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

[RMcDuffee726]

Still in college till May 15th...losing my mind looking at all these nice lunkers you guys are pulling.        

[nhbassin]

Hey guys, I have a tournament this weekend on Pawtuckaway and have never been there before. Anyone have any good past experiences with the lake that they would like to share?

[bucketmouth_fishin]

Hey guys, I have a tournament this weekend on Pawtuckaway and have never been there before. Anyone have any good past experiences with the lake that they would like to share?

Hey nhbassin,

 

I was out on that lake this past weekend. First time I fished it. The State Park side has a lot of deep clear water/rocks. You'll find a lot of SMB's over there. Hit the markers (rock piles) for suspending SMBs (Red rapala yo yo effect). I pulled them out of 8 - 12 ft of water. For the LMBs go to the shallow areas. I fished a lot of downed timber and there are some big fish hiding up behind the logs and brush piles. (Jig n Pig)

 

I assume you'll be dropping your rig in at the boat ramp? I didn't get that far because I dragged my jonboat in at my campsite, but I did find a lot of tiny bass and a few 2-3 lbers (KVD square bill, orange Craw color) as I started to head over that way. The water temps started on Friday in the mid to high 50's and by Sunday it was from 59 - 63 at the end of the day. They weren't going after any senkos, drop shots, or grubs.

 

The boat ramp side I heard is your best bet for LMBs. But there are downed timber all over the lake. The crappie are spawning and I don't think the bass are yet. 

[NEjitterbugger]

Caught my first NH bass on Monday after lacrosse practice, I caught 4 and my partner got 2, none over 2.5 - they were all caught on jigs... Had a big pickerel slam my 6.5 savage gear line thru which really got my blood pumping... Hoping to get back out this weekend

[NEjitterbugger]

Hey nhbassin,

 

I was out on that lake this past weekend. First time I fished it. The State Park side has a lot of deep clear water/rocks. You'll find a lot of SMB's over there. Hit the markers (rock piles) for suspending SMBs (Red rapala yo yo effect). I pulled them out of 8 - 12 ft of water. For the LMBs go to the shallow areas. I fished a lot of downed timber and there are some big fish hiding up behind the logs and brush piles. (Jig n Pig)

 

I assume you'll be dropping your rig in at the boat ramp? I didn't get that far because I dragged my jonboat in at my campsite, but I did find a lot of tiny bass and a few 2-3 lbers (KVD square bill, orange Craw color) as I started to head over that way. The water temps started on Friday in the mid to high 50's and by Sunday it was from 59 - 63 at the end of the day. They weren't going after any senkos, drop shots, or grubs.

 

The boat ramp side I heard is your best bet for LMBs. But there are downed timber all over the lake. The crappie are spawning and I don't think the bass are yet. 

 

I was seeing crappie sitting on beds where I was fishing monday, some pretty big ones too... 

[nhbassin]

Hey nhbassin,

 

I was out on that lake this past weekend. First time I fished it. The State Park side has a lot of deep clear water/rocks. You'll find a lot of SMB's over there. Hit the markers (rock piles) for suspending SMBs (Red rapala yo yo effect). I pulled them out of 8 - 12 ft of water. For the LMBs go to the shallow areas. I fished a lot of downed timber and there are some big fish hiding up behind the logs and brush piles. (Jig n Pig)

Thanks, that gives me a few options on how to approach the day. I appreciate the input.

[ipt]

anyone have luck at merrymeeting lake yet? might be up there this weekend.

[Fly_Fisherman]

Got out to a few small ponds in southern NH over the week. The shallows are chock full of fish between 1 and 3 lbs. I saw a few monsters swimming around but I couldn't get them to hit anything, Most of the fish came from a drop shot, jig and senkos. Surprisingly I've already seen quite a few fish on beds as well as some very close to making their nest. Spring has finally sprung!

[bwillis]

Got out to Hoit Rd Marsh on Wednesday, caught a big sunfish and a small bass w/ a Damiki Air Craw on a shaky head, and had a pickerel hit it as well.  My girlfriend's son caught a decent sized crappie on some powerbait wax worms.  Hit up Sondogardy Pond in Northfield this morning and got another small bass on the shaky head.

[YungAngler]

I'll be at the Quabbin tomorrow bright and early.  I know it's a hike for a lot of you NH guys, but if you've never been fishing there, I highy recommend it.  Some of the beast Small Mouth fishing I've ever experienced.  Such an amazing peaceful place to visit - a true Massachusetts jewel.

[Mainebass1984]

Big fish are shallow. Now is the time to catch some of the biggest bass where you are fishing. Fish a jig.

[bobh64]

No fishing Sunday (Mom's wifes, day) but will be out Tuesday I'm thinking of doing Lee's Mill on WInni hoping the water temps and shallow bite will be happening there. 

[jaystraw]

I'll be at the Quabbin tomorrow bright and early. I know it's a hike for a lot of you NH guys, but if you've never been fishing there, I highy recommend it. Some of the beast Small Mouth fishing I've ever experienced. Such an amazing peaceful place to visit - a true Massachusetts jewel.

I'm curious how your trip went? I'm planning on checking it out next week. Did you rent a boat?

[mebisho]

I had the best morning I've had since returning to fishing a year ago. Between 7:30-8:30 I caught 9bass up to 3 pounds, 4 good sized pickerel and a few slab crappie. I got a few more after that and then nothing after 11. I needed a day like that. Primarily beetle spins and spinner baits in the shallows

[NEjitterbugger]

Fly_Fisherman and I are going out in a bit.. I'm feeling a big MOMMA today 

[ipt]

anyone with a boat looking to fish on the weekends? i can bring the baits!

