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New Hampshire => Ice Fishing New Hampshire => Topic started by: bassin212 on Mar 06, 2018, 08:43 AM

Title: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: bassin212 on Mar 06, 2018, 08:43 AM
I'll be traveling up 89 north on my way to Lebanon and I can't make it out on the ice for an extended period time this weekend, so i just want to set some cusk traps. Any decent access points for cusk on Sunapee with decent ice for walking out? Also, any bait shops in the area or am I better off getting bait before I head up? Any tips would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: Lcabait on Mar 06, 2018, 09:01 AM
Lcabait right in Newport. Sunapee beach was ok on the right side yesterday I would check as you go out tho
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: Rackbuck on Mar 06, 2018, 09:07 AM
Tackle shack in newbury and as of Sunday the beach at state park was accessible by foot or wheeler.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: bassin212 on Mar 06, 2018, 09:12 AM
i'll definitely bring the chisel to check ice. what depth do you target this time of year? They should be moving shallow right?
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: Lcabait on Mar 06, 2018, 09:36 AM
Last I knew as of the weekend they didn’t have any suckers.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: bassin212 on Mar 06, 2018, 09:40 AM
Last I knew as of the weekend they didn’t have any suckers.

Not the end of the world if they have some really big shiners, I have two left from last weekend but not sure if they'll hold up until the weekend. Anyone ever try crawdads?
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: Lcabait on Mar 06, 2018, 09:57 AM
Nope but I caught em on chicken livers
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: Lv2hunt on Mar 06, 2018, 11:03 AM
I've tried crawdads but with not much luck I found on Rocky bottoms they would find holes in the rocks to crawl in and stay hidden from cusk. Never tried them on Sandy bottom though.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: bassin212 on Mar 06, 2018, 12:47 PM
makes sense, i'll see what the tackle shack recommends.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: ice fishNH on Mar 06, 2018, 02:07 PM
I had best luck with live smelt. Catch them right at the inlet.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: bassin212 on Mar 06, 2018, 02:25 PM
I had best luck with live smelt. Catch them right at the inlet.

good to know! thanks. thinking i'll put 3 right around the inlet between 10-25 feet of water and then maybe 3 deeper out.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: SHaRPS on Mar 06, 2018, 03:00 PM
good to know! thanks. thinking i'll put 3 right around the inlet between 10-25 feet of water and then maybe 3 deeper out.

My money is on the ones deeper out. Cant wait to see how you do. Med-Large shiners and some 4-7" suckers.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: celtbass on Mar 06, 2018, 04:38 PM
If you have trouble getting on around the state beach give Dewey beach a shot...  shore line was pretty good the other day
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: meatandmetal on Mar 07, 2018, 07:09 AM
Drove by the state beach yesterday morning didn't look good.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: bassin212 on Mar 07, 2018, 08:22 AM
Thanks for the input everyone, probably heading out Satuday afternoon, just going to drop em quick and take off and check on my way home sunday morning. Hopefully the next couple nights will harden things up, i'll take my time walking out there with this new snow covering the ice.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: Lcabait on Mar 07, 2018, 12:26 PM
Just set a couple off from dewy beach ice is fine cut through 12” ice set them about 20’
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: bassin212 on Mar 07, 2018, 12:44 PM
sounds like dewy it is. Thanks.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: Lcabait on Mar 07, 2018, 01:45 PM
No problem glad I could help! Good luck
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: Lcabait on Mar 07, 2018, 01:48 PM
Let me know how you do.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: SHaRPS on Mar 07, 2018, 01:51 PM
Sent you a message bassin212
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: bassin212 on Mar 07, 2018, 06:39 PM
i think i'm ready to rock! i'll let you guys know how i do.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: bassin212 on Mar 10, 2018, 05:34 PM
So I set my cusk lines, not sure I’ll catch much. Forgot the Marcum and Navionics said I was covering a flat that was 17feet. Some of the spots were very shallow so unless I drilled right under some Rocks I was set shallow. Plenty of ice though around 13 inches but the launch was a little beat up. I Set up on the next rock pike further off from everyone else, will check tomorrow.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: bassin212 on Mar 11, 2018, 07:54 PM
So it wasn’t the total failure I expected, but managed one cusk. I was definitely too shallow as I suspected. Hopefully I’ll be able to make another run up there in 2 weeks. Still plenty of ice but was soft and slushy trekking out and apparently another Nor Easter on the way !
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: Lcabait on Mar 24, 2018, 08:47 AM
Cusk were biting good last night 4 out of six lines produced! I figure the ice will be shot after this coming week!
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: bassin212 on Mar 28, 2018, 02:32 PM
nice! i knew i should have made the trip last week
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: SHaRPS on Mar 29, 2018, 08:13 AM
Makes me want to defrost some cusk and toss it on the grill for dinner with some blackened seasoning.
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: Rackbuck on Mar 29, 2018, 08:30 AM
Makes me want to defrost some cusk and toss it on the grill for dinner with some blackened seasoning.

Yum!
Title: Re: Sunapee Cusk?
Post by: SHaRPS on Mar 29, 2018, 10:47 AM
Yum!

Agreed except I have quail already marinated for the grill tonight. Grilled quail with grilled carrots and quinoa. Also Yum.