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

[Mainebass1984]

It was supposed to be my weekend off but that changed unfortunately. Oh well. Looks like I will be fishing in Maine next weekend. After work yesterday I fished from 4 until 11pm. The water temp was 76 degrees. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. The wind was supposed to be calm but t picked up out the north west at 5-15 mph. That sucked. Once I got to my first spot I put a few fish in the boat and the fishing was pretty good numbers wise. I lost a bigger fish that buried me in the weeds. I guess that is a downfall when using 8 lb fluorocarbon.  The night fishing was pretty productive. The moon was super bright. After dark the average size of the fish I caught went up a bit and I caught my 5 biggest bass after dark. The biggest was a 3 lb 5 oz on a buzzbait that isn't made anymore. Once I had called it a day I had landed 37 largemouth and 3 slimy pickerel. The size of the bass has gone down a bit at this particular pond in recent weeks but catching sure is fun. I am taking a friend fishing after work today. Hopefully we will get em a bit better.

 

Good luck every one !

[salmotrutta]

Hit up Harvey Lake in Northwood this morning for the first time in about 10 years.Water temp. was 73 deg.The bass could be found on the top edges of dropoffs in about 6 to 8 feet.Lost count but they were all small.Nothing over 1 1/2 lbs.The crappie were bigger.Most fish were caught on a tube in Bluegill.I love tube fishing.I don't think many people throw them so it gives the Bass a different look.They wanted a slow drag with a little shimmy.Not a sharp hop off bottom.Anyone else throw tubes?

[bobh64]

Hit up Harvey Lake in Northwood this morning for the first time in about 10 years.Water temp. was 73 deg.The bass could be found on the top edges of dropoffs in about 6 to 8 feet.Lost count but they were all small.Nothing over 1 1/2 lbs.The crappie were bigger.Most fish were caught on a tube in Bluegill.I love tube fishing.I don't think many people throw them so it gives the Bass a different look.They wanted a slow drag with a little shimmy.Not a sharp hop off bottom.Anyone else throw tubes?

I always have a tube rigged up either black with blue flakes or pumpkinseed green, depends on the depth I fish. I also have them rigged with a rattle hook.

[Nashua Nev]

Let me ask you Nashua River anglers, do you prefer parking at Mill Pond and fish north or parking atTilton Road and fishing south?.

 

To answer simpy---  Stellos dam up past Tilton st a bit.

 

to answer more completly...

 

There are a few places to fish the Nashua river.  And there are 3 parts of the river.   I call it the upper and the lower,  and the end.

 

the upper part Starts above the dam right behind Stellos staduim and goes up river to Hollis Runnels bridge where it gets to rocky to go any further by boat.   --- you can keep going just not by boat.     You go left from the awesome ramp they made and up river just a bit you will pass the Tilton st ramp.    I fish mainly between Stello and a little past the Tilton st ramp.   I only have trolling motor.  To my knowledge there is no other boat access on this upper part unless you know someone or are part of the Lone Pine club. (There are many private places to launch)

 

If you are parking at the Hockey rink you are at Mill pond ,It is fed water from a culvert under the pump house way left.  This pump house is accessed from the Stellos dam    Completely straight across from the dirt access to the right of the hockey rink is the man made canal that ends at Pine Street extension over in downtown Nashua area.  It actually goes under ground thru a huge pipe system, under clocktower buildings and dumps back into the lower part of the Nashua river behind the Building.

 

What i call the lower part of the Nashua river is accessed at 2 places i now of.  Behind Clocktower buildings is Technology way.  You need written permission to use this access.  (it is easy to get written permission).  You can use a trailer and a decent size bass boat here very easily.      You can also launch a canoe ,kayak , jon boat off of Front st. (you must carry it to the water about 75 feet.)

This lower part ends at the top of the dam at Margaritas on Main st.  if you go the other way it will lead you way up and back to the bottom of the dam at Stellos.   you can go almost all the way with a small boat and motor.

 

the End of the river starts at the bottom of the dam at Margaritas and ends where it dumps into the Merrimack river.

 

As far as fishing the areas go.    The upper part for me has been mainly largemouth and pickerel, with a few smallmouth.  I fish mainly between the dam and a little past the Tilton ramp.  This time of year i am fishing weeds, grass and lily pads.  It takes a long time to learn a river,  and then when you learn it,   next year it is different.

 

The lower part i out in at Technology way ramp.  I have only fished it once this year (with Shane) 1 largemouth and a few small smallies.  There is some major work going on in this area with the new circumferential highway going in. Last year they lowered the river to replace the dam at Margaritas and it screwed everything all up.   2 years ago it was mainly smallmouth. 

 

The end part past Margaritas i have not fished this year.   Last year sucked with the lowered water.   the year before was decent with a few smallies over 2 1/2 lbs but mostly 1 - 2 lbers.    Best luck fishing here was when the water was moving the slowest and fishing around the lower part of the dam near Margarittas and down river about 100 yards.   Also the area right where it dumps into the Merrimack.   Accessed from the Merrimack river by boat or from shore near where they are doing all the construction at the Hudson bridge.

