"hamma"

I just fish what color "feels" right at the moment. theres a ton of light infraction info out there, as well as, guys that swear by such color at such time. Over the years I've found some colors that produce for me in certain situations, and nowadays it just comes naturally to me. I used to need to consider cloud cover, waters clarity, etc. and all that stuff. Now I just reach for whatever is needed at that time. The days criteria/conditions, is like, automaticly instilled in my thoughts prior to picking anything, and the outcome is therefore automaticly determined. Alot of my "throwbacks" arent made anymore these days.

Nice report,...days like that are the ones that make the best memories. My daughter and I had one of them in August that we both wont forget. Congrats, and keep making those trips, worth it every time.

You win twice,... because she fishes, and its a largemouth!

I've found it depends on the water body in question. If its a large lake with many acres to search out, find the bait schools., if possible. The bass will be all over them. If its a small pond that takes less than a full day to completely fish the shoreline. They will most likely be on the available cover ambushing whatever meanders by. Turnover and after, can be a tough time to fish as the fish can be anywhere, they can be stacked in one "spot", or completely spread out throughout the lake. It varies from lake to lake and theres really no way to nail down any one "pattern", other than they are everywhere, or nowhere to be found. Reason being, during turnover the waters are actually "Turning over". The summers warmer surface temps, are mixing with its colder bottoms temps, mixing them both together. Ph's, oxygen levels, clarity, temp, are all mixing together. Some days the fish will be hitting everything thrown, and other days they seem lockjawed. It's just part of a northern waters yearly cycle. What I do during turnover periods is just fish the shore for a small amount of time, if I get a hit I will just continue on, if no hits, I will back off a bit, and so on. This is what I do on small ponds mind you, if I'm on a large lake? I will watch the fishfinder for any hints as to where the bait is. and again, they can be anywhere, or non visible on the finder, if not visible?,... they too can be scattered, and most likely relating to the bottom, as most weeds are dying off depleting oxygen. And with the newer finders, you will notice fish relating to the bottom everywhere. One of my favorite situations in fall for both smallies and buckets, (other than topwater) I pull out my jigheads and grubs, put all other rods and gear away leaving three of my finesse type rods, therefore, basically clearing the decks. Set one of my comfy seats up front, putting the bicycle seat away. Sit back and fancast the select grub of choice and fish the rest of the day away. Casting a much lighter then a spinnerbait rod, or deep diving crankbait rod, I'll use the 2, 6' med action team diawa tony bean smallmouth spinning rods I have, and one more finesse rod with a 1/8, 1/4, or 3/8 oz jighead, and depending on the depths I'm fishing, depicts which one Im tossing at the moment. It's my "answer" to turnover as I've faced it for the past several decades, and found no definates about it at all. The bottom scenario I like because its very relaxing, I can fish and sightsee, as line tension, is paramount when i fish these lures, and I can feel the lure at all times. This is by no means a "pattern" just a option that will usually sqweak out a few tough, light hitting bass. And although it may get me a few, there could be a better answer for that day on that lake. After turnover? if the days are sunny and warm you may fisd bass huggig the warmer northern shores as the suns been beating on them longer than anywhere else. But its a fickle thing as most of those shore will also have dying weeds at this time as well. And that oxygen depleting scene is not good for any fish. Anything can happen this time of year for a turning or turned water, a spinnerbait may rule, or a jerkbait might slay them, a rattling jig, worm, etc... find out if your strengths in bass fishing pan out,... hopefully they do. If not?,..consider this posting and maybe it will help you some.

Ive found fish piled up in one area before, but they were there for the fresh water being introduced to the pond via a swollen stream. As far as spawning? ummm that was two seasons ago, and not part of the equation in my opinion. Probably, either a oxygen issue, ph, wind direction or favorable temp issue. Is it possible that there was good weeds in that cove previously and they died off? Could also be that there was a school of bigger fish corralling them in there, for feeding time,..that you couldnt see. Any number of things could be in the works there. Mother Nature is a wonderous lady. She does things we often notice, but dont understand. All we can really do is try to remember, and learn what little lessons she provides. You know there was a reason for this behavior, As I wasnt present to assess this,...im banking on, bigger bass corralling them in there, and a future slaughter was about to take place. Just smaller fish stacked in a cove? sounds like a baitball to me.

many years ago I slowly trolled a live white perch (which I caught there), and it yielded one, but it wasnt all that big to speak of

I use his craws in our really clear waters up here. They seem to produce more hits when carefully, shortened to the right length and added to one of my bass jigs. Double tail grubs, or zooms salty chunks, work well in stained or muddier conditions. But, in clear waters the craws get the nod. They also work well when texas rigged alone as well.

