Finders Keepers

The 2022 Great Lakes Salmon Showdown Events kicked off this week and will run through the end of September. Keeping charter boats in mind, these events were created to offer the first tournament event involving all of the Great lakes, for both the USA and Canada, and allow charter boats to get involved without the need to have all of their clients agree to register. Registration is done via boat, rather than by angler. Any fish caught on the registered boat, no matter who catches it, is eligible for entry. That means friends, family, charter clients, or anyone else can help add to the boat's running total. In essence for charter boats, all of your clients are automatically entered, and they love helping you score higher and seeing their picture in your entry that they can show to others! Placement is by the boat's Top-5 largest salmon throughout the season by length - these can be upsized all season long! As part of the Next Gen Tournaments, these events also offer the following benefits:

*All fish can be released after entry (angler's choice).

*All fish are entered using the Fish Donkey App. with a bump board or other approved measuring device, and is super quick and easy.

*All entered fish include photo/video evidence including time/date/GPS encryption.

*Fish can be easily entered into multiple events at the same time on the Fish Donkey App (including the NYS Summer Classic Lake Ontario Boat Event and Salmon Division, FK Corporate Challenge Events, etc.). 

*Protocols are in place for boats fishing non-communication events, and for boats without a bump board. 

*Anglers can fish 24/7 without the need to stop early or have to make a weigh-in time.

*No extra travel necessary to enter fish.

*Leaderboards update in real-time as fish are entered and notify all anglers when a new leader is entered.

*App works even when out of cell coverage.

*Youth anglers are encouraged to join.

*100% transparency.

There are two divisional options for entry: 

Am Division = $125/boat

Pro Division = $250/boat

Cash payouts start at 80% and go up as more boats enter, plus once there are 6 or more boats in a division a crystal trophy award will be included for the top-placing team. 

Current supporting sponsors include: Plano, Frabill, Okuma, Addicted Fishing, Koyote Ugly Spoons, FishUSA, Reel Cool Lures, Fillet Away Fish Mats, Fish Donkey, Batavia Downs, and Lake Ontario United.

To get all the details, see past years' results, and enter, visit: 

GLSSevents.com

Lake Ontario has dominated the boards the past couple years, we'll see if the upper Great Lakes can make a run for the title this year! Drop me a PM with any questions. Good luck and tight lines to everyone competing in the events this year!

26 minutes ago, Gill-T said:

Tim, what do you attribute their size to?  Eggs alone or were they loaded with gobies?

Both, lots of eggs and packed with all sorts of forage (minnows, sculpin, snails, crayfish, mussels, bugs, etc.). Between the time I caught it and got it weighed for the state the following day it had coughed up almost a 1/2 lb of stuff!

2 minutes ago, JJBat150 said:

How do those pigs swim ? Bet they fought like a laker.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Lake Ontario United mobile app
 

They fight quite hard, especially when using ultra-light rods and 6 lb test line! It can be a lot of work to find them and get them to bite, but so rewarding when it all comes together! Time to hunt down the next state record...

2 hours ago, Finnagain said:

The fact that your a meterologist and mariner how does 5/7-5/14 look for bad wheather patterns for Wilson /Olcott area  .I realize  it’s week out but I have been combing sites hoping for a fishable lake for 17’ boat .I am not on facebook and realize a lot can change with wind but just looking for experienced outlook if you heading out that week .Had to ask . Thank you in advance .

PM sent with details.

4 minutes ago, Reel Doc said:

Great looking fish!  Is some of the abdomen distention eggs or are they post spawn now.

They are still packed with eggs. Time to pull a couple for mounts, let the other females go for reproduction and keep males for fillets...

2 minutes ago, land locked said:

May I ask what bait you used?

1/2 oz jig tipped with a plastic. Gotta try to mimic the baitfish/crayfish they are feeding on. Changes daily. 

10 minutes ago, Pair of Jacks said:

Here is the error I get:

It's not a website, follow the link above to Facebook. The Storm Tracker Team is a volunteer group that offers these services for free to the public and is based on our passion and expertise for the weather. 

Had one of those magical days on Seneca Lake yesterday, not in numbers of fish, but size was up for sure pulling 4 yellow perch over 2.5 lbs! The largest measured 15.75" and 3.2 lbs on the very old boat scale when caught, 2.85 lbs once we got home and it was put on a set of certified scales - difference could be from it emptying its stomach on the way home. My new PB none the less!! She'll be headed to our local taxidermist today to join some others from last year. 

Here is the NWS definition for winds necessitating a Small Craft when the waves are not (like with a south wind):

Small Craft Advisory for Winds

(SCAW) - An advisory for wave heights lower than small craft advisory criteria, yet wind speeds are potentially hazardous. Thresholds governing the issuance of small craft advisories are specific to geographic areas. * Eastern (ME..SC, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario) - Sustained winds ranging between 25 and 33 knots.

