Benson 5/11

Brian
Bassmaster

So, let's see it.

Posts: 1,214

Benson 5/11 May 13, 2016 8:34:39 GMT -5

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Post by Brian on May 13, 2016 8:34:39 GMT -5

We went to Benson Wednesday hoping for a day of mixed bag fishing; drum, bass, pickerel & pike, maybe a catfish. Nice looking water, clean, N wind, 97', 60 degrees. First attempt was at drum fishing, a total bust. No current, little bait, empty fish finder screen. No problem, bass were likely to be had in nearby back waters. Not really as it turned out. Di got one, I got a few small pickerel. Went over to a bay called Pickerel Bay, where oddly we catch few pickerel. But did manage 3 lm while blowing through at trolling speed. Looking for some wind protection we headed back north, found some, got a few more bass, a pike and hybrid (?). Went up to Orwell to a reliable pike area. Had action, but not a lot of fish actually landed. A few big hits, but no hook ups, maybe gar? Saw some pike missing the baits. Finally we connected with the target species. Finished up closer to the ramp, got a bass and again some big hits...and misses. Next time.

We fished at Harriman Reservoir the day before. We actually caught more, and bigger bass there (14) in a 4 hour day than we did at Champlain (11 lm, 1 sm] in 7 hours. Hmmmm

. No pike, catfish, bowfin or sheepshead as distractions at Harriman

...

best pike of the day 34"

this looks to me to be a 24" pike/pickerel hybrid

at Harriman Tuesday Di got this 20.25" 4 lb. 9 oz. Master Angler sm to hit her Pointer

vtbass Global Moderator Posts: 1,733	Benson 5/11 May 13, 2016 9:23:11 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by vtbass on May 13, 2016 9:23:11 GMT -5 Definitely a hybrid. Not sure what's going on with the bite right now. Don't tell me the drum are over and the bass are done!?!?!

schodackbassman Bassmaster 07 Bass Cat Pantera Classic 200 Opti Posts: 1,635	Benson 5/11 May 13, 2016 16:07:47 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by schodackbassman on May 13, 2016 16:07:47 GMT -5 Some nice toothy critters there Brian. The hybrids colors are so bright aren't they. Hope to be up next week to try again. What a beautiful week this would have been to be up but had stuff going on here. Hate stuff....
	Fishing for fun.

rgang4
Bassmaster

Three generations of fishing on Champlain

Posts: 2,143

Benson 5/11 May 13, 2016 17:09:37 GMT -5

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Post by rgang4 on May 13, 2016 17:09:37 GMT -5

Sounds like a fun day to me B. I think the big schools of drum have probably broken up into little pods and may have even spawned during the warm up. What a nice looking hybrid! Nice stout pike too! Seems you get them like that, or maybe they just look stouter when you hold them up than when I do

I think the bass were maybe off due to the wind. I had a great day last Sunday catching them on everything including buzz baits until the wind blew. Not the first time wind has killed a good prespawn bite for me.

Nice smallie Di!

Last Edit: May 13, 2016 17:10:55 GMT -5 by rgang4

Fishing is life, the rest is just details.

bigb2161 Boater Posts: 167	Benson 5/11 May 19, 2016 6:08:55 GMT -5 via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by bigb2161 on May 19, 2016 6:08:55 GMT -5 Sweet looking smallie! Where cN I find those grips? The boca ones I have... when the pike thrash and spin, they tear up their mouths.