Its very easy to get overwhelmed with all of the information you may incounter, dont allow it to confuse you. Best way to learn, is to take it one lure at a time. There are however, a few "basics" you will need to consider before leaving home for your first fishing trip. Learn one good knot, and when you are about to cinch it down, if using mono line be sure to wet the knot before cinching it, I wet it with spit by licking it. If you dont wet it, it will generate heat, therefore, weakening the knot, and it will fail. Take one lure of choice, a pair of pliers, and fingernail clippers.,... The pliers are to aid in removing the hook from a bass's boney mouth, when need be, and the clippers are for snipping the "tag" end of line when tying knots. A hat and sunglasses that are polorized will also be necessary, both serve two purposes, the hat will help protect your head from a possible errent cast, and help shield your eyes from the sun. And sunglasses protect your eyes not only from the suns rays, but if you get your lure hung up and pull hard, if and when, it comes free it may shoot straight back at your face,,..in which case.DUCK, lol.. and the "polorized" part is to aid with seeing under the waters surface. your ready to fish ,...have fun, and I hope you hook into a big one

The "original" Hank Parkers Classic spinnerbait made my Manns bait co. (Tom Mann),..In the white color 3/8 oz is what I got my personal best bass on. I have several 1/4 oz, 3/8 oz and 3/4 oz with me on my boat always. I have white, chart., white/chart blue/chart.,... Did I say ALWAYS!,...lol They work wel,... umm, err,... AH,...No, no,... I must be mistaken,... they dont work at all, if you have any taking up space in your tackle box lemmie tell ya they are utterlly useless. You can mail them to me and I will properly dispose of them for you. The gold blades will chip, and fade, the skirts melt off, and the wire is so thin they sometimes break,...yeah,.., yeah,...thats it. (In my best jedi impersonation),... you will mail all of them to me,..immediately. I am the certified disposer of these lures,,... you will mail them to me! lmao

Defiantely a rebel pop-r,. I think It may be a zell rowland model from back in the 90's Its got the hackled rear treble. Its a 1/4 model bass patterned. I toss it from a 5'9" berkley air med action rod spinning rod, with a 2500 series shimano saros reel and 10 lb stren green mono. Much like bluebasser, I dont want to loose it as it's produced for me for many years, but it's hard not to use what works so well. I do have a few backups, but they have yet to prove themselves as worthy, as I always go right for my favorite every time...lol

me too, sounds like a good time.

Your right about deep water, and night feeding as well, I know that both options have validity in the stress's of august heat here in New England, night fishing I caught a 9 many years ago, but deep? a 7+? not that I recall that big, but good ones nonetheless.. Anyways, In August, or even the heat of September I find them in the shallows, hiding under pads, in extremely think cover. So, if your out fishing deep next august, and not finding the 7+ your looking for, try a frogging technique before you head home ,..Some big girls are hiding in the slop

Horn pond in Woburn? At least I think its Woburn,...Theres some quality bass hiding in its vast weedbeds, I caught a big pig in there from my buddies crawdad, (he was so envious, he stopped taking me there,...lol) Quanipowwitt in Wakefield has some as well, just be aware theres some huge tiger musky in there, willing to steal any bait thrown. The area just across from honey dew doughnuts, will give up a few now and then, and on the completely opposite shore at the park too,.. And since were talking that area, Pillings pond in lynnfield/montrose used to hold some pigs, and edgewater place's ponds might still have some good bass in them too. If they still let you fish there. These are good shore access places I havent been to in over 30 years, and had almost forgotten. But, as I stated in my first reply, dont negate the upper pond in harold parker across the street from fields pond. Its a small pond but used to produce some excellent bass, my best there was around 8 lbs off a J&P. We used to load up the crawdad in the tiny pond, motor over towards the upper ponds dam, remove the batteries and motors and drag the crawdad up the "hill" re-install the gear, then finally get to fish,... but it was worth it. Not only is there good bass in there, this time of year the scenery is awesome, and the ponds seclusion is refreshing compared to fields popularity. This pond can be fished from shore pretty well, just a little walk in. At least there "was" some good casting spots back then, should still be a few. If you do get a kayak? put a small lcr on it, and probe fields pond better than any shore fishing can offer there. The channels stumps, boulders ,and submerged laydowns are hiding the big girls. In spring, a perch patterned rapala surface fished, is deadly, and a black/blue jig and pig fished around that cover, anytime of year, can be your best friend. The stuff you see that cant reach from shore? Harbor the fish you've previously thought would live there, and the stuff you dont see?,... even better, I've released back into its murky waters some wallhangers I should of measured, and had replica's made of. I just refused to possibly kill them by handling and stressing them out to much. give these a try, and you should be rewarded.

