Gator

bump. classified section is going NUTS...

Apparently, you can't order the replacement battery pack that holds eight AA batteries online. Awesome. I have corrosion on one of the terminals, and I think that it's playing havoc with my camera. Either that or the unit just crapped the bed for good. Anyway, last ditch effort - anybody have a battery pack from an inoperable camera they want to sell? Thx.

So much for hearsay. I use Nick's bait, and it's good stuff. He even managed to scrounge some up for us on the fly for pike fishing this winter when his roommate was quarantining and he was at Craig's place! That's service. Now I just have to convince him to quit picking on my bucks lol...

So, my understanding of Plan 2014 is that it incorporates both high and low water levels throughout a decade long progression, in order to mimic the natural fluctuations you'd see in a pristine environment. I'm not saying that's right or wrong, just that IMHO the low water levels this year aren't completely unexpected. I mean, there's not a reasonable person who would look at how low the lake was this winter and think that Mother Nature could possibly provide enough water to raise the levels to what they were during our record high years - remember, both of those years started high, and there was record input. This year, we started low. Even record input would have only brought us to average. My take home is that this was planned to be one of the low years, and that the lack of precipitation exacerbated the planned low, leading to the current situation. Yes, you can't predict influx, but this is not a completely random outcome that depended on Mother Nature's input. It's a situation that was created by intent, and the pendulum swung too far.

We looked hard over the winter and found nothing. A couple of West Coast leads turned up some questionable dealers that reviews discouraged pursuing. One board member told us that even restaurants were having a tough time getting herring. I wonder whether smelt might work; supposedly the Niagara is lit. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

IMHO, any information is good information. Since captains are on the water more than most of us, they tend to have a good feel for what's going on. And I appreciate that time is money, so I don't mind a link rather than a full screen of pictures and a report (which I don't mind either). I get Les's perspective, the personal touch is nice, but up-to-date intel is paramount, even if it amounts to a weather report and hero pics. A guy can't give away all of his secrets lol...

I wouldn't have it on the boat. I think the feds can and have seized vessels as well as all contents previously. Otherwise, what's the difference? I don't think recreational users have given a hoot for years, nor cops unless they're trying to Al Capone somebody or looking for cause. You still gotta be straight for work, to drive...and think about setting an example for kids. IMHO it's now same as cigs or alcohol, with the same caveats. Personal connection - one of our former graduate students just took at job with Cannametrix, a Rochester start-up focused on medical and diagnostic testing of cannabis products. Putting his training to good use!

I looked for those 20 gauge slugs on Sunday, but apparently must have given them to somebody else because they're gone. I can check with Jeff - he might still have them at his house from when Caleb was young.

Wow, heck of a learning moment.

How many sheds did you find?

So, it wasn't you who they needed to bring a crane in to remove lol? Seriously though, I can't believe somebody got a dual axel trailer stuck that badly off the ramp. My kayak bumped bottom on the hump outside of Frank's launch two weeks ago. It's good to know that somebody got in the water early. I'm still hoping for a rollout before June.

And they'd tow a line of kayaks, life rafts, and canoes behind them to wherever their party spot was on down the lake. I'd laugh if it didn't make me want to puke.

Last year was a Chinese Fire Drill on this lake. I witnessed many small bass boats and even some houseboats launch from the North end. I suspect that this was let slide because of COVID, but I hope they put a stop to the nonsense this year. The type of usage I was seeing is inconsistent with the intent of the law, if just within the letter, depending on what you believe regarding the motor regulations. The major users are canoe and kayak paddlers, of all sizes and ages, but there are always going to be a few folks who think they're special. It's one of the last places that you can get away from the summer clamor on the other Finger Lakes. If you want to play Ricky Zoom-Zoom, there are other places to do so. And yes, I know I sound like a curmugeny old fart. Get off my lawn, you darn kids!!

Part of the simplicity for me is the lack of a trailer. I simply don't want to deal with googans at the ramp. My kayak fits in the bed of my truck, without even needing an extender. Two ratchet cords to hold it in place and I'm on my merry way, in less than two minutes from hitting shore. No ramp? No problem. And if I want to leave from work, I just sling the boat on top of my truck - it's almost as easy. Of course, my yak only weighs 50 odd pounds plus gear. I can one hand it from truck to water most days. Okay, thinking about how much I love my boat gave me the itch. I'm headed out for an evening paddle.

double post

I would worry less about freeboard in terms of handling rough water than in terms of rigging...bending over is no fun in sporty conditions...but that's an easy fix. I knew a guy with a 19 foot ProV that fished in challenging conditions that made me wince. I suspect that the boat is more than up to it. And they trailer very well. You're probably better off trailering this year anyway with the low water. If the boat you're looking at is the Lund 1900 on Craigslist, that looks like Lund SSS's old boat, the guy I knew. That boat saw lots of L. Ontario trips. I thought that it had sank - I know he has a new Lund glass boat that he's been fishing from this year. It must have been recoverable, I guess.

I guess it's good to see those small alewive, given the lack of data from trawling last spring. I'm holding my breath on the bait though. It's going to be an interesting picture that emerges this year out on the water.

I don't know, as soon as we have 2 1/2 feet to make it from the dock to the lake, we will splash down. I'd bet that it will be going full steam by June, and earlier around ports with a good deep water launch. Didn't GW Bush, among his many other famous tropisms, say something about not counting your broken eggs before they hatch lol?

It looks like over a pound better than we usually manage in the fall, unsurprisingly. Couldn't have asked for better weather.

Guys, I think there's some sarcasm being thrown around here to illustrate the irony of the situation. Don't get the knickers in a bundle - I doubt anyone from the IJC actually reads our posts lol. The low water does suck though. My kayak will see more use this year, if that's even possible.

well then I guess that answers whether there's a curb at the bottom of the concrete to keep you from backing in too far...or somebody ignored it...glad the town was able to help him out.

Nice rigs! Every time I start to think about upgrading to a pedal drive or a larger boat, I remind myself why I love my kayak: it takes five seconds to load it into the back of the truck, and I can carry it in one hand just about anywhere. I agree that it can be a PITA in other ways...big fish in the weeds, yep, been there...but with a Lund in the driveway and Nothing but Net docked at Tommy's, what I'm really looing for is the ease of use and the laid back experience. And yet I can't help thinking how nice it would be to upgrade...

What kind of boat does everyone paddle? My wife and I had our kayaks out last night for the first time this year, and mine is a Wilderness Systems Pungo. Big open cockpit, stable, tracks well...but not a "fishing" kayak. I do okay from it though lol. I'm always looking for a better mousetrap, though.

While I love my Saltists (despite the PITA linecounter), we spent many years running Sealine 47LC for salmon, and so far as I know that guy that I passed them onto is still running them. I would stay away from the Accudepth line - really, once you get under $100, there is not much out there to recommend. You may be able to pick up a few decent used reels here and simply upgrade drags or have Rochester Reel Repair take a look at them.

Thanks! I will keep that option open if you don't mind. My kayak is a WS Pungo, and the material is light enough that I'm hoping to be able to mount each track using at least six screws. Unless anyone has a better idea? I'm using Downeaster clamp on holders now - they work, but not optimal. It would be easier if this was a sit on top rather than sit inside kayak. But it's 20 years new and has only been expoxyed twice lol. I love my kayak, mainly cause it's simple fishing. There's not a lot of bling; I don't even have a depthfinder. But in terms of pure enjoyment, it's hard to beat. Great way to catch fish, too.