CTFishTalk.com: Mansfield Hollow 9-17 - Connecticut Lake Reports ( CT Lake Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 278 Location: Central, CT

Went to Mansfield Hollow this morning with the original intention of going to Bantam Lake but things changed last minute. I got to the launch around 7am and waited for my buddy to get there. In the meantime I put my boat in the water and waited while tying my leader. I dont know if it was early or what it was but I had so much trouble tying a UniKnot on my leader. (I've done it before, but idk...maybe it was just early.) Finally got on the water about 7:45am.

It was freezing in the morning, around 45 degrees and I had to briefly get in the water for a bit and it was cold too!. What was interesting is it was the second time I was there and the water level was EXTREMELY low compared to last week. Places that I had fished last week I couldnt go to, but the good news was I could go under the tunnel and try the other side of the Lake. As soon as I got to the first island in my first 15 minutes I boated my first 14 inch LMB on a pumkinseed senko.

I trolled around and got a few nibbles but nothing to bring in. I headed to the other side and trolled around as well. There were some deeper spots on the other side. I got a small LMB, was probably like 7 or 8 inches.

I came back to the other side after some time and got a nice bite while coming back through the tunnel along the shore. At first I felt it, but then thought I lost it when I went to set the hook. Unfortunately the hook got a little too far down Sad

I snapped a picture of it but didnt realize that it splashed blood all over my face and my boat.

It would have definitely died if I put it back in the water so I kept my fingers crossed and checked to see how long it was...thankfully it was a little over 12 inches long. I kept it as a keeper. I hate when that happens...

I trolled around a little bit more and it started to finally get a little warmer so I threw a few casts before I had to head home around 11am. I had another bite and brought it in. When I got it up to the boat it wiggled off, I didnt grab my net in time. It was a bigger yellow perch, probably the biggest yellow perch that I have caught this year. Thought it was a good day on the water. It was cold but relaxing. I tried a spinnerbait for a bit but didnt get any hits.

-Steve