I would think that by now you here have realized that I dont mind offering info, I actually enjoy helping others out. But the reason my old fishing buddy used to scream out "COD!" at a nosey angler, was that he was letting the nosey guy know in his own way,...Back off, dontchabemessin with my stuff! Because we get alot of that up here. And thats where I too stand, I will offer info, a few decent spots, what color worked, where, etc.,...but you start rifleling thru my stuff????,.. your about to find out why my buddy nicknamed me hamma, the extremely aggressive, dangerous, and painful way.

yeah, crankbaits dont want to run right on ice. At the very least, even the dog days of summer here in Massachusetts are better than winter. Although I hate extreme heat, the mornings are cooler and once the topwater bite dies off, I can go home and hide in the ac.

UUUmm! Fields pond in Harold Parker state park is one of the best bass ponds in all of the north shore. If this is the one you've been fishing, theres a couple more right across the street, the tiny obvious one, and one behind it is even better. Also Putnumville res. in Danvers is a good shore fishing bass haunt,.. Lynn's Flax pond has some pigs in it, as well as Sluice pond which gets trout stocking has some big bass. Peabody's browns pond is ok, as well as the springs pond reserviors across lynn street from browns. A canoe or kayak would open up a new world of bass fishing up on the north shore as many of the better bass waters dont have much shore access. I was raised in Peabody and cut my teeth so to speak bass fishing all of the above,.. and then,....middletons bog from a canoe, got bugspray?,..lol then things progressed to full on obsession Good luck

As my departed bass fishing buddy would answer to the never ending nosey guy when asked what we caught them on,.."Cod!"

There's good fishing for both smallies and buckets close to that ramp. Salmon meadow cove can hold a darn good kicker fish and the readily available islands nearby can harbor some nice keeper smallies. Some that come to mind are: beaver and big beaver, three mile and hawks nest, as well as the south side of bear. Now all of this "can" pan out as long as the weather has co-operated prior to tourney day. I havent fished the big girl since august so I'm not "on fish" up there. But she is such a fickle lady that she will give up what she wants when she wants, So you will have to keep a diligent eye on the winds direction and air/water temps. The wind being a major key, right now its blowing west which is good for smallies near black cat , three mile, and hull area, if the wind changes to easterly when the warmer temps come this weekend, you may have to hide from the wave action behind any of said islands. The boat you have play's a major role up there. If you have "typical" new england tourney rig (18 ft with a 115) stay close to the launch area as I have suggested above. If you have a 21 ft rig with a 250 or even 300? and the broads arent a hinderence to you, under windy conditions,.. Id fish the compression area between cow island and tuftonboro's shore, or over by rattlesnake island for smallies and the basin inside winter harbor for a kicker, or wolfboro bay for the kicker depending on how quick you limit out on smallies. Should you choose buckets solely as your gameplan, keep in mind they can, and do often, shutdown in a moments notice up there. Salmon meadow will hold some, but to think its going to yield a full on "limit" is a tough call. Neighboring ash cove might hold a fish as well as behind hermit island in braun's bay,..even behind wallace island. If anyone your fishing against mentions there fishing lee's mills, they are after a limit of largemouth, and if the buckets are biting your up against a tough tourney if your fishing off the typical NE tourney rig. Dilligence to aquire a good smallie limit and a big bucket kicker will be needed to place. I've found that the closer to the broads you get the better smallies you will find,..but thats only if the good lord has smiled upon you with prevailing easterly winds previous to tourney day. if he hasnt? stick close to the launch area. At the very least, these are a good amount of the criteria, I would adhere to up there, not previously being "on fish" ,...and launching from that ramp. NHbassin has a good gameplan if you feel you have enough of a bass boat to do so, like the larger 21 ft rig. Paugus bay, can and has kicked some butt in fall t's up there, and if you do go to Paugus?,... dont negate pickeral cove for a kicker if the weeds are still green in there,... and,.. as your heading towards the pickeral cove bridge,.. about thirty to fifty yards off shore start watching your lcr for fish marking, it very well may be a school of large largemouth that can kick butt in any t. As for now? seeing that I havent been there in a while? this is what id consider to fish. And the conditions during take off would determine which way I'd go. That lake can offer up a winning bag just about anywhere in the fall. If you have prefished, and have a better plan, do it. good luck, hope this helps you some

