A little luck of the Irish

I was able to get on the water on St. Patricks day on a local lake and despite the cold water temps and high water from the past rainy days, I had a great day off fishing. After paddling and casting for 5 minutes, I paddled into a cove that was a bit sheltered from the wind around two to four feet deep and was surprised to find a whole school of golden shiners balled up, flickering on the surface right next to a beaver dam. I tied on a husky jerk ad made a cast to the edge of the school. I twiched it once and was immediatley hit.

First Largie of the season! I worked that outskirts of that school for almost 2 hours hours giving it a break every twenty minutes or so and ended up picked up seven bass, some perch, some crappie, and a few pickeral. I swung and missed on fish as well. Very aggresive fish given the water temps. I had a little luck of the Irish going locating that school of shiners, and it turned out to be a prety good time. Nothing of any size but it was great to boat the first Largemouth of the season and tie onto some other fish on a beautiful day.

First Paddle of the Season

I took the Kayak out of the barn and dropped it in at a local river with a cousin of mine. We werent sure what we would run into as many of the coves were still iced in, but were itchin to just get out there. We were able to manage a pickeral but didnt see any bass. We ran into a school of 20-25lb carp which was really neat to see with the crystal clear water. It was an absolutley beautiful day and it seemed like all life was waking up from its winter nap. Swans, mallards, beavers, muskrats, and sun turtles to name a few. There were a few bass boats buzzing the river and I was able to talk to a few and they werent having any luck either. "Beats being home on the couch anyday" was what one older guy said as he bombed away in his freshly waxed bass boat. Like him, we were just pumped to get out there. What a day!

Early Season Report

Saltwater Report:
Time to spool up the reels with fresh line and pick up the essentials (if you havent already) before your first time on the water. The first schoolies will start showing in Cape and south shore waters first or second week of April. This gives you plenty of time to get your gear in order before you head out in search of our beloved linesiders.

Freshwater report:
There are numerous reports of open water on the cape and anglers are scoring on ice-out salmon and trout on spoons and shiners.
Lakes and ponds all over MA will start to open up with the great forcast set for next week.
Rivers are high all over the state with the weather last week and snow melt but should start receding within the next few days and you will be able to find some fishable water.

Tip of the Week:
When fishing ponds, lakes, and rivers this early in the season, if you dont find them holding on the steep banks in deeper water try sun lit coves with muddy bottoms. The sun will heat these spots quickly and you can typically find coves that are 5-8 degrees warmer than the main lake or river. You might find a few fish that start to make there move towards more shallow water from their deep water hauns. Also target wood. The sun will heat up logs/cover and bass will hold tight to this and work your baits slow!
A very slow presentation and finding the warmer temps might help you in locating some ice-out Bass.