Returning to bass fishing after ten years: what's changed?

[TriStateBassin106]

The rise of finesse fishing, kayak fishing and social media having an influence on the sport, the big things being innovations in new tackle since then like others have mentioned and boats/electronics are more expensive nowadays. Long gone are the days of cheaper equipment. Crazy to think a 25 dollar price for a lure is quite common nowadays. 

[soflabasser]

The techniques that were good 10 years ago still work well today.

[Deephaven]

I was more or less in the same boat, but everyone covered all the new stuff already.  One positive is that your "greenies" are still one of the most reliable reels made.  Focus on what you did before.  Ie, the spot, depth and cover denote your lure choice and you are fine

[SmallieScholar]

23 hours ago, paulmandude said:

Where in Maine are you located?  I’m in southern Maine and there are great places to fish in the Sanford area 

Belgrade lakes area is prob the bass fishing capital of Maine. 

 

I'm around Lewiston-Auburn so I've mainly been fishing the Androscoggin and Lake Auburn but I need to start exploring. What water are you fishing in the Sanford area? 

On 5/1/2021 at 11:14 AM, WRB said:

Nobody mentioned Whopper Ploppers and Keitech swimmers  or A-rigs. Big swimbaits have also found the way east.

Tom

 

 

Thanks for the Keitech recommendation, that's definitely new to me! I picked up a few packs as well as some VMC swimbait jigheads yesterday and managed to luck into a few smallmouth on them this morning after the jerkbait bite slowed down. Excited to experiment more with finesse swimbaits. 

[DitchPanda]

Everybody has already covered Ned rigs and chatterbaits.

Besides that you can still use a spinnerbait, Texas rig worm or jig and craw and catch plenty of fish.

[AManWearingAHat]

More fishing pressure than ever on most bodies of water that are easily accessible.

[paulmandude]

Mousam lake is usually very busy in the summer and probably the most popular. The water has a little stain to it so the fish are more predictable. Square has pretty clear water and last year during the prespawn while night fishing, I smashed them with a black jitterbug. Fun night with a friend. Great East is bigger and super deep with crystal clear water. Ive had some luck there with a popper, senko, and drop shot. Wilson is a smaller lake with relatively dirty water and like to pitch a texas rig to stumps/weeds off points. Horn has pretty clear water and never had much luck there. Could never figure the place out. Doesn’t seem to have too many good fishing spots. 

Btw I love Penneseewasee (Norway) lake. Caught so many nice fish there. Looks to be about 45 mins away from you. I thought it was closer lol. 
Looks like a lakes region area northeast of your location, not too far. I would def hit up some of those places!

[paulmandude]

Just noticing you’re close to Belgrade lakes. Those lakes are the bass capital of Maine!  Love going to Whisperwood on Salmon lake. Also have a friend that lived on Messalonskee where I caught my 5 lb personal best. Both tremendous places.

Alden camps is another sportsman’s camp I can recommend going to. It is on East pond. Caught a nice trout there as a bonus lol