Anyone Have Any Luck In Southern Nh Yet? (4/6/12)

[MikeOGNR]

Hey guys sorry haven't been on in awhile just finalizing all my paperwork for the Military and waiting to get my medical clearances all settled. Was looking for a buddy maybe to fish today I was thinking maybe the Nashua River. Looking to see if I can get a hog. PM if interested.

[MikeOGNR]

Cool.  That would be great.  I cannot believe it took me this long to get there.  I have to pass Lake Nubanusuit to get there, and I always got distracted.

 

I'm also interested in hitting up Island Pond, the one you pass just before Highland.  I've heard good things.

 

 

Jay, I'll fish Highland with you anytime. One of my favorite lakes, too. 

Group trip to Highland you give me the day and I am down. I love that place been there multiple times now all because Shane told me about it. Now that I got my new secret bait *cough* *cough* Rage craw I guarantee we would slay them.

[Beverly Bassman]

Anyone Bass fish Holts pond up in the Hancock area?

also , who uses what for dropshotting ? bait wise

Nev,

I have been drop shotting a lot the last two years. I don't love it, but it does catch many fish when other things don't work. I think it's the best way to catch deeper fish that won't chase a moving bait. I have tried many baits on drop shot. I have not caught much on roboworms, which are the original drop shot bait (favored by Aaron Martens). I have done best on Gulp minnows. Best success has been on 3" size in black shad color. I got this idea from a Mike Iconnelli article. The emerald shiner and smelt colors also work. I sometimes drop down to the 2.5" size if the bite is poor. I use Gammakatsu 1/0 drop shot hooks. I don't bother with the new swivel hooks. Line twist is not a problem if you use the drop shot weights that swivel. I use 8 pound fluorocarbon for all drop shot applications. It also helps to have a medium weight, sensitive rod. It's important to rig the bait properly. Bring the hook point up through the chin of the bait and just barely poke it out the center of the nose. KVD describes this in a video. Don't just nose hook the bait and let it dangle. Proper rigging makes the bait stay in a horizontal position and dart forward with a slight twitch of the rig. I use a reasonably heavy tungsten weight, sometimes up to 1/2 oz. depending on depth and wind. You have to be able to feel the sinker the whole time. I normally fish this setup in cleaner bottom areas in depths over 10 feet. Oftentimes over 20 feet. It's great for smallmouth. Many people have success with whacky rigged senkos and worms on a drop shot. I have not found them to be as effective as the Gulp minnows. If trying senkos, I recommend the 3" size or at most the 4" size. The 3" works ok when nose hooked as described above, rather than whacky style.

[KingZ]

Hello, new to the forum and I'm glad I found this place. Originally from Nashua but after going to UNH in 2008 I've migrated to Dover. I have only fished Willand Pond up near the four corners but I can't find any information on freshwater fishing around the area. Could anyone give me a recommendation on something close by? I've been meaning to check out Bellamy Reservoir but haven't had the chance. Also, I have to rely on bank fishing because I do not have racks on my new vehicle, kayak is immobile for a month or two.

Thanks for any help you can dish out. I'm enjoying reading some of the stories on here.

Edit: I tried to find more info about my area but this seems to be the most relevant topic, if I missed one please point me in the right direction.

[bobh64]

Welcome to the forums KingZ I'm from the seacoast also. You have a bunch of options around Dover, Head west you have Bow Lake, Swains, Medums Pond and Nippo to name a couple then if you go north you have Lily Pond, Ayers pond, Baxter Lake and Milton 3 ponds. All of these are small bodies of water perfect for Kayak when you get the new racks. I'm sure there will be more suggestions on here. Don't forget the striper fishing also around Dover,  

[Nashua Nev]

welcome to the site KingZ

 

Does anyone beside me carry and extra trolling motor prop, nut and pin in their boat?  I fished with Shane last week and we lost a prop.  This happened to me at Massabasic a couple years ago and paddling that long sucked.  so i bought 2 , we used it last week changed it right in the middle of the river. I went right out and got another extra one.  for $16.95   you cant get any cheaper insurance.   Shane was surprised when we lost it , but i think he was more surprised when i had a spare.

[Shane J]

Haha! True.

Welcome KingZ

[RMcDuffee726]

Hello, new to the forum and I'm glad I found this place. Originally from Nashua but after going to UNH in 2008 I've migrated to Dover. I have only fished Willand Pond up near the four corners but I can't find any information on freshwater fishing around the area. Could anyone give me a recommendation on something close by? I've been meaning to check out Bellamy Reservoir but haven't had the chance. Also, I have to rely on bank fishing because I do not have racks on my new vehicle, kayak is immobile for a month or two.

Thanks for any help you can dish out. I'm enjoying reading some of the stories on here.

Edit: I tried to find more info about my area but this seems to be the most relevant topic, if I missed one please point me in the right direction.

