Congrats Shane. I need to get some fishing tips from you. You always seem to kill'em out there.

nice fish!  and so early..I have not even considered going out this early...I've gotten lazy in my married years...I suppose if the wind lays low I could hit a couple of my favorite swamp spots in the jon boat..

So, yeah. Went out this morning about 7:00 with the bass boat, and it was cooold with that wind. I wasn't the only maniac out there, though. there was one other bass boat putting in right behind me, then another showed up about an hour later. I only stayed out for about 2 hours because it was miserable, and the fishing sucked. my trolling motor froze, so it kept lifting every time I hit the switch, plus I couldn't feel my face, so I wrapped it up quick. I did manage two smallies and one bohemouth bluegill. The funnest part, was when a few little kids over at Memorial Field across the River wanted a show from the bass boat, so I layed into it, and they were cheering and havin' a good time. Man that was a frosty ride, hittin' 60 in 25 degree weather. The good news, is this week is gonna warm up a bit, and I got open water at one of my favorite ponds, so I may hit up some new water here this week.

So its been awhile and been preoccupied with my other addiction......Snowmobiling. Just got back from another trip to Pittsburg. Anyone else here ride? If so get up there while you still can. Tons of snow still. Today was the best day of riding I've ever had. Trails were super smooth and fast. Off trail was sweet!! Chest deep snow in the woods!!

Anyhow its about time to get my gear out and ready to go.. maybe this week sometime.

Shane, if you're talkin bout where I think you are, I may be able to meet you wed afternoon. I should be home by 3ish. Let me know.

Nice job Shane. I'm aching to get out there.  I get the Nitro friday, so I'm halfway there.

Don't worry, Jay, they aint going anywhere until the water in the main river hits the high 40's to 50ish. So if you get the boat back Friday, I'll see you out there Sunday?

That sounds like a plan to me.  :-)  I've never fished the river there before, but I've heard really great things about it. 

What's the water temp at now?

I was actaully considering driving south to MA this weekend and hitting up somehting down there. 

Main river temp is 37-40 degrees, depending on where you are. Up by the discharge, it varies greatly, but you can pretty much bank on it being at least 45-50 if they are pulling water, and as high as around 55 degrees when they are really ripping, but that is rare now. Now that you mention Ma, though, there's a place I'm gonna be hitting soon that holds some 8 pounders, but you can only use electric motors. Should be interesting around the spawn!

Main river temp is 37-40 degrees, depending on where you are. Up by the discharge, it varies greatly, but you can pretty much bank on it being at least 45-50 if they are pulling water, and as high as around 55 degrees when they are really ripping, but that is rare now. Now that you mention Ma, though, there's a place I'm gonna be hitting soon that holds some 8 pounders, but you can only use electric motors. Should be interesting around the spawn!

um, so when are you bringing me to MA?

the nitro was held up at the marina, but they did not think to call me until Friday. Grrr. Should have it by next friday.

Still have a little ways to go here before ice out. Took the boat out Thursday after school to play with the new HDS. The ramp in Hinsdale isn't open and I didn't have the time to make the run down to the setbacks from West Chesterfield. Ran down to the Bratt Retreat Meadows and this is what I found (not surprising as there was a bob house here just 4 days earlier):

Just ordered a bunch of new fishing stuff. Hope for ice out soon.

Went out today with a buddy and fought the wind for a couple hours. It was tough to feel my baits, and the fishing was sorta off, but managed a few more descent ones.

Killing them all season Shane. Good job kid!!!

Nice one Shane! Saw someone out on turkey pond today in a vhull trying to break ice!

Looks like things are starting to break up out my way hopefully this weekend is ICEOUT! Tight lines all.

Anyone know of any good spots that aren't personal secrets (dont want to ruin the secret spot) or that are open water? The fact Shane now has pics up of fish hes caught and that every pond i have been too is frozen still its driving me crazy! Been waiting way to long.

Jay, I think your PM inbox is full. I sent you an email via the site. Let me know if you don't get it.

Couple from today. Sorry, FishingOnTheEdge!

Why you gotta be like that? Help a fellow Pembroke resident out haha. Nice fish though killing 'em again i see.

That's the Merrimack River, bro! Hit it up sometime, the smallies are feeding up pretty good.

Nice fish Shane. Keep them coming!

Ill have to check it out. Thanks. I doubt ill be nailing them like you have been. Never realized that the Merrimack is doing that well this early in the season.

Got the Nitro back today!! I'm thinking of hitting the Merrimack or somewhere on the seacoast tomorrow if I can manage it.

Nice fish coming out of the river this spring! Anyone have any luck at ponds or lakes yet? Is everything thawed? I went out on a small farm pond yesterday, but didn't get a nibble.

I do have one pond in my area that is thawed as of a few days ago. Haven't made it out there yet, though. Everything looks like it will be ice free in no time, especially with the heat wave coming!