[mebisho]

Thanks Nev, as always you give a lot of info. I like Mill Pond, I've got my biggest of the year so far there. I drive to the Tilton ramp yesterday, I will try there next weekend. I drifted up to the Turnpike bridge yesterday, fishing here and there. It seemed like any brush pile held fish. I saw a sizable bass but he saw me too. Again, thanks for the input. I will let you know what happens

[lonewolf89]

Hope everyone is having some fun on the water and catching some pigs.  Haven't been on in a while so many projects, haven't spent much time fishing either.  Hopefully be out alot more the rest of the season.  Tight lines everyone.

[lonewolf89]

 

 

 

Cool Drone shot from last week of me on Great East.

 

That picture is great gives a whole different perspective

[mebisho]

Went to Dicks today. They are having a buy one, get second half off on all plastics. I got some of these Rage Claws that you guys are always talking about. So let's see what these things can do

[Fly_Fisherman]

Just wondering, does anyone have experience fishing the Connecticut River in Hinsdale? Gonna be doing a tournament there in a few weeks and any info will help.

[MikeOGNR]

Quick question for anyone who fishes the Merrimack area. Is there any other entrance to the Penichuck near PC connection besides going through the long swamp canal? Heard it's good fishing in there and would like to find an alternative entrance.

[JoyoftheCatch]

Quick question for anyone who fishes the Merrimack area. Is there any other entrance to the Penichuck near PC connection besides going through the long swamp canal? Heard it's good fishing in there and would like to find an alternative entrance.

Ive been wondering the same thing. Any help would be appreciated

[Nashua Nev]

i only know of Witches Spring brook to get in,It is off of N Hollis rd,  then out the other end of the pond which leads to behind behind the Church.

[Beverly Bassman]

I know I am going to get attacked by everyone on this board, and I know they are a sponsor of this site, but I have had very poor luck with rage craws. I have had better luck with space monkeys and roosters. The regular craws don't work in the waters I fish. I have spent probably spent 30 hours throwing them in 6 or 7 colors on Texas rigs. Maybe two fish in all that time. As soon as I put down the craws and throw something else, I catch fish. I almost think the rage craws have become a "hot" lure and fish are getting conditioned to them. I fish very highly pressured waters, so that may be part of it. I do ok using the craws as a jig trailer, where I bite off about half an inch of the body. I did recently try the baby rage craws with a very small sinker as a "finesse" presentation. Lots of hits from bluegill on that but no bass.

Let the attacks begin...

[YungAngler]

I know I am going to get attacked by everyone on this board, and I know they are a sponsor of this site, but I have had very poor luck with rage craws. I have had better luck with space monkeys and roosters. The regular craws don't work in the waters I fish. I have spent probably spent 30 hours throwing them in 6 or 7 colors on Texas rigs. Maybe two fish in all that time. As soon as I put down the craws and throw something else, I catch fish. I almost think the rage craws have become a "hot" lure and fish are getting conditioned to them. I fish very highly pressured waters, so that may be part of it. I do ok using the craws as a jig trailer, where I bite off about half an inch of the body. I did recently try the baby rage craws with a very small sinker as a "finesse" presentation. Lots of hits from bluegill on that but no bass.

Let the attacks begin...

I've have good luck with most Rage Tail products.  I mostly buy the craws just cuz their so versatile.  As you mentioned they work great as a trailer.  My advice would be to slow down your presentation, and don't be so focused on color.  Try them weightless, or go a size up or down in weight depending on the conditions.  Also, don't be afraid to throw them on a weighted swim bait hook.  I'm sure other guys will chime in, but my guess is you're being generous with you're "30 hours" of throwing rage craws.  When I'm not catching fish, time def. slows down.  I've caught some very large bass on the craw, weighted as well as weight less.  For sure, switch your baits if they're biting something else, but don't give up on the rage craw just yet.   The fishing has been a a little slow for me the past couple weeks, but I've been consistantly throwing craws and jigs and catching very nice fish, many over 3 lbs.  I think the rage craw is the best soft craw bait out there, and I've used probably all of them.  Although a little delicate, they seem to mimic a real craw the best in the water.  Most of the bodies of water I fish are loaded with craws.  I've seen several in the bellies and throats of fish I've caught this year.  That right there is a strong reason to keep one tied on. 

[Beverly Bassman]

I've have good luck with most Rage Tail products.  I mostly buy the craws just cuz their so versatile.  As you mentioned they work great as a trailer.  My advice would be to slow down your presentation, and don't be so focused on color.  Try them weightless, or go a size up or down in weight depending on the conditions.  Also, don't be afraid to throw them on a weighted swim bait hook.  I'm sure other guys will chime in, but my guess is you're being generous with you're "30 hours" of throwing rage craws.  When I'm not catching fish, time def. slows down.  I've caught some very large bass on the craw, weighted as well as weight less.  For sure, switch your baits if they're biting something else, but don't give up on the rage craw just yet.   The fishing has been a a little slow for me the past couple weeks, but I've been consistantly throwing craws and jigs and catching very nice fish, many over 3 lbs.  I think the rage craw is the best soft craw bait out there, and I've used probably all of them.  Although a little delicate, they seem to mimic a real craw the best in the water.  Most of the bodies of water I fish are loaded with craws.  I've seen several in the bellies and throats of fish I've caught this year.  That right there is a strong reason to keep one tied on.