As Im not technically retired, I guess Im not really experienced on its nuances. But my back injuries have taken me out of work alot of my life, (since my late teens) and I spent a good amount of it on the water as it's my passion. I love bass fishing, its my vice so to speak,.. And I strongly believe thats the key.,..is it your passion? or just a pastime for you? If you truely love the sport?,... I think you will continue unhindered without any hesitation whatsoever. If it's just a pastime? you may want to schedule your fishing ventures at a slower rate, like once or twice a week. Just so you dont get tired of doing it, Or "burnt out" Being my passion,..I dont see me ever burning out, like some stated,.. I eat, sleep, think, bass fishing. And when im deep in discussion with someone talking say,...politics, or other matters. In the back of my mind? im thinking fishing, the winds are westerly, theres a cloud cover? id be throwing a spinnerbait right now. lol

GOOD POINT,.. CATT ! You couldn't be more dead on right, with the above posting. Case in point, please,.... bere with me a moment. Back in 95 I prefished the hudson river with my team partner, we were both prefishing for the mass bass state team fishoffs. He was to be a boater and I a non in said tourney. So, on the way out there, we discussed that most of the prefish time was for him, as I may not get a shot at "my" areas depending on who's boats Id get partnered on, and he was assured, he would get time on his areas. Which was mostly my idea. And we did just that, I picked one area, Cementon's point, as it is the largest point, and close to the catskill launch, which, was the take-off. I found fish there and was confident. Day one of the tourney, I get on this guy's boat, and he asked about "my area" I told him I only prefished one area, and its just downstream a bit, named Cementon. Astonishly, he states thats his only area as well, so we head there right away. We start fishing the furthest out in the river part of the point, and we are both using a jig and pig. His lure is straight out black, and mine a custom greenish that I tied with a bit of white on it. He's kinda frontending me as there's a huge boulder there, and he wants to hit it before I get a shot at it. He tosses in their 2 times, and doesn't even get a sniff, as he's noticably moving his lure to fast. I get my shot at it, first pitch, I hook into a 2+, next pitch a 4, he gives me a dirty type look, next pitch, a 6 lber,.. lunker for the 2 day tourney. And on that river? thats probably the biggest largemouth in its entirerty,...He states that he's done there, and were moving to his next spot. LOL, next spot? he only had one, a half hour ago! My point is, Catt,s statement that most anglers wont put the time in to wait big momma out.,... is dead on. That guy was in such a hurry, he passed up the best spot on the whole river that day, with just 2 casts at it. I really didnt fish that spot long either, but I didnt have to, she was there for a reason, and so was I. I was prepared to hit that boulder as much as I could no matter what, as thats the biggest eddied spot on that whole point, and I got a couple nice fish off it during prefish. If more anglers would just slow down, take the time to "thoroughly" fish a spot, with the right lure, at the right time. Their efforts might just be rewarded, and put the fish of a lifetime on their wall. I ended up with 500 bucks in my wallet, and made the 12 man state team! and I can credit that one lunker, for it. You spend all kinds of money on the best boat, best gear, etc. Why not put forth the best efforts? Whats your hurry? The biggest fish in that water body isnt going anywhere. She's in there, be smarter than her. LMAO!,..or is it that,.. you spent all that cash, but wont spend the time,... telling the rest of us anglers something? lol Ok,..Ok im sorry, that shot was kinda unfair...but it was right there, and I know many of you were thinkin the same. Its as my dearly departed Dad used to say,.... Sometimes you just need to slow down, and see the forest thru the trees.

