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The Hawg Forum / Possible NY State Record Smallmouth Caught!
« on: June 17, 2022, 03:19:54 PM »
What a beast of a smallmouth!
Read the article here: http://www.fieldandstream.com/fishing/angler-catches-new-york-record-smallmouth-bass/
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What a beast of a smallmouth!
Read the article here: http://www.fieldandstream.com/fishing/angler-catches-new-york-record-smallmouth-bass/
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The Hawg Forum / 85 Degrees and Catching Bass!
« on: May 15, 2022, 05:51:13 PM »
I made my first trek to Sutton lake today, which is 30 minutes from my house. It's a 1000 acre power plant cooling lake.
I'd never been on it prior to today, so this trip was purely exploration and learning, trying to put some puzzle pieces together.
We didn't start fishing until shortly after 8 AM, so the sun was already high in the sky and it was heating up fast.
Over the course of 4 hours, I landed one bass and dropped another one that was bigger than this one. It looked like probably around 3 lbs. It came unbuttoned about 4 feet from the boat
My wife also had a couple bites, but never got to see what they were.
By the time we left at 12:30 PM, it was 85 degrees
All in all, not a bad start to my NC fishing adventures.
I'd never been on it prior to today, so this trip was purely exploration and learning, trying to put some puzzle pieces together.
We didn't start fishing until shortly after 8 AM, so the sun was already high in the sky and it was heating up fast.
Over the course of 4 hours, I landed one bass and dropped another one that was bigger than this one. It looked like probably around 3 lbs. It came unbuttoned about 4 feet from the boat
My wife also had a couple bites, but never got to see what they were.
By the time we left at 12:30 PM, it was 85 degrees
All in all, not a bad start to my NC fishing adventures.
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The Hawg Forum / Since I Moved to NC
« on: February 28, 2022, 08:22:03 PM »
Since I moved to NC, I have learned that the winter here is typically only about 6 weeks or so in length, and it is obviously much milder than winter in RI.
Christmas day was 75 degrees. Then, after January started, we started having more winter-like temperatures. But we never had temperatures under 20 degrees at night. And the only snow we had was on two different days. Once we got 1/2 inch or less. On another day we had a dusting. We also had one ice storm.
That was it for winter precipitation here.
Even when we were having colder days, we always seemed to have a day or two each week at least into the 50s, and sometimes in the 60s. Every once in a while we would have a 70 degree day.
Now that we're moving into March, the last couple of weeks has been a steady increase in temps. We had two days in the last week or so that were 80.
Today topped out in the high 50s, and now the forecast for the next 10 days in the 60s or higher.
I know it's extremely hot here in the summer, but for me it's a good trade-off to get me out of the miserable temperatures in RI.
And on top of that all, I have actually been able to catch some bass from shore in small neighborhood ponds during the last couple of weeks, even though I haven't yet had time to get the boat on the local lakes here.
I can honestly say that living here will now allow me to fish 12 months per year with no problem at all.
Christmas day was 75 degrees. Then, after January started, we started having more winter-like temperatures. But we never had temperatures under 20 degrees at night. And the only snow we had was on two different days. Once we got 1/2 inch or less. On another day we had a dusting. We also had one ice storm.
That was it for winter precipitation here.
Even when we were having colder days, we always seemed to have a day or two each week at least into the 50s, and sometimes in the 60s. Every once in a while we would have a 70 degree day.
Now that we're moving into March, the last couple of weeks has been a steady increase in temps. We had two days in the last week or so that were 80.
Today topped out in the high 50s, and now the forecast for the next 10 days in the 60s or higher.
I know it's extremely hot here in the summer, but for me it's a good trade-off to get me out of the miserable temperatures in RI.
And on top of that all, I have actually been able to catch some bass from shore in small neighborhood ponds during the last couple of weeks, even though I haven't yet had time to get the boat on the local lakes here.
I can honestly say that living here will now allow me to fish 12 months per year with no problem at all.
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Fishing Photos Forum / My First NC Bass!
« on: February 18, 2022, 01:44:20 PM »
Well, I finished up work early yesterday, and it was a gorgeous 70+ degree day here, with sunshine and light breezes, so I headed out to fish a couple small neighborhood ponds, in search of my very first NC bass.
