Don't know if anyone realizes this but this group page has a 'hot' in the the index search on Bass Resource. Fine job everyone for making this one of the pages people like to read.We have a fine group of people who make checking up on here fun and informative. Will be on here through the coming months to make a list of what I need to start next year with.

Got into some fish this morning. I beat the wind out, but it wasn't far behind me. Cold out there (water just over 50), and the fish are acting like it's December. Secondary drop offs, I found some fish slow rolling a Rage Shellcracker on a keel-weighted hook, then slowed down with a jig/DB Craw for cleanup. Had a 4 1/2, and a 5 1/2 on the Rage Rig, and found this honey on the jig. 8-7 was the verdict, 23.5". 

 

Haven't posted here in a while but wanted to make note for reference that for the 2nd year in a row I caught my best of season at the end of October. Last year was the night before hurricane sandy ripped through I believe we were close by a full moon aswell I caught a 5.3lb on a black booyah buzzbait. This year I just got my biggest of the season at beaver lake on a brown salty grub and 1/8 oz jig. She was bouncing between 5.15 and 6.1. Ill create a photo bucket to get the pic

Yup, not only do we get the water all to ourselves (well, with the exception of a bird hunter here and there), but the bass are kinda predictable, and they are FAT! Some of the best fish will come out of fishing this late in the season. You may catch less, but you will almost definitely catch a fatty if you know where they are sitting. Slow fishing is the ticket, and don't fall into that bull crap load of downsizing, and using less action plastics. Go big, go slow, and you will hook up with a fat, hungry, lethargic winter bass.

That's how I do bro. I don't get the whole putting rods away thing 2 years ago I was working in Medford I fished the mystic river and the mystic lake by the Dam all winter it was killer. Plus I'm right between te Merrimack and the piscataquog. I know some wintering holes on the Merrimack and I have a couple ideas of places on the piscataquog from reading through a kayak blog. I need a smallie on steroids next

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Oh come on!!!

ive never minded winter to come but i got to say im not impressed one bit this year. Although i am looking forward to deer season 

Winter is coming... There is still some time to fish but winter is definitely on the way. Let's see some of our biggest bass caught this year, I'll start... First 4pics are my PB

 

 

 

 

I've got some more good ones but my computer is giving me trouble...

 I know I am not in southern NH but I just had to get in on this

 

8 lbs 5 oz  23.5 inches long Sept 16th

 

 

8 lbs 3 oz 23.5 inches long 18 inch girth Oct 26th

 

 

8 lbs 1 oz 22.5 inches long 19.5 inch girth Oct 25th

 

 

7 lbs 4 oz 22.25 inches long 17.5 inches girth Oct 25th

 

 

7 lbs 4 oz 22.5 inches Sept 13th

 

 

Hopefully before the end of the season there will be a couple more lunkers caught !

d**n those are some nice looking fish boys. What did you use for baits, presentations, structure/cover? Lets here what's working for hawgs this time of year

d**n those are some nice looking fish boys. What did you use for baits, presentations, structure/cover? Lets here what's working for hawgs this time of year

Been fishing Swains the last few weekends with not much sucess.  I'll be out on the water tomorrow, but not sure where to go.  Any suggestions?

Alton bay good smallmouth population still in the bay my fishing buddies have told me.

Bob,

What depth/pattern would smallies be in this late in the year? I normally don't fish much or have luck this late in the season. But I am usually looking for largemouth. This weekend, I may be fishing for smallies. Woud smallies be deep or shallow? Slow moving bait or something faster like a lipless crankbait?

Many thanks!

If I were to be going out this late I would be throwing weighted tube jigs natural colors 1/4 or 3/8 to get down deep I have even weighted a wacky rig and had luck I will be honest and say I don't have much skill in the hard jerk baits. Smallmouth would be in the 25 40 foot range now. likely spots that have worked very well for me during the month of October in Alton Bay is Echo pt and Pumpkin pt. Going off Littlemark Island is ok but that gets you near the broads. 

 

http://www.navionics.com/en/webapp

 

This is the best web app for previewing most lakes using contour lines I use all the time on the computer to plan my trip, but unfortunately some of my favorite lakes in NH and ME they don't have measurements yet. Hope I helped a little bit and good luck.

You boys and girls enjoy your cold front. I'm outta here to go chase some big heads in South Texas with Big O. Talk to ya'll later (in about 11 days)!

Anyone have any thoughts on the uglystick GX2? and whats a good mid range bait caster? slowly weaning myself off of the open face reals.

You boys and girls enjoy your cold front. I'm outta here to go chase some big heads in South Texas with Big O. Talk to ya'll later (in about 11 days)!

 

YEAAHH BABY!!! That's awesome!!!!

Shane..... I am totally jealous. Fishing Falcon lake for 10 days.... That is a dream trip for us guys up here.  You guys should get some 10lbers for sure !

Bob, I like the Shimano Citica. It can be had for 100 bucks and comes in 3 different gear ratios. I have six of them and they are very smooth and trouble free. The Shimano Caenan is a slightly cheaper option at 80 bucks. But it ony comes in 6.5:1 and I don't like the round handles on the cranks. Still, it is a very smooth reel. For rods, I am St. Croix all the way with a coupe of G Loomis mixed in.

Anyone have any thoughts on the uglystick GX2? and whats a good mid range bait caster? slowly weaning myself off of the open face reals.

There are cetainly better baitcasting reels if you go into the $200-$500 range, but the "Pro Qualifier" from the bass pro shop is $99, and sometimes goes on sale for $79. In my mind, its the best deal for the dollar for a decent quality reel.

 

It is important to know that baitcasters do take a little more maintenance then spinning reels and even expensive baitcasters wont work properly unless oiled, greased, and maintained regularly.

For my money , Shimano reels cast better, reel smoother, don't backlash, and require less maintenance than any other brand. I am not in love with their internal braking system, which uses small plastic weights that can fall off when you have the compartment open. But they are such good reels, it's a small thing to put up with. Second best is Abu Garcia, but it's a big drop off to any other brand. Have not had luck with BPS over the years, but have not tried recently. Lew's is a brand that was great, disappeared, and is now back. Endorsed by Barry Stokes on his fantastic Texas based fishing show called Southwest Outdoors. Episodes are posted on YouTube every week.