Mainebass1984

One heck of a nice smallie. A once in life time fish. A true trophy. Bummer didn't get to weigh it. Did you get a length or girth ?

Yesterday I went to a small lake in New Hampshire for 2.5 hours. I wish I was able to get out for longer but 2.5 hours is better then nothing. Conditions were about as perfect as you can ask for the 9th of November. It was sunny, 55 degrees with calm winds. Water temperature was still 50 degrees. Sticking with the game plan I fished one area. It is a rocky out crop way off of shore. The hump comes out of 40 feet of water and is composed of gravel, rock, ledge, clay and boulders. One of the sides of the hump as some green grass too but that side of the hump doesn't fish well this time of year. Every year when the water temperature is around 50 or less the best concentration of fish in this lake is always on this specific spot. I fished a silver buddy most of the time The bite was about as good as I can ask for. I was targeting fish in 15-35 feet. In 2.5 ours of fishing I got 7 smallies and 5 largemouth. Some real nice smallies were biting. I got 5 smallies over 3 lbs all on a silver buddy. 3 lbs 12 oz 3 lbs 15 oz 3 lbs 8 oz 3 lbs 10 oz I got another decent smallie 3 lbs 1 oz but did not deem it picture worthy. Only one of the 5 largemouth I caught was over 3 lbs, it weighed in at 3 lbs 10 oz. I wish I had more time to fish but for only 2.5 hours of fishing I am happy with the results, 5 fish for 18 lbs 7 oz. The silver buddy bite continues to be good. Last week I snuck away to fish Lake Champlain. After struggling for shallow water fish we had 4 fish after 4.5 hours of fishing. I convinced my fishing buddy to start fishing deeper. He was fishing a drop shot and a jig. I fished nothing but a silver buddy. After boating a couple real nice smallies he asked if I had one he could use. I leant him one of my spares and with in minutes he got our biggest smallie of the day a 4 lbs 6 ozer. We didn't get many bites but when we did get a bit form 20 pus feet it was a good fish. Our best 5 smalies were 4 lbs 6 oz, 4 lbs 3 oz, 4 lbs 1 oz, 4 lbs 1 oz and 3 lbs 7 oz for a five fish limit of 20 lbs 8 oz. A great fall bite in Lake Champlain. 4-1 4-3 The silver buddy bite really started for me on the last day of October. I caught 7 largemouth and 9 smallies in 6 hours of fishing. I fished jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, senkos, drop shot, swimbaits, chatterbaits and a silver buddy. The silver buddy was what the fish wanted. I got a 3-10 and 3-0 largemouth. The bigger smallies were biting, 6 of the 9 smallies I caught were over 3 lbs. They weighed in at 3-13, 3-11, 3-9, 3-4, 3-0 and 3-0. A great day of fall fishing. The biggest five bass weighed in at 17 lbs 15 oz. The silver buddy bite has been pretty great so far this fall. I am heading out tomorrow to an obscure northern Vermont lake. No matter where you are in New England a silver buddy should be part of your late fall arsenal.

I am using a medium action spinning rod with 8 lb flouro. If you aren't fishing a silver buddy then you are wasting your time. A lift drop retrieve is most effective. There also has to be baitfish in the area. I like to see fish on my electronics before I begin fishing a spot. I prefer to fish hard bottoms with a blade bait, rocky bottom is best. If you are picking up weeds then the bait isn't nearly as effective. I am going out tomorrow for around 4 hours and will be fishing a blade most of the day. I would be surprised if I don't get around 10 fish with a few 3-4 lb smallmouth and largemouth mixed in. Once you figure out how to fish a silver buddy and where to fish it then the results will be very rewarding for fishing this late in the season.

The bass have been slamming blade baits the past coupe of times I have been out. I have been fishing them in 10-35 ft and getting a lot of 3-4 lbers, smallmouth and largemouth. This time of year when the water temperature is 50 degrees or less I do very well with a blade bait. I use to exclusively fish a jig until ice up. Once I started fishing a blade bait I noticed I got more bites then a jig and I was still catching quality fish. Yesterday I was out on Champlain fishing a blade bait with my friend. Out biggest 5 smallies weighed in at 20 lbs 4 ounces. Last weekend I had a similar day fishing a blade bait back in Maine. Blade baits are a proven technique this time of year. Blade baits are very consistent this time of year. A jig works well and is always good option in my opinion. It seems though the amount of bites I get doubles when switching from a jig to a blade bait this time of year. I will be fishing a blade bait until the ice is though sick I cant break through it with my boat.

