Finders Keepers

There's no belly aching here Vince, and I also think a lakewide cup should include both east and west end events. However, I would like to know how the cup is scored if my team (and many others who have wondered) are going to enter into the race. So I am asking, what is the scoring system by which this coveted cup is scored by? I also feel Matt does a great job orchestrating the Sodus Pro-Am, however with regards to the cup, I know of no other event whereby the players aren't privy 100% to how the competition is scored before they enter, and since registration is this Thu I am asking now...

I agree with you - simple is better!

Dex - The Great Lakes Special Events Cups are scored on a similar system with extra points generated for larger fields and placing in the top-3. However they have it all laid out so there are no questions. The current Lake Ontario Challenge Cup scoring system is not. It would also be nice to see the point spreads before and after each event, as well as the full scoring system. 

Speaking with several teams in it last year (and some who were not), the "unique scoring system" was questioned without much resolve other than being told "it is a complicated scoring system based on number of variables", but it was never shared. I think this needs to be clarified, or better yet changed to a more simple scoring system like most other series events. I'm usually not one to complain and love to compete against the best on the lake, but it needs to be fair and clearly laid out for the competing teams. Last year we all thought we knew who the contenders were going into the Sodus event and then out of the blue another team (that didn't even weigh-in for one of the days in the Niagara Pro-Am and placed near last in that event) took the award leaving many unanswered questions and a sour taste for some teams since the scoring system was not disclosed from the start nor once questioned at the end. Based on the results last year I believe the weighting of some of the variables are unbalanced/incorrectly weighed and should be reviewed, otherwise go to a straight scoring system that is easy for everyone to understand and doesn't leave room for questionable results. 

As stated above, entrees in tourneys for the most part have seen a decline over the last few years, and not only trout and salmon either, it's across the board. To answer why that is for the Lake Ontario events I think involves many factors - many previous teams have broken up, cost of living has gone up, cost of this sport has gone up, the high water isn't helping matters this year, etc. - I know if I had a larger boat like a lot of the teams and had to travel across the lake to an event I would be very hesitant this year with the amount of large debris in the water. However, I think economics is the largest driving factor. While I agree with Rick that the amazing fishing we have seen the last few years may make anglers lazy (I wouldn't say dumb) you still have to pay attention to the details and adjust your strategy to target the larger fish or else end up in the middle of the pack. Plus there is always that element of luck whereby you happen upon a larger school of kings and get them to go. Consistency is what highlights skill in the tourney realm - those who consistently place in the Top-10 from season to season. 

The best way to become a better angler is to learn from your own and others mistakes, pay attention to details (no matter how small), and keep records to refer back to and to look over in preparation. Most of us have had a crushfest day while other struggled to get bit (or vice versa) even though your running the same stuff side by side - the difference is often in minute details like type or test of line, leader length, size of spoon, treble hooks versus single hooks, clip size, etc. etc. etc.  Ask those that do well in an event what gave them the edge - most anglers realize that each day is different and will give you an honest answer. This past weekend we succeeded in waters where others struggled and it came down to several key details that we had dialed in the day before: spoon color and size (Carbon-14 & Defender, mags and Stingrays), rigger depth and separation (65 and 85), presentation (12 ft leads off the balls with fixed free sliders 12 ft above), down speed (2.4 early, 2.2 later), tracking of the bait/fish (progressed east), and most importantly the willingness to adjust these as the fish and water conditions changed based on previous experience (when the wind and waves picked up we lengthened the leads off the riggers to 25 ft). 

Heading to Oneida for the season opener there! Can't wait to rip some raps and sonars!! 

This sounds great Vince! It's awesome to see new energies being put into the east end events - looking forward to a fantastic season ahead!!