You may find that a topwater lure and lighter baits (if treble hooked) will require a med action, and a lighter texas rigged lure a med heavy. I use a med heavy spinning rod for these. These "recommendations" are in consideration of hook setting abilities and requirements

what "kind" of tourney? one big fish? five fish limit? what kind of boat are you fishing from? where is it out of (launching area)? how many hours long is it? Is this a team, or draw tourney? will you have "control" of the boat at all? are you a boater, or non- boater? All of these are pertinent questions as winni is no small feat by any means. Usually, most anglers will go for the smallies first then after a kicker largemouth. But then yet some will chase the more fickle buckets right away. Picking which to do all depends on your answers to my questions.

whatever weight you need to use so you still "feel" it. The deeper you fish the heavier jig you will need to still feel the lure.

The reason I do this is: When you cast your shadow over a fish they do see you. BUT!,.... when your facing the sun they see you coming from afar, full on. (sequay to a bass tv commercial) "Hey guys!!, look at this guy coming down the bank on the brand new Ranger,",.."Hey!! ,.. nice boat buddy, but I aint buyin that senko today pal",...... They "only" see you with the sun to your back if, and only when, the shadow passes over them. Keep your shadow away from them, and viola, your almost invisible. Yet, another reason to make longer casts. Also, as most of us here know,.. they dont like the sun, looking into it isn't one of their favorite things to do. They avoid doing so at all costs. So when your under sunny skies and flippin, pitchin, or skippin docks,...Keep the sun to your back, and they aren't even looking for you, or at you, to begin with. But very important,... make sure to stay back a bit, so that shadow doesn't hit them. I was so amazed at how this works when I first applied it, that it stuck. SSHHHHHHHH! its a secret, dont tell anyone,.....lol P.S. thanks for reading and liking my post

In southern clines I would agree that a bass may get big in a "shorter" amount of time considering the norm, but up here the growing seasons are shorter. Any bass that reaches dd size up here is old, and its usually been caught before. Yes,...it does require all of what Catt listed and it does open the door for anglers to have a better shot at it. But that door gets smaller and smaller every year that fish gets harrassed on a bed, or stings its mouth hitting a crankbait. They have a certain "ability" to mask their presence. And I think its this; I know a angler who everytime he goes out fishing he's pounding the shoreline, with both the front and console lcr's on, his trolling motor on high, with his stereo blaring classic rock music while tossing a rattling jerkbait. No matter what direction the sun is beaming from, or how the cover is situated.,... And he says to me one day "There's no big fish in here, I've never caught one" while we were fishing one of (what I call) my trophy lakes. Many anglers up here are guys that just fish to get out of the house, away from the chores, etc. They buy the expensive boat, have all the latest and greatest gear. and think they cant be outfished, or bested so to say. And he is certainly one. I've tried to deter his antics but he wont listen, so,...... se la vie That lake does have big fish in it, I've caught them there, even a dd ,..But I fish it in a very different manner. I take the stealthy approach, no lcr transducer clicking away, I know where im at, and dont need to have a lcr on,... trolling motor only used to re-locate myself,.. as I use the wind to move me along, making not even the slightest sound, I fish quiet lures like a jig and craw, doused with a scent to mask the human scent,. and I fish it slowly and effectively, with the sun to my back. Many times this "tactic" has yielded me some impressive fish. Even In tournies as a non-boater I had to ask the boater to shut off the lcrs, fish in the direction I want, with minimal trolling motor use. no livewell pumps running etc. during "my time",... And the times I did catch the lunker for the day? The boater not only stated that he learned something, but that it was my approach that got me that fish. If you fail to adhere to the "laws" (for lack of a better term) of a big fish's domain up here? you will fail, miserably, and consistently. That trophy you seek for the wall? will remain a mystery,.. I've seen it in action, and proved it over and over again. Am I some kind of pig "pro"?,..., not by any means. A bass biologist? heck no,.. Im just a angler that has adhered to the teachings I read, experienced, and utilized that has yielded some success. Enough to realize that "hey,...that worked!" and duplicate it when ever possible. Maybe the big fish you guys are catching down in the southern clines aren't that old, or even bright. But up here? They have to be old to get that big, and smart to continue on, or,... they just dont get that big to begin with. Most guys up here mount a 8 lber on the wall as soon as he can get his thumb on her lip. I slip that pretty girl back in the water,...