Well done AJ. Blade baits are awesome. I fished a blade today in 15-35 ft around schools of smelt. Got to the lake at 11am and fished until 5 pm. Landed 9 smallies and 7 largemouth. Biggest 5 fish went 18 lbs 0 oz, 6 smallies between 3-4 lbs and 2 largemouth between 3-4 lbs. Lunker was a 3-13 smallmouth. Blade baits are great. I will be fishing them until ice up.

Oh yeah. Smallies. Largemouth. Some real big ones being caught.

Nicely done jitterbug. Glad to see someone besides myself is still getting out fishin. Great time of year to catch big bass.

Yesterday morning I arrived at the launch at 930 am. It wasn't terribly cold bit 26 degrees was cold enough. The wind was calm and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The water temperature was 48 degrees. Sticking with the game plan I motored to my first off shore spot. My second cast with a jig I caught a 2 lb smallmouth. Once I had moved to my next spot first cast with a jig there I caught a 3-13 largemouth. I had three specific spots in mind I wanted to focus my efforts one. At the first of those specific spots I got 2 bites. One bite I missed and the other ended up being a 3-2. After spending about an hour at that spot I moved on to the next. After the first couple hours it became apparent it was going to be all about the jig today. I had tried a variety of lures, a chatterbait, swimbait, blade bait, senko, and a texas rigged rage bug. At the second of the three specific spots I got another 2 bites before moving on a 3-8 and a 2-10 largemouth. Once I moved on to the final of the specific spots I wanted to focus on I got back into some more fish. Thoroughly sifting the spot I caught a 4-13, another 2 lb smallie and the only picture worthy fish of the day a 6 lb 1 oz largemouth. Wanting to give those spots about an hour or so break I fished a rocky point nearby. I caught a 2-12 smallmouth on a crankbait. I fished a few different lures before moving on. I was pleased with the way the day had been going and decided to continue with the plan I had thought of before launching the boat. The second time fishing my 3 specific spots wasn't nearly as good for numbers of better fish but I did manage a 4-1 and a 3-14 both largemouth. Before I had noticed the day had passed and it was time to leave. The jig bite had been the only real bite. It had been a good day for being nearly November. I had caught 13 largemouth and 3 smallmouth. My biggest 5 of the day had been 6-1,4-13,4-1,3-14,and 3-13 for a five fish limit of 22 lbs 10 oz. I was hoping for a bigger limit but am satisfied with how the day unfolded. I only missed 2 bites and had another get off. I am hoping to get out there again soon before it ices up. I have another month or so I hope.

I think that I will be able to get out fishing tomorrow. I am assuming the water temperature with be around 48 degrees, */- 2 degrees. It is supposed to be mostly sunny with a light south/southwest wind. There will be a full moon. I plan to fish isolated offshore structure and cover. I will be targeting these areas primarily with a jig and a crankbait. I have a couple other lures in mind as well. Hopefully the bite will be good. I plan on fishing about 6 hours from 10-4, traditionally when I have had the most luck this time of year given the water temperatures we have now. I am hoping for around 10 bass. I will be swinging for the fences,a 5 fish limit under 23 lbs will not be accepted and I am hoping for much, much, more. Now is the time in New England for some of the biggest bass of the year.

I use dead bait for ice fishing all the time I have had a lot of luck though the ice using the largest shiners I could find dead on bottom. Freshly killed dead bait works the best. Pre packaged dead bait doesn't work nearly as well. Dead smelt work as great bait when targeting trout. Again freshly killed smelt not pre packaged smelt. I just don't have much luck when using pre packaged bait. I have done really well fishing a dead smelt directly on bottom or directly beneath the ice. I do mean directly beneath the ice, within 6 inches of your spool. If I am using dead smelt I am almost always targeting trout or salmon. Some of my best days have been using dead smelt. Living in New England my entire life I go ice fishing a lot. It is fun. Not the same as openwater but still fun. Dead bait can be effective. I have caught brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, lake trout, landlocked salmon, white perch, yellow perch, chain pickerel, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and cusk using dead bait. Dead bait can be very effective at times especially if everyone else is using live bait. I almost always have one or two tip-ups rigged with dead bait. In winter fish do not feed as actively or aggressively as they do when the water is warmer. Their metabolism has greatly slowed down. They are seeking the best meal for the least amount of energy. A big dead shiner or smelt is the perfect meal for them and they expel very little energy feeding on it. They do not have to chase it. Then again that doesn't mean you'll get them on dead bait every time.

