CTFishTalk.com: First trip to Hopeville this weekend - Connecticut Kayak Fishing ( CT Kayak Fishing ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

imsafanct · Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Posts: 118

I can't even catch a cold at Mansfield so I'm going to try Hopeville this Saturday morning instead.

Just curious what the weeds/pads are like there, so I bring the right stuff. Is the milfoil thick and laying over on itself? Esox Cobra jig heads with a mag lizard or reaper get through that thick stuff amazingly well for a jig head with an exposed hook. Do you paddle North or South from the boat launch? Thanks.

- Eric

imsafanct · Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Posts: 118

One additional question. How would I get to the "falls" that I've read about? Just put the yak in the water at the Hopeville boat launch and paddle toward Pachaug Pond? Does the damn/falls separate Hopeville from Pachaug? Thanks again.

-Eric

AVec80X · Joined: 28 Mar 2014 Posts: 199 Location: East of the River

Go early and you should be able to dodge the $9 (plus tax now!) parking fee. The "Falls" are a solid 30-45 minute paddle South.

The kayak tournament was there last month and I found the best Bass fishing was South of the overpass...which is about 1/2 mile South from the launch. If you're after Pike, paddle all the way down to the falls. I've found they tend to linger in that general area ±200 yards. I can't speak to punching through mats & Milfoil there, I rarely fish jigs.

Good luck.
_________________
Join the yak pack! – www.connecticutkayakanglers.com / http://connecticutkayakanglers.bigcartel.com

imsafanct · Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Posts: 118

Vecca...we need to get together and catch up. This is Weiman.

-Eric

AVec80X · Joined: 28 Mar 2014 Posts: 199 Location: East of the River

imsafanct · Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Posts: 118

So if I put in at the Hopeville launch, it seems it's a 2 mile + paddle down to the falls. I'd rather fish than paddle. Are there any good pike spots closer to the Hopeville launch?

I'm thinking of fishing the following lures: a LIVETARGET hollow frog, a Bucher Slopmaster spinnerbait, a 5-6" soft paddle tail swimbait on a 1/2 oz. exposed hook jig head, a Zoom mag lizard on a 1/2 oz. Esox Cobra exposed hook jig head, a 7" Slug-Go, a Johnson Silver Minnow, a Mag Force Rat-L-Trap and maybe a J-Mac 5/8 oz. skirted jig. Anyone have any different suggestions? Has anyone caught pike on walk the dog style topwater lures like Spooks or Sammys?

I REALLY want to break out the big stuff but I think it's still a little early in the year for Bulldawgs, Cowgirls, Jakes or Hell Hounds, and maybe too weedy for Suicks. Go BIG or go home! Twisted Evil

-Eric

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Heading north (i.e., downriver) from the boat launch ramp, the small cove that's next to Hopeville Road and just past the beach always holds largemouth bass and sometimes holds northern pike. Otherwise, the entire shoreline directly across from the campground is lined with fish-holding laydowns. If it's a sunny day, drag a Texas-rigged creature bait right down the deepest part of the channel, next to the campground. The bottom is covered with fish-holding weed.
_________________
Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

imsafanct · Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Posts: 118

So I made it down to Hopeville this morning and got skunked. As the police officer said to me at Cumberland Farms at 4:30 AM this morning, "today should be a great day on the water." Oh, it was beautiful alright...maybe if I was a pleasure boater. No wind, no clouds, and nice warm weather = no fish.

I started out in front of the boat launch and then worked my way South down to the first bridge, mostly working the deeper pockets, working a 5" Keitech on a 1/2 oz. swimbait jig head carefully through the milfoil. I also threw a spinnerbait and a jig, but no luck. Neat place. Didn't blow me away, but I may try again in colder weather.

-Eric

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Sorry to hear that. This has been The Year of the Really, REALLY Slow Bite for me, so far. I've gotten some with topwater lures, jigs and chatterbaits, but most with a much slower presentation. Now that I think about it, I haven't gotten a spinnerbait fish, yet, this year. Weird.
_________________
Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

imsafanct · Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Posts: 118

Phil, I'm in the same boat. It just seems slow this year.

I've only had a handful of good days so far this year, and I've been out as much as I can be. My first two trips to Mashapaug in May were decent with the tube and drop shot, Bill and I had a fun morning above King's Island with topwater smallies and I've had a couple good trips to Keeney with the Slopmaster and Sammy in June. But I've been in a serious funk since the beginning of July. Keeney seems to have died this month.

My largest fish this year was a 4 lb. largemouth taken in the evening at Keeney on the Slopmaster.

This year, however, I've been chasing pike at Keeney and Mansfield mostly, as opposed to throwing bass stuff like Senkos, which I caught a ton of bass with last year. Maybe that's been my problem.

-Eric

ChaoSki · Joined: 23 Jun 2014 Posts: 169

We drove down to Hopeville to scout for campsites....brought the rods but didn't have time to fish.

Another confirmation on slow year for fishing.

Quite opposite for Carp fishing I must say.