Not much has changed in the last month. I continue to have success with deep crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits. I found a new area where I consistently catch ...more largemouth, which is near a set of two buoys that mark a shallow rocky flat that is somewhere south of Turtle Island near the eastern bank. You'll pass a red buoy first, then you'll come to the red/black set. It's an area with lots of boulders at the bottom.
Another consistent spot is the set of buoys near Triggs Island that extend almost all the way to the eastern bank. There are three red buoys in a line that extend out from Triggs, and the most eastern one is the spot. It's near shallower, rocky water (4-10 feet). I lost a nice one there this past weekend on a Zara Spook.
What I've also noticed is that the bigger bass who typically hang out near the entrance to Wiley Brook aren't holding there anymore. You'll still find them in the weedy cove there near the docks, but that's it. I'm not sure why they would move like that, but that's my observation. I want to try going back to Moose Point and Hersey Point next week to see what's happening there. I haven't tried those in a while.
I still haven't found that big smallmouth I'm looking for. I'm starting to think I should try a ned rig in the same areas where I'm drop-shotting. That might be my last chance before the camping season is over and I have to winterize the boat.
-
-
The last few weeks have been great for largemouth. I haven't posted all my catches, but I'm averaging at least one 3+ pounder every day I go out. The major ...more trend I've noticed is they're holding in areas where deeper water (15-25 ft) meets rocky flats that come up to about 3-5 ft. This is on windy days (at least 10 mph). They're still hanging near the main lake points, but only at dusk.
On calm days, they're holding around deeper rocky structure (15-20 ft), and in WIley Brook. However, the ones in Wiley Brook are really difficult to catch during the day.. they hang out under the docks and boats for the most part.
But they respond quite well to topwater baits and spinnerbaits early morning and at dusk. I've had good success with a Zara Spook and a plopper type bait. But the spinnerbait is still the king on windy days and in the evenings. White skirts, bluegill skirts, and chartreuse/sexy shad colors with double and triple willow blades (3/4 oz).
Smallmouth are still responding well to spinnerbaits on windy days, jerkbaits on calmer days, and deep-diving crankbaits pretty much any day. I'm getting lots of 1.5-2 pounders, but nothing bigger than that. But hey, they're still fun.. crazy fighters. Still looking for a big one, so that will be my focus over the next month.
Honorable mentions include a couple really big pickerel, a good-sized rainbow trout (which I haven't caught since 2016), and a big white perch that actually hit a 10XD crankbait. Hooked in the mouth. Never thought I'd see that! -
-
Capt Morris Campbell 0Nice bass Jim!!
-
-
As expected now that the water temp is above 75F, the bass are generally out deeper. There are some shallow areas where the largemouth are holding, but most of the ...more smallmouth I'm catching now are in more than 7 feet of water. You can still get them in shallow water, but it's usually early morning or at dusk, and primarily off large points that have deep open water close by. So that means Hersey Point, Moose Point, and the point off of Stamp Act that extends toward Loon Island. Also around Cate Island.. I caught a few yesterday when there was strong current passing the island. The spinnerbait, jerkbait and crankbait have been my most successful baits over the last 2 weeks. Dropshots with flukes and senkos have also produced. But the fish are very active so there's not much need to finesse them right now. It's been a great season for largemouth so far.. I've never caught this many above 3 pounds in a single year. Still looking for a 3+ smallie..