Lead sinkers are banned here in the northeast. It is illegal to possess lead sinkers or jigs with lead weight under a certain size. Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont all have laws regarding using lead.

I honestly can not say I do not know the true intention of prohibiting recreational activities within 200ft of shore. I can only assume their reasoning. I had heard that landowners didn't want people fishing their docks and boats. I think they wanted to prevent any chance of damage to their property. I honestly don't know, just making assumptions.

Brown Trout are native to Europe. Rainbows are native west of the rocky mountains. Everywhere else they have been introduced. The only native salmonoids in the great lakes are landlocked atlantic salmon, brook trout and lake trout. Brook trout and lake trout are both actually char.

Keep on fishing guys. Big bass are biting now.

Wow. Very entertaining. Lots of opinions being tossed around. I do my best not to break any laws, especially fishing laws. Sure I do go a little bit over the speed limit from time to time. Pretty sure everyone has at some point. Invasive species though are a very real threat to all fisheries. Across a vast area of this country largemouth and smallmouth bass are an invasive species. Killing every bass I caught would be difficult for me to do. If releasing the fish would jeopardize my ability to purchase a fishing license and fish then I would not release the fish I caught. It is sad and against what I would want to do but to keep my ability to fish then that's what I would do. I am not sure what the penalty would be for releasing those fish back into the water. I know that in Maine you risk losing your fishing license for life if you are caught breaking fish regulations in some cases, especially if it involves an invasive species. I am in New England and have no real say in what happens on the California delta. It is my understanding the law to kill all bass, bluegill, etc., is a last ditch effort to protect an endangered species, the Clear Lake Hitch. I am in favor of protecting and rehabilitating endangered species. What is the acceptable cost to do so ? If there was a law passed in my state on one of my favorite bodies of water to kill all bass I would not be in favor of it. If one of my favorite bodies of water some how had snakeheads introduced and they were reeking havoc on the fish population and ecosystem of that bodies water I would hope something would be done about it. This topic/discussion is opinion heavy and everyone is entitled to their opinion. My opinion/stance is that I will not knowingly break any fishing law or regulation. If you feel so strongly about the subject then start contacting the necessary individuals and agencies to make a difference. Let your opinion be heard more loudly, perhaps not on a bass fishing forum. In the past two years there were bills introduced in the state of Maine that received some attention in the bass fishing community. Several trout enthusiasts and groups were attempting to ban the use of soft plastics. Another bill attempted to ban the use of barbed hooks. Yet another bill was introduced attempting to ban all recreational activities within 200 feet of shore. That would mean no fishing from your dock, duck hunting from shore, etc. None of these bills passed. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stepped in and spoke against all three of these bills because, amongst other reasons, pressure from anglers, fishing affiliated agencies and groups. Coincidently all three bills were introduced by the same individual. My point is you can make a difference by letting your opinions and views heard by agencies and individuals who can change or prevent the law from taking effect.

I have aged a few bass in New England. The growth rate, age expectancy are completely different with the northern strain largemouth then the Florida strain. If you are still interested I would be more then willing to dig up the info and share.

When I launched my boat it was a balmy 15 degrees F. Had to dress for ice fishing. The air was cold but the bite was hot after 11/1130. I think the day time high was 42 degrees, wind was harsh in the afternoon 5-10 mph with some much stronger gusts. It was a challenge staying warm out there but the fishing more than made up for any discomfort.

As long as it isn't terribly cold in the morning and evening I do at least attempt to be on the water more. Last week I was out at 10 am and it was 15 degrees out and that was a bit challenging. Lots of ice to deal with.

I certainly have my favorite but I do rotate between 3 particular lakes when targeting bigger fish. Sometimes a fourth lake to depending on time of year and conditions. I have also found a couple lakes in Vermont that hold 7 plus pounders but this time of year I tend to fish a lot in Maine. That 7-1 was definitely skinny. The head on her was huge. Hopefully I will run into her when she is a bit healthier.

