Water Temp: 59*
NEW PALTZ, NY -- Wasn't going to fish today but needed a fix, even a quick fix so I headed over to Chodikee about 5pm; launched by 5:30pm (fished for about 2hrs).
Sun was setting so it started to get cool and the wind started to pick up. I threw a spinnerbait since plastic would have been a challenge to fish in the wind but got no takers. With much hesitation yet determination I threw a jerkbait which has proven to be useless for me since I bought one. Well the ice was broken because I got two fish on a jerkbait; Yipee! I got one pickerel and a bass, I did loose a bass on the jerk which would have made it 3 fish but heck my confidence went up a few notches catching any fish on the bait.
Chodikee at this time of year has zero lilly pads and the few times I've gone to the lake I'm finding that I prefer to fish it when it is loaded with lilly pads. The pads give an alternative option of fishing because there is very little cover and/or structure throughout the lake. Sure if you've been there you'll say I'm crazy cause all you see are some kind of plant life all along the edges of the lake but that is all dead this time of year so it only makes me wonder, "Where are the fish hiding?"
As for me, I'll be avoiding this lake in the early Spring & late Fall since it has proven to be killer in dead Summer.