Welcome to the forums.  I suggest picking up the book Clark's New Hampshire Fishing Guide.  It can be found in any Walmart and has every single spot known to man to fish in NH.

[mebisho]

good idea with extra props. I don't have a trolling motor yet but I will keep that in mind. Better to have it and not need than to need it and not have it, as they say

[Nashua Nev]

same goes for my Taurus 40 cal out in the woods alone at 4:30 am dragging a kayak.

[bobh64]

welcome to the site KingZ

 

Does anyone beside me carry and extra trolling motor prop, nut and pin in their boat?  I fished with Shane last week and we lost a prop.  This happened to me at Massabasic a couple years ago and paddling that long sucked.  so i bought 2 , we used it last week changed it right in the middle of the river. I went right out and got another extra one.  for $16.95   you cant get any cheaper insurance.   Shane was surprised when we lost it , but i think he was more surprised when i had a spare.

I have have all the extras for my maxxum 101 cant tell you how many times I have had to take the prop off because it gets tangled up with fishing line somebody decided to throw into the water. Just the thought of losing a nut sends shivers down my spine.

[deaknh03]

I have have all the extras for my maxxum 101 cant tell you how many times I have had to take the prop off because it gets tangled up with fishing line somebody decided to throw into the water. Just the thought of losing a nut sends shivers down my spine.

We all fear losing a nut

[james sawyer]

hey guys im headed to derry today and looking for a decent spot to shore fish from. i will be with a friend and her 3 year old who is fishing for the first time. i was thinking of checking out hoods pond or wheeler pond on the boarder of londonderry/derry  from earth view you seem to be able to walk around a bit. also does anyone know if beaver lake has any good shore access? thanks 

[KingZ]

Welcome to the forums KingZ I'm from the seacoast also. You have a bunch of options around Dover, Head west you have Bow Lake, Swains, Medums Pond and Nippo to name a couple then if you go north you have Lily Pond, Ayers pond, Baxter Lake and Milton 3 ponds. All of these are small bodies of water perfect for Kayak when you get the new racks. I'm sure there will be more suggestions on here. Don't forget the striper fishing also around Dover,

Thanks for all the info Bob, I've started a list and I think this will tide me over for awhile!

Also, thanks for the welcome NashuaNev, Shane, and McDuffee. I'll pick up the guide next time I'm at walmart, great suggestion.

[Nashua Nev]

 For those of you not familiar with these books this is what they look like,  they are awesome.

 

The Clarks book you can find in a bunch of places, County stores Milford is where i got my new one.  this green colored cover one is from 2009 i believe.    i just gave away my original one from 1984.

 

 

 

 

also ,  i like this book as well.  it does not have as many as many as the clarkes book but has a nice list of places

 

 

 

[mebisho]

Just ordered the Clark's Guide, should be in my hands in a few days

Thinking of fishing the shore of Massabesic tomorrow after work. How about parking in the picnic area and then walking along the trails, will I have a good chance of catching something? Not bringing the canoe, any bank suggestions will be helpful

[Shane J]

You should be okay doing that. We used to do just that as kids, and still see people doing it today. 

[Mainebass1984]

Fishing has been real good the past few days. Been spending so much time on the water haven't had much time to get on here. Last weekend I was supposed to fish a tournament on Arrowhead. Unfortunately that didn't happen because my boaters trolling motor had some issues. Bummer but it happens. It was a weekend of fun fishing instead. Saturday I got up way to early and was on the water at dawn and fished until 3 pm. It was hot humid and sunny with a light wind. The bite wasn't really fast and furious. I tried some new spots and that wasn't really working out for me too well. Then I came across a small channel that had some surface activity around. I saw a swirl and cast to it. Hook into a good fish. Fight it in out of the weeds ands put her in the boat. She weighed 4 lbs 10 oz. Biggest so far for the day. I caught a few more decent fish around 2 1/2 - 2 3/4 on a frog before moving on. Then I decided to fish some deep of shore trees. There were definitely a few nice fish hanging around those. First cast I caught another 4 lbs 10 oz. Then nothing. Moved onto the next tree. First cast 3 lbs 0 oz and then nothing again. Just as I was heading in for the day I decided to hit one more tree before calling it quits.  Before my jig hit bottom on the first cast  a bigger bass sucked it in.

 

A fat 21 inch 5 lb 14 oz

 

A great day to end the day.

 

I fished the afternoon bite on Sunday. Got on the water at noon. It was a super windy day with wind 10-15 mph out of the south. Usually when the wind is blowing out of the south the off shore trees are pretty good. I motored over to the trees. I had to anchored because the I couldn't hold with the trolling motor. I was fishing a jig and I could feel every branch. After a few casts I hooked a good fish.

