A Shoutout for NH Fishermen!!!

[Vernal]

Had a mix bag of a day on Sunday...fishing was pretty good, but lost my trolling motor prop.  I left my trolling motor down when I was moving, and by the time I noticed, the prop already must have spun off.  Oh well...one for the fish gods.

Caught 6 fish from 5 am to 10am.  5 on a stickbait and 1 on a topwater popper.  They were not aggressive at all...all the hits were when the lure was dead still and even when they bit it, they only would nip at it a little.

[llPa1nll]

Had a mix bag of a day on Sunday...fishing was pretty good, but lost my trolling motor prop.  I left my trolling motor down when I was moving, and by the time I noticed, the prop already must have spun off.  Oh well...one for the fish gods.

Caught 6 fish from 5 am to 10am.  5 on a stickbait and 1 on a topwater popper.  They were not aggressive at all...all the hits were when the lure was dead still and even when they bit it, they only would nip at it a little.

Man tough break Vernal. I always keep my old TM prop on board just as a spare in that type of a situation. As for fishing I have been on Cobbetts Pond allot lately Fishing has been on with allot of fish decent size but nothing to really get excited over. I have caught fish on some Texas rigged worms, Spinnerbait, Topwater, Crankbait, and of course Jig. I have tentative plans to head out to Hampton this Friday and try my luck at some Stripped Bass, should be fun. Hope you guys are having a good time as I am. I think for the south eastern part of the state we are well on our way too summer patterns. The rest of the state might still have some lingering effects of the Post Spawn Blues, that will quickly fade if the weather stays decent. Tight Lines all!

[llPa1nll]

Hey all,

Did some Striper fishing over the weekend. Out of Hampton Beach, we used my friends boat. We did ok nothing spectacular, we caught 16 Stripers and 1 Bluefish. We think that our numbers were down because if the Bluefish are in that they will scare off some of the schoolies we were targeting. Anyway lets have some reports how have you guys been doing?

[wagn]

Been out fishing alot of small ponds hiking out and using a float tube. Been catching some decent #'s but nothing to big.

Although I did have one strange experience. on my float tube there are velcro straps,  designed to hold a rod. I usually bring 2 rods out with me, one i'll be fishing with, and the other i'll have strapped down with the velcro. The way it is strapped is it holds  the handle and reel, and the rest of the rod is sticking out over the water. I had a topwater dangling on the rod that i wasn't using and it was just brushing the water next to me.

So while i'm fishing lilly pads with a senko my little tube suddenly gets pulled to the side, and my topwater rod starts to bow. I unvelcro the rod and whatever is on there is fighting like a banshee. eventually i pull the fish out from under my tube and it's a pickeral the lenght of my forearm. I can't believe he just swam up next to me, and grabbed the bait that was barely if at all in the water. Pretty strange experiance.

Anyway, good luck and tight lines everyone.

[llPa1nll]

Hey all,

I was out on Canobie lake yesterday. I was out on the water by 7:30am. I was amazed at how cool the air temp was. The cold front that came through really pushed the temps down. Well we did catch fish but we had to work for them. I couldnt put a pattern or anything togheter. the amount of rods I had on the front deck was a testament to that. I caught fish on topwater, texas rigged worm, Spinnerbait, Crankbait, football jig. I dont know if I'll be able to get out this week with all of the holiday cookouts I got planned. It was nice to get out again. How'd you guys do where'd you go?

[wagn]

Looking for someone to help teach me how to read a depth finder and fish off shore structure. Unfortunately for me, I don't have any friends who are serious bass fisherman, so I've had to teach myself most everything. I seem to be fairly good at fishing shallow shore structure and picking up different lure techniques for that. However reading a fishfinder and fishing things like ledges, and drop offs just boggles me. I can never tell if i'm on the right spot. And consequently all of my different tackle techniques end up being for shallow water. I need to learn to fish deeper, but first i need to make sure that i'm fishing the right spots

If anyone out there is around the Concord area and wouldn't mind helping teach me a couple of tricks I'd really appreciate it. Everyone on this site has been very helpful with any questions that I have, unfortunately sometimes I need to see something or watch someone else to truly understand it and build confidence.

Thanks, Chuck

[ewokmonsta720]

Using a fish finder takes the excitement away. Try a depth finder to better pinpoint the ledges. Or, try fishing sand bars. I've found those to be very productive for smallmouths.

[jaystraw]

Good morning everyone!

I'm relatively new to bass fishing. I grew up in NH all of my life, but mostly did trout fishing up in North Conway area. I live in the Hillsboro area now.

