Happy Sunday! The days have been short IMO but the week has been long, and now we are starting up another one – the last week of May which is pretty freaking mind blowing.
I was fishing on the Westfield River yesterday with a fly guide and as we drifted through what they called “bass country” we saw beds, but I did not see a lot of fish. There were 2 fish at one spot, but the other couple of beds that we saw seemed to not have fish. Water was 60 degrees and for my first fly fishing excursion, more to come on that after we do our 2nd day today, I have to say it was an incredible experience and I think I am going to get myself a fly rod.
Tim got out on Congamond this week and said that he stayed in middle and south ponds where the water temperatures were 63 – 65 degrees. Tim said that he threw the ned rig exclusively and caught 8 bass. He said that he wasn’t specifically targeting bedding fish mostly due to the water clarity.; he could barely make out the light spots. He reported that most of his bites were shallow and on the first drop offs but were aggressive none the less. Pretty soon the fish will go into post spawn lock jaw mode so get out there while they’re still chewing.
Bobby Roast Beef was out Saturday and headed out east to the one and only Cape Cod with Shawn the Fisherman looking for smallmouth and various trout. He said that he managed a rainbow early at our first spot and it was the micro spinnerbait did the job, clouds and wind had me excited for a moving bite. The spoke with a local and he suggests a spot we hadn’t ever considered and it panned out in their favor! He said that there was much more visibility too much chop to easily see any beds. Word on the street was that the smallmouth were all bedded up. He managed a handful of rainbow trout and a yellow perch on a micro jig whilst on the hunt for bronze fish. Eventually we found em! Put a handful in the boats between the two of us. Bobby said that after a late lunch break they hit another spot targeting largemouth. This spot was loaded with wood, so we hit em with jigs and put a couple in the boat before the temp started to drop and we called it a day!
Monday Mr. Roast Beef headed out looking for bowfin and to upsize any bass for the May scavenger hunt. He said that with the bluebird skies and minimal wind they were going to have to take some time to entice bites. He said that he managed three nibblers on a black and blue Texas rigged stick bait and got a couple of taps on the jig but none committed. Did have a strike that cut my line… was it a bowfin? we may never know. He reported that water temperatures were in the 60’s in both locations, and commented that this rain might keep those temps holding a little longer before we see them start climbing again.\
Shawn the Fisherman got out twice since the last report, first being on a Central Mass lake where he said waters were the warmest temperatures he’s seen this year, just south of 70 degrees. He reports that the bass there were in full swing of the spawn. He landed a dozen small fish, and one larger, beat up bigger Largemouth all fell to a bass jig.
Next Shawn went out to the Cape with his main man Bobby Roast Beef 🥩 on Saturday. He was looking for trout and smallmouth, so we headed to waters containing those species.And of course I caught a big Largemouth.
They hit three ponds on the trip, and Shawn ended up with a half-dozen Largies, two Smallies, and a wayward Perch on a combination of A-Bay jerkbaits, Ned rigged plastics, lipless crankbaits, and bass jigs. Decent day.Bass are spawning all over the state. Try to release spawners quickly and near their beds if possible!
It is looking like this week’s weather is going to be a good opportunity to get out and fish in the nice temperatures – including some days being predicted in the 80’s. It’s the last full week to get your entries in if you’re fishing the May scavenger hunt. I have to say that if you have considered trying this tourney – do it! No pressure, just for fun. I don’t have a ton of entries but this has given me a push to get out and fish more and to try some new spots. I have learned that I have a LOT more to learn in the game of fishing but at the end of the day, getting out there and doing it has just been awesome.
That’s all we got this week folks get out there, be safe and tight lines!
Wild Woman 