Big Browns and Broodstock Salmon
It’s still an open-water game on Cape, and looking at the 10-day forecast, it’s likely to stay that way until the New Year. We might get some skim ice Sunday into Monday, but rain showers on the 26th will probably chew up any ice that does form.
Depending on your outlook, this is good news or bad news. Fishing at Peters Pond on Sunday afternoon, I overheard a group of fishermen dunking bait talking about the winter fishing.
“I can’t wait to ice fish,” the one man said.
“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with this,” replied his friend, lifting up a stringer weighed down by a pair of good-sized brown trout.
Whether ice forms or not, the trout fishing right now is very good. Natural baits such as shiners or worms (wax worms in particular) continue to tempt any of the trout species. Quality brown trout continue to mix in with the rainbows. Bait is the best bet for browns, while rainbows will strike lures as well.
The broodstock salmon stocked last week as steadily being picked off by fishermen. Dan Jones and a crew from the Hook Up caught three of them in Cliff Pond over the weekend. OTW’s Andy Nabreski took a 6-pound broodstock on a Yo-Zuri PINS Minnow Friday morning. Salmon will take live shiners and lures. Flashy spoons and stickbaits seem to be best for the salmon. When targeting the salmon, keep in mind that there were only 25 stocked in each pond (Peters, Cliff, Sheep, Little and Long), and a few have already been “re-stocked” into the freezers of lucky anglers. Even with salmon a long shot, it’s worth taking a shot. My biggest brown trout have come while targeting salmon.
For a big trout, larger ponds that receive a fall stocking will be your best bet, as these ponds typically hold over trout from year to year, providing trophy opportunities. This time of year typically offers the best shot at a big brown trout. From now until the ponds freeze, browns will be prowling the shoreline and will be willing to strike at spoons, stickbaits or live baitfish. Shiners work, but many anglers agree that live mummichogs (killifish, minnows, mummies, chubs) are a better trout bait.
Smallmouth bass are balled up in deeper water, and if you can find them, you can have a field day. Christian at Falmouth Bait and Tackle had a few customers who reported using their electronics to locate a school of smallies before catching one after another on drop-shot rigs.
Though they rarely show up in the reports, panfish are a viable option this time of year as well. Yellow perch, bluegill and even crappie will still strike in the cold water. Often times, these fish school up in deeper water and a boat or kayak is needed to get to them. Small jigs or small minnows are often the ticket.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Trout remain the best bet, but if you’d like a shot at a trophy, try slinging spoons or stickbaits in one of the five ponds stocked with broodstock salmon—Long, Little, Cliff, Peters or Sheeps.
If you have a boat and some reliable electronics looking in deeper water for schooled up smallies could pay off big time. Search over structure in 30 or more feet of water. Drop-shot rigs and blade baits will give you the best shot at hooking up.
The Hook Up will be hosting anglers for their annual Holiday Open House and Sale on Saturday at 9:00 a.m.—could be worth stopping by on your way to Cliff Pond to battle with broodstock salmon.
When the temperature dips Sunday night, you may want to grab your copy of the mammoth January issue of On The Water and start planning your 2013 season.