Well it’s been a hot minute since we have had a report, but other than summer being busy and kicking my ass, I have no excuse! The JigHeads have been after it in the last couple of weeks!
Last week, Tim was able to get out to Congamond where the fishing was slow and the water was 77 degrees, and there was no breeze. He said that he started chasing some bait balls but was unable to hook up. Then he found a main lake hump that he cranked one fish off of while he was talking on the phone(slowing down can be the key) but there was nothing else on the crank the rest of day. When he changed up and went to a go to pattern, dock fishing he caught 4 bass on a wacky rig, while losing two others. The docks were slow again! It’s been a tough year for me on that pattern, I usually can use that as my go to to catch numbers. It’s amazing how fisheries can change year to year.
This weekend, Tim was able to get out for a day on the Connecticut River out of Barton’s cove. He said that his plan was to search for smallies and just have fun without a tournament mindset. Well, a fun day was had that’s for sure! Tim started off heading north towards the New Hampshire border searching for some current and when they hit some flats, immediately got into some action with a topwater walking bait and soft jerk bait. From there they moved onto hitting shoreline structure and continued to catch fish on the jerk bait. Next, moving south, they hit some grassy flats looking for activity on the surface and although the top water didn’t seem to be working the jerkbait was! Any time there was a rise on the surface I would fire my bait in and almost immediately hook up. I caught so many on the jerkbait I had to give my elbow a break. I threw a ned rig popping it off the bottom with the current. All in all I caught 36 smallmouth and 2 fall fish. Although
there was nothing of size( biggest was about 2 lbs) I had a banner day.
Last week, Andy and Shawn and hit Otis on Monday where he reported that it was very slow going for both of us and the cool air has water temperatures at 70-72 degrees. I will let Shawn tell you his part of the day when he fills you in on his epic weekend.
Yesterday, Andy went fishing at Lake Buel in the Berkshires in the afternoon heading out west to avoid the Thunderstorms predicted throughout the pioneer valley. The water was 72-74 and the air was in the high 70’s low 80’s. Andy said that upon arriving at the ramp he was met with a sad reality; The MA DCR now has a ramp monitor there to inspect vessels for Zebra Muscles. It’s great that they do this but unfortunate that this issue is spreading so much despite their efforts. After performing his due diligence he informed Andy that there has been little to no fishing action on the lake for the past two weeks. Sadly I have to report that trend continues through today at least. Despite any efforts of many tactics there were no fish caught. Stay disciplined in cleaning your vessels from lake to lake removing vegetation and flushing your motors. Keep your boat out of the water for week if you can’t wash it. Stay in a single body of water if you fish multiple times within a week and can’t sanitize. Avoid fines. Zebra Muscles can devastate a waterway on their own let’s not help them.
Shawn the Fisherman had an epic last week! He got out three times to three different locations up ‘da ‘shires and found a hot pre-frontal/full moon bite,
On his first lake on Saturday where there were a healthy populations of Smallmouth and Largemouth in it, the water was slightly stained. Shawn said that the bass jig with a creature trailer did the trick, and while he only caught a half-dozen Largemouth, the biggest topped 20 inches. Sunday was the second stop, and at one of his favorite smaller ponds which he said he hit that as the heaviest rain of the weekend moved through the area. Fish were all about the bass jig there, as well, and I hit 2 Largemouth over 20.5″, and filled out a 5 fish bag with fish at 19″, 18″, and 17″ (with change). Killer afternoon on the water in the rain! Finally on Monday was the “day after” and there was a lot of weather-related lockjaw going around water body number 3. But Shawn still managed to hook into a couple nibbler Smallmouth and Largemouth using a dropshot. Flat end to an incredible weekend on the water.
Some tips for fishing success for the rest of the summer and fall:
-If rain is falling without lightning, be on the water.
-If the moon is within 4 days of being full or new, be on the water.
-You can throw any lures you want at these times, as long as it’s a bass jig with a creature trailer.
It’s a long holiday weekend folks, so if you’re getting out on the water please stay safe! A lot of rec water users will be out with their last hoorah for the summer. The weather looks top notch, so get out there and get your lines in the water!
Stay safe, have fun, and tight lines!
Wild Woman 