GAMBLER

Another vote for Blacks. The Scottys are nice but I still like my blacks better. I think longline hit the nail on the head. The Scottys are my go to Copper release for the boards.

Doesn't Ray do that kind of fishing in the buffy?

Happy Birthday Jeff.

40" or more. That is my goal. Can't beat 32". Hopefully some day.

Actually a lot less than normal. Usually we would get one every trip. Only 3 this entire season. NO big ones either.

Chinook, Did you try the A-tom-mik site? He is carrying them now. That is where I'm going to purchase mine in the next couple of weeks.

They are out there. When I had my small boat, I used to go out in the end of Feb. when it was warm and do really good on browns. March and April are great times to be out there. You have to pick your days but it's worth it when you can get out there.

2 words Otter Boats!

Early to mid May off the Niagara bar / Olcott / Wilson area is great. That would probably be your best bet. Watch the reports section of this site when the season gets cranked up and choose a hot port and go. Ask guys from that area and they will more than likely give you accurate reports.

Yes I did. 2 tigers and one pike. Tons of small gills. Nothing in the money for me. Very nice walleye. Have not caught one through the ice on Conesus yet. Open water is a different story.

Chad, Here it is: Presents The 2009 Ice Masters Elite Ice Fishing Tournament Saturday February 28, 2009 $100.00 / Team (2 man Teams only) $5.00 optional Sunfish lunker pot *$10,000.00 payout - *Based on participation Plaques awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Click Here For Entry Form Honeoye Lake (North End) @ Sandy Bottom Registration: 7:00am – 8:00am Sandy Point Weigh-in: Sandy Point Parking Lot / 2:30pm Pre-registration encouraged, Must be received by 2/18/2009 Mail check or money order to: Avon Anglers Unlimited, P.O. Box 101, Avon, NY 14414 Most weight combined / 5 Perch – 5 Sunfish – 5 Crappie (Sunfish can be either Bluegill or Pumpkinseed) FOR MORE INFO CALL Warren Goodenow (585) 786-8798 – Ice Fishing Director Dale Rathbun (585) 243-0644 – Asst: Ice Fishing Dir. Bill Snover – (585) 489-9965 – Asst: Ice Fishing Dir. Elmer Ross – (585) 257-5015 – Asst: Ice Fishing Dir. Ken McGee (585) 226-3149 – Tournament Director Rules for 2009 Avon Anglers Ice Masters Elite 1) Participants may fish with or without a portable fish house 2) No third party fishing during the event. Each team must fish alone. No families or friends may fish within established tournament boundaries. 3) Participants may fish with only one line at a time. No exceptions. 4) Fish that are being weighed must be kept alive in a five gallon bucket half full of water No Ice 5) There is no limit to the number of hole participants can drill. Participants can fish in any open hole. 6) Teams may not fish closer than 10 feet from another team. 7) No culling at the scales Participants must fish within the designated tournament area. Southern boundary will be clearly marked from shore to shore at California Ranch. 9) Pre-fishing on the lake the day of the tournament is prohibited 10) During legal fishing hours on tournament day, team members cannot be more than 30 paces away from one another. 11) There will be a fish house and bucket inspection the morning of the tournament, before participants are allowed to proceed onto the ice. Inspection will start at 7:00am (Have everything opened and ready for inspectors.) 12) Tournament will start at 8:00am. You must return to the official tournament weigh station by 2:00pm sharp, with all your fish culled and ready to be weighed at 2:30pm 13) . Teams late to weigh-in will be disqualified. 14) Cars and trucks will not be permitted inside the tournament area during event. 15) All fish caught and equipment used will be the responsibility of the fisherman and must comply with all NYS Fishing & Game Laws. 16) Snowmobiles and ATV’s can be used if possible; Avon Anglers will make final decision on whether ice conditions are satisfactory for snowmobile & ATV use. 17) Over the count limit disqualifies largest fish. Weight is subtracted from total. 18) Most weight combined 5 Perch / 5 Crappie (9â€) / 5 Bluegill per tournament. (Sunfish can be either bluegill or pumpkin seed) 19) Winners will be subjected to a polygraph test. 20) Identity tags must be on shelter / sled / bucket as well as person 21) If a team witnesses a violation of these rules it is the obligation of that team to notify an official immediately. 22) No Alcoholic beverages allowed during tournament hours. Violators will be disqualified from the tournament. 23) AAU reserves the right to refuse entry for any reason deemed by the tournament director. 24) To preserve the integrity of the field, the tournament director may disqualify a team at any time

lastminute, You can buy mounts for Big Jon rod holders that fit in Berts custom tracks. Email the guys at Big Jon. I looked into it and they were $10 each for a plate. I ended up having mine made by a buddy. If you decide to go with another rod holder, let me know and I will buy a couple of the Big Jon rod holders off of you.

Your a little to quick for me Jeff. I forgot the other IMG code and had to go back for it.

Here are 2 pics from my outing with my neice and nephew on Conesus.

Anyone else fishing it? For details see www.avonanglers.com.

Fished the Northend of Conesus yesterday. The ice was in great shape. No problems getting on the ice and the ice was still 10"+. The only bad spots were right around the end of the point right against the shore at Vitale park. Where you get on the ice was solid right up to the shore. Iced 1 28" pike, 1 19" tiger musky and a ton of dink gills and 3 decent gills. Watched a tiger musky and a bunch of largemouth on the camera all day long but they were not interested in eating.

Paul, Pa has an open season in Feb? I wish NY did in my area.

Is this still going to happen? It is not in the new proposals / license increases?

I used Life Caulk when I first purchased my boat. Great stuff.

Just make sure it is in good wood and water proof the holes.

Thats a really good idea Mick. try it once the ice thaws and let us know.

Now that I'm going to start putting the boat back together, I want some ideas for net holders. I did not like my old set up because you had to reach around the plainer board mast and under the tow line to get the net out. I was always afraid someone was going to drop one of my nets in the drink. Please post pics of your set up or a detailed description of how yours are set up.

The ice is fine. All the cracks are pressure cracks. It was cracking on Hemlock last week but it was making ice. It has been cold enough at night to lock things back up. The only issues would be with shore ice, creek mouths and gas pockets. Stay away creek mouths, or other places that might have moving water, carry a rope and walk out checking the ice with a spud bar.

With the X4 probe, it will be the best unit on the market. No coated cable. With the battery issues, and the skipping around a thing of the past, you can't beat it. The only thing they need to work on now is bringing the price down a little.

FISHBANDIT, FYI the reels do not come with the handles. They are a separate part. I had to order a new reel this summer and got it and was pissed when the handle did not dome with it.