LongLine

Always have at least one 28 size clean spoon out there. Tom B. (LongLine)

Have you considered moving one of them way up front? Tom B. (LongLine)

Last years presentation was shortened a bit and the discussion - question/answer period was lengthened which made for a very informative two-way session. I hope everyone can attend one of them. I always do. For anyone that doesn't know the USGS is highly involved in this and usually presents great information that lets us know what's going on in the lake...preyfish etc. Tim - why don't you email Steve Lapan and see if they can reschedule. Tom B. (LongLine)

.....Unless they have a permit issued by the NYSDEC. Why does the water supply have to be spring fed? Why can't it be Lake Ontario fed? or Finger Lakes fed? Don't all the hatcheries have to pump the water? If memory serves me right, the SR had to replace some pumps a couple years ago. What is the "magic" temperature? State couldn't tap into a "water authority" someplace, before their treatment? How about private companies that pump water out of lakes for their own use? Tom B. (LongLine)

I have no problem with the notion of a second hatchery for Lake Ontario. In fact I’m in favor of it. It’ smart business to have two sources. Fishing Big-O represents a lot of money to the state. I’ve read through the DEC response, and my take/understanding is that the hatchery staff is leery of the potential to contaminate existing stocks that are destined for other areas of the state. And secondary, the fishing in Big-O is pretty good, despite hatchery issues. I looked up the state hatcheries to see what they raise and how much. http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7742.html Caledonia – 170K Lbs (Brown, Rainbow, Broodstock for NYS Browns) Rome – 160K Lbs (Brook, Rainbow, Brown) S.R. – 120K Lbs (Steelhead, Coho, Chinook) Catskill – 115K Lbs (Brown) Randolph – 100K Lbs (Brook, Brown, Rainbow) Chateaugay – 90K Lbs (Lake, Brown, Rainbow, Brook) Bath – 86K Lbs (Lake, Brown, Rainbow) Adirondack – 30K Lbs (Atlantics) VanHornesville – 30K Lbs (Rainbows) South Otselic – 15K Lbs (Tigers, Walleye, Brook) Oneida – 6K Lbs (Walleye, experimental) Chautauqua – 3.3K Lbs (Musky, Walleye) The gridlock, as I see it, is where the second source should be. I can understand reluctance/resistance to put fish in Caledonia. They raise a lot of fish for other parts of the state. (I never knew it as that big an operation.) I’m not a fishery Bio, but it seems to me maybe some research should be done into another site. Yes, I know it takes expertise & money…& whatever, but the payback is there. Jobs, License fees, income to the local areas, cost avoidance if the S.R. had a “disasterâ€, etc. In the years when Big-O stocking numbers were threatened, the DEC did a marvelous job scrambling/searching-out other hatcheries to make up the short fall. Can a reciprocity deal be made permanent? I.e you raise 25K Lbs of ours & we’ll raise 25K of yours? How about the private hatcheries? There are many that the DEC licenses, monitors and certifies: Some raise Coho. http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/52348.html I guess I’m suggesting that pressure/lobbying be done to get a “new†secondary source to supplement the S.R. It’s the only way I see out of this impasse. Tom B. (LongLine)

Years ago I started out using Spinning reels off the rigg'rs - Mitchell's. I soon found out that I had to unwind the line as I lowered the rigg'r. If free spooled or loosened the drag to let line out, the line twisted real bad. Other than that, fighting the fish with rod in right hand, high speed ratio, they worked pretty well. Definitely use a deep spool with a lot of line and keep an eye on your drag assembly. Years ago they (drags) weren't nearly as good as the level winds (of years ago). Tom B. (LongLine)