 

Yesterday's NWS forecast: 

Showers

SSW 19kt

1ft

High: 53 °F

Water: 37 °F

 

Not even a mention of wind gusts - that is the whole story. I'm a meteorologist by trade, I am an experienced mariner, and I know when poor forecasts are being made. This is often the case for our area as the marine forecasts are "not very high on our priority list since it effects very few people compared to our other forecasting products" as stated by one of the senior NWS forecasters I spoke with at a presentation they gave several years ago. They also will rarely if ever take one down early once issued even if the conditions no longer warrant the advisory. 

 

I'm just offering a far better place for anglers to get their marine forecast from that is much more accurate and updated more often. If you like the NWS, go ahead and keep being disappointed...

We've all seen it over and over again when the NWS in Buffalo issues a Small Craft Advisory when the lake is beautiful for fishing. Today is a great example: south winds, nearshore wave forecast of 1 ft or less, and they have a small craft issued until 8pm tonight. If you would like to get more reasonable wave forecasts with much better accuracy, tune in to the Storm Trackers Team NY on Facebook who not only forecast for, monitor, and track severe weather across CNY including Lake Ontario, but also issue wave forecasts for Lake Ontario from Rochester to Oswego. Easy to read graphics, real-time weather tracking and alerting, and text notifications you can sign up for are some of the benefits of the service they provide. Check them out at:

Storm Tracker Team NY

A catch & release salmon tournament, how is that possible?? Come to the meeting to find out! This is only one of the many possibilities/benefits the Next Gen Tourneys offer! I'm adding a 48" Frabill Benchmark aluminum bump board to the giveaways - see you there!

To add to the fun and excitement in line with the Next Gen Tourney sponsors, we'll have some drawings for those in attendance including:

*New Frabill Power Catch Weighted Salmon Net ($210 retail value)

*Koyote Ugly Flasher/Spoon Package

*Plano EDGE storage solutions

And anything else I can throw together! If you have any questions prior feel free to drop me a PM. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

There will be an informational meeting on Sat. April 9th starting at Noon in the back banquet room of Capt. Jack's on Sodus Point for all those interested in learning about the Next Gen Tourneys, why they are being formed, the advantages and benefits of these events versus the current tournament events, what type of events are possible, the formation of the tournament committee that will oversee and orchestrate the upcoming Next Gen events, look at the future scope of these events, and offer an open floor for anglers to voice their opinions/ideas/intuitions - full details to be disclosed/determined at the meeting including this year's events/dates, and (pending guidance from the formed tourney committee) will be released publicly later this spring. 

All anglers are welcome, both amateurs and pro's, those who are new to the sport to those seasoned veterans and everyone in between. Here is your chance to chime in and help guide the creation, planning, and execution of the new tournaments for Lake Ontario that benefit our fishery and local communities, provide an unbiased and fair playing field unlike any other, encourage youth engagement, and are 100% transparent. While the current focus will be on the Sodus Bay area, anglers from other ports are encouraged to attend and look at the feasibility of running Next Gen events out of other ports, and the possibility of multi-port events. 

It's time to bring back the fun of tourney fishing on a superior platform with unlimited possibilities - come out, see the potential of what lies ahead, and become a part of the change! 

I have started a new set of next generation tournament events run on the Fish Donkey App platform that are nationwide and only for yellow perch, called the USA Perch Showdown Events. There will be a spring event and a fall event. The Spring event will run from March 1 through April 16th at Noon with a $25/angler entry. The cash payout is based on number of entrees and sponsor prizes will be added in when available - this year the first place beyond the cash payout will receive an Amped Outdoors Lithium Ion Battery. Get all the details and register at:

USA Spring Perch Showdown

My Way Charters out of Sodus is another option, and we offer education charters if you're interested in learning how to run spreads, specifics to look for, etc. with a hands-on experience. Drop me a PM if interested.

Another amazing event in the books! Just under 400 fish entered, over 500 participants from all across the Northeast USA, and after the awards ceremony on March 19th at the Batavia Downs Casino Resort we will have given away over $30,000 in cash and prizes! Can't wait to see which two of our youth anglers walk away with Lifetime NYS Fishing Licenses and who wins the Aqua-Vu HD7i Pro camera system! 

See all the results at: 

Leaderboard

Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors, including LOU!! We hope to see just as many anglers getting into the upcoming 2022 NYS Summer Classic! Best of luck to everyone in the open water season and we'll see you all next ice season!!

**Tourney Update**

The 2022 NYS Winter Classic is off to an amazing start this year! We have over 520 anglers competing this year making the current cash payouts for all 7 species divisions:

1st Place = $545

2nd Place = $295

3rd Place = $195

PLUS Weekly Cash Awards = $41/species/week

PLUS Shoreline B&T Bass Cash Awards ($150/$100/$50)

PLUS the Grantley's B&T Youth Lifetime Fishing License Award

PLUS the Climbing Bines Youth Lifetime Fishing License Award

PLUS 14 Youth Angler Achievement Awards

PLUS a ton of prizes and giveaways to offload at the awards ceremony March 19th at Batavia Downs!