I've gotta say I've had excellent luck at all of the lakes and ponds around here within a half hour of Hillsboro. Lake Massesecum was great yesteday...Island Pond off 31 did nothing for us. Pleasent Pond in Henniker is a great smallmouth pond, and always good for catching something.

There is also a killer Dollar Store/Tackle shop here in Hillsboro.  Not sure of the name, but it's on Old Route 9 just through town of Hillsboro.

We got tto the water around 6:40am at all 3 ponds over the last 2 weekends, but did not catch much until around 10:00am or so.  Mostly using a Rapalla F-9 in almost any color.

[llPa1nll]

Hey all,

Cobbets Pond was a little off yesterday. We got fish but did have to work for them. I am not sure if the fireworks that they light off over the pond for the town of Windham had anything to do with it, or the surge in boat traffic. We got out on the water around 7:15am and pulled off at 6:15 when we had some T-storms over head. Things did pick up right as the front was coming through as expected. We got fish on Jigs, Soft Plastics, Top Water, Spinner Bait, Crankbait. Hope you guys had a decent 4th and that you got out on the water and caught some.

[TOYOTAGUY2006]

HEY GUYS IM FROM ROCHESTER ME AND MY BUDDY WOULD LOVE TO GET TOGETHER LIKE ON MASSABESIAC OR PAWTUCKAWAY FOR A GROUP EVENT JUST FOR FUN

[nhbassin13]

has anyone fished the lamprey river? how did you do? is there an access for bass boats?

[nhbassin13]

i have decided to go to bow lake tomorrow is it any good?

[c17Lat]

hey guys! i'm from maryland, but i'm at shoals marine laboratory off of portsmouth right now, and i'll have a free couple of days next weekend to go to the mainland. where are some close bassing spots for large or smallmouths from shore, and is there anywhere close where i can rent a boat. also, i have absolutely no fishing equipment with me so where around portsmouth can i pick up a cheap rod and reel and a few lures?

[mdntridr]

Hey folks, new guy here back into the fishing scene after a 20 year hiatus :'(

Some recent fishing excursions:

July 1, Massabesic: Skunked. Put in at the parking area on Londonderry Tpk, paddled down past the marina. My buddy caught a pickerel and a yellow perch and that was it, not even a nibble for me.

July 4, Gorham Pond, Dunbarton: Nice little ~100 acre lake. I caught 4 small largemouth, all <2lbs. Tons of milfoil.

July 7, Piscataquog River, Manchester: Put in at the West Side ramp near the railroad trestle. Skunked, although the trout loved to jump and bat at my chug bug

July 8, Bailey Pond, New Boston: My in-laws live in New Boston so I excused myself from the family BBQ and got out for a few hours Caught a 2lb largemouth, a pickerel and a tiny bass of some sort, couldn't identify it as a larry or sally. This pond is ripe for the picking for an expert angler who really knows how to pull em up out of the weeds.

I'm really happy to be back into fishing, it's been too long and I forgot how much I love it. Got myself a nice short and stubby canoe that's perfect for fishing. So if you see a guy with a Sox hat in a red canoe picking a birdsnest out of his reel, say "hi", it's probably me

Greg

[llPa1nll]

hey guys! i'm from maryland, but i'm at shoals marine laboratory off of portsmouth right now, and i'll have a free couple of days next weekend to go to the mainland. where are some close bassing spots for large or smallmouths from shore, and is there anywhere close where i can rent a boat. also, i have absolutely no fishing equipment with me so where around portsmouth can i pick up a cheap rod and reel and a few lures?

Hey c17Lat, I think your best bet would be the Kittery Trading Post over the border in Maine. They have a pretty good selection of equipment and lures. Good Luck and Tight Lines.

Hey folks, new guy here back into the fishing scene after a 20 year hiatus  cry  

Some recent fishing excursions:

July 1, Massabesic:  Skunked.  Put in at the parking area on Londonderry Tpk, paddled down past the marina.  My buddy caught a pickerel and a yellow perch and that was it, not even a nibble for me.

July 4, Gorham Pond, Dunbarton:  Nice little ~100 acre lake.  I caught 4 small largemouth, all <2lbs.  Tons of milfoil.

July 7, Piscataquog River, Manchester:  Put in at the West Side ramp near the railroad trestle.  Skunked, although the trout loved to jump and bat at my chug bug Smiley

July 8, Bailey Pond, New Boston:  My in-laws live in New Boston so I excused myself from the family BBQ and got out for a few hours Smiley  Caught a 2lb largemouth, a pickerel and a tiny bass of some sort, couldn't identify it as a larry or sally.  This pond is ripe for the picking for an expert angler who really knows how to pull em up out of the weeds.

