I went on vacation in Laconia,NH last month and didn't bring my fishing pole :'( ~xyz I had no idea how close I'd be to Winnipesaukee! Anybody ever catch anything nice out of there? I'm going back in a few months and I definitely plan to bring my kayak.
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Winnipesaukee is loaded with smallmouth. They can be found on rocky shoals and also - all the docks are sitting on rock cribs and the smallies will be around those. Fish a fluke, jerkbait, or tube. I would also suggest a topwater like a Pop R or Gunfish.
Next time you are in that situation, go to walmart and buy a cheap outfit and a few baits.
If you dont like the rod you bought - just give it to a kid to introduce them to fishing.
Winni was certainly one of my most favorite places to fish. My very first tournament win was there about 30 years ago. I caught my limit in a period of 30 minutes on a single spot and weighed in just over 23 lbs on that day. Also got big bass at 6.2 lb. Don't ever pass up a chance to fish it if you get a chance. September is a great time on that lake. My winning tournament lure was a prop bait and I don't even remember who made it but it was about the size of a zara spook and the big smallies just ate it up on that day. Whew ! ! I think I need a cigarette after recalling that day. ;D
I called Winni my home lake for a lot of years even though I didn't live in New Hampshire. There is great fishing there. As has been said, loaded with smallies, but there are also plenty of largmouths to be had as well.
In addition to the baits already mentioned I would also recommend any or all of the following:
LARGE spinnerbaits at least 3/4 oz but 1 oz ro 1 1/12 ounce is better. And make sure you have at least a couple of them in Chartreuse with chartreuse bades and some perch or firetiger too.
Have some inline spinners if you've got 'em, small hair jigs and senkos.
Swim a white curly tail grub on a 1/4 oz. jighead.
Another little tip is that red shad is sort of an "secret" color in plastics on this lake.
If you get a chance to fish from a boat don't overlook the deep water bite. Drop shots and C-Rig lizards will take both species of bass. Look for the bigger smallies to be around areas where there is a mix of vegetation and either rock or sand or both. :)