What is becoming an annual trip has yet to disappoint. To me, it signifies the start of the open water season. Their catch and release Bass season in Vermont and New York is always fun and a way to target Bass in a way we really don't up here. This year I towed the Lund down without ever having it in the water! She performed like a rock star of course.
Along this year for the journey was my buddy Bill and driving up to meet us there from Pennsylvania Ryan. They'd both seen prior reports of past trips so their expectations were high! Also along side in their own boat was Dave and Andrew.
Bill and I left real early and fished the first day alone as Ryan had to work and would meet us after our day.
Greeted with temps in the low 50's I expected things to be decent. It always take a little figuring out what the fish are doing and how it was setup. This time was no different.
I knew what I wanted to throw, a lot. Crankbaits. For whatever reason we don't throw them much up here but down there for pre-spawn fish they are killer. I also planned on throwing a chatterbait a bunch, I am HOOKED on that bait. So versatile and flat out gets eaten.
We started in an area I had fished in the past and while pitching a chatterbait around some buckbrush I had slack knocked into my line. That favorite feeling was back! Big hookset and landed my first fish of the trip.
Hello Darlin.
Bill and I went fish for fish that day with our best 5 going around 24 lbs. That is why we come here. SO fun.
We met up with the boys back at the hotel and they had a similar type of day. Ryan arrived and we went out for dinner and enjoyed a few laughs retreating to watch the hockey game back at the room. The fishing is great but hanging with the boys talking fishing for hours is a blast.
The next day Ryan was fired up. He'd heard all about our day before and was up at 530. Grabbed a quick breaky and hit the lake. Little did he know when he made that first cast the kind of day he'd have.
His first cast...
I was still throwing cranks and they were choking it. Bouncing it off something hard was the key to getting bit.
I love being around when someone pops a PB. We didn't weigh any fish but Ryan knows this is his best ever.
Bill was no slouch this day either landing this beauty.
What a hoot. Between us a legit 40 plus fish on the day with the best 5 over 20 again. Two delivered Mega Pizzas topped off a great day.
With plans to only fish the morning before heading home we didn't waste any time getting at them though it seemed to slow a bit. The Crank got it started.
Then the jerkbait fired up!
With impending weather headed our way we stuck it out for awhile. I was determined to get a bite along a new stretch and my perseverance paid off in the rain.
The weapons of Bass destruction. Top to bottom. Jackall Squad Minnow, Jackall Aska 70, Zman Chatterbait tipped with a Jackall Rhythm Wave and a Jackall MC60.
It was a great three days on the water, zero issues. Other than having to buy a net because I forgot to load one it was flawless until we were on the 401 and stuck for 4 hours with the highway being closed due to a fatal accident. Our delay pales in comparison to the bad day that fella had, no biggie.
Lake Champlain, see you in 2019.
RJ
Return to Lake Champlain...
- Trophyhunter
- Participant
- Posts: 47
- Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:19 pm
Re: Return to Lake Champlain...
Great fishing , Good friends and decent weather , Thanks for the invite Rob ,it was a bucket list trip for me and thanks to Pirates Cove Marina for building RJ a beautiful new Lund , anybody looking to buy a new ride should get with RJ and go for a rip , outstanding ride and power that sets you back in the seat ,dream boat for sure,,,,,,tight lines Bill
Re: Return to Lake Champlain...
I have to agree .. the fishing was great and hanging out in the evenings was even better! Your Facebook Live on the 401 was certainly entertaining!
Definitely looking forward to more trips to NY before the season starts up here.
Thanks boys for a great three days.
Z
Definitely looking forward to more trips to NY before the season starts up here.
Thanks boys for a great three days.
Z
Re: Return to Lake Champlain...
Nice report RJ very well done,you sure enjoy life to the max.Maybe one day I will treat myself and book half a day with you ,its on my bucket list...Wally
- emeraldpirate
- Participant
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:39 am
- Location: Ottawa/Gatineau Canada
Re: Return to Lake Champlain...
Wow nice big bass, definitely gotta get my ace to Lake Champlain for some hog fishing at some point. Thanks for sharing the gear info and love the Weapons of Bass Destruction line .......Lol
Re: Return to Lake Champlain...
Thanks Wally. Drop me a line anytime and see if we can get ya scheduled in. Gonna be a busy summer!Wally wrote:Nice report RJ very well done,you sure enjoy life to the max.Maybe one day I will treat myself and book half a day with you ,its on my bucket list...Wally
RJ