Northeast Topwater Nuts 2024

Jigfishn10 reply :

Is there any topwater nuts in the Northeast? How about a topwater only tourney? Starts Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Here's who we have participating:

Jigfishn10

Wanderlust

grandpa1114

GrundleLove

B-Dozer

bradbass

deaknh03

Shane J

webertime

NH Fisher

tritz18

central.PA.bass

GTrombly

BusBassin

TopWaterFiend88

Nashua Neverett

birdy

TerryR

tjc76

backwater4

clayton86

lou304

Juggernoob

Starts in 0 Days

WanderLust reply :

You know I'm in!!!!

grampa1114 reply :

Verrry interesting....

GrundleLove reply :

Sign me up. Top-water aficionado.

B-Dozer reply :

Guess it would be the honor system?

Why not, all in fun.

bradbass reply :

I would like to participate! sound like fun, last year I had my pb 6lbs on a frog.

GrundleLove reply :

how about : Must provide picture...and picture must show top water lure in mouth.

grampa1114 reply :

How about.....you just tell the truth.

Jigfishn10 reply :

On 4/15/2011 at 9:41 PM, WanderLust said:

You know I'm in!!!!

You were the "I know atleast 1 participant"..LOL

Alright guys, Wonderlust and I have been kicking around this idea for a couple of months.

Complete honor system - no pics needed

Length x girth measurement

Weight computed by BR calculator in the "Tools" tab above

Best five fish - LMB & SMB

Lure used to catch fish must be posted along with measurments

Every 2 weeks I'll update the standings

EDIT: T's or rec fishing, it doesn't matter.

Question? Do you want to PM the measurements and lure to me and I'll Post the standings to keep it interesting or should we post catches on 1 thread and keep it open book? I have no preference either way.

Wonderlust was thinking about making trophy out of like a spook that we could pass around if this becomes a yearly thing.

There is still time for peeps to join. So lets keep this invite open for a bit.

deaknh03 reply :

My Sebile splasher and I would like in on this.

Jigfishn10 reply :

On 4/16/2011 at 3:59 AM, deaknh03 said:

My Sebile splasher and I would like in on this.

Is that the only one you're using? LOL

BTW guys: We're talking about pure topwater lures, not I used a trick stick on top. Lures that manufacture's market for topwater use. If there is any question we'll take a vote by all the participants.

Jigfishn10 reply :

On 4/16/2011 at 2:27 AM, B-Dozer said:

Guess it would be the honor system?

Why not, all in fun.

Wait a minute...I just noticed that you were participating...NO IN-LINE BUZZBAITS ALLOWED...LMAO

JK..JK

Glad to have you aboard B-Dozer!

B-Dozer reply :

On 4/16/2011 at 5:27 AM, Jigfishn10 said:

Wait a minute...I just noticed that you were participating...NO IN-LINE BUZZBAITS ALLOWED...LMAO

JK..JK

Glad to have you aboard B-Dozer!

Came in today's mail Looks great! my biggest have been on a BPS TopKnocker (no longer sold) and a regular Cabela's frog.

Best time for me has been very early morning, on what will be a hot summer day. I guess fish know more about predicting weather than weathermen. No surprise there

Shane J reply :

I'll join in. My current PB largemouth is on a topwater bait (Rage Shad), and I expect many more nice ones on the same this year. One question, though. Are out of state or out of New England fish allowed? I ask, because I have two trips to trophy lakes in Virginia planned for May, and if so, it doesn't seem fair, cuz I expect at least a couple out of state monsters. I don't care either way. Cool idea.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Shane J, I'm glad you joined in. My original thoughts was to keep it in New England that way we all have equal chance per se'. Besides, Memorial day is May 30th, does that affect you with your trip plans?

You bring up a great point though, I never even thought about anglers crossing New England State lines for vacations and such.

Having said all that, what do you guys think? I personally will be bouncing from MA to ME during the summer. I know B-Dozer is in CT and could potentially go to NY (B-dozer I would love to come to CT, but your state is not very out-of-state angler friendly with their license fees), same with Wanderlust from VT to NY?

IMHO, without knowing everyone's situation, I think if you're a New England fisher and you have a trip planned, then it's fair game. Post your catch.

How about you TWN's?

Edit: Please see edit post #9. I forgot to mention about T's or rec fishing. It doesn't matter. You catch one in anyway, then post it.

