May 15-18, Winni Derby

Fished the Winni Derby for the 1st time. Rented a place up there with my two brothers. It was a blast.

Shawn and I rode up together and started Thursday to find some spots and see what was going on. We got out late as there was so much to plan for and get ready it was very busy.

Trolled out from the bay and Shawn banged a nice salmon at about 22 inches. Then I got a huge rainbow trout that weight around 4.5 pounds and was about 21 inches.

Friday we headed out early and instantly the big pond was so full of boats you could barely navigate the water. We had an instant dry spell that lasted for hours picking up only a small fish here and there. Shawn and I each got a 19 inch for the day and later on we boated a bunch of shorts to 18 inches out on the broads over near Welch.

Saturday was more of the same with a better start and longer mid day dry spell. We got bored and headed to docks to go get some lures from AJs bait and tackle then troll the bay. Then we headed for the the weigh station to see what was going on and get some pizza. As we trolled in I picked up a 18 inch salmon. As we headed out we got another cookie cutter 18. We stayed there for a little bit then headed back out to find more productive water. Got a few more but nothing special. Was a nice eveinging until around 8pm when the wind and cooler air moved in. Was almost weird.

Sunday was leaving day so we woke up late and had a late start overall. Went out of Meredith bay and trolled that for a while and eventually ending up on the broads. Got 1 fish on a fly all morning. Headed in and called it a trip.

Was a fun trip but a long one.

Brian

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Sunday May 11th – Winnipesaukee Lake

After resolving the issue with my boat (bad thermostat), Shawn and I were up late again Saturday night working on the boat again getting it ready.

Trolled down the bay. Lots of chatter on the radio with mixed reports. We hooked up about an hour in and not sure how long the fish was on there. On the rigger about 10 feet down. Saw many fish on the sonar and some even jumping around the boat and chasing down our bait in the prop wash. It was about a 20″ salmon caught on a wonderbread pattern top gun.

We moved along to try and find more spots instead of dregging the area clean of fish. I’m sure they are there and will be there when we return Friday. Next spot was not too far but we have caught some really good fish there in the past. One LDR then another which ended up being the big one for the day caught by Shawn. 22 inches and 3 pounds. Hot pink db smelt was the lure that pulled in this stocky fish.

We moved to another spot we have never been to but looked good. All fish were on the riggers up until now. 3-4 more landed fish with at least one drop.

Moved back to our 1st spot and picked up another bigger fish. Boat traffic was getting busy so we decided to call it a day.

Sunday May 5th – Winnipesaukee Lake

We were dying to get out to do some real fishing on the big pond. Another late Saturday night working on the boat; mounting the downrigger and about a million other little jobs. Went to AJs to get a cannon ball for the new rigger. I ended up getting two of them. Oh ya, and bought another downrigger just like the one I had bought just 2 weeks prior. He he. I will not be pulling two riggers from my boat.

About halfway down the bay I hooked a fish. Not sure the size but I think it was pretty close to 17-18″. Then about 1/2 hour later we had a LDR on a much better fish. A 3rd fish was probably about 19″. I forget but think that one came on the lead. Lead was fished 1-2 colors and the rigger was at 10-15 feet.

Not long into the day my motor alarm went off. The bad one which I know either means no oil or overheat. I let it cool down for a bit. Started it then got the alarm within 10 minutes. Did this again and then decided it was not something to mess with and headed in.