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

[bobh64]

The new Deep diving suspending Shadow Rap really works, I watched a Ike tutorial on how this works. lake temps was 46-48 so bass were still in the transition phase ridges leading to shallows. I caught 7 smallmouth with this bait at any rocky ridge line 15-10 ft  the cadence was a twitch every 30-45 seconds so it was very slow fishing. the rest were on a Arashi squarebills . small black jig with a strike king craw. Once the wind kicked up the bite stopped for me but 13 total works for me on the first day out on the lake with the boat. 

 

 

 

 

[mebisho]

Went to Naticook for a few hours this morning. Caught seven small largemouth, biggest being 13 inches.  All were caught on a red lipless crank bait.  As I was packing up, I ended up meeting a fellow BR member, Mebisho.

I caught a few pickerel and a bull bluegill, caught on black back rat-l-trap.

[Phauren]

Swains has some nice smallmouth in it.

[bobh64]

Fished Horn Pond today.Still ice on the lake but everything was navigable in the boat. Main pond was 40 degrees caught 1 largemouth on a slow moving chatterbait on a rocky hump in 10 ft of water. I went to the feeder cove on the north part of the lake it was 47 and chuck full of 2-4lb bass spent a whole hour throwing everything I had without one single bite so I put my gopro camera on a stick and took some under water video, here's just one rock of those stubborn bass. I sure wished I could have found a way to catch them.

 

Here's the video I did today.

 

[Phauren]

I am waiting on this specialty remote control boat so i can hook up my go pro to it and get some underwater shots of my spot

[MikeOGNR]

Went out today on a good little pond water was warming up fast there and it was an easy paddle so I figured I'd put. Fished a jig painfully painfully slow with a Rage Craw in watermelon color managed to land this fish being the first NH bass of the 2015 season it was a decent sized one too.

[Mainebass1984]

 Yesterday  I met up with my friend Brandon and fished from 4 until dark on a local pond in the Champlain Valley. A cold front had passed through the day before dropping the air temperature 10 degrees and shifting the wind form south west to north. As typical with a cold front it was bright blue skies when we arrived. The wind blowing 5-10 out of the north had some bite to it, it was chilly. I was dressed for winter and I was warm. The water temperature was showing at 55 degrees but we were under the impression it was reading warmer then what it actually was. I was excited to just get out there. I hadn't been out all year. Our fist couple spots were rocky points that dropped quickly into around 20 feet of water. I started off with a jig and my friend was fishing a crank bait. I had a fish hit my jig three times but couldn't get the hook set. I clearly saw it. Probably was around 2 pounds or so. I was disappointed to have missed it but was hopeful I would have more opportunities. After about half an hour we moved to another rocky point with some deep trees near by. No hits there. Onward to the next deep rocky point. Again we had no hits. We had been fishing an hour and a half with no luck, not a single fish in the boat. We came to the conclusion that we needed to make a move. We decided to fish an more spring like pattern. We went all the way to the northwest corner of the pond. Typically I have experienced consistent success fishing the northwest corners of ponds and lakes in the early spring. They tend to have the warmest water and get the most sun. Once we arrived with in the first 5 minutes we both had caught fish. Nothing big, I had landed one about 2.5 lbs. The area looked good not only was it the northwest corner but it also was were a brook came in, another text book spring spot. The two of us were catching fish on chatterbaits. WE both landed fish on either side of the inlet. It sure did feel good catching bass again. The wind let down a bit and was blowing  maybe 5 mph at this point. Thinking to have found a pattern we went to another couple coves that had inlets that were in the northwest corner of the pond.  The fish were there and they were slammin our chatterbaits. The action was good. It was very different then the first hour and a half fishing deeper rock points which to me is more of a winter/summer pattern then early spring. The last two hours of the day we consistently caught fish on chatterbaits. The final total of the afternoon was 18 largemouth most between 1 - 2 lbs. We did catch 2 fish about 2.5 lbs. I landed lunker for the day, a 3 lb 9 oz. It felt so good to be out on the water again catching fish and figuring something resembling a pattern in a short amount of time. I am so ready to get out there again.

