishing for a tourney with 2 anglers on it. Do I recommend 2 anglers on a 8 ftr? not really. If you plan on fishing 2 anglers off your puddlejumper, get a 10 ftr or bigger, you will need the room. Just because I was crazy many years ago, doesnt mean you need to be as well,...lol, With the 2 motors and 2 batteries, larger waters, rivers, and long days on the water, were more available to me, as well as, the faster moving rig being better for short outings, pinpointed approaches, leaving the boat in the back of the truck for the next days outing, not having to re-group, and recharge the batteries, knowing its still got enough juice to "safely" use. I didnt ever have to switch a single motor from the front to back, ever have to paddle back to the ramp, or turn around to properly control the boats position. Having 2 motors and batteries is a "option" on these rigs, that I highly do recommend. When loading and unloading at the ramp? I just take the 2 batteries, and the back motor off. My 8 rods are strapped in at both ends of the pontoons, I have a dry box for the saftey requirements and "essentials" positioned in the rear of the boat and tackle bag next to it. Life vest is attached to the seat. So, in and out,.. is a quick and easy deal. Motors and batteries wiring have minn kota's quick connect plugs for all connections and I do recommend these as well. They make it alot easier to deal with all around. So nothing is really "loose", and only a few attachments are needed. This allows a quicker and easier transition at the ramp, I'm in, and fishing in just about 3 minutes at the ramp, and same when heading home. I dont have boaters staring at me, with a hateful gaze, thinking I should be elsewhere. And "roadside" launchings go quicker too, so traffic really isnt a issue. Before I got this boat I already had a full sized 8' foot bed on my truck. Once the boats in the bed, no tiedowns, no straps, close the tailgate and Im done. The seats never flew off on the highway as the seats were kinda hard to remove, and vests are not loose, nothing did I ever "loose". I did later get a cap for the bed, making it even better as rain doesn't pool up in the boat, and my "expensive" rods/reels aren't in the wide open for thieves to prey upon. These puddlejumpers are unique, smart, and quite effecient if you set them up right. Over the years I've got alot of compliments, added a few upgrades, and had some incredible outings on it. And if this bass hunter ever goes to the junkyard? I will replace it with another similar rig. I do also have a deep-v tracker, but thats no good for the thousands of puddles holding great bass fishing. I look back on the 30 years of fishing off this platform I've been graced with, and couldn't be happier with its performance, comfort, and adaptability. Ive fished on waters that range from tiny "puddles" right up to the Conn. river, and coves/ bays on Lake Winnepesaukee. Seen some simply incredible sunrises and sunsets all over New England, wildlife I never knew was present here, and found hidden "gems" on the web searching satillite images that I deem "incredipuddles" as the bass were untouched, large, and lure friendly. We, as pontoon puddlejumper owners have a great tool to use for our sport, we can hit waters bass boats cant, and even fish their lakes if we choose. Just be careful out there, we are not invincible,.. just thrifty, fortunate, and capable. In summary? things I'd recommend to "new" raider owners? Use 2 motors and batteries, variable speed motors if possible and around 55 pd thrust, and check out the minn kota quick connect plugs, well worth the 10 bucks a set add a fishfinder, doesnt need to be expensive get a plano drybox for safety requirements and essentials ie: flares, flag, horn, docking ropes etc. but when out fishing ?, have the horn out and ready Smaller tackleboxes/bags are your friend, you dont "need" a tackleshop out there with you. add some rodstraps on both ends of the pontoons,..trust me here. BE AWARE! large wakes, weather changing, and idiots out powerboating and not paying attention,... can be deadly. YES! DEADLY!,..... Its easy to get focused on "fishing" instead of "boating" on these rigs, so keep your wits about you

Bassnatcher, if you send your phones pics to facebook, they will automaticlly be sized to a smaller size, then you can load them from there, to here. Someone here informed me of this and it worked for me

google Rocky Ledge spinnerbaits, in NH, he makes some nice compact versions. He probably has a website

Cabin Creeks??? are those the ones that had a cylindrical collar cut on both ends for the skirt, and a twin tail for the trailer? or are those the Garlands,..(been so long im forgetting which is which) If so, and anyways,... I loved those little things, and used them up as the smallies just tore them all apart on me. If Im correct, they were the smallest version I could find, about 2 inches long, and simply deadly. I caught the biggest crappie I ever seen on one, thing was as big or bigger than a dinner plate.

