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New Hampshire => Ice Fishing New Hampshire => Topic started by: SHaRPS on Feb 22, 2022, 08:40 AM

Title: Cusk 2022
Post by: SHaRPS on Feb 22, 2022, 08:40 AM
So I am cusking winni in my go to spot and so far this is what I have produced with 6 traps.

Soak 1 = 4 hours, 5 cusk lost 1

Soak 2 = 8 hours, 5 cusk 6th bait shows signs of cusk

Soak 3 = 8 hours, 5 cusk

Soak 4 = 7 hours  4 cusk 5th and 6th baits show damage.

I am soaking lines 1 last time and will pick them up tonight in the rain.

This spot has done me well in the past including a 9lb cusk. So far I have a few over 6, few over 5 and the rest are 3-5lbs. Anyone else seeing an uptick in cusk this year? Being from out of state, its sets like this that make all the hard work even more rewarding.

Who has some recipes other than boiling in 7 up and chowder?  ;D
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: AQUAASSASSIN on Feb 22, 2022, 09:09 AM
What are the coordinates?
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: alexg425 on Feb 22, 2022, 09:37 AM
Got a small one and a small laker yesterday on sunapee on cusk lines. Only ever caught one other before that (at sunapee too) so can't say I've noticed an uptick. I will say that winni seems to have alot more of them based on my friends success there. Obviously you are on a good spot.

I tried dead suckers (not the freshest I'll admit) back in January and got skunked. Based on my results from yesterday too it seems that dead bait just aint working! Haven't really had the motivation to try for them again. Sunapee at a 30 minute drive is about the only place I'm willing to go two days in a row. I may try again before the ice is gone but I don't even think I will bring the rod. It is like the dead sea out there.

Catching the laker on the trap in 12 feet is really having me scratch my head. Maybe super shallow is the key there?

In other news, went back to Mascoma last night and once the sun went down I started catching giant shiners. If I could get half a dozen of those and put them out on sunapee maybe I'll get something decent. If a 12 inch cusk can swallow the biggest shiner at the bait shop getting some bigger ones for free could be the ticket.  If not for all the rain and warm weather lately that would be some killer CT river pike bait!
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: HuntnFish603 on Feb 22, 2022, 11:01 AM
Great to hear of the success man. You'll eat good.
I don't get to fish cusk much anymore but I have also noticed in my limited trips this year, it's been better than previous, atleast for me. Only exception was derby weekend and I got smoked.
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: darby74 on Feb 22, 2022, 11:38 AM
I do really well in Northern Maine, but we have to check every hour.  Not sure on the New Hampshire rules, but I have had great luck hooking deep drop lights (Dr. Fish on Amazon) about 2 feet up from bottom.   Only been once this year, and 1 night got 5 cusk, with 1 over 6lbs, 1 over 5lbs, and a pickerel. Headed up Thursday morning for 4 days with 6 other guys. 
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: Dipstick on Feb 22, 2022, 03:37 PM
I just started jigging for them this year, traditionally been a trap guy, and only for derby's. The ones that I jigged last weekend seemed like they were still a ways to go until spawn. With that said, I'm officially addicted to jigging them! I feel that there is going to be a serious uptick in the cusk catchings in the next couple of weeks if you know where they want to be.
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: SHaRPS on Feb 22, 2022, 04:19 PM
What are the coordinates?

Lmao I wont even do the zoomed in picture because I respect you.


(https://i.postimg.cc/Cd3Fg2k0/20220220-204653.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Cd3Fg2k0)