[bobh64]

Anyone else look at the amount of tournament pressure our NH lakes are getting? 55 on Winni, 11 on Northwood  10 for Sunapee, Squam (big) with over 30, 8 on great east not including maine tournaments and tournaments during spawning season? NH is killing the sport by unsustainable practices giving out permits like it's monopoly money. Some of these clubs should take the lead and start talking to the fisheries management and start limiting permits to spread out to more lakes instead of fishing 'neighborhood lakes" This is one of my biggest pet peeves that I keep talking about with the local fish & game in my area. I have been a tournament director for a club I used to fish in Maine and even the biggest lake (sebago) only have 5 permits most lakes only 4 permits and no tournaments during spawn season. You want to catch consistent big bass? fish Maine lakes!. I love NH, I'm a NH resident but I would rather fish in Maine where better bass fishing practices are the norm. Want proof fish with me anytime. For people in Mass or Vermont I haven't fished your waters for bass so I wouldn't know about your fisheries. Sorry for the rant

 

State of NH tournament schedual.

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fish_tournament_table.htm

[bass anytime]

I have never had a Maine fishing license but after talking to a friend of mine today, I'm going to buy a Maine non-resident license.  He fishes a lot of tournaments, and basically said the same as you that the NH lakes are being over fished.  The lakes in Maine are not seeing the same kind of pressure, resulting in better fishing. 

[bobh64]

I have never had a Maine fishing license but after talking to a friend of mine today, I'm going to buy a Maine non-resident license.  He fishes a lot of tournaments, and basically said the same as you that the NH lakes are being over fished.  The lakes in Maine are not seeing the same kind of pressure, resulting in better fishing. 

There are some great lakes worth making a trip to... Moose, Keezar, China and Cobbassy to name a couple. I live in the seacoast so I don't mind the 2 hr drives some of these takes. In fact the MLB fished the Belgrade areas last year and they loved it. Don't get me wrong Winni, Squam, Waukewan and such are nice lakes but they are no where near the bass sizes like they were 10 yrs ago.

[je1946]

So take the pressure and move it to Maine, then we can make Maine like NH makes sense to me. Ma is Close behind NH used to be able to go to the Cape and catch quality all day long, not anymore. That's what makes the Quabbin a special place, but you've got guys trying to conduct tourneys there now, all in the name of what?

[MikeOGNR]

There are some great lakes worth making a trip to... Moose, Keezar, China and Cobbassy to name a couple. I live in the seacoast so I don't mind the 2 hr drives some of these takes. In fact the MLB fished the Belgrade areas last year and they loved it. Don't get me wrong Winni, Squam, Waukewan and such are nice lakes but they are no where near the bass sizes like they were 10 yrs ago.

Is kezar actually called kezar on the map? I was looking and can't seem to find it. It is in Lovell right and after looking at some of the fish MaineBass brings up I wanna make the trip atleast once this summer.

[MikeOGNR]

Never mind found it haha

[bobh64]

Never mind found it haha

25 Town Beach Rd, Lovell, ME 04051 is the address for the launch.

[Mainebass1984]

25 Town Beach Rd, Lovell, ME 04051 is the address for the launch.

 

There aren't any bass in that lake.

[Mainebass1984]

Anyone else look at the amount of tournament pressure our NH lakes are getting? 55 on Winni, 11 on Northwood  10 for Sunapee, Squam (big) with over 30, 8 on great east not including maine tournaments and tournaments during spawning season? NH is killing the sport by unsustainable practices giving out permits like it's monopoly money. Some of these clubs should take the lead and start talking to the fisheries management and start limiting permits to spread out to more lakes instead of fishing 'neighborhood lakes" This is one of my biggest pet peeves that I keep talking about with the local fish & game in my area. I have been a tournament director for a club I used to fish in Maine and even the biggest lake (sebago) only have 5 permits most lakes only 4 permits and no tournaments during spawn season. You want to catch consistent big bass? fish Maine lakes!. I love NH, I'm a NH resident but I would rather fish in Maine where better bass fishing practices are the norm. Want proof fish with me anytime. For people in Mass or Vermont I haven't fished your waters for bass so I wouldn't know about your fisheries. Sorry for the rant

 

State of NH tournament schedual.