I don't fish the fingers but fly solo on Big-O most of the time. The secret to flying solo out there, believe it or not, is boat control, regardless of what gear you have. Myself, I occasionally use boards on my 18 ft'r, tied to my canvas frame. But I put them both out before I send a line out as they will steer/pull the boat until the boat is "balanced." I've tried in-lines but find they are a pain to unclip, with the other still out and trying to bring a fish in. As to rods, I find the 8 1/2 ft Heartlands, medium action, to be a great all around rod. If sport, feeling the fish, etc are what's really important to you then I'd suggest you invest in riggers and use somewhat light line. There's a very popular section on the Finger Lakes down a little farther. I'd suggest you go back a few pages and check out the reports from last spring/early summer. There's a lot of good info there on the lakes you fish. Tom B. (LongLine)

Welcome to the site. You'll probably find most of us have just as much money in gear as we do in the boats. (some even more) If I were you, I'd start out simple. Just for a reference, on these cold winter nights, go back thru the report section and you'll see what worked when for a lot of guys last year. Looks like you've got a good start. For lure starters, in that area (Genny) I'd get some spoons about 3 1/2" long. NK's (28's), Dreamweavers (aka DW's), Stingers. Colors I like are green, black, purple & glows. Speeds vary & need to be determined by experiment daily. 2-3 mph down speed. Last year towards the high end worked best for me. If fishing early in the morning try the shallower areas then move out deeper by mid morning. These fish (salmon) scatter & sometimes takes a lot of searching to find. Browns don't move nearly as much as the Kings do. There are also a lot of Lakers in the area that generally hug the bottom. Definitely fish the bait when you find it. Troll thru it, around it, above it & below it. Generally on the outside works best for me.(deeper side) As to time of year, a lot of guys try to get out late March & go thru Sept. But any time you can get out is a good time to go. Just make sure you keep an eye on the weather. H.I.H. Good luck. Tom B. (LongLine)

All you have to do is secure the rear of the boat before you get your trailer (make sure cleats are sturdy) and let it idle in forward for a few seconds. Most of the loose stuff will get thrown away from the retrieve area. My comment to DEC is basically to let it be done in tie-down area and not required at the ramp. It'll make a mess of the ramp itself and we'll have to wait that much longer for the guy in front of us. Tom B. (LongLine)

I don't see that it's a big deal, other than Americans don't like being told what to do. I always pull seaweed off my trailer lights/tongue and remove the drain plug when I leave the launch. I also store boat with drain plug out so nothing collects in it. I know sometimes seaweed collects on the axle but I'm thinking I can get a window washing brush or something to knock that off. One question that I have is how close to the launch ramp does it have to be done. I certainly don't want to have to wait to pull out and just sit in the water longer while the guy in front of me drains/clean right there on the ramp. I mean can it be done in the tie down area? You know 100-200 ft from the ramp? Hopefully on an up-hill area. Tom B. (LongLine)

You should always use a swivel someplace in the line with a spoon on Lake O. Currents may cause it to spin and twist up your line. As to rings, if you use a well rounded snap then not necessary. If you use an elongated snap then yes add them. Tom B. (LongLine)

I run 15 Lb co-poly P-Line on rigger spoons, sometimes with 10 Lb leader. Tom B. (LongLine)

Thanx Conelius. I blew the question about what's most important when you see a lighthouse. duh...should have thought about that right-a-way joke between the lighthouse keeper and the aircraft carrier... Tom B. (LongLine)

Sk8- Short answer - yes - take the internet course now. (It's cold, boat is covered with snow & shoveling the driveway is not great entertainment.) The long answer: This bill was signed into law: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S1639A-2013 Other sections state that internet-based training will be ok if approved by NYS; Rental places have to provide on the spot training; effective on May 1st after signed into law. There is another bill currently referred to Dept of Parks & Recreation that would require a two year "education period" but that has not been passed yet. Tom B. (LongLine)

After you pass the test, close the site and give it a few minutes. Go back to it as a "returning user" and log in. Go to "my account" and it will list the certificates that you've earned at the lower left, under the calendar. There's a "print" icon with each certificate. Tom B. (LongLine)