Super User DogBone_384 Posted January 27 Super User Posted January 27 I packed up my ice gear and met @Mr. Aquarium and a couple of his friends 'over the bridge' in attempt to pull some fish though the ice. The pond we fished was more crowded than I've ever seen it while open. There were four groups in what we thought were the good spots. Nobody chased flags during the day. @Mr. Aquarium pulled up a few perch on one of his homemade jigs. We grilled up some food and waited... and waited ... I talked to another group that had the choice spot on the pond and they reported no flags and combined they pulled up one LMB, one SMB, one pickerel, and a few perch on jigs. By 3:00-ish, we were the last group on the ice and with the wind picking up, we packed it in. I stopped at my favorite Plymouth kettle on the way home for an hour or so with the same result as Cape Cod. There was one other guy drilling holes when I arrived. He said he'd had no luck. I ended up feeding my shiners to a seagull that was hanging around. Even though I didn't catch anything, the weather was good and I got out and ate some good food. The ice thickness was 5 - 6". Air pressure was 30 and winds were 12 mph from the SW until the afternoon when they picked up to over 15. 1 Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted January 27 Super User Posted January 27 Seems like a slow day all over the state yesterday. We went out for 4 hours and only had 1 flag to save the skunk. Couldn't even jig up any perch. The groups next to us didn't fair much better. Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted February 1 Super User Posted February 1 Nothing on the fishing front to report but I swung by the New England Fishing Expo in Marlborough. I arrived about 1/2 hour after it opened and found it pretty packed. It looked much like last years’ show with many small vendors from around the area. Sean from ReelNorthernBass, a NH YouTuber, has a booth there. He has 4 seminars scheduled this weekend. If you’ve seen his live broadcast on Wednesday nights, you know he’s knowledgeable and well spoken. Look him up and support a local fisherman if you can. I bought a couple flannel shirts from him that might be good luck this late winter/early Spring. Ranger had one of their new Alpha boats on display. It looked great with a big wide deck, but even the show price of $65K was too much for my liking. I picked up three Douglas rods from Ben’s Tackle Shop, a Xmatrix 745F, LRS S704F, and ICE 32. Their show pricing was worth picking up a couple more rods I really don’t need that fill a couple ‘holes’ I kept telling myself I had in my collection. Now all we need is a quick thaw so we can get at it again. Lets hope Punxsutawney Phil gives us a quick Spring. Quote
Mr. Aquarium Posted February 3 Posted February 3 It was a great show, I bought a lot of apparel , saw some people I haven’t seen in a while. Bought some soft plastics and a swimbait. The theme of the show with lures was trying different stuff! Also bought some jerky and hot peppers 1 Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted February 3 Super User Posted February 3 On 1/31/2025 at 7:05 PM, DogBone_384 said: Nothing on the fishing front to report but I swung by the New England Fishing Expo in Marlborough. I arrived about 1/2 hour after it opened and found it pretty packed. It looked much like last years’ show with many small vendors from around the area. Sean from ReelNorthernBass, a NH YouTuber, has a booth there. He has 4 seminars scheduled this weekend. If you’ve seen his live broadcast on Wednesday nights, you know he’s knowledgeable and well spoken. Look him up and support a local fisherman if you can. I bought a couple flannel shirts from him that might be good luck this late winter/early Spring. Ranger had one of their new Alpha boats on display. It looked great with a big wide deck, but even the show price of $65K was too much for my liking. I picked up three Douglas rods from Ben’s Tackle Shop, a Xmatrix 745F, LRS S704F, and ICE 32. Their show pricing was worth picking up a couple more rods I really don’t need that fill a couple ‘holes’ I kept telling myself I had in my collection. Now all we need is a quick thaw so we can get at it again. Lets hope Punxsutawney Phil gives us a quick Spring. My dad got talked into getting a Douglas XMatrix Swimbait rod at last year's show along with a 300 sized Lew's. I've been pretty impressed by the rod it's got a solid backbone but the tip section is really nice and doesn't make it feel like a pool queue but doesn't load the whole rod either. It's a nice in-between balance. Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted February 3 Super User Posted February 3 5 hours ago, MassYak85 said: It's a nice in-between balance. I'm looking forward to using mine. I was under the impression they were made in the US, but I was wrong. The show price was worth trying one. My two jig rods are Kistler Heliums, so I have high expectations. Perhaps by the end of the month? 9 hours ago, Mr. Aquarium said: Also bought some jerky You have to try Onns Specialties' jerky.... They have a website but I'm not sure you can order online. They usually have a booth/tent at all the craft shows around MA, especially the Cape. Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted February 5 Super User Posted February 5 I’m lucky to have caught fish in open water for 3 years 10 months, through New Years’ 2025. I tossed my sled, tip ups, and ice rods in my truck and drove to Plymouth. There I found 5-6” ice … booo … I set tip ups at 12’, 15’, 18’, and 20’ off a point. Two bald eagles cruised overhead while I drilled more holes around the area and jigged a brown hair jig, white/chartreuse feathered jig, and gold blade bait. My 12’ flag went up and through the ice came a 5_2 LMB, like a bag of sand. I’ll take it! I stayed until winds got past 20 mph. I moved my tip ups around the pond and continued with my jig rods without a bite. Water temps were 36.x, winds started light and increased steadily from the NW. Air pressure was 29.8. 1 Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted February 9 Super User Posted February 9 OK …. I need OPEN WATER!!!!! Anyone else? 1 Quote
919ProXP Posted February 9 Posted February 9 1 hour ago, DogBone_384 said: OK …. I need OPEN WATER!!!!! Anyone else? Yeah same here. I have cabin fever bad!! Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted February 9 Super User Posted February 9 23 minutes ago, 919ProXP said: I have cabin fever bad!! I wonder how far south we have to go to get open water ?!?!??!?!?!?!?! I guess it's my auger and shiners tomorrow .... Quote
Mr. Aquarium Posted February 10 Posted February 10 I’m dying! I’m over winter. I miss winters when we can kayak fish! I’m over this snow and ice crap! If I was in NH or CO and I can actually enjoy the snow awesome. But down here it sucks. 1 Quote
ne_dan Posted February 10 Posted February 10 ^ I agree everything has been iced over since around Christmas, even the rivers around here are either locked up or have ice 5-10' out along the banks. Going from fishing 5+ days a week to nothing is killing me. Last year winter was great, this year is horrible. I'm hoping that when March hits some open water shows up. Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted February 11 Super User Posted February 11 Looking like a more traditional New England Winter. I've been doing some winter hikes and haven't been on the ice much, but with the weather this year I can't see getting out before April on open water. Which will break my streak of going out the first week in march the last 3 years. Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted February 13 Super User Posted February 13 On 2/11/2025 at 9:33 AM, MassYak85 said: my streak of going out the first week in march the last 3 years. My 3 year 10 month streak of catching fish in open MA water is shot too. I'm making the best of it. I augured holes at two Plymouth ponds this afternoon. Came up empty at #1 and pulled up a SMB and YP (both a hair under two pounds) at #2. The SMB went for a 1/4 oz blade bait straight away. The perch took a shiner via tip up. The perch was gut hooked but I got it freed and let it keep the shiner that was half way down its throat. The ice was 4 - 5" at the first pond but a little sketchy at the second pond, maybe 3" and gray. The second pond is close to the Sagamore bridge. Water temps were 36.x at both ponds. We might just have open water on the Cape by early March if we're lucky. Quote
1984isNOW Posted February 20 Posted February 20 I'm just hoping the big girls survived the low water levels and deep freeze, especially on the already shallow ponds I'm starting to get the ache back, visions of losing 6#rs flashing before my eyes Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted February 20 Super User Posted February 20 6 hours ago, 1984isNOW said: I'm starting to get the ache back STARTING? You're a couple weeks behind @Mr. Aquarium and I. @Saltysmalljaws hasn't been out since last Fall. 😜 Next week's forecast calls for 'normal' temperatures, so ice out is OTW. I pulled a 5_2 out of the ice in Plymouth two weeks ago. I'm confident the big girls are OK. 1 Quote
Mr. Aquarium Posted February 20 Posted February 20 I’ve been dying since iced in. Im not liking these normal typical New England winters. We’ve been spoiled the past few years. I could open water fish all winter! Quote