Edited April 16, 2011 by Jigfishn10

B-Dozer reply :

Ct. fees have come down this year NY is $70? for out of state (ouch). It's only for fun I don't want any hard feelings or disagreements. Good bunch here, even BassClary's OK except for that Sarah Palin worship deal

Jigfishn10 reply :

On 4/16/2011 at 7:15 AM, B-Dozer said:

Ct. fees have come down this year NY is $70? for out of state (ouch). It's only for fun I don't want any hard feelings or disagreements. Good bunch here, even BassClary's OK except for that Sarah Palin worship deal

WOW! you're right, I thought it was $85 OoS. I could have sworn I looked it up about a month ago? Sorry B-Dozer.

It is only for fun. What are you gonna do. Brag on BR that you're New England Nut! I think they know that already! LOL

I can't comment on Sarah Palin. My dad has an affection for her, but he's in a well deserved retirement and will get a free pass from me. LMAO

B-Dozer reply :

BassClary is just 15 and I think a tree might look good to him Your father is someone never to disagree with

webertime reply :

I'm in.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Here's who we have participating:

Jigfishn10

Wanderlust

grandpa1114

GrundleLove

B-Dozer

bradbass

deaknh03

Shane J

webertime

NH Fisher

We have another 6 weeks, so if anyone else wants to join, please post.

EDIT: 4.17.2011 added NH Fisher

EDIT: 4.18.2011 added tritz18

WanderLust reply :

Yes, me and my extensive topwater collection will be in on this one. Particularly excited about the buzzjet and pop-max but honestly spooks and rebel pop-r's are my bread & butter.

Jigfishn10 reply :

On 4/16/2011 at 8:19 AM, WanderLust said:

Yes, me and my extensive topwater collection will be in on this one. Particularly excited about the buzzjet and pop-max but honestly spooks and rebel pop-r's are my bread & butter.

What do you think about the so-called rules? We have conversed about this before with the exception of fishing out of state, but then again, at that time we we both getting a bunch of snow dumped on us and we realy didn't care! We were pipe dreaming at the time? LOL

This should be fun, we have 9 peeps who want to do this.

Any input would be great, CO-CHAIRMAN...LMAO.. Just kidding, I know with your situation that is not the case...again, JK.

WanderLust reply :

On 4/16/2011 at 3:48 AM, Jigfishn10 said:

You were the "I know atleast 1 participant"..LOL

Alright guys, Wonderlust and I have been kicking around this idea for a couple of months.

Complete honor system - no pics needed

Length x girth measurement

Weight computed by BR calculator in the "Tools" tab above

Best five fish - LMB & SMB

Lure used to catch fish must be posted along with measurments

Every 2 weeks I'll update the standings

EDIT: T's or rec fishing, it doesn't matter.

Question? Do you want to PM the measurements and lure to me and I'll Post the standings to keep it interesting or should we post catches on 1 thread and keep it open book? I have no preference either way.

Wonderlust was thinking about making trophy out of like a spook that we could pass around if this becomes a yearly thing.

There is still time for peeps to join. So lets keep this invite open for a bit.

I like the idea of a thread open for us to post in. That should keep it fun for sure. Maybe we could have a summary every (2) weeks or something just so everyone knows the standings.

and just to be clear topwater soft plastics? Rage Toad, Yum Money hound etc... In or Out?

How do we want to work the culling system? After people have (5) we can start to remove the smaller ones?

I will make a trophy spook, complete with all the trimmings. That should be fun as well. Maybe it should gold with some engraving sealed in a block of polycarbonate to simulate ice.

deaknh03 reply :

I think any lure made to be fished topwater, spooks, poppers,etc, but when you get into the soft stuff, it has to be fished unweighted and be able to float. I have buzzjets I love to fish with, but I wouldn't consider them topwater as they are more of a crank because of the lip.

grampa1114 reply :

That's a definite for me but only if somebody will do that length plus girth thing for me...or we can just use scales.....and everybody knows what top water looks like.......don't they? Oh yeah I'm fishing Ma. Ct. and Vt. this year.....ok?

NH Fisher reply :

I'm in! Whats the decision in the soft stuff? I love fishing my Stanley Ribbits, and Rage Tail Toads, Shads, & Eeliminators top water. I know you can rig these different ways but if you're fishing them weightless as a topwater then I think they should be good.

Jigfishn10 reply :

grandpa1114, just post length and girth. At the top of the page you'll see a "Tools" menu which contains a fish weight calculator. We'll use that for this T. I want to be able to use solid measurements and the weight calculator on this site. You're still fairly new here, please do not take offense to that, but in the "My Trip" forum there was always some members questioning the weight that was posted based on the anglers scale. As a matter of fact, Shane J had some questions about his PB smallie a couple of months ago, if I'm not mistaken. I would rather keep it as simple as possible so we're all on the same playing field.