Is there an area in the whole USA that a green pumpkin spider jig doesnt work? I've noticed that anglers from all over report their success with one, whether its a yamamoto, or chompers, or even the old garlands (columbia craw mentioned) that color and faux jig and twin trailer design just out and out kicks bass. I have a rod specificly dedicated to the jighead presentation, and more often then not you'll find a football designed head with a green pumpkin yamamoto hula grub on it. Because its such a lethal weapon up here on the dominating rocky lakes. I've been using these since the mid 90's, right about when Gary started marketing them, which I think, was not long after his senko's success. And I actually liked these hula grubs, but saw the senko as nothing more than a "newer" do- nothing worm, and still have yet to use a senko. But the hula grub? Good lord forgive me,.. but I could have probably been singely responsable for Gary's success just on the sales from this little bass fishing gem. Much like other anglers and the senko? I cant possibly count the amount of them I've gone through over the last 20 or more years. At least 5 or 6 bags Id buy in the spring, and then throughout the year, whenever I got low? I'd shop for more. I stock green pumpkin, motor oil/ green/black fleck, A dark green, and black/blue fleck,..I wish they'd make a dark brown.,... Im going to have to check out that Bassmaster article

Dang! congrats on that catch! did you weigh it?

I will toss small crankbaits on spinning gear as well, using mono line too. The lighter crankbaits will either require a spinning setup, or a quality finesse casting reel, and even with this reel,. some small cranks may still not cast as far as you may require.

some more AWESOME smallies A-Jay,..congrats Beats a stick in the eye,.. huh,...lol

Use a scent, as it masks your scent. Stay quiet, water transmits sound faster and better than air does The fish are in the water,.so ,...keep your line wet!.,... lol

I'd cruise the lake watching my lcr for bait holding on, or just over flats, drops and sloping points within those depths. Making a mental note of their location. Then systematically, fish each "area" noted, with a finesse technique as these fish are most likely semi, or fully, dormant for the moment. Suspending after the front usually depicts and mostly demands, this finesse mindset. If you found the fish "just" off the bottom in these baitfish holding areas they may actually be actively feeding. And a dropshot fished just off the bottom should produce in this scenerio. Fish found suspending, around the "bait balls" are going to be a bit tougher. A darter head jig with a small "bait resembling" plastic, smothered in a matching scent, may produce some hits if its dropped and slowly jigged in their face. Or,.. the seemingly country wide universal green pumpkin yamamoto hula grub on a jighead slowly fished on bottom around these suspended fish may receive a hit from a "rogue" fish getting edgy, and cruising the bottom searching for sustainance. Its not really a situation thats written in stone, when dealing with deeper, suspended, bass. They are more of a question mark, then when they are actively feeding up shallower. I've fished deep, and had a stellar day pounding above average fish, and then (and mostly) barely squeaked out a limit. Conditions,including water temps, time of year, and the strength of the last few fronts will mostly dictate whats about to happen. Keep in mind that what and where Im referring to,.. is a well known lake to me, and I know what the primary bait is, so it sounds easier than it actually is. You need a good understanding of your electronics, the lake, the weathers effect on bass, and a whole bunch of luck, to have a great day fishing deeper, on clearer waters in the fall. Fall is my favorite time of year as, the fish are mostly feeding up for winter, when they are active it can be a bonanza of the best fishing offered all year, and even when they aren't active? They can sometimes be "coaxed" to hitting a slowly fished lure, and when this being "coaxed" works? I've actually noticed a whole school of bass turn on, and act like they had been active all day. Pounding (the once slowly fished lure) like freight trains. Not something that happens often, but still does. Also the bass are fatter, therefore heavier, than any other time of the year. And if you've ever found a actively feeding big school of large smallies at this time of year? You know what Im getting at, its the shear pinnicle of bass fishing bliss. (at least for me) Mostly?,.. weary fall bass, can be had by weary fall anglers. Its takes time, know how, and a dedication and persistance to deal with the crisp colder air temps, stronger, and more profound, fall weather fronts that plague the "un-weary" anglers. A seasoned angler will "know" what to do, where, and how. May not include shooting fish in a barrel,.but it may just produce a wallhanger, or the best day on the water ever. Its a chance, a shot, a possibility at best,..but one I believe is well worth it I hope this helps you some, and offers insight you sought Keep ya line wet!

