Sauder's Boat Livery

Skip at Saunders Boat Livery, Inc. in Southwick said the bass bite continued on its slow descent this week with tough local fishing. Finesse fishing was the name of the game as the bass that did bite, were barely touching whatever they threw. He suggested allowing the fish an extra second or two to get the bait into their mouth before setting the hook. Skip says that this is a great time to find a big one, you just have to work a little harder and be extra patient.

Heard from Skip at Saunders Boat Livery, Inc. in Southwick that water temperature in Congamond Lakes is dropping quickly, and bass have slowed way down. Instead of hitting hard, bass are now gently mouthing offerings, and bites are tough to detect. Rather than setting the hook immediately upon discerning a take, fishermen should wait until the line draws tight indicating the fish has a solid grip. There are some big largemouths (and smallmouths) to be had in November and December, but they will not be quick to react. To catch them, bassmen should slow their approach even to the point of deadsticking the lure. Trout, on the other hand, are very active in the three-pond complex and will stay that way in December even if ice-over occurs. Big chain pickerel—the size that Skip says most fishermen rarely, if ever, encounter—are hitting too and will remain active and aggressive not only in December but all winter.