Here are the results.
Both bass were caught on a spinnerbait, but in two different ponds.
It felt good to catch a couple, especially with them being respectable sizes of 3 lbs. and 2 1/2 lbs.
Here are the results.
Both bass were caught on a spinnerbait, but in two different ponds.
It felt good to catch a couple, especially with them being respectable sizes of 3 lbs. and 2 1/2 lbs.
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The Hawg Forum / Peep Frogs
« on: February 16, 2022, 06:53:15 PM »
As my wife and I sit on the back patio, we're enjoying the fire and listening to the distant sounds of peep frogs. And it's not even March yet 
I think I like this
I think I like this
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The Hawg Forum / I Think It Followed Me
« on: January 20, 2022, 10:35:32 AM »
It seems like the cold weather must have followed me to NC
Not really. It's been great here overall, with many days in the los, and even some in the 70s. But we're supposed to have some freezing rain and ice over the next couple of days, and then a streak of weather in the 40s each day.
Based on the weather patterns, though, that will likely be the worst we will see of the winter here.
I've been checking on the weather back in RI from time to time, and it makes me glad I left when I did.
Stay warm everyone!
Not really. It's been great here overall, with many days in the los, and even some in the 70s. But we're supposed to have some freezing rain and ice over the next couple of days, and then a streak of weather in the 40s each day.
Based on the weather patterns, though, that will likely be the worst we will see of the winter here.
I've been checking on the weather back in RI from time to time, and it makes me glad I left when I did.
Stay warm everyone!
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The Hawg Forum / A New Chapter, but Not in the Northeast
« on: December 28, 2021, 10:39:37 AM »
Well, after working our butts off for the last 6-8 weeks, my wife and I left RI on 12-16 to make the 750 mile drive to NC, where we bought and moved into a new home.
We are no longer living in the northeast, but I will continue to run this site and make posts as I learn new waters here in NC.
We are just about settled into the new house, so I hope to get out on the water sometime in the next couple of weeks.
The weather here is drastically different than RI. We had mid 70s on Christmas day, and today is supposed to be in the low 70s. I think I can like this
I hope everyone is staying warm!
We are no longer living in the northeast, but I will continue to run this site and make posts as I learn new waters here in NC.
We are just about settled into the new house, so I hope to get out on the water sometime in the next couple of weeks.
The weather here is drastically different than RI. We had mid 70s on Christmas day, and today is supposed to be in the low 70s. I think I can like this
I hope everyone is staying warm!
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Ice Conditions / Ice Conditions 2021-2022
« on: November 28, 2021, 01:02:38 PM »
I drove through an area today with a marsh and saw skim ice on most of it.
It has begun 
It has begun
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The Hawg Forum / Happy Thanksgiving!
« on: November 25, 2021, 08:25:47 AM »
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope you have a great day
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The Hawg Forum / Been Doing a Lot of Scouting
« on: November 23, 2021, 03:04:25 AM »
I've been spending a fair amount of time recently scouting out the new area I will be living in in NC.
There looks to be a fair amount of good bass water there in a handful of lakes, but also some tidal rivers that hold good bass as well.
Looks like I've got some serious exploring to do once we get there!
There looks to be a fair amount of good bass water there in a handful of lakes, but also some tidal rivers that hold good bass as well.
Looks like I've got some serious exploring to do once we get there!
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The Hawg Forum / Where it's Warmer
« on: November 07, 2021, 07:53:14 AM »
Well gang, my wife and I have bought a new house in NC and we're moving south!
No more snow for us, starting in late December.
I've lived in New England all my life, but it's time for a new chapter in a land where it's warmer and where the bass growing season is basically year round
Our new house is being built and should be ready for us to move in just before Christmas.
The community where the house is located is a former golf course, so there are small ponds scattered throughout the neighborhood, and I have been told that the ponds have bass in them. I was there back in October and saw a school of tens of thousands of small baitfish moving around in one of those ponds, so that was a good sign
There are also lots of water bodies within an hour or less with good bass fishing, so I should be all set when it comes to that
We don't have a definite moving date yet, since our house here in still on the market, but we don't expect it to take long for it to sell.
