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Friday 5/8 Happy Hour
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Author:  NH Explorer [ Sat May 09, 2009 2:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Friday 5/8 Happy Hour

My first trip out in the yak this year was on Monday after some trout but without any success. It was a good shakedown cruise though, remembering where stuff was stored away for what was definitely a long Winter (our lakes were frozen by Thanksgiving) and also remembering where I like to keep stuff stashed on the boat.

Mark, my fishing buddy and fellow Hobie Fishing Teammate, and I got out on Eastman Lake last night after work. Hit the water about 5:30ish and fished till about 7:30. We managed about a dozen Smallies between us. Those thing, especially the jumpers, always bring a smile to my face. Bang for the pound they have to be one of the best little fighters. I can't imagine what a time you might have with a 20 pound Smally.....oh, yes I can. They are on the west coast and called Yellowtail.

The fish were doing a lot of grab, run, and drop episodes so in between fish we were still having fun but not having to take them off the hook. They seemed to be picking up on the drop or when working the unweighted plastic dead stick. I also managed one nice pickerel that put up a nice fight on my new light gear.

During a Spring Sale at Kittery Trading Post I picked up a nice little Shimano Sahara 1000 reel and matched that to a 6' Shimano Convergance graphite rod. Truthfully, over the years, I have never popped for any freshwater gear more expensive than a $30 K-Mart combo rod and reel. This new rig is a treat and I had a blast with it.

Here are a few pictures form the evening.

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Author:  peteg [ Mon May 11, 2009 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Friday 5/8 Happy Hour

I bet you're glad to be back on the water. Luckily, we don't freeze over here in Arkansas, but we've got quite a bit of flooding going on this month. Lake Ouachita where I fish is the highest I've ever seen it.

Good thing I've got a Kayak, all the boat ramps are under water!

We're in post spawn now, once the water stabilizes a bit, the topwater bite here is outrageous!

Enjoy your spring fishing!
Pete

Author:  NH Explorer [ Tue May 19, 2009 6:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Friday 5/8 Happy Hour

I have run into the extremely high water thing here also. It doesn't keep us from fishing but it sure changes the game plan. Everything is different as far as where the cover is etc.

Author:  peteg [ Tue May 19, 2009 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Friday 5/8 Happy Hour

I'm planning on an all day fishing expedition Thursday. Lake Ouachita is still about 10 feet above normal pool, I tried to hike a trail that goes next to it this morning, but parts of it were flooded so I could only do sections.

I'm planning on striper fishing early with topwater baits (C10 Redfin, Super Spook), then fishing a Pig & Jig in some of the flooded timber.

If I do any good I'll post some pictures.

I lived in Epping NH for a short time, and fished some of the lakes up there in a canoe. I sure like these kayaks much better!

Pete

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