**Attention to those just starting to fish the big lake and those who would like to learn a few new tricks of the trade**

On June 8th the Finders Keepers Sportfishing Team will be at the Rochester Field & Stream store with our tournament boat on-site (weather pending) to offer insights on how to rig-up boats (tracks, rod holders, electronics, etc.), run various techniques (planer boards, downriggers, multiple wires on a side, run stackers, sliders, fixed sliders, etc.), and answer any questions you may have about trolling in Lake Ontario. We will have the latest gear on display from Okuma, Cannon, Humminbird, Plano, Frabill, and Aqua-Vu, plus sign-ups for the 2019 NYS Summer Classic Tournament. With the ability to do on-demand seminars tailored to your questions and inquiries, this will be a great opportunity to take advantage of! While not confirmed yet, we are also hoping to have additional boats and professionals on-site to answer questions and inquiries regarding other fishing realms such as bass fishing, walleye fishing, and those who target the Finger Lakes. 

I'll post updates as the event comes together - if there is anything you would like to see in particular, drop a comment on this thread! 

**Buyer Beware** 

We dealt with them several years ago and gave over $15,000 in used gear to them to sell on consignment where we agreed on a 50/50 split for what it sold for (Shimano Tekota reels, Penn reels, Great Lakes rods, Cannon probe systems and manual downriggers, Furhman Sounder, boxes upon boxes of lures) - never saw a penny and was told it all sold but they didn't make anything from it??? How can there be no profit when it was given to them?? That was the last time I stepped foot in the place and started hearing all the stories...

This summer the statewide NYS Summer Classic Fishing Tournament is sporting some new changes this summer including a guaranteed $10,000 cash grand prize (sponsored by Batavia Downs), more incentives and cash awards, higher payouts, and a new Catch & Release event to run alongside the main event that will allow anglers fishing all of the current Bass/Carp/Catfish/Pike C&R tournament events to cash in double! Here is the breakdown of species for each event:

Main Event Fish Categories: Salmon, Lake Trout, Walleye, Rock Bass, Crappie, Yellow Perch, Panfish (Sunfish/Bluegill)

C&R Event Fish Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Catfish, Northern Pike

Each event will have its own separate pool of money and associated payout, however all 1st place anglers will have a 1-in-12 shot at the $10,000 cash grand prize - random drawing done LIVE at the awards ceremony on Sept. 21st. All Top-3 angler in the main event will be required to attend the awards ceremony with their fish, and will be housed overnight at the casino as part of their awards package. All 1st Place C&R anglers will be required to attend the awards ceremony to secure their chance at the $10,000, and will also be housed overnight at the casino as part of their awards package. Each event will have its own registration, the main event can be entered online (http://www.nysiceproam.com/SummerClassic/Registration-2.html) or at most weigh-in locations, while the C&R event can only be entered online via the FishDonkey website/app: 

https://tourney.fishdonkey.com/#/tournament/568/details

The main event will place fish according to weight at one of the official NYS Classic weigh-ins, while the C&R event will be done via length and submitted using the FishDonkey App (anglers must have a cell phone capable of taking both pictures and video to participate). Anglers may enter both events - registration in each is required. In addition to the weigh-in network, anglers will also be able to weigh-in fish at the following tournament events:

Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout (Walleye Only - main event scales)

Fat Nancy's BFF (All Species - see Director Tim Thomas for mobile scales)

Oswego Pro-Am (All Species - see Director Tim Thomas for mobile scales)

Capt. Jack's BFF (All Species - see Director Tim Thomas for mobile scales)

Sodus Pro-Am (All Species - see Director Tim Thomas for mobile scales)

Atommik Invitational BFF (All Species - see Director Tim Thomas for mobile scales)

Atommik Invitational (All Species - see Director Tim Thomas for mobile scales)

Fair Haven Challenge (All Species - see Director Tim Thomas for mobile scales)

There will also be additional cash awards available including:

$200 Cash Award - Overall Largest Drum/Sheepshead (Main Event Only)

$200 Cash Award - Overall Largest Brown Trout (Main Event Only)

$200 Cash Award - Overall Largest Bowfin/Dogfish (Main Event Only)

$200 Cash Award - Overall Largest Pickerel (Main Event Only, 500 angler participation)

$200 Cash Award - Overall Longest Muskey (C&R Event Only, 250 angler participation)

$250 Cash Award - Overall Largest King caught by a LOTSA Member

$500 Cash Award - Overall Largest Accumulated Weight of Gobies (Main Event Only, 750 angler participation)