The calculator on this site tends to be on the heavy side, IMHO, so if you decide you want to mesure on your own scale, go right ahead, I'm just telling you that a posted weight without a length and girth measurement will not be counted in your standings.

I think that any lure that is marketed by their respective lure companies should be used. I like deaknh's idea of having to be fished weightless. Yum Money Hound, if I'm not mistakened, is the soft plastic version of a spook, correct? Rage Toad, according to Strike Kings website has a video on how to rig and fish it topwater style. I think we just have to do our best with the honor system here. I don't like the idea of swimming a lure on top and coming to a vacancy at a lily pad hotel and dropping the lure down the hole, jigging it a bit and catching a fish, but you can make the arguement for a buzzbait. Ever use a stop & go retrieve on a buzzbait? So for soft plastics that are marketed for topwater use, I say yes. Stop and go retrieves is an accepted practice.

Wanderlust, after new fish have been posted, the smallest will be culled out and reflected in the bi-weekly standings.

Guys, let's keep this simple and honest. It's not like there's ton at stake here.

grampa1114 reply :

Thanks for the clarification.....It's nice to be "new" someplace. I've just never been a big "rules" guy when dealing with honorable people. From what I've seen so far.....everyone seems honorable. I suppose that rules will keep us that way. Thanks again.

webertime reply :

Perhaps I'm thinking too much... Black Dog Shellcracker wake bait, topwater or not?

tritz18 reply :

I am in for sure. I think people should post photos if they can, make it more interesting

Jigfishn10 reply :

Thanks for joining tritz18.

As far as pics, most def, would love to see all the catches. Just don't have any measuring tool in the pic. The last thing we need is a member posting his catch and posting, say, an 18" length and the pic showing 17 3/4" length and then the measurment and weight become in question.

My intent was to have this ALL in fun and honest. The last thing we need to have is heated debates on catches and mods locking the thread up.

webertime: Looks good to me, as well as one fine bait for sure. It's best to ask and get as much upfront.

Guys, I know I started this thread, but please if you want to debate some of these answers to these questions/rules I'm giving, please do. I don't want to be a mod for this tourney/thread, nor do I want it my way or the highway.

Please provide feedback, even if it's 'I agree with all so far".

grandpa1114, I'm not a "rules" guy either, I do much better with guidelines. I started my own biz in 2007 b/c I hated to wear shirts & ties...LOL

grampa1114 reply :

Sounds like this is shaping up nicely.....Looking foreward to admiring Wanderlust's handiwork.....Did we finish debating multi state (N.E. only) (include N.Y.) or just your home state? Huh...Huh...Huh...

Jigfishn10 reply :

On 4/17/2011 at 10:46 PM, grampa1114 said:

Sounds like this is shaping up nicely.....Looking foreward to admiring Wanderlust's handiwork.....Did we finish debating multi state (N.E. only) (include N.Y.) or just your home state? Huh...Huh...Huh...

In post #15 of this thread I mentioned that and left it up to the peeps who want to participate. I have no problems with a New England anglers fishing out of state, only because it would be unfair not being able to post a catch while they are on vacation. Unfortunately, the forums are kind of slow with member participation on weekends, so I think we'll have to wait until they log in and voice their opinions on this one.

Good question tho. It's hard to coordinate online like this without have some of these issues fall thru the cracks.

central.PA.bass reply :

I am in!

Jigfishn10 reply :

What do you all think, do you want to make this a Northeast Topwater Nuts Tourney now that central.PA.bass wants to join?

I'm game. The more the merrier, central.PA.bass will give us 12.

grampa1114 reply :

I don't think the fish are any bigger in Pa. It works for me. Top water only.....anywhere covered by the N.E. forum. Scored by the Tools link. Let it be so......

B-Dozer reply :

I think anyone who wants in should be able to join. No money is involved, and we can all use it as a learning experience.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Thanks for joining central.PA.bass. I'm assuming you read thru this thread and understand what's going on?

Jigfishn10 reply :

Anyone else wanna join in?

GTrombly reply :

I might as well join in.

central.PA.bass reply :

yep i read and understand! sounds fun..

Jigfishn10 reply :

Awesome, we have 13 anglers (NUTS) entered in. I have the list of all who responded on the very first post along with a count down of days until the start.

We still got some time, so hopefully we can get a few more.

BusBassin reply :

I will Join.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Thanks BusBassin.

This is shaping up to quite a field of anglers. Can't wait to get started!

TopWaterFiend88 reply :

Count me IN! Anybody in this little group from Indiana?