More to come as things progress!
No more snow for us, starting in late December.
I've lived in New England all my life, but it's time for a new chapter in a land where it's warmer and where the bass growing season is basically year round
Our new house is being built and should be ready for us to move in just before Christmas.
The community where the house is located is a former golf course, so there are small ponds scattered throughout the neighborhood, and I have been told that the ponds have bass in them. I was there back in October and saw a school of tens of thousands of small baitfish moving around in one of those ponds, so that was a good sign
There are also lots of water bodies within an hour or less with good bass fishing, so I should be all set when it comes to that
We don't have a definite moving date yet, since our house here in still on the market, but we don't expect it to take long for it to sell.
More to come as things progress!
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The Hawg Forum / Took the Win This Weekend!
« on: June 07, 2021, 09:40:51 AM »
I fished in a club tourney this past weekend.
The first half hour was dead, but I made a change to my presentation and it worked for me for the rest of the day!
I bagged 17 1/4 lbs., including these nice bass!
The biggest was a tad over 5 1/2. The smaller of the two was 4 3/4 lbs.
It was a great day on the water
The first half hour was dead, but I made a change to my presentation and it worked for me for the rest of the day!
I bagged 17 1/4 lbs., including these nice bass!
The biggest was a tad over 5 1/2. The smaller of the two was 4 3/4 lbs.
It was a great day on the water
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Northeast U.S. Fishing Reports / First Night Fishing Trip of 2021
« on: May 24, 2021, 09:57:28 AM »
Got out Friday night for a few hours.
The skies were mostly cloudy, with a steady breeze of 5-7 MPH the entire evening.
Water temp was just over 72.
The bite was intermittent, but I landed 5 bass in roughly 4 hours, with this one being the best, at a tad under 6 lbs.
Got it on one of my own spinnerbaits.
The next biggest was 2 3/4 lbs., also caught on a spinnerbait after dark.
The skies were mostly cloudy, with a steady breeze of 5-7 MPH the entire evening.
Water temp was just over 72.
The bite was intermittent, but I landed 5 bass in roughly 4 hours, with this one being the best, at a tad under 6 lbs.
Got it on one of my own spinnerbaits.
The next biggest was 2 3/4 lbs., also caught on a spinnerbait after dark.
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The Hawg Forum / Poll Regarding Your Personal Best Bass
« on: May 19, 2021, 10:58:32 AM »
Let's have some fun and talk about what bait landed our personal best bass!
After you vote, post below and tell how you caught it on that bait
After you vote, post below and tell how you caught it on that bait
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Boating Forum / My Big Floating Tackle Box
« on: May 06, 2021, 11:40:25 AM »
Every year I buy or make new lures and baits. Most of these get put in my boat.
Many of them get stored in the boat "just in case I need them". Those types of baits end up in plastic boxes or zip loc bags so I will have them if I happen to need them at any point.
Sadly, many of those baits never see the light of day again. They get buried and forgotten.
So, this week I decided to pull those items from the great abyss ( ) and sort through them all so I could organize them and make them easy to find if I want to use them.
Here's what I found when I dug them all out!
I will be putting some of these back in my boat, but many of them will be hung on pegboard in my garage, where I can easily see what I have and grab it when I'm preparing for a trip or tournament.
It's crazy how much stuff gets collected and then hidden away in the dark corners and recesses of a bass boat!
Many of them get stored in the boat "just in case I need them". Those types of baits end up in plastic boxes or zip loc bags so I will have them if I happen to need them at any point.
Sadly, many of those baits never see the light of day again. They get buried and forgotten.
So, this week I decided to pull those items from the great abyss (
) and sort through them all so I could organize them and make them easy to find if I want to use them. Here's what I found when I dug them all out!
I will be putting some of these back in my boat, but many of them will be hung on pegboard in my garage, where I can easily see what I have and grab it when I'm preparing for a trip or tournament.
It's crazy how much stuff gets collected and then hidden away in the dark corners and recesses of a bass boat!