[clr9933]

I fished Champlain from shore yesterday.  I went out first thing in the morning to a point I fish from a lot, but only got two fish in a few hours.  I took a break in the middle of the day and went back to the same spot later in the afternoon when it had warmed up and had a couple hours full of nice smallies.  Even though I've now witnessed it many times, I'm always amazed at how the fish turn on and off with the wind.  It was overcast and hot Saturday, and the wind started rippin' and I immediately started catching fish.  I caught a couple on a perch colored jerkbait, but switched over to a watermelon super fluke with a little weight to it because it's a lot easier to cast in the wind.  I saw some gulls pluck baitfish from the same spot a couple times, so I sent my fluke in their direction and caught a 4lb smallie that cast.  I continued casting to where the gulls were feeding and caught multiple smallies around two-and-a-half pounds, and another good one that weighed 3lbs 12oz.  It's fun to see how quickly the fish react to the weather/wind conditions, and was pretty neat to watch what the birds were doing and get some good fish as a result.  I hope everyone was able to get out this weekend and lip some nice bass!

[NEjitterbugger]

Got out after a wave of thunder for 2 hours, we landed 3 or 4 each nothing of any size... Biggest around 2lbs

[Mainebass1984]

I fished Champlain from shore yesterday.  I went out first thing in the morning to a point I fish from a lot, but only got two fish in a few hours.  I took a break in the middle of the day and went back to the same spot later in the afternoon when it had warmed up and had a couple hours full of nice smallies.  Even though I've now witnessed it many times, I'm always amazed at how the fish turn on and off with the wind.  It was overcast and hot Saturday, and the wind started rippin' and I immediately started catching fish.  I caught a couple on a perch colored jerkbait, but switched over to a watermelon super fluke with a little weight to it because it's a lot easier to cast in the wind.  I saw some gulls pluck baitfish from the same spot a couple times, so I sent my fluke in their direction and caught a 4lb smallie that cast.  I continued casting to where the gulls were feeding and caught multiple smallies around two-and-a-half pounds, and another good one that weighed 3lbs 12oz.  It's fun to see how quickly the fish react to the weather/wind conditions, and was pretty neat to watch what the birds were doing and get some good fish as a result.  I hope everyone was able to get out this weekend and lip some nice bass!

 

Champlain is pretty awesome. I was out yesterday for 4 hours. Landed 10 biggest was a 3-14. All smallies. The bite it on.

[YungAngler]

I'm curious how your trip went? I'm planning on checking it out next week. Did you rent a boat?

The bass were cruising the shallows.  Got some early AM topwater hits and misses.  I threw jigs, craws, crankbaits, but couldnt get them to take anything.  There were guys catching bass near me, and they were using cranks.  I was getting a few defensive strikes but couldnt hook any bass.  I switched to a drop shot early afternoon, went deep, and caught 2 nice lake trout - one over 3 lbs.  Caught a decent size perch on a jig.  we left around 2PM so I'm sure the bass were getting more active as the water and air temp were rising.  It was a little chilly to start the morning.  We did rent a boat.  You'll need to get there early on the weekend as there was a line at the gate when we arrived.  Good luck, and let me know how you do.

[MainelyBASS]

A bass fisherman's worst nightmare happened last week. I blew the powerhead in my Mercury. I think my season is done after only 6 trips out. Im getting quotes from $3-$5K to repair with a new powerhead. Used O/B's arent that much more expensive. I have no clue what I am going to do. With my wife being pregnant with twins due in August I can't afford to repair the motor, even if I had the money to do so. Aside from losing a family member, this is the worst i've felt in my 31 years on earth. She was my baby.

[bobh64]

A bass fisherman's worst nightmare happened last week. I blew the powerhead in my Mercury. I think my season is done after only 6 trips out. Im getting quotes from $3-$5K to repair with a new powerhead. Used O/B's arent that much more expensive. I have no clue what I am going to do. With my wife being pregnant with twins due in August I can't afford to repair the motor, even if I had the money to do so. Aside from losing a family member, this is the worst i've felt in my 31 years on earth. She was my baby.

Sorry to hear, there's never a good time for something like that. At least your safe.

[DogBone_384]

X2 on your being safe & getting back to shore.

Best you can do is park it, keep your eye out for 'deals', and/or pick up more work when you can & replace it when you can.

Another question: do you own a kayak or canoe?

[je1946]

A bass fisherman's worst nightmare happened last week. I blew the powerhead in my Mercury. I think my season is done after only 6 trips out. Im getting quotes from $3-$5K to repair with a new powerhead. Used O/B's arent that much more expensive. I have no clue what I am going to do. With my wife being pregnant with twins due in August I can't afford to repair the motor, even if I had the money to do so. Aside from losing a family member, this is the worst i've felt in my 31 years on earth. She was my baby.

That surely is bad news.  My thoughts are with you and it can only get better from here.

[jaystraw]

A bass fisherman's worst nightmare happened last week. I blew the powerhead in my Mercury. I think my season is done after only 6 trips out. Im getting quotes from $3-$5K to repair with a new powerhead. Used O/B's arent that much more expensive. I have no clue what I am going to do. With my wife being pregnant with twins due in August I can't afford to repair the motor, even if I had the money to do so. Aside from losing a family member, this is the worst i've felt in my 31 years on earth. She was my baby.

I'm so so sorry to hear that. I've got a 90hp Merc. If you don't mind, how does that happen? I'm new to boat motors the last few years so I'm scared of everything.

Good luck with the twins! Kids are great!