Bob G - some Champlain questions

[Jim Barlow]

Bob G: I am from Bennington, VT and see from the reports that you fish Champlain a lot for bass. I don't specifically target bass, but I catch a few smallmouths on the Connecticut River when walleye fishing.



I am trying to figure out the pike fishing in the Larabee's Point/Ticonderoga area of Champlain, as I caught a few nice ones (6-7 lbs) this June trolling crankbaits just outside the weedline. It was enough action to make me want to go back this fall. Where do you fish? Do you ever target walleye or pike? Thanks. JimVT

 

[Bob G.]

Jim,



I only fish for bass! I'm hooked. Pun always intended! I fish the northern section from the Sand Bar causeway in S. Hero to Alburg/Rouses Point. There is a ton of spots for smallies and largemouth. I always joke that I've fished my whole life but I am just learning how to fish! I have never fished the Ticonderoga area, but Rob can probably give you more info about bass and pike. I usually catch more pike in the spring, but I don't target them at all during the summer or fall. Also check out the Fishing Hotspots maps. There are three different ones - north, central and south. I only have the northern one. There is a lot of good info on the back of the map, but it takes time on the water.



Bob G.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Jim, there are some nice pike down south near Ti, but by far the best end for those as well as bass is the north end. If you get to fish near Rouses Point, it's loaded. Try Stony Point, the old RR bridge and pilings, Catfish bay, Kings Bay, and Fort Montgomery as a few. Kings bay by far the most concentrations. Right off of the Chazy river launch. You'll have your fill of pike, bass and muskie. No matter where you go, for BIG pike, be sure you're properly equipped first. I won't go into that, but for baits use magnum rattle traps, the big mepps in line spinners, buzz baits and some bigger tandem spinnerbaits. Also Rapala magnums too. Burn the outside edges of weedlines. With spinners, the faster the better. And if you get a follow, DON'T slow down, speed up and it will prompt a reaction strike. Good luck.

 

[Jim Barlow]

Guys, thanks for the pointers. I haven't been hooked by the bass bug yet (pun also intended), but I do catch a few targeting other species. I icefished the Inland Sea area when I was at UVM for salmon and used to fish off the Sandbar Causeway in those days because I didn't have a boat. I also fished the Inland Sea this spring during the LCI with my dad, targeting salmon. Thankfully, he has a hardtop Thompson, so we stayed out of the weather! A couple of other guys from this area travel up there to fish "The Derby." I was amazed at the number of bass fihermen. Champlain is a great resource. For better or worse, I think it is really under utilized and under promoted.



I fish the Connecticut River as often as I can and will try and post my results in the Fishing Reports section. The CT River also has some great fishing.