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fish_tournament_table.htm

 

With out a doubt Maine has some great bass fishing. In my own opinion it is not the amount of "pressure" that determines the quality of a fishery. It is how it is managed and the fishery itself that determines its quality. The way that the sport has evolved catch and release is practiced by virtually all bass fisherman. There a few guys that keep bass and certainly quite a few meat fisherman that do so as well. Again, in my own opinion, you don't need to look any further then the bag limits to see how Maine is managing its bass fisheries for more and quality fish. In Maine you are allowed to keep 2 fish with a minimum of 10 inches, only one may exceed 14. That is a pretty stingy bag limit in my opinion. NH bag limit is a bit more complicated and allows for the harvest of more bass and more bigger bass. Jan 1 - March 31st, 2 fish only one over 16 inches. April 1 - May 14th  2 fish no length limit. May 15th - June 15th catch and release, artificial lure only. June 16th - 30th 2 fish no length limit. July 1st - Dec 31st 5 fish no length limit. With NH regulations as they allow harvest of more and bigger bass. From July 1st you could harvest 5 fish of any size and I am sure there are individuals that are targeting and keeping 5 fish over 18 or 20 inches. Vermont's regulations aren't that much better. April 11th - June 12th catch and release. Then from June 13th to Nov 30th you are allowed to keep 5 fish minimum length of 10 inches. Again with Vermont's regulation as it is a large portion of the year you could keep 5 20" bass. I have personally seen this first hand several times on Champlain.  Of the three states regulations Maine has by far the most restrictive. This allows more fish to grow to bigger size and live longer lives. Maine is effectively managing for more and bigger bass. Another aspect of tournament pressure to mention is the size of the lake or pond that is being fished. As you mentioned Bob there are 55 tournaments on Winni, most of those are smaller tournaments less then 25 boats. Winni is a big body of water though at over 55,000 acres. The fish populations in that lake is so large and spread over such a vast area. I am sure there are many unpressured fish in that lake. There are unpressured fish in every single lake. There are still many unpressured lakes in your area. I know some guys that fish them. The most popular lakes get all the attention and most of the permits. If you want to fish unpressured lakes find a dirt boat ramp or a carry top only boat ramp. Those types of places see little pressure because bass fisherman cant launch there boats there. Fishing pressure doesn't effect the size of fish that a lake produces. It does in my opinion make them more difficult to catch. Some of my biggest bass have come from a tournament pressured water in Maine. Fishing pressure isn't only about tournaments. A non tournament anglers put the same amount of " fishing pressure" on a lake. It is all relative. Fishing pressure does not effect fish size. Bass fishing in the south is year round and the amount of tournaments is mindboggling. Yet even with the near constant pressure big fish are routinely caught out of the most popular lakes.  As I said earlier fishing pressure does not effect the size of bass a lake or pond can produce. It just isn't that simple. They are a product of their environment. There are so many factors that must be taken into consideration that lead to a lake being able to produce big fish or not. Some lakes simply can not produce numbers of quality bass. There are other lakes that are big bass factories.  I do think that Maine is managing it Bass fisheries more effectively then NH or VT. The notion though that if you want to catch big bass just go to Maine and 6's and 7s will be jumping all over your lures is far fetched. Its not that easy. Maine does have some amazing bass fishing opportunities, no doubt about it. NH, VT, MA all have great opportunities as well as long as you know where to go and what to do. You want more and bigger bass in NH ? Ask your biologists to make the daily bag limits more restrictive.

[Nashua Nev]

Well put Nate.   there are some really nice fish in some small kayak, canoe water, and no motor water.

cartop and carry in places.   and there is a lot of that type of water.   

[nhbassin]

Good discussion point. I agree with everything you said, Nate, except I think that the problem in NH with tourneys is the fish being put in live wells. Yes, recreational fishermen put pressure on the fish, but keeping a bass in a live well on a hot day for multiple hours, even with additives and ice, usually does not leave them in good shape. It may not be directly harvesting fish from the lakes, but it definitely has some health consequences for the biggest 5 fish that tourney anglers catch throughout a day.