$1,000 Monthly Overall Largest Fish - (Main Event Only, 500 angler participation, increments)

Weekly Cash Awards - Largest Fish Every Week for Every Fish Category (Both Events, 1,000 angler participation combined)

The events will culminate with a formal awards ceremony at the Batavia Downs Casino Resort on September 21st, where the Fall Classic Sportsman Show will also be taking place that day. Follow the event on Facebook for all of the latest news, announcements, and updates: https://www.facebook.com/NYSSummerClassic/

Current sponsor backing includes: Batavia Downs, Savage Gear, Okuma, Fillet Away Fish Mats, Fish Fighter Products, Koyote Ugly Products, Frabill, Plano, Oakley, Automatic Fisherman, Nautic Sport, Clingerman Taxidermy, Church Tackle Co., GMSS, Celox, Atommik, Field & Stream, Bass Pro Shops, FishUSA, Makiplastic, Soco Baits, BHammer Tackle, Diabolical, Lake Ontario United, Vital Signs, LCTV, LOTSA, and Factory Direct Trailers. 

Thank you Justin & others, appreciate the feedback! Will pass on the information and see if anything transpires. 

The Fairport Fishing Club is having their annual Guide Day event at the Rochester Field & Stream store this Saturday from 9am-4pm. Local charter and guide services will be there as well as several company reps. Stop on out and let's talk about the upcoming fishing season!! I'll have several ADDICTED fishing hats with me - stop out and tell me how you are addicted to fishing and you could score one!! 

Agreed on the rubber band getting wound into the reel if it isn't removed, but the practice is very effective and used by many seasoned anglers. We tend to use them almost all the time to help get a better initial hookset while using a lighter drag for once the band breaks and they take off. For charters and inexperienced anglers I probably would not use them, or make sure I got the rod first to remove it...

For the invitational the gentleman in the passenger seat was our observer, and while he was looking green, I don't believe he got sick while we were out there. If I remember right, the waves were on the order of 4-8's with an occasional big'un like the one soon after we land the first fish in the video! 

Tip for fishing in rough conditions with dipseys if you didn't catch it the first time watching the video: use a rubber band making a half-hitch on the wire and looping it around the handle on the reel. This helps allow the wire to flex a little with the rod as it sways in the waves and keeps the drags from creeping out. When a fish hits (if it doesn't slice the rubber band off initially) simply grab the rubber band and slide it up the wire to slice it off. 

Great insight Vince, thank you. I'm not bent on putting an event together, simply gathering information to bring back to her and then see if it's something she would like to pursue. I agree that a land-based event would probably be a good starter event and then baby-step it from there. 

The NYS Winter Classic Awards Ceremony and NYS Spring Classic Sportsman Show are this Sat at Batavia Downs! Get all the info at: http://www.nyswinterclassic.com/2019/sportsmanshow.html

The show will be packed with deals, new gear releases, new concepts presented in seminars, giveaways, and much more! Show runs from 10am-3pm. See you there!!

Who's ready for the 2019 season?? What new products is everyone sporting this year? If you'd like to see some of the new gear coming out for the 2019 season, stop out to the NYS Spring Classic Sportsman Show this Saturday at Batavia Downs! As I was looking over videos of past events for some content for upcoming projects and to get psyched up for the upcoming season, I came across some footage from the infamous 2013 Atommik Invitational event showing the 30+ lb king we landed that day along with several other hits and the massive waves! I will never forget coming around the pierheads that morning and taking air during the shotgun start! Let's hope the current stormy pattern weakens for the upcoming tournament season!

Enjoy and good luck this season! We'll see everyone on the water!!

Stop on out for the show and awards ceremony this Sat!!

