Sluggo / NY

As others have said.. for the Oswego area, Rapala is the lure of choice. We've night trolled the river and the breakwall there and done well using F18's in blk/silver and blu/silver. We troll the mouth of the St. Lawrence and Lake Erie and Rapalas don't work.. but the Oswego eyes like them for some reason! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

What's wrong with a flip-phone? Mine's so old that when you flip it open there's a dial under the cover! It still works great though. Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Thanks for the ideas guys.. I ordered the g-flex repair kit from West Marine, but in the meantime I coated the inside with a 2 part epoxy. I'll apply the g-flex to the outside when I get it. I fished yesterday and it stayed dry. Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Any suggestions? I wore a spot thru the nose of my little boat from running it up the ramp on the river. It's not going to sink, but it's annoying. I cleaned it and roughed it up.. then tried JBWeld for aluminum but it won't stick. Any ideas out there? Thanks, Sluggo (Chris)

Don't know why, but I've never done well with Reef Runners on Erie. I pretty much stick with the 5" Renosky's or sometimes their chatterbait version. Like a lot or them, they need work right out of the box. The front hook gets thrown out, then the rear two get replaced. The originals are sticky sharp, but bend way too easily. Maybe I haven't given the Reef Runners a fair try.. but I'm a firm believer iin sticking with what's working. Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

As DJ717 said, that's a pretty common practice on Erie. I've found that on some days it makes a huge difference.. as almost everything come on tipped baits. Other days, probably when they're aggressive, it doesn't seem to matter. But I figure ... it never hurts. Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Wes.. I don't know what to say except I'm so sorry. I just can't imagine what it's like. I truly hope you heal quickly my friend. Chris

Nice catch Kevin! I caught one just about the same size. Every time he's over he wants to get in "Grampy's" boat in the garage. I think he's a natural... Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Way to go Kevin..you're really breaking my heart! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Chris,

Next time you get up this way give a shout and perhaps we can get out together. I've had my most consistent summer ever but am mostly fishing at night.

Kevin..Thanks for the offer. If I make it back up I'll get in touch. I can use all the help I can get up there! I seem to have Erie pretty well down, but sure get humbled in your area! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Nice fish Kevin! We spent some time trolling around the mouth of the river last weekend. Only managed 1 walleye and a few bass. Wish I had more time to explore up there! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Last weekend.. what little fishing we got in.. we did better on stickbaits than harnesses. We fished west to the PA line and found them scattered from 65 to 90 feet of water, but mostly 50 to 60 feet down. My buddy went east towards Brocton and did about the same. Hopefully things will have stabilized by this coming weekend. Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Larry..thanks for the tip. Yes.. we ran west to the PA line and trolled in and out over the mountain. Picked a few up on watermellon harnesses behind dipsies.. back 140 on #2 setting. Most fish actually came on Renosky's off the downriggers.. which was a refreshing change. Hope to give it another shot in a few weeks. Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Went out to fish Barcelona last Friday thru Monday. Lake was unfishable so we played golf on Friday and Saturday.. finally launched the boat late Sunday morning. Picked up seven eyes.. no real pattern.. mostly from about 50 feet down in 70 to 90 feet. Monday was about the same. No hogs.. just good eaters in the 4 to 5# range. Trying Ontario this weekend. Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Hope the weather blows by for the weekend for you.

Thanks Kevin.. we're hoping so as well. Nice job you're doing up there on the river. I'll be hitting Mud Bay the weekend after Erie. Hopefully you've left a few fish in there for me! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Why yes Chris, yes, I am.    I'm picking up the new rig on Monday and, weather and waves permitting, I'll be fishing Erie on Tuesday, though I'll probably go out of North East.  Post a report or shoot me a PM when you get back if you don't mind.  I don't mind experimenting a bit but if you have them dialed in and don't mind sharing, I probably wouldn't refuse the offer.

Bill.. I'll be in touch.. and good luck with the new rig! Sluggo (Chris)

Heading back to Erie for a long weekend this coming Friday morning. I'll try to improve on my picture taking this trip.. providing there's something worthy of shooting. Anyone else going out there this weekend? Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Any leaks? What's the max. HP rating? Thanks

Welcome back Bill.. we must be about due for another get-together! Sounds like a sweet rig you're putting together. You'll have to drag it out and join us on one of our Erie trips! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Castaway Charters (Capt. Fred Forsythe).. Launches out of Barcelona Harbor. Great guy and great walleye fisherman! (716) 560-9216 Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Nice Job! We'll be out there in a few weeks.. hopefully there are still a few left   Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)  .. and thanks for the report!

I thought we had more pics.. but here's a few...

Gotta get back out there soon! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

See my post "weekend on erie" a few below this one. Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

You can have all the 6-8#ers I will take all the 2-4#ers you get ! Lol the best eaters!

 

I agree that the smaller ones are best for deep or pan frying.. but if treated properly, there's nothing wrong with the bigguns!

 

Great job Sluggo. Me and my boy's are headed out 7/3-7/7, camping at Blue Water Beach and fishing out of Barcelona. Been doing that run 2-3 times a year for last 6 years, with the exception of 1- 1 trip year and 1 missed year. What was your best depth? Thanks and enjoy the rest of your season!

We launched out of Barcelona and fished mostly west.. between "red roof" and the PA line. Most of our fish came from mid-depth in 60 to 70 feet of water on Renosky's behind boards with either 4 colors of leadcore or snap-weights. Gave up on our favorite program.. harnesses behind dipsies.. because of the white bass. Got a couple off the downriggers, but as usual.. they produced the least. Good luck.. and pump my buddy Fred (Castaway Charters) for info if you see him. He's a good guy and is also at Blue Water. Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Had a beautiful weekend on Erie. It may have been too nice.. at least for walleye fishing. We did OK, but it wasn't fast as furious. Ended up with 11 eyes, a couple of browns and kept a few small lakers for the smoker. Aside from a few hours on Sat.. the lake was virtually flat.

Two of the walleye were over thirty inches.. probably about ten's. the rest were all little six to eight pounders. I'll add some pics when my buddy sends them as most are on his camera. I gotta get back out there soon! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)