Ice Fishing Lake Cobbosseecontee, Maine | Two Day Redemption for a Giant Largemouth
There’s nothing more humbling in fishing than losing the biggest fish of your trip. We packed up for a two-day ice fishing mission on Lake Cobbosseecontee in Maine with one goal in mind. Chase largemouth bass through the ice and put in the work. What we didn’t expect was the emotional rollercoaster this trip would turn into. Day one gave us a hit we won’t forget… and a loss that stung even more. But day two? That’s where redemption stepped in.
Day 1: The One That Got Away
If you’ve fished long enough, you know the feeling. The drag pulls. The head shakes feel heavy. Your heart starts racing before the fish even clears the hole. And then… it’s gone.
Before the heartbreak, day one started with the essentials: we set up our Eskimo 350XD ice shelter, getting it squared away on the frozen lake. Having a solid, warm base made all the difference while we drilled holes and scouted spots. We also put our new Frabill bucket to work—keeping gear organized and holding our catches efficiently, making the day feel a little smoother even when luck wasn’t on our side.
That was our only real shot on day one. A giant largemouth bass that came unbuttoned before we could seal the deal. On a cold Maine afternoon, that one hurt. Ice fishing can be a grind, especially when bites are limited, and losing your only big opportunity makes the ride home feel even longer.
Still, quitting wasn’t an option.
Back at It: Day 2 Redemption
We woke up the next morning knowing we had unfinished business on Lake Cobbosseecontee. Same lake. Same mission. Different outcome.
This time when the bite came, we stayed calm, worked the fish clean, and slid a solid 18-inch 3-pound largemouth bass up through the ice. Redemption never feels sweeter than when you earn it. There’s something about winter bass fishing in Maine that makes every fish feel bigger. The snow-covered landscape, the quiet hardwater mornings, and that moment when a green largemouth breaks through the hole. It just hits different.
Ice Fishing in Maine
Lake Cobbosseecontee is one of Maine’s well-known fisheries, especially for bass. When the ice is safe and conditions line up, it offers anglers a real shot at quality fish, even in the dead of winter.
Ice fishing for largemouth bass isn’t always fast paced. It takes patience, mobility, and confidence in your setup. Drill holes. Stay moving. Trust your electronics. And most importantly, don’t let one lost fish end your trip.
This adventure was a reminder that fishing doesn’t owe you anything. But if you stick with it long enough, sometimes it gives you a second chance.
We captured the entire two-day journey on video. The heartbreak, the comeback, and everything in between. If you haven’t watched it yet, this one means a lot to us.
Gear, Mindset, and Hooknworm
Trips like this are why we built Hooknworm in the first place. Fishing isn’t just about catching. It’s about the grind, the setbacks, the early mornings, and the stories that come from sticking it out.
If you’re chasing fish this winter, make sure you’re geared up for it. Our apparel is built for anglers who live this lifestyle. On the ice, on the boat, and everywhere in between.
Because sometimes the best fish of the trip comes the day after you lose the biggest one.
See you on the ice. 🎣❄️