[bassboy107]

Ok so please excuse my rant that's about to go down, but banning all lead in NH is going to far. Here are my reasons,

1. Tungsten is more expensive than lead. 2. I myself would be getting rid of pretty much ALL or my jigs, except for 2. I have 2 full 3700 plano boxes full of lead jigs that i wouldn't be able to use as of 2016. Being 15 years old, I dont have a flow of money or the extra money to spend on tungsten. 3. I have been looking at tungsten jigs, but I have yet to find a brush jig. Has anyone else found one? I contacted siebert outdoors and asked if he was coming out with a brush jig, but he said he was having trouble making one. The selection of tungsten jigs is few for what i have found. These points are coming from my point of view and my opinions. Im not saying banning lead is bad, I am just pointing towards that banning ALL lead is going too far. I was somewhat ok with the previous law of banning all lead sinkers and jigs under an inch, but all lead is too far IMO

[Mainebass1984]

Looking forward to fishing this weekend in Maine.

 

Rage craws work best in my opinion as a jig trailer and have caught huge fish using them.

[OneShotOneKill]

I've have good luck with most Rage Tail products.  I mostly buy the craws just cuz their so versatile.  As you mentioned they work great as a trailer.  My advice would be to slow down your presentation, and don't be so focused on color.  Try them weightless, or go a size up or down in weight depending on the conditions.  Also, don't be afraid to throw them on a weighted swim bait hook.  I'm sure other guys will chime in, but my guess is you're being generous with you're "30 hours" of throwing rage craws.  When I'm not catching fish, time def. slows down.  I've caught some very large bass on the craw, weighted as well as weight less.  For sure, switch your baits if they're biting something else, but don't give up on the rage craw just yet.   The fishing has been a a little slow for me the past couple weeks, but I've been consistantly throwing craws and jigs and catching very nice fish, many over 3 lbs.  I think the rage craw is the best soft craw bait out there, and I've used probably all of them.  Although a little delicate, they seem to mimic a real craw the best in the water.  Most of the bodies of water I fish are loaded with craws.  I've seen several in the bellies and throats of fish I've caught this year.  That right there is a strong reason to keep one tied on. 

 

x2 to the whole post but highlighted items especially. I catch a ton of fish on Rage tail products no matter what body of water i'm on...river, pond, lake, or swamp..clear water or dirty, they just flat out catch fish. I'd say 80% of the time i catch fish on a rage craw It's being fished in a presentation that doesn't even mimic a crayfish. I fish them quite often on a keel weighted VMC drop dead hook, or the rage lobster and space monkeys on a 4/0 1/4oz owner beast swim-bait hook. I've never seen craws swim through the middle of the water column or bubble across the surface but the fish still hammer them. I'll use the lobster on a trokar tk130 with a 1/2oz tungsten weight and punch through light vegetation, It really is a versatile bait.

[KingZ]

Bass boy check out L&N Jigs, located in Nashua and they are lead free. You can get some custom made or choose from existing colors. Look em up on google, great products, been smashing lmb all over nh with them.

[Beverly Bassman]

My 30 hours estimate us low. I have been on the water 34 times in the last two seasons, at least 4 hours each time. That is on the order of 150 hours. It's more than 30 hours.

[Beverly Bassman]

I keep detailed records on all my fishing. I like the look and feel of rage craws. But Texas weighting them and flipping in or near cover has been unproductive where I fish.. I'm not saying other craws work better. I haven't tried. And I do ok on a few other rage products. But rage craws have only caught fish successfully for me as jig trailers. And frankly rage chunks are better for that. If you watch Extreme Angler TV on YouTube, that guys hammers them on Texas rigged rage craws. That's where I really got the inspiration to fish them heavily for a while. But when I flip Gene Larew, Reaction Injovation or Yammamoto soft plastics, they outperform the rage products in the same water and cover.

[jaystraw]

Got out today on Highland Lake and froze our butts off!  Felt way more like October than August today, and fished like it as well. 

 

Pretty slow until the afternoon, and then caught a 3lber and then this 5 lb 13 oz beauty. 

 

 

Love that place.  Shane, I'm trying to free up a Saturday as soon as possible!!!!

[mebisho]

Nice fish jaystraw

[mebisho]

I've read every page iof this thread and was convinced to use a jig and rage craw combo. Today I lost what might have been the fish of a lifetime on this rig. Never saw it but felt its pull and it peeled off several feet if line then snap. 20# flouro was somehow cut. I don't mind losing it but would've liked to have seen it

The jig and rage claw will be a regular bullet in my aresenal

[mhtranger]

Could it have been a pickerel?