The Months of Maine

[Swamp Girl]

So, I've been reading my old trip reports and here's how bass fishing in Maine goes for me:

 

February: Sigh.

 

Early March: Launch and die.

 

Late March: Catch three bass? Woo-hoo! 

 

Early April: In a good session, I'll catch nine.

 

Late April: I might see my first double digit (ten bass, not a ten-pounder) day.

 

Early May: Double-digit days are the norm.

 

Late May: Here begins the Days of Glory: 40/50/60 bass sessions with multiple four-pounders.

 

All of June: More Days of Glory. More thick girls.

 

Early July: Still catching 30/40 bass per session. 

 

Late July: Steadily dropping numbers of fish.

 

All of August: The dwindling continues, with a 15-bass session about the best I can muster.

 

Early September: Should be called The Other August.

 

Late September: The numbers can pick up. It's erratic.

 

October: 40-bass sessions are again possible. Again, it's erratic. I can catch 40 bass one morning and 15 bass the next morning.

 

Early November: Happy to catch five bass.

 

Late November: Launch and die.

 

December: Sigh.

 

 

What's it like, month-by-month, where you live?

[padlin]

I don’t keep track so can’t do the numbers thing. First off, I only put in 4 or 5 hours when I’m out. Also the pond I hit makes a big difference, ponds with pickerel produce more and bigger, no pickerel, fewer and in general smaller fish.
 

 I have noted that April’s and Sept’s can vary, a lot. Unlike summer, seems weather plays a bigger role, some days I’m lucky with 3, some days 12 or more. Summers are something like 15 to 20, again, depending where I go.

 

Up until Covid, I had days like you do in ME.

[A-Jay]

I'd skip that November thing.

A-Jay

[pdxfisher]

Usually I start in March and fish until some point in November. It really depends on how much rain we are getting and the flows. Usually the fishing is really good until the water gets too dirty and fast with the winter rains. 

 

It is possible to bass fish year round but in the winter I fish for sturgeon since they bite better in the cold and/or muddy water. 

[Swamp Girl]

Just now, pdxfisher said:

Usually I start in March and fish until some point in November. It really depends on how much rain we are getting and the flows. Usually the fishing is really good until the water gets too dirty and fast with the winter rains. 

 

It is possible to bass fish year round but in the winter I fish for sturgeon since they bite better in the cold and/or muddy water. 

 

I'd fish for sturgeon too if I could. They're magnificent. 

[gim]

On 9/15/2024 at 7:44 AM, ol'crickety said:

Early September: Should be called The Other August.

 

That's the phase we're currently in right now.  Its been nearly 90 degrees and still pretty humid for over a week here.  September has become an extension of summer here even though its fall on the calendar.

 

October is usually a pretty good month here because there is actually colder weather.  That used to occur in September.

[Swamp Girl]

7 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

That's the phase we're currently in right now. 

 

I'm not surprised we're synced. We're about at the same latitude. 

[TnRiver46]

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

 

That's the phase we're currently in right now.  Its been nearly 90 degrees and still pretty humid for over a week here.  September has become an extension of summer here even though its fall on the calendar.

 

October is usually a pretty good month here because there is actually colder weather.  That used to occur in September.

Only the last 8 days of sept are fall on the calendar…….

 

So a majority of the month is indeed summer 

[gim]

4 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

So a majority of the month is indeed summer 

 

Its been downright HOT here in September!  88 degrees and muggy is more like early August here.  Not a big fan.

[TnRiver46]

Perhaps you could live in a bubble where you control the weather to fit your personal preferences….. 😂 

 

I learned a long time ago to love the weather every day because you can’t change it . But to quote Jimmy buffet, you can change your latitude 

[gim]

You're right, I shouldn't complain.  Spring and summer were glorious here compared to recent years.

[Blue Raider Bob]

On 9/15/2024 at 7:44 AM, ol'crickety said:

So, I've been reading my old trip reports and here's how bass fishing in Maine goes for me:

 

February: Sigh.