I'm really happy to be back into fishing, it's been too long and I forgot how much I love it.  Got myself a nice short and stubby canoe that's perfect for fishing.  So if you see a guy with a Sox hat in a red canoe picking a birdsnest out of his reel, say "hi", it's probably me Smiley

Greg

Hey mdntridr, Welcome aboard and to our little thread for NH fishermen. sounds like you have had some tough days on the water. You  might want to try and pick up some Senkos, I usually try and get anyone new to fishing to try them as they are pretty easy to fish and work great. Well Good Luck and Tight Lines.

[baboosicbass08]

Hey guys went fishing yesterday for the first time in a month or so. Went to Sunset lake and the fishing was pretty good. A bunch of largemouths and a few smallmouths, the fish were mostly a decent size but nothing too big.

[baboosicbass08]

Silly question but what do u guys use for knots that are strong im tired of losing fish due to my knots breaking i dont know how many i lost due to that yesterday. thanks

[bass_mirker]

hello nh fishermen! i have been doing a lot of fishing latley but cannot find any big guys. i am looking for small ponds in the southern nh area. i went to the merrimack today off of the heritage trail. the only bass we got were the side of a hot dog in a bun. i know southern nh pretty well. i grew up in new boston, but dont know of the pounds that are talked about on here... im a huge rapala fan and also enjoy using lizzards, frogs, sluggos, spinners and real worms. i will be exploring new places this week so i will let you dudes know if i find any hot spots. i will also be looking for these small ponds in new boston. seeeeee ya later

[Yakfish]

I've been able to get out a lot over the past weeks and have had some pretty good days as well as a couple of stinkers. Most disappointing skunking on Potanipo. I think the last good fish that came out of there was the state record...or maybe I just suck (most likely the cause). A couple of decent days on the Wilton reservoir, three or four action packed days of smallie fishing on Nubanusit (small smallies but lots of fight!) and a great time on Powder Mill Pond. No bass at all for me on Powder Mill but some fat pickerel were going crazy with a topwater bite on Ribbits. Wish I had video of that day. No lip gripper or even gloves but they ripped up a 3 pack of new baits and it was worth slimy hands and dodging teeth just for the adrenaline rush. Someone else mentioned Pleasant Pond which I'm hoping to check out soon since my brother just moved to Bennington and I've also heard there's good smallmouth in Rocky Pond in Hollis...just have to work around that no non-resident parking BS. I've been fishing alone in the kayak for the most part and have been able to take a few pics. Nothing major but hopefully I'll have something really worthwhile before the end of the season. Good luck all!

[llPa1nll]

I've been able to get out a lot over the past weeks and have had some pretty good days as well as a couple of stinkers. Most disappointing skunking on Potanipo. I think the last good fish that came out of there was the state record...or maybe I just suck (most likely the cause). A couple of decent days on the Wilton reservoir, three or four action packed days of smallie fishing on Nubanusit (small smallies but lots of fight!) and a great time on Powder Mill Pond. No bass at all for me on Powder Mill but some fat pickerel were going crazy with a topwater bite on Ribbits. Wish I had video of that day. No lip gripper or even gloves but they ripped up a 3 pack of new baits and it was worth slimy hands and dodging teeth just for the adrenaline rush. Someone else mentioned Pleasant Pond which I'm hoping to check out soon since my brother just moved to Bennington and I've also heard there's good smallmouth in Rocky Pond in Hollis...just have to work around that no non-resident parking BS. I've been fishing alone in the kayak for the most part and have been able to take a few pics. Nothing major but hopefully I'll have something really worthwhile before the end of the season. Good luck all!

Hey NHguy, Looks like you are doing pretty good out on the water int hat kayak of yours. Rocky Pond in Hollis is pretty decent I used to go there regularly until they put up the resident only parking at the launch. Its ashame the amount of open water here in Southern NH is getting smaller and smaller.

[cheaaaa]

Hi everyone... I'm new to the forum. I'm from bedford NH and just recently got back into bass fishing now that I am graduated and I finally have a car. In the past I have done most of my fishing up on Lake Winny because my family has a place and a couple boats up there, but I need to find some good spots to fish from shore in the southern NH area. Recently, my friends and I have been striking out for the most part, but all we have been doing is stopping by random ponds that look decent.

