DogBone_384

I saw a pickerel do just that a few feet from my kayak. I never felt the bite.

Got out to Hedges for a few hours today. It was in the lower 40's, overcast, and almost calm. I kept it simple with a 1/2 oz. perch chatterbait, a 1/2 oz. gold Binsky, and a ghost colored single tale grub on a 1/10 oz head. The Binsky was the only bait I needed to bring. I landed 2 SMB (2-0, 1-14) and 4 yellow perch (all but one were over 1 pound). The two SMB picked the Binsky off the bottom in 18 - 20' of water and the perch felt like they hit it higher up, on the fall. All fish were caught in the N-NW corner of the pond. Everyone was fat except the second smallie. He was dark colored and looked old, with a big, skinny body. I came up a layer short and fished only 3 hours. It was warmer at home than in Plymouth.... time to break out the real winter duds. Water temps were low 42.x.

The salt water inlets where I live were iced over when I came home from work this morning. I’m booked for the Cape next weekend. Anyone know what it looks like? I’m planning on Flax and Sheeps, which are both pretty deep. I’m not expecting ice, but this IS New England!

I have a Lure 11.5 and use Scotty rod holders with FeelFree’s accessory mount. I also use an accessory mount to mount my Lowrance control head. Don’t be afraid, dive right in!

X2.... get acclimated to it first. In no particular order, I rigged my kayaks with: Anchor trolleys on both sides and a 5 lb anchor. I choose which side based on wind direction and where I want to fish. Rod holders. If your kayak has rails, at least two. Fish finder. Cigarette lighter plug and/or USB outlet to charge your phone. Have fun with your new kayak and grab a new PB in it!

Happy thanksgiving to all!

Thanks. OK, NEW BLOOD ... chime in and let us know what y’all think. We meet at the Red Wing Diner on Route 1 SB in Walpole (not far from BPS).

After the holidays is good for me. I’m headed to the Mecum Auction Jan 4th to 6th. After that it depends on my work schedule.

Sounds like my last couple trips out. I've got one last trip to the Cape next weekend with the kayak. I'm planning on Flax and Sheeps. My goal is to catch fish in open water every month in MA. Both waters are deep and have trout. If smallies are shut down, I've got good odds in getting a trout. Good luck to anyone else getting out. Lastly, how's Saturday December 8th sound for a lunch somewhere?

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That's more than most of us on the thread caught.... I'm thinking of hitting Hedges this afternoon if the rain subsides. Look for the orange Tundra and tan kayak. ADD: it’s overcast, almost calm, and water temps are currently 46.x. ADD ... more ... Finished up with two yellow perch, a pound +- each, caught with a perch blade bait. I tossed a variety of treble hooks and dragged/hopped a black/blue tube, covering every inch I could during the 4 hours I was here. I marked most of my fish in the south east corner. Only bummer was I forgot my jig box... planned on tossing hair jigs. I think I'll let the SMB here be until Spring.

The Song Remains the Same .... I just can’t break that five pound mark and too often continue with the same bait that they’re not hitting and waiting for the fish to change and not me....

AMEN to that.... I use Bianchi and Craft IWB holsters. I found Craft on line and got one for my S&W 586. It's thick leather and well put together, very much like Bianchi and Galco.

I had two Elite 4’s lose their seal, causing foggy screens. Lowrance took care of them promptly.

I have a Milwaulkee heated jacket that heats the torso and pockets. It works great. I get 4 - 5 hours from a standard battery.

Firstly, welcome to the forum. This is a great thread to follow if you live/fish in eastern MA. November's been tough, but downsizing and S L O W I N G down should remedy things. With water temps likely in the 40's by now, you'll have to dangle something in front of them convincing enough to bite. I focus on smallies and this time of year and throw suspending jerk baits and blade baits. A drop-shot might work if you're patient and fish it slowly through a school. Good luck if you're still getting out there.

Cabela's has Dobyns rods listed on their website but none in stock in Berlin, MA. Riverview Bait and Tackle in South Yarmouth is also listed as a dealer on Dobyn's website. Give them a call and see what they stock.

I WISH you hadn't posted this .... now I have to buy MORE great rods I don't need

I've not had much luck there the last couple outings. I think downsizing and slowing down is the key. If nothing else, a couple 1+ pound perch make up for it.

I might try to get out for a bit on Saturday, pending getting the wife to sign my 'permission' slip ....?. If YES, it'll likely be Hedges in Plymouth. The Cape's a bit of a drive for just a part day for me.

I'll be in Dennis Port November 30th until December 3rd.... And will DEFINITELY have one of my 'yaks with me. I'm thinking Flax in Nickerson State Park. It's small and deep. I caught a nice Rainbow a couple weeks ago while Smallie hunting.... Odds will be in our favor. Zoinks !?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Not done yet. Set out to catch a Massachusetts fish in open water every month this year. I need only December.

14? I feel much better about my addiction! Thanks for the SMB tips...

Tried Great Herring this morning. Equipment problems started from launch and soured the morning. I tried to turn my attitude around but to no avail. Between my yak, reel, and wind that picked up out of nowhere I didn’t last an hour. I packed it up and returned home to do housework (no french maid outfit today...) and rake the yard before the rain. Mr. Aquarium is right, water temps were 55.x at GH, with a near calm turning to heavy gusts. Another day, another pond .... I looked at my notes and for the last three years I’ve not caught squat for bass when the water temp gets into the 50’s. I have to change tactics and/or location... ADD: since the season’s getting late, let’s talk about a group lunch somewhere and talk about this and next season. We’ve met at the Red Wing Diner on route 1 in Walpole. I’m open to suggestions. I bagged a nice trout at Flax pond last week while trolling a Rapala DT-6. I’ve tried trolling the last few times out since the fishing’s been tough. A huge benefit of a pedal kayak. I’m also hung up on fishing deep. Just can’t get my head around it and have little confidence in it. Just have to keep at it, make detailed notes of what worked/didn’t work, weather conditions, depth, etc.. Once you catch one or two it’ll click. Do you have electronics for your kayak?

I went to Hedges this afternoon in search of late fall smallies .... again. Got there around 2:00. There was just a light breeze and the surface temps were 55.x. Got called back to work, so after three hours of tossing a hair jig, lipless, DT-6 & 10, Rapala Shad Rap deep, and a Swim Senko I caught one decent yellow perch on the DT-6. The Lowrance showed a lot of life on the east side and almost nothing on the NW side I usually catch them at. I dunno, they’ve got me stumped. It’s supposed to be windy tomorrow, but if I get out I think I might just bring a Senko & Ned.