(https://i.postimg.cc/QHcjxqJT/20220221-195159.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QHcjxqJT)
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: AQUAASSASSIN on Feb 22, 2022, 05:06 PM
Haha!
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: SALMONEMIA on Feb 22, 2022, 05:49 PM
Nice
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: THE JIGGER on Feb 22, 2022, 06:31 PM
Now that's how it's done. Congrats.
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: V Menzone on Feb 22, 2022, 06:41 PM
Dialed in. Nice haul
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: IceDog88 on Feb 22, 2022, 06:50 PM
You are definitely in the right spot for sure. Nice job and hope you find a good recipe.
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: Lv2hunt on Feb 23, 2022, 06:46 AM
Way to go!! you using suckers or shiners?
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: zwiggles on Feb 23, 2022, 07:56 AM
Nice haul Mike! Glad to hear you had a good week up here as well. I would be curious to hear what was in there stomachs as well if you don’t mind sharing?
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: SHaRPS on Feb 23, 2022, 08:11 AM
Xlarge live shiners. Total count was 21 cusk but the overnight rain ruined my final set
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: Brendog9 on Feb 23, 2022, 08:34 AM
I got into a few small ones on Newfound the weekend of the Winni derby on medium shiners. We've seen some caught in the last few years in the 4-6 pound range.

I've been meaning to try super sizing the baits, this is all I needed to hear!
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: SALMONEMIA on Feb 23, 2022, 09:29 AM
Those things are alien like.
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: Pail Rider on Feb 23, 2022, 09:49 AM
Fish fear you for sure!  Congrats on the Wickedness!

How about a nice traditional pierog z łososiem (Don't ask me to pronounce that)!

Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: fishingidjit on Feb 23, 2022, 04:58 PM
Cube the meat and deep fry in McCormicks Fish and Chip batter !
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: Mattyd420 on Feb 23, 2022, 05:14 PM
Egg wash with uncle bucks batter from bass pro, fried in peanut oil 🤌🏻
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: Mattyd420 on Feb 23, 2022, 05:16 PM
Heading to the burg in the AM with 4 dozen X-Large, it’s the only way 🤷🏻‍♂️
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: SHaRPS on Feb 23, 2022, 05:37 PM
Here is the final haul and cleaned... and working on dinner now.
(https://i.postimg.cc/NyG8XBWF/20220223-140834.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/NyG8XBWF)

(https://i.postimg.cc/B8hTcR0g/20220223-164503.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/B8hTcR0g)

(https://i.postimg.cc/47qpjtnH/20220223-170616.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/47qpjtnH)

(https://i.postimg.cc/KkRn9Qcy/20220223-181048.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KkRn9Qcy)
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: THE JIGGER on Feb 23, 2022, 10:18 PM
Now that is a grand slam :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :bow: :bow:
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: Lv2hunt on Feb 24, 2022, 08:18 AM
Looks fantastic nice haul!!
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: SHaRPS on Feb 24, 2022, 09:17 AM
Chowder was great as always!

(https://i.postimg.cc/SYfj3ZFm/20220223-194929.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SYfj3ZFm)
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: PoolGuy on Feb 24, 2022, 09:30 AM
Now that is a grand slam :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :bow: :bow:

X2 ….looks fantastic !!
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: THE JIGGER on Feb 24, 2022, 12:09 PM
That chowder looks great.
 Bring some the next time you come to Amesbury. I'll pick it up. ;D ;D ;D :thumbsup: :thumbsup:  Just kidding
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: Brownbagger247 on Feb 24, 2022, 01:09 PM
Wow that’s wild. Nice job, lot of work right there.
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: CA1492 on Feb 24, 2022, 01:19 PM
Got the spot.
42° 56' 25" N
71° 27' 22" W

Right off Brown Ave in Manchvegas.
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: SHaRPS on Feb 25, 2022, 05:46 AM
Got the spot.
42° 56' 25" N
71° 27' 22" W

Right off Brown Ave in Manchvegas.

Bingo. Ok got em on dead pogey.
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: Ballbag on Mar 06, 2022, 03:55 PM
Sharps! Damn man nice!
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: hardfloor on Mar 07, 2022, 11:17 AM
Amazing trip right there! Nice work
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: gunvault on Mar 07, 2022, 01:54 PM
  Now that is a very impressive haul and some nice fillets   "congrats"
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: Arctic Addict on Mar 10, 2022, 09:04 PM
Nice haul ShaRPS!
Title: Re: Cusk 2022
Post by: SHaRPS on Mar 14, 2022, 10:15 AM
Thank you everyone. I hope the rest of your ice season goes well! Onto targeting jumbo crappie for me now and then some trout and tautog/turkey. Have fun, stay safe and go get em!