DogBone_384

Yes, I’m not a very good fisherman. I catch one or two fish per outing where others I fish with catch more, and larger fish most of the time. Fishing Rhino and Mr. Aquarium come to mind, they’re very good. There’s a ‘disconnect’ I can’t figure out that would get me to their level of success. Yes, it stinks, and there are times I want to quit take up another hobby. Some people have a ‘touch’ and some don’t. I can fix/build almost anything car related and my fishing friends can’t. I have ‘the touch’ for that stuff and they don’t. As the Mandalorian say, "this is the way".

The forecast was too nice to pass up so I drove to Cape Cod and launched first at Wequaquet and Santuit shortly after. Winds at Wequaquet were brutal, even in the eastern coves, and my 45lb trolling motor doesn't cut it so I quit before I could get behind. I marked fish suspended in 20+ feet and small fish 10+ in the coves. Santuit was better, weather wise. I didn't mark much, nor could I find any structure other than downed trees along the shore. I threw the kitchen sink for the 2+ hours I was there. Water temps at Wequaquet were 42.x and 40.x at Santuit. Today was a bust, fishing wise, but the weather was nice towards the end of the day.

I drove almost an hour to Cape Cod to find fishable open water. I made my way through thin ice to the north side of Snake Pond, in Sandwich, in hopes of some winter SMB. I tossed a Vision 110+1, Damiki blade bait, black hair jig, and chartreuse/green pumpkin Ned along the steepest drop offs and point I could access. I couldn't find any bass, but a nice fat yellow perch bit the blade bait in roughly 10' of water. Water temps were 39.x, it was overcast and almost calm. Air pressure was 29.8. January's checked off the list. I might just take tomorrow off and try again, perhaps switching it up with a drop shot and my tried & true LV500.

I had two custom Kistler's made up, one for me and one for the wife. They showed up yesterday. Unfortunately I had a side job that went longer than planned and I didn't get out today to christen mine. Hopefully some of you got out today. It was the best day of the year so far!

I’m in the Boston area. Like Jigfishin10, we got almost a foot of snow. I got out January 2nd. Plymouth & Cape Cod are still open...

Where's Mr. Aquarium? He'd be the one to chime in. He does well with swim baits.

I switch between a 7'6" ML Fenwick HMG and Kistler KLX 7'3" LMH, depending on what other baits I bring with me.

Thanks to my Fishmas Santa for sending me a Vision 110 I didn't have. I tied it on last Saturday, but struck out, so it's still waiting on its first bite. Best of luck to every one in '21!

I tried that on my CRV, it whistles badly. Next time out I'll flip it over and see how it goes.

I remove my Lure 11.5’s seat and Overdrive before I hoist it on my truck’s ladder rack.

The most important items have already been covered: Try before you buy, if possible. If your primary use is fishing, a SIT ON TOP is your best choice. The seat is a top consideration. Don't skimp on a paddle. Get one that doesn't flex. Don't skimp on a PFD. Don't sweat the accessories until you've been on the water a few times. I started in 2014 with an Ascend 128T and upgraded to a FeelFree Lure 11.5 and a second Lure 11.5 with the Overdrive. IMO, the Lure's strong points are: Stability. All day comfortable seat. Company/customer service. Wheel in keel for transport. Ability to buy Overdrive and/or Motordrive 'a la carte'. Don't rush to buy a kayak, whether used or new. Best of luck. It'll open a whole new world for you.

Sorry to hear Mike ... Should we have stuck to shore like Dana?

Took the boat to Monoponsett Pond in Halafax for my first trip in '21. It was my third time here. A little more than 3 1/2 hours of jerkbaits, small flat cranks, a jig, Ned, and small Keitech yielded nothing more than a few weeds. Monoponsett is about 10' deep at its max, has a few points, and some dead grass beds. I fished secondary points first, then moved shallow, but still nothing. Water temps were 38.x - 42.x (shallow). It was mostly cloudy with winds averaging 15 mph. Air pressure was 29.8 and rising. A coworker fished a shore mission in Plymouth and caught 5 Crappie, 4 LMB, 3 pickerel, and one perch. Maybe I should have left the boat parked today? Not the start to '21 I'd hoped for, but all I can do is move on and try another pond, another day.

Dunno about that... That's what I used yesterday and struck out... going back tomorrow and am adding a hair jigs and ned rig for insurance.

Closed out ‘20 with a trip to Hedges with hopes of a couple good SMB. Kept it simple with a small Keitech, Vision 110, and Damiki blade bait. Unfortunately I got skunked. Water temps were 40.x and 38.x when I left at dusk. Air pressure was 30.2. Saturday’s weather’s supposed to be good. I’m planning on getting out somewhere. Hope the rest of you do. Happy New Year!

I’ve never waited more than a few minutes for TW to pick up the phone.?

I caught SMB in 40.2 degree water this past January. I use blade baits, suspending jerk baits (L O N G pauses), and tubes almost exclusively in cold water.

Welcome to the family. Great to hear of bass in other countries. It'll give me another reason to travel abroad.

My biggest Ned fish were a 3+ pound LMB and a nearly 4 pound chain pickerel. Both are good fish for Massachusetts.

I like the labels. I'll have to grab wifey's label maker. I use Al's Goldfish treble hook covers. They're cheap and made in USA. You can get them on Amazon.com.

I too use 3701's to separate my hard baits/jigs by type.

I've said it the past few years running that a group of us should get together for a weekend at a camp ground, or alike, and have a good time IN PERSON, fishing, BBQ'ing, BS'ing, and meeting each other. I've mentioned Nickerson State Park before. Cape Cod, before the Summer crowd hits. '21 might be a the right year for that. Depending on what King Charie Baker lets us do... of course. It took me a month to get our boat registered, only because of CV-19. With any luck, this'll all be over and the EP registries will be open again.

Awesome! Congratulations!!!

My wife moved from Manila to Massachusetts in ‘78. She STILL hates the cold.

Merry Christmas to the membership & their families!!!