CTFishTalk.com: Bantam River/Lake - Connecticut Kayak Fishing ( CT Kayak Fishing ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

ChaoSki · Joined: 23 Jun 2014 Posts: 169

I'm heading up to Bantam River/Lake tomorrow and was hoping to get some advice.

Looking to catch some Pike. Based on the search I've done on the forum, it looks like Pond up north might be a good spot to start up river.

I was going to head down to the lake after. Any recommendation on the spots/lures etc.

I will probably be using Perch looking Rapalas, top water Frogs and Texas rigs.

TIA

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

There are usually a lot of weeds at Bantam River and Little Pond, so weedless lures like buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and soft plastic frogs (e.g., Zoom Horny Toads) are a good choice, although I would always have a wacky-rigged Senko tied on, too. Don't be afraid to drag your Texas rig over the heavy weeds on the bottom. It's not too bad if you cast upriver and retrieve with the current.
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ChaoSki · Joined: 23 Jun 2014 Posts: 169

Thanks Peco, can always count on you!

Yea I was reading about algea and weeds in your old thread (nice pics btw)

I'm hoping it's not around just yet, but will find out tomorrow.

ChaoSki · Joined: 23 Jun 2014 Posts: 169

Trip was a success, area is just amazing/beautiful.

Goal was to catch a pike, which I did....unfortunately it was a baby.....about 12" hehe

Pike is a Pike though.

We went up north to the pond, which was VERY low. On the way up I caught 2 Redeye Bass and 2 Yellow Perch and a little Pike.

After that, NOTHING. other Kayakers were unlucky as well.

There was no weeds on top at all. Pond water levels were very low and didn't get any action there either (lot of weeds close to the surface). But honestly, we didn't spend a lot of time there.

Next time we will be heading down towards the Lake vs north. It looked much wider and I have a feeling there is more action down that way.

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

Good job on the mini northern pike, but "redeye bass"? Rolling Eyes

Do you mean ROCK BASS?!?! Laughing

Unless they're HUGE, I'm usually disappointed when I catch one. I'd rather catch a sunny than a rocky.

Did you throw a frog over the weeds? I'm surprised that you didn't get any largemouth bass or chain pickerel.
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ChaoSki · Joined: 23 Jun 2014 Posts: 169

I guess you can call it a sunny. But yea, Redeye Bass

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redeye_bass

I had a frog trolling behind the kayak the whole time, didn't get a chance to throw it into weeds though.

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

Read the following in your best Southern drawl: Y'all ain't in Georgia, son! Laughing

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_bass
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