Nashua Nev reply :

I will post mine and my 12 yr old sons. I think the 17 yr old is done hanging around with dad now that he has his own truck, a job , and many friends with no truck. Seems like the only time i see him is at the dinner table and at 9:15 when he must be home everynight.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Cool Nashua,

You want me to add your son as a sole participant? Give me a screen name for him and he can be a sole participant or you guys can be a team. Doesn't matter to me.

Nashua Nev reply :

do it as a team , for for some reason we catch a lot then we can split it up. but i wont plan on that happenning

Jigfishn10 reply :

Well I got some dog walking practice in today...1 on a Spook Jr. Casted 3' off the bank and retrieved it paralell. That fish exploded on it with no hook up. Went back 2 more tiems, same thing. On the fourth cast to the same spot I was able to button up...LOL

First topwater fish of the year...FELT GREAT!

EDIT: Went back and got 3 more and a crappie...

Jigfishn10 reply :

Well only a little more than a week to go before the start of the tourney.

This week I'll start a new thread where you can post your measurements, pics, calculated weights, lure and fish tale...

There is still time left for anyone who wants to join.

Good luck to you all!

birdy reply :

Jigfishn10,

I'm in, first year of top water great way to learn some more form the group. I’ll be representing the southwestern portion of Ohio.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Awesome birdy, I'll add you to the group. If you have any questions on topwater, ask away. I believe you make 17 and I'm sure a lot of us will be sure to try and answer your question.

TerryR reply :

Sure, I will give this a try. Jitterbugs and poppers always caught fish for me.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Awesome TerryR. Just added you to the list.

Good luck!

WanderLust reply :

Should be quite awesome! Best of luck everyone! I will start on the trophy during one the many boring and rainy nights we have coming! Pics when its done!

tjc76 reply :

I would like in as well, please. I will be fishing NY, NJ, PA, and CT.

Jigfishn10 reply :

tjc76, I must apologize for adding your name to our list before welcoming you. I thought I did? Maybe a senior moment?

Glad you're able to join us...LOL

SAHWEET!

Good luck.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Wow, I expected 5 or 6 peeps to be in on this, but we have 19 so far!

I personally hope this goes well this year. I'm sure there will be some bumps in the road, but It appears like we have a great group of guys here.

backwater4 reply :

I'd like to get in if there's still time. I'll be fishing NY and CT this year. Thanks.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Sure backwater4, just added ya...good luck!

clayton86 reply :

Ill get in on this after all I did catch my pb of 8.8lbs last year on a topwater mouse and I released her maybe I can convince her again this year.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Thanks clayton86, just added you to the list...Good luck!

lou304 reply :

I'm in if I still can!!

Jigfishn10 reply :

Sure can lou304, just added ya to the list. You make the 22nd person to join.

grampa1114 reply :

Hello...the cutoff date???...May 29 Midnight by the time stamp on the message?

Jigfishn10 reply :

LOL...On May 29th @ 11:59:59 pm you can start on your back cast...

Good Luck grandpa1114!

grampa1114 reply :

Thanks....And good luck to all.

Juggernoob reply :

Sure, why not. I'd like to join.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Good deal Jugger, I'll add you to the list...Good luck. Be sure to post your fish catch on the other Northeast Topwater Tourney thread.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Well folks, it's here, a few more hours to go!

This should be a lot of fun.

Good luck to you all and happy fishing!

WanderLust reply :

Hopefully I'll be out in the AM; water is still crazy high but the topwater box is organized and ready for deployment. In other words... "Its on like Donkey Kong!"

Just gave my dad a really nice setup for his birthday today, he was very happy with it.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Well I went twice and caught 2 fish. As you can see I can't post them in the other thread, do pickerel count!

Conditions weren't really good for topwater, to be honest with you.

Anyone else try?

birdy reply :

On 6/2/2011 at 4:39 AM, Jigfishn10 said:

Well I went twice and caught 2 fish. As you can see I can't post them in the other thread, do pickerel count!

Conditions weren't really good for topwater, to be honest with you.

Anyone else try?

Yup, went out on Tuesday night, no top water hits at all. Switched over to a grub and caught a 17inch long 10 inch girth LMB right away. Wanted to cry!

WanderLust reply :

Yeah, I fished over the weekend and indeed did some topwater trails. Caught one dink smallie on a Kelly J and a decent slime dart on a Rebel Pop-R.

I have a swampy spot I'm going to try a toad and a Money Hound in... See if anything is lurking.

TerryR reply :

What is a slime dart?

WanderLust reply :

On 6/4/2011 at 9:00 AM, TerryR said:

What is a slime dart?

lol any pike that's not 36 inches or bigger. Big ones are fun but little ones are a pain in the arse.

