I spent about four hours yesterday on or near the mouth of the Ogunquit River, and much as I expected, caught the skunk. Yet, it was just nice to get he feel of my new rod and be in the water. Next week, hopefully, things will get better but I don't expect the real action to begin until Memorial Day. If there are any other Mainers out there, please let me know when you start seeing the rats. I'll be heading up again either Thursday or Friday night (depending on the reports) and probably fish on Friday and Sunday.

MartyK, a few friends told me that they just started getting fish on the North Shore and in NH so maybe your door is next <img src="/Images/Happy_Face.gif"><!--e1-->. Keeper size fish are now being caught on the Cape, South Shore, and Boston Harbor so it is looking good for ya!!!

Thanks, John. Please keep me posted as you get reports from your north contacts.

Anything new from your contacts? I tried the bridge in Ogunquit for about 30 minutes with my brand new Penn 5500. After five major birdnests I headed up to see my buddy Luke in Kennebunk,who diagnosed the problem as a defect in the reel that kept it from sliding back and forth to even out the line. Luke fixed it, but I had lost the tide. Givne the weather forecast and the lack of positive reports from the other fishermen on the bridge, I headed home to Boston. I'll be up Thursday night and really look forward to four days of fishing. It would be nice to do some catching as well.

MartyK, your time is here (or near) as they are getting school bass in Plum Island area and the North Shore. A friend told me that he was getting some in NH and that was a week and a half ago... They could be trickling in there now. I would highly recommend using the small bucktail jigs in addition to your baited rod... What do you use for bait? Are the mackeral up there yet??

Hi John. I am indeed using bucktails in addition to chunking mackerel. The macs were not there as of this past weekend, but I got some of the sweetest smelling ones (small, but not tinkers)I've ever had from a friend who picked up a case in Portland. They supposedly came from New Jersey.

hey there Marty, may also want to try some 4" shads, pearl, blue back w/white or chartrues, with a 3/8 oz jig head, these are very affective in the spring time. Just use a steady retrieve and give that shad a little twitch now and then. I have used these colors up there and they work very well, this year is also turning out to be a very good top water year, so don't hesitate to throw a few poppers now and then, try a chrome creek chub, or a Gag's Popper.

Thank you, Fisherwoman. I hope you are recovering well. My biggest problem with throwing plugs is my back. I'm actually in pretty good shape, but my lower back seems to act up in the mud. That's part of the reason I prefer to fish with bait. I can bring a chair with me and rest during the slow times with the rod in a spike. It would probably be a good idea for me to start off with plugs and then go to bait as my back weakens instead of vice-versa.

Marty thanks for the good wishes, recovery is going well. As for you bad back,try using a lighter rod, maybe 7 to 8 foot medium heavy action, and don't throw your body when you cast just try to use your arms, this may help you a little bit, as for distance, the majority of the time I only fish my 7' MH action rod, I do use 10lb test fire line, which takes some time getting used to but, I can get those lures out there just as far as my 9' with momo. So you may want to try it, I did try this new line this year called whip lash, by Berkley, don't waste your money if you are a spin cast fishermen, the line is very light and will knot up on you very easily, and once you get those knots you can forget about it, just cut and re-tie.