CTFishTalk.com: Mansfield Hollow Reservoir 7/5 - Connecticut Lake Reports ( CT Lake Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

Took an evening trip to Mansfield Hollow today from 5-9pm It was in the upper 80's and as the day progressed it got to the lower 80's. The was a wind of about 10mph or so, but started to die down obviously as it got later. It's been a long time since I have evening fished, I just felt it was really necessary with all this hot weather. It was much cooler and tolerable for me today. The water surface temp was also in the mid 80's. When I launched my boat, it was unbelievably warm - like bath water.

I used two setups today. My Abu Garcia Vengence Rod with Black Max Baitcaster MH 6'6". I had a smaller clackin crank on it. 30lb braid, 20lb fluro.

The second setup was a MH 6'6" cabelas rod, with Shimano Solstice Spinning Reel. 20lb braid, 17lb fluro. I had a wacky rigged pumpkin 5" senko on this. (I probably threw this thing like 3 times all day).

I am really starting to get the feel for my baitcaster and although it took some getting used to, I think I actually like it more than my spinning rod. I used the baitcaster most of the day. Today's total was 4 LMB, and 3 Yellow Perch. Everything was keeper size, the LMB that I put back were 12" and 13". I threw the Perch back too. I was actually intended on trying to get some keeper Perch, but they were so small.

Here are my two keepers that I took.

What was really strange to me is the weight on these two..?? I know everyone's been debating about weights and pictures are very decieving. I actually weighed them before I measured them. The longer one was 3.6lbs, and the shorter one was 2.4lbs. The length?....

The 3.6lber was 20"! Doesn't really make much sense to me...but she must not have been eating well...The shorter was 16", just above the slot limit to keep.

Anyways, a great evening on the water. The fish were caught in 4-8 FOW. The biggest one was a fun catch. I saw a stump on the upper part of the reservoir. I slowly dragged my crank over it and stopped. Next thing I know I saw the bass come right out slowly from underneath the stump, and grab it. Always great to see them hit.
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Steve

pikePERSUADER1 · Joined: 07 Dec 2010 Posts: 521

Nice, I never do good there for bass or pike lol Crying or Very sad

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

I find that the lower part is better for bass. I have no idea where the Pike are there lol. Maybe the deepest part or near the dam..love the lake though. So clean!
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Steve

pikePERSUADER1 · Joined: 07 Dec 2010 Posts: 521

yeah, light line and spider grubs would probably work good there for bass right now, but, the pike are probably deep and dormant right now, but man-o-man is there some big pike in there! last winter a guy caught 3 over 20 pounds in a single trip, with the biggest being over 25 pounds! Cool

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

Nice to see you're using the Clackin Cranks. Hope they're working well for you!

rmflint · Joined: 16 Mar 2012 Posts: 360 Location: Wallingford

The 3.6 def has a lot of growing potential. Nice report though.
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You know it was a good day when your thumb is all scratched up.

tracker · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 17

How do you cook it so it tastes good?

I tried LM bass once and thought it was a very strong tasting fish.
I like the taste of most fresh water fish , perch , walleye , trout , black crappie.

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

rxpxtx · Joined: 06 May 2012 Posts: 259

Nice fishin Steve. I've got no problem eating a bass. Spiced up right fried it's a fine dinner. I know the trend is to release, which I do all the time, but I grew up old school. If dad and I were going to kill a whole day fishing, then momma better have some fish to eat. I like LMB at 2.5 to 3.5lbs. Smaller just isnt worth the trouble of cleaning them, and the bigger ones are the ones that sustain the population. Plus the lunks should be there for the next guy to enjoy catching. BT-dubs....that's a mean looking crank. I've lost all my red ones to the tree gods. Time to re-up.
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Dave..... I can be a pain in the bass.

tracker · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 17

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

rxpxtx · Joined: 06 May 2012 Posts: 259

I'm gonna get a couple clackin's and give em a shot. I've got a bunch of square bills. Great action and they bounce off all the structure well. What do you think about removing the trebles and going with a single tail hook, oh wise crank one?
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Dave..... I can be a pain in the bass.

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

One my cranks I've only changed out the back hook for a single, not the first one. I do however love the double treble. I rarely miss a hook set obviously with so many hooks. I would say on about 90% of my cranks I leave the stock ones.

With bass I think it's okay with the stock trebles, with Pike however the big ones tend to swallow them and with so many hooks in there along with those teeth - they can get really messed up. My buddy had a herring patterned bigger crank and caught two big size Pike this year. I had to keep them because the hooks were so deep in there and they messed em up bad... Those situations I think single hooks are better off.
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Steve

rxpxtx · Joined: 06 May 2012 Posts: 259

That makes sense Steve. I dont have all that much trouble with trebles and bass. I was just thinking it may help with tossing them into structure and not getting them fouled. Always tinkering and looking for wisdom.
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Dave..... I can be a pain in the bass.

MikeOkay · Joined: 04 May 2012 Posts: 76 Location: Naugatuck

I picked up an orangeish/gold colored clackin crank at the sports authority sale a month or two back and I can't get it to produce at all. I feel like the damn thing is always getting hung up and loaded over with weeds. Any tips for how to use those?