 

Early March: Launch and die.

 

Late March: Catch three bass? Woo-hoo! 

 

Early April: In a good session, I'll catch nine.

 

Late April: I might see my first double digit (ten bass, not a ten-pounder) day.

 

Early May: Double-digit days are the norm.

 

Late May: Here begins the Days of Glory: 40/50/60 bass sessions with multiple four-pounders.

 

All of June: More Days of Glory. More thick girls.

 

Early July: Still catching 30/40 bass per session. 

 

Late July: Steadily dropping numbers of fish.

 

All of August: The dwindling continues, with a 15-bass session about the best I can muster.

 

Early September: Should be called The Other August.

 

Late September: The numbers can pick up. It's erratic.

 

October: 40-bass sessions are again possible. Again, it's erratic. I can catch 40 bass one morning and 15 bass the next morning.

 

Early November: Happy to catch five bass.

 

Late November: Launch and die.

 

December: Sigh.

 

 

What's it like, month-by-month, where you live?

This is best description of monthly fishing statistics ever. Hate you have the launch and die months but glad you have the May's and June's!

51 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Only the last 8 days of sept are fall on the calendar…….

 

So a majority of the month is indeed summer 

Knew you'd catch that one! The forum police headquarters has moved to Knoxville! Sorry, gimruis. The torch must pass.

[Swamp Girl]

@Blue Raider Bob: Honestly, Bob, I look forward to winter. It's the Cozy Season, the Season of Rest. And it is beautiful in the winter with all the glistening snow. Our snow isn't like city snow, which falls and turns black. Our snow stays white. 

[Bird]

My observation is more about water temps vs seasons.

Water temps climb above 50* " usually early April " , we start hooking good fish.

Water temps in the 60's is quality fish and numerous fish.

Water temps that are rising into the 70's is surprisingly better than water temps that are rapidly falling into the 70's.

80* + is slow here.

 

Our summer here in the mountains of Western VA ended abruptly about 2 weeks ago with lows in the upper 40's and highs upper 60's lower 70's..... crazy.

Surface temps are already low 70's so looking forward to October fishing.

 

Stay safe.

[Kirtley Howe]

28 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

@Blue Raider Bob: Honestly, Bob, I look forward to winter. It's the Cozy Season, the Season of Rest. And it is beautiful in the winter with all the glistening snow. Our snow isn't like city snow, which falls and turns black. Our snow stays white. 

Just remember----don't eat yellow snow.

[Swamp Girl]

1 hour ago, Kirtley Howe said:

Just remember----don't eat yellow snow.

 

If you go where the Eskimos go....

[Blue Raider Bob]

On 9/15/2024 at 7:44 AM, ol'crickety said:

So, I've been reading my old trip reports and here's how bass fishing in Maine goes for me:

 

February: Sigh.

 

Early March: Launch and die.

 

Late March: Catch three bass? Woo-hoo! 

 

Early April: In a good session, I'll catch nine.

 

Late April: I might see my first double digit (ten bass, not a ten-pounder) day.

 

Early May: Double-digit days are the norm.

 

Late May: Here begins the Days of Glory: 40/50/60 bass sessions with multiple four-pounders.

 

All of June: More Days of Glory. More thick girls.

 

Early July: Still catching 30/40 bass per session. 

 

Late July: Steadily dropping numbers of fish.

 

All of August: The dwindling continues, with a 15-bass session about the best I can muster.

 

Early September: Should be called The Other August.

 

Late September: The numbers can pick up. It's erratic.

 

October: 40-bass sessions are again possible. Again, it's erratic. I can catch 40 bass one morning and 15 bass the next morning.

 

Early November: Happy to catch five bass.

 

Late November: Launch and die.

 

December: Sigh.

 

 

What's it like, month-by-month, where you live?

Our "Launch and Die" months are July and August. Our winters are so mild that I can often fish through them. Very few bitter cold days, and the winter months allow a little quiet on the water, as opposed to the warmer months when I have to share.