 

It was a skinny fish but a good one just the same. 21 3/4 inches 5 lbs 5 oz

 

 After catching fish the day before off these trees and catching another nice fish on the first tree I decided to fish trees the rest of the day. I knew I would get numbers but I was after big fish. I was catching one fish per tree.  I was spending 30 minutes or so on each tree before moving to the next one. Then I would fish them all again. There is no way I could have fished these trees with out an anchor. I caught a few more nice fish off the trees including a 4 lbs 4 oz on a jig, a 3 lbs 9 ozer on a crank bait and a 5 lb 0 oz on a jig

 

5 lbs 0 oz

 

As you can tell from the picture there were some waves.

 

I fished the trees right up until dark. I wanted to night fish for a bit and wanted to fish around thick weeds. The night bit was decent. I was fishing a chatterbait, a spinnerbait and a buzzbait. After dark my biggest fish was a 3 lb 5 oz. I fished until midnight then called it quits.

 

 Tuesday evening I fished my favorite pond in Vermont. I got on the water at 4 pm and fished til midnight. The bite was really good. I was catching a lot of 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 lbers. I was tearing em up on a weightless rage craw fishing the primary drop into 15 feet of water. Takes patience for sure to fish such a light lure so deep. I went through a lot of rage craws. I was catching fish every other cast. I did not get anything over 3 lbs during the day. After the sun set I spent most of my time fishing a buzz bait. They were crushing it and every fish I caught was over 2 1/2 lbs. I caught a 3 lbs 0 oz and a 3 lbs 4 oz after dark. I lost the biggest fish I had on all day. It slurped down my buzz bait ripped off drag like a tarpon and then was gone, just came off. Only one other fish took off any drag all night and that was the 3-4. Whatever I lost was small. Bummer but it happens. After the rain picked up around midnight I called it quits. Although I lost that lunker it was still and amazing 8 hours of bass fishing, landing 58 bass before calling it quits.

 

Fishing has been great lately. No more post spawn blues for me.

 

I will be back on the water this evening.

[mhtranger]

That is awesome fishing. Wish I had that kind of fishing skills or patients to fish one spot so long. Maybe thats why I don't have any lunkers??

[Mainebass1984]

That is awesome fishing. Wish I had that kind of fishing skills or patients to fish one spot so long. Maybe thats why I don't have any lunkers??

 

It takes patience at times for sure but I have confidence in those spots.  A certain scenario seems to unfold when I fish certain spots. I will pull up to a spot and catch a half dozen or more fish from 2-3 lbs. Then I wont get a bite for 10 min, 15 min or longer. When you do get that next bite it usually is a big fish. This has happened to me many times in all different bodies of water. I think that at times the smaller 2-3 lbers are just getting to the bait quicker then the big old slow fish. The bigger fish  don't want have to move far or fast to get there next meal. At other times its all about first cast. Patience certainly pays off at times. I think that I fish slower then any one I have ever fished with. Most people like to fish fast and cover water. I like to concentrate my time on specific spots.

[bassboy107]

Hey guys, Coming up this weekend, I am fishing a club tournament (NHJuniorBassmasters). The tournament is going to be on Lake Winnipeasauke. Having only fished off a dock on vacation here a few times, I have no clue about anywhere to fish. We will be launching in Moultonborough. What I want to know is are the bass in shallow or out deep and possibly some areas to try out. Thanks!

[bobh64]

 

Recent trip down Mousam Lake this is my first video I made with my video sports camera.

[mebisho]

Fished Massabesic shores along the trail off Front Park. First time there, I got a small lmb on a spinnerbait and had a couple boils under an old Snag Proof popper. Will get the canoe in there soon. There was a bass boat just out of casting range who were onto a few fish, not sure what kind

Got a Clark's Guide today, what a great book. Vacation next week, will do lots of exploring of new waters

[Mainebass1984]

Fishing was pretty good yesterday afternoon. I took they local fisheries biologist out in my small boat on the local pond.  Even though we had a massive cold front come through the fishing was pretty good. We caught 42 bass form 4 until about 930. Most of our fish were caught on rage craws rigged weightless, weightless worms and top water poppers. It is always interesting hooking into big bass when fishing with 8 lb fluorocarbon around thick cover. I got broken off by TWO big bass yesterday evening. One was a ginormous lunker for sure. She took me to school, around a few tree roots and SNAP. That was sad. Oh well that happens I suppose. Did manage to catch a 3-14 and a 4-2 in that same thick cover. My friend caught a 3-1. Lots of 2 lbers. I will be getting out there again for sure. Big bass don't just break your line, they break your heart.

[Beverly Bassman]

I have to hand it to you, Mainebass. You get the numbers like nobody I've ever met or seen. Most of the time, you are getting 7 to 10 bass per hour. That is fantastic! I really never get more than 2 or 3 per hour. Lots of learning and skill improvements needed on my part. Are you getting those great numbers in big water or smaller lakes/ponds? Are these lakes highly pressured? When you fish the weightless rage craws, are you using the full size, baby size or the new Denny Brauer DB size?