[Jared C.]

Was reading the posts at my computer (which is LITERALLY on it's last microchip), thinking about how in the next week and a half, the cold weather will soon put an end to bassin' on our favorite lakes, and I was reading about how many of you guys have been testing out cold waters and still producing some numbers I.E: HugeFish's lucky days on Rockland and Harriman, or John G's escapades at Wampus, and I was thinking....what is your ultimate favorite body of water to fish at this time of year (the time when the cold weather really starts to make fishing HARD)? I know more slower techniques will work now, and foliage has been dying out, so...habitually...what lake do you guys tend to visit in the last two weeks of the fishing season? I don't have one myself, because usually when the temp. drops below 50 degrees, I put my rods away for the year, but I was thinking that this Sunday, I would try one COLD DAY'S BASSIN'....but don't know where. My predicament is mainly that most retal places are closed, and there is limited fishing, but I know on Sunday it will be just about 50 degrees and Sunny for most of the Dutchess Cpunty area where I usually go, and if you guys could give me an idea of maybe where to try....also a proposition goes along with the query - if anyone wants to go out for a quick cold day's fishing....I'd gladly share a boat, or just meet someone up there and share notes. There ARE a few rental places still open, and I'd be happy to bring my motor and battery. So far, my schedule isn't etched in stone, but I just wanted to put out a feeler for this last trip of the season (most likely for ME). Your thoughts?

Jared C.
BRRRRRR

 

[Gregg]

I would pick whatever lake you know the best, that will give you the best chance to catch fish. Besides fishing slower move deeper.

 

[Gary Menchen]

Cold Weather- Cold Water

NO,NO,NO, I totally disagree. The only thing that will slow down the bass fishing is Nov30 or ice-over, which ever comes first.
This is the best time of the year to hook your biggest fish (and numbers,too). My gear gets put away and my boats winterized after the lakes freeze. But for right now, short days + numb fingers = big bass.
Gary

 

[JOHN G]

Jared: one of the reason we favor Wampus in bad weather situations is that , first of all, it is only 40 acres....

Wampus fishes like a "bigger water" because it is 25 feet deep in the middle......and it has a blufflike Western shore....yet it has extensive lily pads and weed flats on both Eastern and Western portions......

yet, at only 40 acres, it is so easy to get off the water....if you are fishing Wampus and it is raining very hard, you can just get off, walk into your car, warm up with the heat a while and then go back out when it abates.....

with a BAss boat and huge bass lake, this is not so easy a thing to do.....I found that out two years ago on Candy in late December where it started snowing very hard on me.....the ride back with snow blasting my face was the coldest I had ever felt in my life!!!

as Gregg mentioned, we know every inch of Wampus Pond....so we can maximize our chances in slow situations.....

in addition to that, Wampus is the closest water we fish, only taking us about 35 minutes or so to get there...that is another plus in foul weather.....coming back to the house, it takes under a minute to cover up the 12 foot jon on it's trailer, whereas the Bass Boat requires the much lenghtier time to cover......

so it is simply much less of a fuss and when it is cold and wet, those are pluses that will spur you on to fish when the thought of all the extra work going further to a bigger water with the bass boat and all it entails discourages you from facing the elements.....

 

[Andrew]

Cold weather lakes

I totally agree with my buddy Gary: that is I never stop until there is ice on the lake.Several years ago when we were having those real mild winters we caugth fish all 12 months of the year.Maybe you should ask Gary about Sylvan Lake at this time of year(Dutches co ) Footballs.

 

[Scully]

Andrew,

I fished Sylvan Lake back in the late 80's and had a hard time catching a keeper. Lots of fish all 11 1/8 inches. Caught one about 3 pounds though. I guess its gotten better. Whats the scoop.....?

Scully

 

[Gary Menchen]

Ray,
I have fished Sylvan 5 or 6 times in the last 3 years and have done well every time. Forget what you remember from the 80's. Lots of milfoil and real nice size bass. Greg and I won a parner TX this past Aug with 18 and 1/2 lbs and lunker over 5 (see nybass.com tournament archives). Not sure how it is in Nov but I,m willing to guess it would be good for someone who can fish a jig. Know anyone who can? LOL Gary

 

[wnybassman]

This is the best time of the year to hook your biggest fish (and numbers,too). My gear gets put away and my boats winterized after the lakes freeze. But for right now, short days + numb fingers = big bass.

I like the way this guy thinks!!!

 

[Jared C.]

Intersting tips....I'm thinking if I go Sunday (which I most likely will at this point), I'd try good 'ol Long Pond Lake. It's not too bad a drive, and I believe the Hartley's still have a few boats out. Now, I'm just wondering if anyone wants to meet up for a day - Long Pond is quirky this time of year, but if anyone wants to give it a go - let me know - my e-mail is [email protected]. Hey JG....I know you like to try new places - if you want I'll show ya' around - my treat. Anyone else is invited as well. I still have yet to meet many NYBASSERS - and I'll keep this tread updated if there are any sudden changes in my schedule.

JC

 

[PapaJohn]

Can't make it, but good luck

Hey Jared, didn't want to reply to this thread until I knew what I had going. Unfortunately, I can't join you on Sunday. My wife is busy and I'll probably be home with the kids chopping wood, etc.

I did make it up there on that Indian Summer Monday a couple weeks ago, and caught nothing, not a strike. The boats are still out, and I was amazed how high the weeds were still. When I came back in, Mrs. Hartley asked me how I did, and she was not surprised it was so slow.

We have had some cold nights up here recently, hard to tell if that will turn the bass on or off, but good luck to you either way.

Guys and gals, I would recommend you join JC if you can. LPL is a beautiful little lake, and Jared is the board expert on it. He is also excellent company on a boat. The lake is full of bass and some decent pics. Last Fall, Jared's brother caught a 6+ out of LPL, so the potential for size is there as well.

Good luck Jared and let us know how you do.
:beerchug:

 

[Jared C.]

boats are still out...

So far I will still probably be able to go tomorrow - just wanted to put out a last minute update - Mrs. Hartley said the lake has been high and beautiful, and the fishing is sometimes ON sometimes OFF - a challenge! If anyone wants to try for a few hours tomorrow let me know.

JC

 

[jiggin-n-piggin]

The only thing that will slow down the bass fishing is Nov30 or ice-over, which ever comes first.

Gary,

You're only half-right!

Come to the Finger Lakes and you can fish bass right through to March 15th on several (not all) of these waters.

C'ya on the water,
Ted

 

[PapaJohn]

Did you go?

So Jared, did you make it up there?, and how did it go?

If we don't hear soon, I will assume either 1) you're on set a lot this week or 2) your last microchip finally died. .