Have fun!!!!!
Support
& lobby for regulations which will improve our smallmouth fisheries
in New Hampshire
Spread the
word of catch, photograph, & release
Help improve
water quality and habitat by performing site clean-up's
The New Hampshire chapter of The National Smallmouth Alliance has been recently formed in an effort to help protect the smallmouth bass and it's habitat. Our smallmouth waters hold few big fish due to intense angling pressure, agricultural runoff, and outdated fishing regulations. Top this with industrial pollution and land development and it's easy to see why our sport is in need of an ally to help protect it for the future.
Here in New Hampshire, our chapter plans to lobby for slot limit regulations on lakes & rivers. Slot limits have been enacted in several states across the nation for various species of gamefish and have been met with great success. We also plan to lobby for "artificials only and/or catch & release waters." Live bait has been found to greatly increase mortality rates of released fish. A hook & worm seems innocent, and unfortunately is a popular method of angling. Many bass wind up getting hooked in their stomachs or throats, rather than the lip, which leads to death due to internal injury.
We are also looking to start a statewide "Adopt a Spot" program - much like the nationwide Adopt a Highway program were individuals spend time cleaning up garbage. I can think of one naturally beautiful spot on the Pemi river that is constantly being littered with plastic worm containers, fast food wrappers, and empty beer cans & bottles. It is truly sad and there are many spots like this where something needs to be done! We can't let a few bad individuals ruin our resources!
Through education & conservation we can help protect our sport of smallmouth fishing. If you would like to help support the New Hampshire Smallmouth Alliance by becoming write to the address below or contact president Brian Mullaney via email : bmullane@primavera.com
NHSA
PO Box 905
Plymouth, NH 03264
Have fun!!!!!
Support
& lobby for regulations which will improve our smallmouth fisheries
in New Hampshire
Spread the
word of catch, photograph, & release
Help improve
water quality and habitat by performing site clean-up's
Here in New Hampshire ice out on most large lakes usually occurs in late April. During a mild winter like last years, ice out occurs around mid-april. As the days grow longer and the sun travels northward the warming effect of the sun can trigger aggressive feeding patterns. The bass will begin to move from there deep water winter residences towards the shallows once the water reaches the mid 40's. During this time look for fish to be in the 20-40 ft. range. One of my favorite baits for this time of year is a blade bait like the good old Silver Buddy. I target the base of mid lake humps, making sure I'm lifting the blade a foot or so off the bottom and letting it fall and repeating.
Last fall my friend Rob Frye, my brother Kevin, and myself had excellent results throwing blades during the late fall. The fish averaged 3-4 lbs. and we landed a couple close to 5 lbs. A local on Big Squam caught (and hopefully released!) a 7 lb. 2 oz. fish - not bad!!! The hog was supposedly caught on a spider grub, a lure which I plan on using more often this season when the bass aren't aggressively feeding.