1984isNOW Posted February 20 Posted February 20 3 hours ago, DogBone_384 said: _ I've been distracting myself quite heartily, trying to teach myself to build a home lab of sorts, starting with some basic network set up. But I accidentally watched a fishing video on YouTube and it reminded me of that feeling you get when you're not really expecting a bite but then you get one and you're caught off guard and I'll prepared so you yank a janky hook set and fiddle around slapping the fish in the head with the net until it jumps one foot in front of you two feet out of the water and flips you the middle fin while it spits the hook and you're left sitting there in awe and dismay wondering if you should just paddle back to shore and never fish again... Know what I mean? 5#2 is a nice fish man, congrats. But I get the sense Plymouth waters/fish are in a bit better shape than up on the north shore. 1 Quote
Mr. Aquarium Posted February 20 Posted February 20 I can’t tell you how many PBs and other giant fish. I’ve lost like really giant fish. Horsed them pulled the hook, thrashing their head at the surface cuz they can’t fully jump, digging in the weeds, dull hooks, drag to tight, drag to loose. It hurts every single time but it helps you learn of what not to do. So when you do hook that giant fish you have a better chance to land them. My 8lbs 2 ounce I caught in April of 2022, she nipped an 8 inch glide bait. She had one hook point in her mouth. Shouldn’t have landed that one, but I did! I can remember most of my giant fish fishes I’ve lost and the ones I’ve landed 1 1 Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted February 20 Super User Posted February 20 4 hours ago, 1984isNOW said: But I get the sense Plymouth waters/fish are in a bit better shape than up on the north shore. I don't fish on the North Shore, but no matter what there are NO fish in Plymouth .... 😜 4 hours ago, 1984isNOW said: I accidentally watched a fishing video There is no accidentally watching fishing videos when we're iced out ... it keeps us looking forward to that first 'TICK' of the season. Good luck with your lab and keep thinking that 'TICK' is only 4-6 weeks away! 1 Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted February 20 Super User Posted February 20 Been sitting on a bass pro card for a long time I might just stock up on some 110s before ice-out to be prepared. 1 Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted February 20 Super User Posted February 20 43 minutes ago, MassYak85 said: I might just stock up on some 110s Good luck. Foxboro’s variety lacks a bit. I’ve used Stunna 112’s the last couple years in place of Megabass with good luck. They’re great baits for the money. Perch and Northern Lights do well in my waters. Are you on Kittery Trading Post’s mailing list? They have flash sales & on-line coupons and allow the discount for Megabass. I’ve picked up too many 110’s of all colors & sizes that way. Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted February 20 Super User Posted February 20 48 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said: Good luck. Foxboro’s variety lacks a bit. I’ve used Stunna 112’s the last couple years in place of Megabass with good luck. They’re great baits for the money. Perch and Northern Lights do well in my waters. Are you on Kittery Trading Post’s mailing list? They have flash sales & on-line coupons and allow the discount for Megabass. I’ve picked up too many 110’s of all colors & sizes that way. Was gonna order through their site. I agree the Foxboro store leaves a lot to be desired. Quote
Mr. Aquarium Posted February 20 Posted February 20 Ive been loving the head hunter minnows. They run only 8 bucks but suspend great in cold water! Quote
1984isNOW Posted February 21 Posted February 21 10 hours ago, Mr. Aquarium said: , b What were the top 5 catches caught on and what was the time/conditions? I bagged something like a 6/7# last year and I wasn't prepared for it= no scale. I happened to just go out after work unplanned and my scale was in my life jacket wit the yak. Was like midnight on a black bladed jig in about 3ft on a cool November night. 6 hours ago, DogBone_384 said: t ' If Plymouth was closer I'd love to go for a chase, I always hear great things. I'm ready for the thunk bro, I have to distract myself or I genuinely get depressed. I think I'm gonna try to get out earlier this year than I ever have before. How long after the water is wet do you guys go out and actually catch your first wet water fish of the season? Quote
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