July 4th Angling is Heating Up

Fishing on Sebago is Hot!!!

After a week of HOT weather, the fishing is finally heating up, too. The surface temperature has hit 80-degrees and the fish have gone deep, but proper techniques can find and catch them.

Watch That Fish-Finder

Make use of your fish-finder. I have been spotting bait balls suspended in 80- 100-feet of water. I sent my downriggers down to those depths with live shiners and BINGO! You can also mark fish on bottom, likely lake trout, and skim the bottom with bait or lures. Downrigger anglers have the advantage as they can place that ball with its trailing offering at any precise depth.

Don't have a fancy downrigger? Don't despair, lead core line will do the trick. Nothing beats a flatfish lure dragged on a sandy bottom slowly as it digs into the bottom and stirs up the muck. Lakers can't resist the temptation. When you are marking fish closer to the surface, these are likely salmon. Get your offering to their depth and hold on! We picked several nice salmon on recent trips with both sinking fly line and 2- 4-colors of lead core line.

Sitting on the Dock

Although the bass spawn is over, bass are still hanging around in the shade of the docks, so throw a bobber with a worm or shiner and let it soak. If there is a hungry large- or smallmouth nearby, that bobber will soon dip under. My dad loved to sit at the end of his dock and soke a cigar after supper and caught many a fish that way. Talk about a relaxing way to end your day! I think it was one thing he loved most about Sebago Lake life.

Bait vs. Lures

This topic could debated into the next century. Local guide CJ Harmon of Burnt Meadow Guide Service runs bait all season long, following the old adage of feeding them what they eat. I like to mix it up, depending on what's working best. Right now, bait is working best for me. I'm guessing the fish are like me, a bit lethargic from the heat and the slow-troll of bait does the trick.

So get out there and put some miles on that boat. The fish are waiting!