Nashua Nev reply :

i am guessing the same as a snot rocket as one of the other guys calls it ... a pickerel

Jigfishn10 reply :

Prior to this tourney starting I was getting a lot of bass to hit a topwater. The last 2 or 3 times I went out I was getting the slime darts by the motherload. Not bad once in a while, but I had to put my spooks away to save some of the paint on em...

TerryR reply :

On 6/4/2011 at 9:29 AM, WanderLust said:

lol any pike that's not 36 inches or bigger. Big ones are fun but little ones are a pain in the arse.

Ah, thanks for the info. I always called them hammer handles.

grampa1114 reply :

Boy it's like they told the bass not to hit my spook...been out 3 times and nothing yet...early by the pads...noontime around cover... nighttime on the grassy flats...anyone?anyone?

clayton86 reply :

Iv been geting tons of hits just boils or smacks no hook ups till I throw a follow up lure. If it were a follow up lure tourny id be killing it right now lol.

Nashua Nev reply :

On 6/6/2011 at 11:57 PM, clayton86 said:

Iv been geting tons of hits just boils or smacks no hook ups till I throw a follow up lure. If it were a follow up lure tourny id be killing it right now lol.

i had that too . i tried a little smaller popr with smaller hooks. catching more but smaller ones less than 2 lbs instead of only larger ones more than 2.

definatly more less than 2 lbs which i think i was not catching with a full size popr.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Anyone get anything on topwater yet?

Since this tourney started I had 2 good topwater days, conditions wise, but the fish I caught were kinda small. I probably should have posted the measurments and weights, but I thought that they were gonna get culled anyway.

I'll be posting my next catches either way.

TerryR reply :

I haven't caught anything on topwater yet. Same problem as everyone else, just boils behind, then catching them on followup lures.

GrundleLove reply :

Official entries need pics to go with it correct?

grampa1114 reply :

As far as I can tell from reading through the thread...pics are nice but the lure used is necessary along with exact measurements for length and girth...Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

WanderLust reply :

On 6/13/2011 at 10:13 PM, grampa1114 said:

As far as I can tell from reading through the thread...pics are nice but the lure used is necessary along with exact measurements for length and girth...Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

^^^^

This how I understood it. Topwater bite in my area has sucked.

grampa1114 reply :

Sooo...you're fishin' the same spots that I'm fishin'

On 6/13/2011 at 10:32 PM, WanderLust said:

^^^^

This how I understood it. Topwater bite in my area has sucked.

Jigfishn10 reply :

Pics are not mandatory. Length and girth measurement along with lure used. Add the pic if you got a nice oinker for all to see, if you can.

All boils again today, nothing produced.

Jigfishn10 reply :

I don't know about you guys, but I've been spending WAY too much time trying to catch a bass on topwater and wondering how much time I wasted not going subsurface? MAN, THIS SUX!

Nashua Nev reply :

not me i am having fun fishing and relaxing. taking all those big bass off those rubber worms and crank baits is too much work.

clayton86 reply :

Finaly got one on a snag proof boss rat I didn't measure it because it was a mer 1.5lber and that's pushing it lol

Jigfishn10 reply :

On 6/19/2011 at 12:50 AM, clayton86 said:

Finaly got one on a snag proof boss rat I didn't measure it because it was a mer 1.5lber and that's pushing it lol

I know what you're saying and your doing better than most. My opinion doesn't matter much, but I think you should post those rats and get on the board. This is turning into a bad topwater year for a lot of peeps, me included. I let 2 go, I probabaly shouldn't have....LMAO

Congrats, at least you got one.

clayton86 reply :

I got 1 on a buzz bait last Sunday at 5am in a rain storm but it don't count for sure he blew up on it and the hook got her square in the gut no where near the mouth it was in the 2 lb range. Its getting better though at least here the bass spawned super late last week Sunday they were bedded and really inactive yesterday they were chasing cranks and spinners some commited not many I went 4 bass and 1 pike in 3 hrs of fishing. There getting back into routine plus lilly pads and grass are just now sprouting here 2 months later then last year

Jigfishn10 reply :

Geez, the sun came out finally, maybe this week I can go out and do some topwater fishing...

Nashua Nev reply :

i have some nice pics to post from Rocky Pond and the Pennichuck.

2 over 20 inch and 3 over 18.

I have to buy a new cord to get the pics out of the borrowed camera.

This time i have them complete with tape measure and popr.

so i will finally be on the board. Did anybody go diving at Naticook and find my cell phone yet? If i can find it the insurance from Best Buy / Verizon will replace it, but they will not replace a lost phone only a broken one. Till then or in 19 months when my renewal is due i am using my 7yr old one.

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