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Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:28 am
by ssidiver
Hi all -

I will be at Lake Champlain for the first time starting this Friday.

We have an AirBNB lined up at the shoreline near Swanton. Looking at Google Maps, it looks like I will be fishing from the shore into Maquam Bay.

Any advice on what kind of rigging I should use and bait? I am happy to catch anything, just don't know what the best practices are for fishing from the shore in this area.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2019 5:53 pm
by fishmaster176
Just saw the fishing from shore part. Cast anything that wiggles like a shallow crank bait or a top water lure. Fish in the early or late day. Water tends to be calmer and the fish come in to feed. I would recommend finding a boat to borrow/rent and expand your horizons. Worth the money. Good luck.

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2019 7:15 pm
by ssidiver
fishmaster176 wrote:Just saw the fishing from shore part. Cast anything that wiggles like a shallow crank bait or a top water lure. Fish in the early or late day. Water tends to be calmer and the fish come in to feed. I would recommend finding a boat to borrow/rent and expand your horizons. Worth the money. Good luck.
Unfortunately, I don't think renting a boat is in my future - as much as I would like to!

That being said: thanks for the advice. I will head out this week and stock up on various crank baits and top water lures.

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2019 7:21 pm
by Sawyer
I like live bait we catch every thing under the sun with Minnows.

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2019 7:35 pm
by ssidiver
Sawyer wrote:I like live bait we catch every thing under the sun with Minnows.
Do you do anything special, or just tie on a hook and throw them out?

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2019 5:37 am
by Reelax
That shore holds some
Monster northern pike... use heavy casting spoons like daredevils or crocodiles to cast way out and walk the shore on your hunt. Just an idea...


Welcome to the forum, thanks for taking the time to post...

Good luck and let us know how you do!

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2019 3:56 pm
by ssidiver
Reelax wrote:That shore holds some
Monster northern pike... use heavy casting spoons like daredevils or crocodiles to cast way out and walk the shore on your hunt. Just an idea...


Welcome to the forum, thanks for taking the time to post...

Good luck and let us know how you do!
Monster northern pike?!

... now you are just toying with my emotions!

Thanks for the advice. Will pick both of this up tomorrow.

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2019 4:14 pm
by Strange 'Eyes
You can catch big pike and bass from shore with live bait as well as the lures mentioned above. A big minnow under a bobber can do the trick for pike(just let them run with it for a bit as they are known to leave the minnow in the side of their mouths for a bit). You can also toss a big Mepps spinner(#5 and up) for bass and Pike. Look for grass/lillypads and you can find bowfin as well. Best bet is cut bait under a bobber for them.

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2019 4:46 pm
by Sawyer
When fishing with Minnows let the fish run. fish grab a minnow run ant most times stop so they can turn the minnow around to swallow it head first.
PS give us a up date on how you make out.

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2019 9:30 pm
by keithm87
Reelax wrote:That shore holds some
Monster northern pike... use heavy casting spoons like daredevils or crocodiles to cast way out and walk the shore on your hunt. Just an idea...


Welcome to the forum, thanks for taking the time to post...

Good luck and let us know how you do!
Lost the biggest pike of my life in the sandy bay on the north side of Cheney point through the ice 6 or so years ago. Had it to the hole 4 times but couldn’t turn it up my 8 inch hole alone (buddy had walked to to his house up the shore with his kid to get lunch, and was walking back as I fought it, but didn’t get there in time with the gaf), and it opened my snap swivel up, never use non locking snaps!

Depending on where on the shore you are, there is decent smallie fishing along the rocks on some of the properties. But just about any warmwater fish cruises that stretch. I will second the boat thing. If u have a kayak Maquam Bay is super fun shallow water site fishing.

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 5:00 pm
by ssidiver
Hi all -

It is quite windy up here today at the Canadian border, but caught plenty of fish yesterday.

Lots of pike (one was nearly the regulation 20 inches), more perch than I could count, and even one fat hog of a bass.

And, of course, plenty of sunfish here and there.

Unfortunately, no pictures. I don't like taking my phone out on the dock with me!

The pike and perch were caught on an orange Mepps #5 and the bass on the black fury Mepps #5.

Hoping to get out there soon (as soon as the wind dies down).

Thanks again for all the advice. Wouldn't be having this much luck if it wasn't for you all.

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 6:21 pm
by striper192001
Here is the deal Big fish will eat live bait. (use bobber)

Re: Advice Needed - Fishing near Swanton

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 6:44 pm
by Sawyer
The bigger the Bait the bigger the fish