bcodkind

Hit the shaded coves of Hopkinton Res. Ice was up to 5" in spots but lots of bubbles. We stood on the embankment mostly. Between my buddy and I, we only had 5 hooks in the water. We used branches with nylon wrapped around them as another 5 traps. Caught two rainbows that way. One male, 13.5". One female, 15"

Went out on Whitmans in the boat for the first time this season. That was the primary goal of the trip, the bass were just gravy. The fishing was really slow and my buddy and i only got one a piece. But that's fine, it was a beautiful day. We saw some sort of mammal (muskrat? beaver?) and a couple of Ospreys diving.

Fished some new water today. Very shallow and already a lot of veg. First location had nada, couldn't even get a bluegill to bite. The next location had bass rising along the brushline. That's where I focused my casting. Ended the day with two bass, both around 1.5-2lbs.

I was supposed to meet a friend at Houghton's Pond to see if we could grab some trout. He isn't a huge angler so I provided all the gear. So I hauled two people's worth of stuff to my spot only to find that he wasn't coming. Great. Additionally, the access road to my spot still hasn't been opened for the spring. But I did eventually get there and get my line in the water. (On a side note: holy s**t I need to respool my mono. Line twist hell.) It wasn't long before one of my reels started screaming. For a trout, it was a pretty good fight. It would be the only fish I caught although I know my bait got hit another time but the fish threw the hook. I talked with a lot of other fisherman that day and I was the only one to land anything, so that felt good. The trout was turned into a smoked trout spread for Easter brunch. Overall, first trip of the year was a success. Now, where's that first bass.....

Haven't been out fishing since Labor Day and the itch was unbearable. So I ducked out of work early and headed to Houghton's, a location I only go to for trout. Didn't have long to stay but I did manage one brown trout, which isn't that interesting unless it's your FIRST brown trout....which it was. Now I need a brookie.....

Took the boat out by myself for the first time (I'm a big boy!) I chose Whitman's Pond because I'm familiar with the ramp and the pond. The aquatic vegetation there is incredibly thick and, despite the weedless prop, I had to stop about a half dozen times to clear weeds from the propeller. I was fishing jig because I wanted to practice. I did get a few hits off a shallow island (one of the "claws" on my craw got swallowed) but I wasn't hooking in to anything. I went to a white Senko and caught three LMB. I had to limp back to the ramp after my prop found some monofilament in the weeds and wrapped itself up. All in all a good day, but I won't be going back to Whitman's until vegetation starts to die out. I also have been trying an experiment....the last three times I've gone to Whitman's I've slow trolled a shallow bomber in green and yellow. I've caught yellow perch in the same place every time. They love that thing! I'll be getting a similar color pattern for ice jigging.

Another weekend on Newfound Lake found me struggling again with the crystal clear, cold, and deep water. No action all day until dusk. First cast on a baby bass senko and it gets nailed. I had a cheering section on the docks to either side of me. 4 kids to the right and another 4 to the left. For some reason, all of the children on the left dock were naked.... I pulled in the bass and a bunch of kids ran over (thankfully all clothed). The fish put up an outstanding fight; jumping a half dozen times. I pulled the hook and some little hands reached in. Splash! Fish gone. That's why the picture sucks, never got to hold him. Oh well, any trip that isn't a skunk is a success for me!!

Out of Rock Harbor in Orleans. 4 hour charter for stripers and blues. Caught my first ever blue, and then a half dozen more. Trolling with hoochies. Tons of fun, great boat, great crew. And for those of you who don't like the taste of bluefish....you're cooking it wrong!

I took my brother-in-law fishing on Great Pond in Eastham. He'd been fishing with me twice before but never caught anything and we weren't on the boat. This time he showed me up. He landed two largemouths and I got one lonely perch. But I'm really happy for him and now he's expressing interest in getting his own gear. Win!

Hit up Lake Boone around 9 on Sunday. I could have been in the Upper Mystic tourney but I'm an idiot and didn't check the website Saturday night. Next time...

The bite was very slow. We threw frogs, buzzbaits, jigs, crankbaits, senkos, and spinners. In total landed 8 bass, none of which were anything to write home about. "lunker" of the day is 1 3/4lb. Got the boat out of the water right before the skies opened up on us. Little disappointed, I would have expected more out of Boone.