je1946

Relax, No one ridiculing anyone. Just find it strange that a lot of states open early or don't have a closed season. I know the northern section of Vt is very cold, but why should it effect the whole state?? Most bass fisher people practice catch and release, anyway.

Seems Vermont needs to step up to the 21st century. "The season just opened" really???? It's June and the season just opened? laughable. Where do they think they are, the north pole???

Good luck Mike, hope you find your rod and reel, be careful.

That striper looks like some type of hybrid with the broken stripes.

Another one that i would add to that is a Ragetail Menace.

Sent you a message. Sent you a message

Sometime when attaching flouro to braid when pulling the knot tight the braid will actually burn the flouro and weaken it. wet your line and pull slow and steady, then take a few good tugs on your line to ensure it hasn't weakened the line.

We are casting. I let them sink to bottom and lift just enough to let the blade vibrate. Water temps are getting to the point where they aren't very effective. Once temps get to 55 I use them a lot less. Where they really shine is temps in the 40s.

Hamma and I hit Quabbin today, took awhile to find them, but we wound up with 15 smallies on blades, jigs and jerkbaits. Biggest at 4.5lbs. Water temps at 55 close to the ramp, 51 on the main part of the lake.

head to gate 8 It's the cold water side. fishing for salmon at the other areas is a waste of time, even at gate 8 its tough. very early in the season like now is your best opportunity. by the 13th the water is warming and any salmon of which there are few will be deeper and harder to catch. go catch the brown salmon AKA small mouth bass they fight just as well and are easier to catch. gd luck

Funny story to say the least. Don't be soo hard on yourself Tom, or should I say don't be so hard on the bananas. We did manage some Smallies. Thanks for a gd (but somewhat unusual) day.lol Next time leave the banana's at home.

Pretty strange of smallies spawning with water temps only in the low 50's. Guess the full moon must have triggered that?????

Right now you can get a Diawa Ballistic EX2000 spinning reel on sale at Cabela's for $120, leaving you $230 for a rod if you choose to spend that much for a finesse set up. The Ballistic normally sells for $200 and is a great reel, I own 2 Stradic CI4s and just bought my second Ballistic, will rate it right there with the Stradic. silky smooth with a great drag.

I love the lucky Craft LV 500 and the Stike King red eye. Both have produced very well for me, but I give the nod to the LV500.

Hey Mike, My sister lives in the Plymouth area says they got mostly rain down in that area. I don't know what it's like further inland. This latest storm will help with the Quabbin water level, which the last time I checked was at 79% capacity. Good luck

Anyone interested in a new Diawa Ballistic, check out Cabela's sale. Had to buy one to go with the other 2 already have.

A for effort Mike. I always recall having a few days in a row like that and went to this old timer I knew to ask if maybe he could give me some advice. Upon telling him my frustrations and him listening, he looked at me, hesitated a few seconds and reply'd....just keep fishin.

Not so much, they still want $199.99 for the 2500, The 3000 is bigger than the 3000 Stradics.

I own 3 Stradic's, 2 are the Ci4 2500, They have been reliable and have given me zero issues. I bought a new Diawa Ballistic Ex 2500 last spring and IMHO would rate it above the Stradic's. Smooth as silk with a better drag. I plan on getting another Ballistic in a couple of wks.

Where you located?

Hey Mike, perfect temps for the blade and or hair jig. Did you try them?

Congrats on your new rig. Hope you enjoy countless hrs and catch tons of big bass.

Thanks to the not so smart people who keep electing these Libs. Glad I saw it coming and acted way before hand. To those who didn't.............................................. You snooze you loose.

As i mentioned when you first showed me this. You've got a winner there. Nice hellgie there.

Navy, Proudly served 4yrs active duty 1965-1969