I have seen a bunch of posts with reports on excellent fishing in small ponds in the new boston area and I'd like to know some more specific info on where to find these ponds full of healthy bass... Can you PLEAAASEE hook me up w/ some detailed info??   Thanks alot in advance

[bass_mirker]

fished  babboosic today from about 7-9 pm with a chum of mine. between the 2 of us we cought about 10 smaller large mouth one decent large and one 2lb larry , some perch, and a sunfish every other cast. the 2lb was on a t-rigged rubber worm. watermelon zoom lizards were hot. fire tiger sinking countdown worked good as well. the only thing that didnt work was a baby sunny that was hooked threw the lips. We were using top water for the end of the night in the lilly pads. Hits but no catches. i also used a green popper and was catching smaller large mouths off the shore. the only bad things were the mesquitos and the amount of sunfish you catch. oh ya by the way we were at the public beach fishing off the dock into the lilly pads.

still on the look out for some new boston/bedford/goffstown/amherst area smaller ponds. let me know if you guys have any luck out there.

[mdntridr]

Ask and ye shall receive:

http://www.google.com/maps?q=New+Boston,+NH,+USA&ie=UTF8&ll=42.95972,-71.683474&spn=0.011385,0.020084&z=16&om=1

and

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/bathy_maps/bailey_newboston.pdf

18 acres, tons of fish: largemouth, pickerel, perch, etc.  I caught a few larries on a watermelon tube on 7/8.  You can cast from the shore if you don't mind some serious bushwhacking.  You can wade out thigh-deep at the launch site and have a decent cast into some cover.  Some kind of boat is recommended though, it's pretty swampy and inaccessible beyond the boat launch.

If you're looking for places to fish, check out the maps on www.wildlife.state.nh.us, they have over 400 maps of some of the lesser-known bodies of water (for example, Bailey Pond but not Massbesic or Winni).  Or do like me, download Google Earth and find a nice little pond someplace that looks like a nice place to fish

[baboosicbass08]

baboosic was a pretty good to me last year but haven't fished it much this year. Right off the docks are good last year in one day i got a 17 inch and a 19 inch (didn't have a scale) right under the docks off the beach, the one in my pic is the bigger of the two. Def. good times there last year. I was having luck last year carolina rigging 6" lizards but haven't fished it really this year so idk. Keep me posted if u fish there again i'll have to go there sometime soon.

fished babboosic today from about 7-9 pm with a chum of mine. between the 2 of us we cought about 10 smaller large mouth one decent large and one 2lb larry , some perch, and a sunfish every other cast. the 2lb was on a t-rigged rubber worm. watermelon zoom lizards were hot. fire tiger sinking countdown worked good as well. the only thing that didnt work was a baby sunny that was hooked threw the lips. We were using top water for the end of the night in the lilly pads. Hits but no catches. i also used a green popper and was catching smaller large mouths off the shore. the only bad things were the mesquitos and the amount of sunfish you catch. oh ya by the way we were at the public beach fishing off the dock into the lilly pads.

still on the look out for some new boston/bedford/goffstown/amherst area smaller ponds. let me know if you guys have any luck out there.

[Yakfish]

I've been able to get out a lot over the past weeks and have had some pretty good days as well as a couple of stinkers. Most disappointing skunking on Potanipo. I think the last good fish that came out of there was the state record...or maybe I just suck (most likely the cause). A couple of decent days on the Wilton reservoir, three or four action packed days of smallie fishing on Nubanusit (small smallies but lots of fight!) and a great time on Powder Mill Pond. No bass at all for me on Powder Mill but some fat pickerel were going crazy with a topwater bite on Ribbits. Wish I had video of that day. No lip gripper or even gloves but they ripped up a 3 pack of new baits and it was worth slimy hands and dodging teeth just for the adrenaline rush. Someone else mentioned Pleasant Pond which I'm hoping to check out soon since my brother just moved to Bennington and I've also heard there's good smallmouth in Rocky Pond in Hollis...just have to work around that no non-resident parking BS. I've been fishing alone in the kayak for the most part and have been able to take a few pics. Nothing major but hopefully I'll have something really worthwhile before the end of the season. Good luck all!

Hey NHguy, Looks like you are doing pretty good out on the water int hat kayak of yours. Rocky Pond in Hollis is pretty decent I used to go there regularly until they put up the resident only parking at the launch. Its ashame the amount of open water here in Southern NH is getting smaller and smaller.

Yeah man, love the kayak. Best money I've spent on fishing gear. The whole no non-resident parking deal really chafes my a@@. I'd really love to get onto Cobbett's from everything I've heard about the smallie fishing there. Any recommendations on how one could pull that off? Is there any public parking near a spot where one guy could be dropped off with a couple of kayaks while another parked and hiked back to the drop off point? The yak is easy enough to slip into even a space between two trees...no launch needed.