If I catch a state record bass I would be 100% honest in all regards concerning the catch. I do believe that in Maine where I prefer to bass fish I do not need to name the body of water that it was caught from. Sadly if I did catch a state record fish it would have to be killed legally. Under Maine State law all fish caught must be immediately killed or immediately released. The only way around that particular law would be if it was caught during a bass fishing tournament which requires a special permit to hold fish alive in your live well. It is also illegal to transport live game fish with out a permit. Essentially if I did catch a state record it would have to be killed. I do not like to kill bass. I have not killed a bass in years and years. The only bass I have killed is for skin mounts. I think that I can consistently put myself in position to catch that record bass. There are several waters I fish that have produced 9-10 lb bass with proof. Not stories with no pictures and no scales. Actual proof. The state record here in Maine is 11 lbs 10 oz which is a huge northern strain largemouth. That record has stood for 50 years. The closest I have been to the record is 9 lbs 1 oz. Still a bit off of the record but I have the rest of my life to catch that fish and I will not stop. I have been seriously fishing for trophy bass for 8 years now. In that time I have landed 21 7's, 5 8's and the 1 9 lber. All weighed and measured. Not very close to the state record but I believe state record class fish swim in the waters I like to fish the most. I hope its only a matter of time, effort and perseverance.

Given the conditions you mentioned I would fish from sunrise to at least sunset. Later on in the Fall when the water temps are in the high 40s and maybe if your lucky low 50s, I prefer to fish form 10-4 or so depending on the bite. In the mid to late fall I often have a better afternoon bite then a morning bite.

I ice fish for bass all the time. Usually I find them in weeds, suspended around bait or near bottom around springs. It can be fast fishing and you can catch some lunkers. Big shiners work very well.

The end of the season here in northern New England is fast approaching. Sunday it snowed. Yesterday morning was a balmy 15 degrees with a day time high forecast of 42 degrees with winds 5-10 mph. Not to be discouraged I suited up for ice fishing and decided to see what the day had to offer. This time of year is my favorite for a number of reasons. I get to the launch to find some ice in the puddles at the launch and an empty parking lot. I launch my boat and head to a very isolated off shore spot that has produced for me in the past. As I made my first cast the water temperature was reading 48 degrees. Just four days earlier it was reading 56-58 degrees. The water lever had also dropped nearly a foot. I started the day off with a crank bait. After I had made a couple casts I could see ice in my guides and in my pawl. It was not warm out there. My game plan was to fish isolated offshore structure all day. An hour had passed and I hadn't caught a fish. I switched it up to one of my favorite jig set ups. It was not long before I caught my first fish of the day. Slammed my jig, She had huge head on her, weighed in at 7 lbs 1 oz. After landing her I decided to keep fishing the jig for awhile. It was approaching noon time and the bite seemed to be picking up. I was catching fish and most of them were coming on the jig set up. I did catch a 3-10 on a crankbait and even managed a 3-0 on a senko. I was glad that my isolated offshore spots were holding fish. I would fish a spot for an hour and move onto the next spot. At each spot I seemed to be catching a couple fish then they would shut off. I kept rotating through my spots all day long. Just as the wind started to kick up I hooked into another good fish. She weighed in at 6 lbs 7 oz. The fishing was as good as I could hope for. Even with the cold and the wind I was getting 2-3 fish an hour. It seemed every one of my spots was holding good fish. With few days left to fish I was relishing the moment. I marked a new spot on my gps and fished it about an hour after I marked it. It was far far offshore and I thought that it had potential. The wind had picked up once I had gone back to fish it. On the first cast with my jig I landed a 5 lb 10 oz largemouth. The wind was becoming a bit much for me in my small boat. I persevered a couple more hours but the wind chill was brutal. I ended up fish from 1030 until 430. Landed 13 largemouth and 2 smallmouth. My biggest 5 bass limit weighed in at 28 lbs 4 oz, including fish that weighed in at 7-1,6-7,5-10,4-12 and 4-6. I also landed 3 largemouth in the 3 lb range and a 3-4 smallie on a crankbait. It was an great day on the water. I caught fish on a crankbait, a jig and a senko. The jig by far produced the best. Isolated offshore structure was holding big bass. That pattern should hold true until ice up. Still another 4-5 weeks left and I plan on getting out as much as I can.

I prefer to target isolated offshore structure and cover in the mid and late fall. I tend to fish jigs, crankbaits, and blade baits once the water drops to around 50-55 degrees. Drop shot, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and weightless worms work too but aren't my go to presentation. Some of the biggest bass in the lake will be relating to offshore structure/cover and now is a perfect time to get them.

I usually am fishing waters that range from 200 - 2000 acres when I am in Maine. I prefer to fish off shore unless it is spring or early fall. All ponds and lakes, no swamps or marshes. I def will be getting a CL8 vole. I did not weigh the mouse.