Anglers can register at any time for only $25 but must do so the day before they wish to start entering fish - register at:

NYS Winter Classic Registration

There is still over 4 weeks of tourney action left - gotta be in it to win it!! Best of luck and tight lines!

A few updates/announcements as mentioned on the Tourney Facebook Page:

New this year:

*Shoreline B&T Cash awards for the Top-3 Bass ($150 / $100 / $50)

*Grantley's B&T Youth Lifetime Fishing License Award

*Climbing Bines Youth Lifetime Fishing License Award

*14 Youth Angler Achievement Awards (7 male, 7 female)

*Premier trophies for all Top-3 anglers

*New 2022 Sponsors: Climbing Bines Craft Ale Co., Walleye Freak, Grantley's Bait & Tackle, Ontario Seafood, The Glow Tub, Hagemann's Bait & Tackle, Coldwater Customz, TJ Morgan's Seasoning, Sportsman's Warehouse, Shoreline Bait & Tackle, NE Bait Supply, and Amped Outdoors

*4" and 6" tourney decals now available at Grantley's B&T

Today we received the Aqua-Vu camera systems to give away in this year's event, including an HD7i Pro system valued at $850! Just a reminder, for any youth registered in the event this year, they will need to have the word "YOUTH" after their registered name to be identified as a youth angler and be eligible for the NYS Lifetime Fishing License Awards. With so many new sponsors coming onboard over the last couple weeks, we will be making a new flier for the 2022 event - stay tuned for the new design and downloadable file! It's not too late if you have a company willing to sponsor the event (or if you know of a company that could benefit from statewide exposure), get them in touch with us now to discuss sponsorship details and get them listed!

Register before December 31st at noon to be eligible for the $1,800+ in door prize drawings including at least one Aqua-Vu camera system!

**Pre-Tourney Update**

There are now 390 anglers registered in the event which has boosted the payouts for each of the 7 species divisions to:

1st Place = $420

2nd Place = $218

3rd Place = $145

PLUS Weekly Cash Awards  = $30/week/species for all 7 species.

PLUS Monthly Prizes for the leading fish at the end of January.

PLUS two Youth Lifetime License Awards.

PLUS over $3,500 in door prizes yet to be given out.

PLUS trophies for all the Top-3 winners.

PLUS Cash Awards for the Top-3 Bass ($150/$100/$50).

PLUS additional awards and youth giveaways!

We have more sponsors adding to the prize structure almost daily - like and follow the tourney Facebook Page to stay up on all the tourney news, announcements, and updates! Register today (only $25) to be eligible for all remaining drawings and giveaways, and plan to attend the awards ceremony at the Batavia Downs Casino on March 19th! Simply go to NYSwinterclassic.com    or     fishdonkey.com

1 minute ago, scottatsummerville said:

I want a sticker that looks like that!

6" and 4" decals will be available starting next week at Grantley's in Ontario and Davenport's on Sodus Bay, additional locations later in December.

2 hours ago, websterwilli said:

Where could you buy a copy of the  decal for the contest  ? Very sharp !!

Thank you! We are hoping to have decals available at local tackle shops in December when tourney posters are distributed. They will also be available at the NYS Spring Classic Sportsman Show and Winter Classic Awards Ceremony in March. There is also customizable apparel available now at: 

Classic Tourney Apparel

We have started to put together the prize listing for the upcoming Early Bird Drawings and 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways! Check them out at:

Prize Listing (scroll towards the bottom of the page)

To be eligible, simply register before December 1st on Fish Donkey:

Tourney Entry

If you have never fished the event before, or if it has been a few years, join in the fun this season and see why so many anglers love the new format, higher payouts, and prize giveaways! 

Registration for the 2022 NYS Winter Classic is open! With over 600 participants last year we are looking to top 1,000 this year which would generate a cash payout over $18,700 (including both Weekly & Monthly Cash Prizes for the largest fish entered in each division) plus over $10k in product giveaways! Register before December 1st to get in on the Early Bird Drawings and 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways featuring a brand new product from Kahtoola! There will also be a round of door prizes drawn on Dec. 31st and a second round at the awards ceremony at Batavia Downs on March 19th. 

Current sponsors include: Batavia Downs Casino, Plano, Frabill, Kahtoola, Jiffy, Automatic Fisherman, Okuma, Addicted Fishing, Nautic Start, Fish Donkey, Fillet Away Fish Mats, Deep Freeze, Reel Cool Lures, Vital Signs, Koyote Ugly Spoons, Celox, Factory Direct Trailers, Lake Ontario United, Ice Fishing Finactics, and Green Mt. Sporting Supplies. (More too come)

For tourney information and to register, visit:

NYSwinterclassic.com

Tourney Specifics:

Dates: Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2022

Location: All NY State Waterways

Cost: $25/angler (register in Fish Donkey)

Species Divisions: Pike, Walleye, Trout, Pickerel, Crappie, Yellow Perch, Panfish

Fish Placement: By Length

Fish Entry: Via the Fish Donkey Platform