bobh64

Studying to get my guide license for NH here, (slowly)just working on finding time on getting a captains license (it keeps the insurance down) from what i'm told. I have all the first aid certificates paid for from my job. Not looking to get rich but soon I will be looking at a new quieter field of work going on 30 yrs where I work and outdoors has always appealed to me. On the side note If i have days with nobody in the back of the boat around my lakes I will give a shout out here. I think people can get a idea of what lakes I fish in NH and I am a avid Maine bass fisherman also.

looking at the 951 glass minnow series jerk bait ball that will have more applications to my fishing style I love throwing a jerk bait near grassy and lily pad shorelines.

How many of you have been looking at those live target bait balls? I might just pick up a couple they look interesting and I like the concept.

Looking at my boat diary my first day of season were as follows; 3/29/13 Swains water temp 48, cloudy 38 low breeze. 3/24/12 Swains water temp 50, sunny cool 46 wind 15-25mph 4/18/11 Swains water temp 46, mild 52 wind 5mph, Winni ice out a day later. I wonder what it will be like this year? Thinking middle April?

Season getting closer, boat and trailer registered next is Maine weed sticker.

Will be working a pattern based on what I find for temps but I do know it will involve Senko's, chatter baits with a minnowz attached to the hook and some sort of suspending stick bait.

Stay off Winni may10th, 4 separate tournaments going on the same day one is the NBS 100 boat open

I will be honest deep fishing is not my go to fishing style but I can't be ignorant to the fact that some very big tournaments are now being won in this fashion. NH has some awesome lakes that support the depths. I believe some very big fish will be caught this year using this method. I'm a big Dave Mercer fan

Looking forward to this soon fishing with my father at Winni. Picture taken last yr at Winter Harbor.

Different subject what the deepest on a NH lake you have caught bass? Drop shotting @40 ft for smallmouth on Winni for me.

Thanks for the details about the trade in, I was there this afternoon. By the way sorry in advance if anyone was going to get some rage tail craw's I bought 12 packages today they were on sale

To a previous question asked about what to use to fish a spro swimbait. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM1gB7Lrn5k#t=17 this answers what you need to use for spro baits by the guy the invented fishing with them.

I hear you about the yuppies I reported a couple of them to the game wardens because they were riding jet ski's on a lake that prohibits them. been that way since 1990 for that lake.

More then likely the islands your talking about is in the second cove, the third cove (small) weeds up with lily pads.

It's a fun little lake never caught anything over 5lbs but never been skunked on it either. Once late July comes I can't fish Swains because the weeds get so bad at the ramp. Bow I like to fish but it is a pain to launch a boat there by myself.

7+ for largemouth 5+ for smallies. Great East does get pressure but you just have to figure out what they haven't seen. Everyone always shore fish in that lake I finally moved out and started hitting them more off shore, It's a deep lake but has lots of steep banks if you know where to look. If your more into just catching bass the the second basin has many in the 3-4 area but the big boys are in the main part of the lake.

Take a look on my photo's most of them are on Great East fishing has been getting better all the time I really think the smallmouth fishing is way under rated for that lake and I plan on getting some big brutes this year on it. I have several key spots now that work out well now. it would be a sad day if I dont catch at least a dozen keepers on that lake.

First lake I always fish a small lake to make sure my boat works well (Swains) then I will head to my next two spots Winni and Great East.

It's the whole hook with jig they measure. they are going after the fact that hooks dissolve and it leaves the lead part behind from which the birds (Loons) pick them up when they are bottom feeding. after 2016 its all jigs made with lead that will be banned. Lead shot weights lead bullet worm weights are now illegal. I went through it for bird hunting with lead shot it was a pain but now a fact of hunting.

There's nothing we can do about it, hopefully this will start making the prices come down. I have picked up some hybrid tungsten bullet weights for my worm rigs they worked pretty well last year. Currently any lead jig under a inch is illegal. At least we have till 2016 to use up the other lead jigs. I have already started to buy tungsten over lead anyways its just smart.

I understand about having to much stuff, took a photo what i dug out of one storage locker on my boat last year lol. This is the soft bait closet.

oil and butter(grease) them, I believe if your nice to your equipment they will be nice to you when the right time to depend on them comes.

So judging from some comments I m going to Cabelas today instead of BPS just to stay out of the crowds I am sure BPS will still be around. With the recent snow and warmer temps it could start melting the ice sooner I actually uncovered the boat this morning and took all my rods and reals out much to the annoyance of my wife. now time to clean up the reels and reline them all. Have a great weekend. Can't wait to be out on a NH lake soon.

Just be careful getting a used bass boat with a big motor unless you know what your looking at big motors can cost a lot even if they're 20 yrs old to fix. I would not want to venture out into the broads of winni with anything under 18ft and a big motor to push it through. Last yr I was battling through 2 and 4 footers getting to 3 mile island from winter harbor but the smallmouth fishing was worth it More storage just means more places to lose stuff lol. If there's one item to splurge on the boat that would be to get the biggest trolling motor you can get, mine is a 36vt 101lb thrust minkotta and it runs great. The fancy sonar is great but I think it takes away something from the catch.

I guess I will be shopping at the new BPS this Saturday will have to put on my full-backer mentality to get through the crowds.