Recently I was approached by someone who works with physically handicapped individuals about coordinating a fishing event for her group like we do for the wounded veterans. Initially she was looking to get them on the ice and, due to the slippery nature of the ice alone, I was not in favor of that idea and suggested maybe an open water event and that I would look into it for her. While I am all about offering on-water experiences, I have some concerns. So I wanted to get some feedback on a few things from others, guides and charter captains in particular, who may have had experiences to share since I do not take clients out and (other than the few veterans we have hosted) predominantly fish with just my team and some students from school. Obviously weather/wave conditions would be a primary concern and shore or bay fishing could be an alternative. Are there any particular liability issues to be aware of or special insurance requirements that would have to be met? Are there any events of this nature currently being conducted that I could potentially mimic in designing one for her group? Anyone have any stories good or bad to share? Suggestions, things to be aware of, etc. that I can take back to her should she want to pursue putting an event together? Thank you in advance for the help/info in this regard!

Spent some time tonight getting ready for the Winter Classic Awards Ceremony organizing over $4,300 in cash to give out plus there will be a trailer full of gear in prizes, door prizes, and raffles! Gotta be present to win this time and there's a ton to win!! Show kicks off at 10am and runs until 3pm, dinner banquet from 5-6:30 with the awards ceremony to follow!

Additional companies/vendors that have confirmed for booths/displays:

Cannon

Humminbird

Minn-Kota

Makiplastic (with one or two seminars by Scott Brauer - TBA)

Combined Insurance

Sullivan Tipdowns

Pre-sale tickets are available for only $5 at: 

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4102144?fbclid=IwAR1Yi2HvwcJRP04c0J_CfHlKOkZE2leIajBc4mkCH6lM0No8KESODze5-E4

(and receive $5 in Free Play for the casino)

With anglers coming in from all over the state to the Batavia Downs Casino Resort for the NYS Winter Classic Awards Ceremony on March 16th, we decided to make it a full day of festivities and put together sportsman shows to precede the dinner banquets and awards ceremonies of the Classic Tournaments. This will be the first show corresponding with the Winter Classic Awards and we have a fantastic line-up of vendors/companies/tackle shops being represented this year with some fantastic deals to be had! Here is a run-down of the booths:

Filer's PowerSports
Koyote Ugly Spoons Inc
Vital Signs
Factory Direct Trailers
Soco Baits
Automatic Fisherman
Hirsch Taxidermy Wildlife Creations
TJ Morgans Seasonings
Case Canoe
My Way Charters
Suspicious Lines Charters
Bartel Rd Bait & Tackle
Catherine Valley Outfitters
Nature's Prize
Aqua-Vu
Frabill
Plano Synergy
Okuma Fishing USA
Fish Fighter Products
Fillet Away Fish Mats
ICE WELL Live Well
Addicted Fishing
Finders Keepers Professional Sport Fishing Team
NYS Classic Tournaments

We will also offer the following 4 seminars:

March 16th Show & Awards Timeline:
10am-3pm: Sportsman Show
3pm-5pm: Cocktail/Mingling Hr.
5pm-6:30pm: Banquet Dinner (Reservations Online)
6:30pm-8pm: Winter Classic Awards Ceremony
8pm-??: After Party in Casino

(Dinner reservations can be made online only through March 8th and are limited to the first 180 people)

The show, the banquet, and the awards ceremony are open to all who would like to attend, and we'll have additional giveaways at the dinner. There will also be multiple opportunities to score some free play for the casino! Get all the details and links to all the companies attending at: http://www.nyswinterclassic.com/2019/sportsmanshow.html

Any questions feel free to contact me at (585) 330-0494. 

Yes you are correct in the 1-in-7 shot, however the first place angler who is chosen will have the choice between the 3 Grand Prize awards ($500 Cash, $1,000 HD10i-Pro Aqua-Vu Camera, or Free Fish Mount), the Second Place angler chosen will have a choice of the two remaining prizes, and the third place angler chosen will receive the remaining prize. The $500 cash could also increase to $750 or $1,000 cash if we receive enough entries. I doubt we will see enough to push it more than $1,000 this year...

Long range models show a pattern shift in the jet stream 1.5-2 weeks out, then the flood gates open for the cold out of Canada... Let's hope that forecast holds!

6 minutes ago, letsfish2day said:

Sounds good thanks. I’ll definitely come check it out. Hopefully we’ll get some ice soon or it’s gonna be a long winter


Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Agreed!! I think it'll come, just taking it's sweet time this year...