[bobh64]

Hoping to get out Sunday thinking it might be Lovell if the ramp is busy then to Great East.

[Mainebass1984]

Good discussion point. I agree with everything you said, Nate, except I think that the problem in NH with tourneys is the fish being put in live wells. Yes, recreational fishermen put pressure on the fish, but keeping a bass in a live well on a hot day for multiple hours, even with additives and ice, usually does not leave them in good shape. It may not be directly harvesting fish from the lakes, but it definitely has some health consequences for the biggest 5 fish that tourney anglers catch throughout a day.

 

Keeping a fish in a live well any day puts stress on them. A hot day for multiple hours, puts even more stress on them especially if you are fishing for deep water smallies in the middle of July or August. Keeping them in a live well most certainly will always put stress on them but it is much more fish friendly then taking them home for the fish fryer. Keeping fish in your live well and keeping them alive, is a very important aspect of tournament bass fishing. Unfortunately in todays world you can not have one and not the other. It is more fish friendly then the first generation of bass tournaments where you would kill the bass you caught and bring them back on a stringer to the weigh in.

[Mainebass1984]

This afternoon I snuck away for 3 hours of fishing. It was a balmy 43 degrees when I arrived at the launch at 4 pm. The wind was blowing out of the northwest sustained at 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph according to noaa. It was gusting frequently and the constant 15 mph wind made fishing a challenge. I had just got a new fish finder and was determined to check it out and catch some bass while doing so. It was very cold out. My hands were not the warmest as I was casting my baitcasters. The water temperature was 46 degrees. The new trolling motor and fish finder worked well. It was a challenge to fish with the wind as brutal as it was.  I am glad that I had a 55 lb thrust trolling motor, I am not sure I could have dealt with the wind and waves other wise. My first couple of spots were in the wind and almost impossible to fish with out anchoring. After a couple of minutes attempting to fish in the gusting wind I decided to make a big move to the northwest corner of the pond. With the wind gusting out of the north west the northwest corner of the pond was the most protected from the wind. I was able to almost effectively fish my jig. It was a constant battle with the wind but it was worth it. In 3 hours I had 6 bites landing 5 largemouth. All of the bass were caught on jigs. The fish were decent in size. The biggest two bass were 4 lbs 2 oz and 3 lbs 9 oz. Other then the jig I attempted to fish a chatterbait, spinnerbait, a crankbait and tube.

[bobh64]

Keeping a fish in a live well any day puts stress on them. A hot day for multiple hours, puts even more stress on them especially if you are fishing for deep water smallies in the middle of July or August. Keeping them in a live well most certainly will always put stress on them but it is much more fish friendly then taking them home for the fish fryer. Keeping fish in your live well and keeping them alive, is a very important aspect of tournament bass fishing. Unfortunately in todays world you can not have one and not the other. It is more fish friendly then the first generation of bass tournaments where you would kill the bass you caught and bring them back on a stringer to the weigh in.

Last couple years I have perfected fish venting didn't know how serious this was till someone saved a fish for me during a tournament. 

[MilfordNHBasser]

Any recommendations for spots today? I need to catch fish! Looking for southern NH places, Nashua, Hollis, Brookline, Milford, Mason, Ringe, Wilton, Lyndeborough, New Ipswich, Peterborough, Temple, Jaffrry, Greenville, Francestown, etc.

[MikeOGNR]

Any recommendations for spots today? I need to catch fish! Looking for southern NH places, Nashua, Hollis, Brookline, Milford, Mason, Ringe, Wilton, Lyndeborough, New Ipswich, Peterborough, Temple, Jaffrry, Greenville, Francestown, etc.

Pleasant Pond or Haunted Lake in francestown are usually pretty good. I caught a 5lber around this time at scobie. Just fish deeper parts of both those places and fish slow. Jig would be your best bet.

[Nashua Nev]

a pond in the sun, so the water is a tad warmer than last weekends outing where it was not even 50.