Whether yall like em or not,..im happy with my deep-v tracker. 20 years old and not a leak yet, stable and got me home everytime. And even with a bad back?,..I've had rougher rides in glass boats. 40 hp so its not a gas pig, trailers light, and I can still fish huge lakes. oh yeah, no console opens it right up like a floating deck I know they are far from the best, just saying,..mine works for me

is 177 or is it 117 the only way into sawdy?

Congrats on the closing win!,...good job, and nice fish in them pics. Thats what Im looking for before the winter comes. Again congrats to you.

I fished wed. up here and the jerkbait was staple, it was a "slow" day but I still squeaked out a few fish. By "slow" I mean it was the second day after a front, I didnt expect anything at all because of the conditions, but it was the day we could go. It was a new kvd deep diving model and I fished it kinda slow. So,... try a deep diving suspending jerkbait, Id also have tied on a light black jig with small no.101 black pork rind, a spinnerbait with colorado or indiana blades, and maybe a topwater. And is there a area in the whole USA, that a green pumpkin yamamoto hula grub on a 1/4 jighead isnt effective? Give it a shot and let us know how you do hope this helps some

I kinda have to agree with Glenn,..

A longer rod "may" cast further, but I'd be looking at your line and reel first. That rod should be casting those just fine

Back in the day that was a top of the line reel, nowadays you'll find better but its going to cost you

Nice skinny waters boat! Congrats, hope you have alot of fun using it. Looks like its already got rod holder bases, or are those oarlocks? Sweet deal anyways, with new trailer parts shouldn't be any issues there. A comfy seat up front,...think you'll "need" the other boat now?,..lol Kudos to ya

Before you drop a bunch of money,... Lunds and Bassboats are awesome rigs, and please dont get me wrong here. I would love to have either. And just before my first of three daughters were born I could of afforded either, and did check them out at the boat show I attended, when searching for "our platform",... and for the years to come it was and is "ours". I almost bought a 20' skeeter with all the trimmings, but opted for a more reasonable, tracker super guide v 16 tiller model,.. And Im glad I did. The slower, higher gunneled boat, was the ticket as I had taken each of my girls fishing when they were young til there now teenaged years, completely comfy, and safe. With the room for them to crash, if needed, and soft seats for them to play on their cell phones when the inevidable boredom arose. (as I navigated back to the ramp) The higher sides kept them "dry" when they were really young, the lack of a console really opened up the boat providing good "crash time" Nowadays they enjoy bass fishing with lures along with dad for a day off the same rig they used to bobber and worm fish for bluegills and such. In retrospect? I made the correct choice as the 40K I saved when they were young came in handy as days went on,.. and we all had fun on the tracker, whether it was all of us, or just a day for me. Did I wish I got the "better" boat??,..not even once. I rigged my tracker with the best of accessories that I could. Its been 19 years now, It needs a new on board 15 amp per bank charger as the one on it finally died, new carpet would be nice, and I did re-power as my health choose that for me. But I couldn't be happier with the choice I made back then. The girls got to fish off a "safe, comfy" boat throughout their lives so far, and not once complained at all. I know old club members that had kids loose interest in fishing, as the Big Bass boat bounced them around some, fell out while dad was "up front" running the tm, etc. Yes ,..a lund is a much better rig, but for what I did, and what your about to do? Think about it before you commit, figure your priorities, and more important what the needs of your kid, or kids will be. Cash may not be a issue now,... but kids change things Just a thought, and some "parental" insight,...

To slow down?,... in fall? Id try a topwater, or a floating jerkbait

How about Quabbin res., any stretch of the conn river, chicopee river,.. congamond,.. webster,.. long pond brewster,.. johns pond,...peters pond, even some of the merrimac river,... or where the state record came from wachusett res Theres some quality smallies in Massachusetts,... but in my eyes? NH may be simply awesome,... but Maine rules!