rusty1034

Cool, Do you have a stand any where near that field ?

Howdy All, I tried it again today on Skaneateles. It was quite a bit slower than last week. Did one laker on a firetiger needlefish @50ish, and a 20 'bow on a pink/white stinger @35. That was between 7-8, then nothing. The water was dead calm, so I went into jigging mode. I find that the bottom schools of lakers that I mark on my ff seem to be very small, and I can usually only pull one fish up before I drift past the school. Today was no exception. I found some fish in 50', and brought up a SMB using a white tube on a big leadhead jig. I found a school of fish on the bar in front of 5 mile point, and brought up a couple of small lakers. I hit a spot on the east side in front of a sailboat club. I always mark fish on the bottom in this spot, but they are always deeeeeeeeep. It took at least 30 seconds for my jig to get to the 157' where I was marking fish. On most drops I would have a fish on as soon as I reeled in the slack from the bottom. The fish weren't very big, 15"? maybe. I landed he first one , but it was so bloated I had to puncture the swim bladder to get it to go back down. The rest of the lakers from that deep I brought up more slowly, and then did a 'long line release' with them after I saw what size they were. For those of you that are unfamiliar with this lake, it typically is an early bite, ending by 9 or so when the weather is nice. Also, I think this coming weekend is the old boat show, so the launch will be extra busy with the wooden boat people. When I docked around 11 a this morning, the parking lot was full, and there was a fresh pile of broken red trailer light lense from the most recent victim. I picked up a couple more needlefish at All Season Sports in Pulaski the other day. I think the ones they had were mostly the #2s. Good Luck, Rusty

Howdy all, A similar report from me. I hit skinny last Wed and Thurs from about 7-10am Two riggers, one around 50, one 35, and one 7 color lead core. Riggers took lots of 15"-20" lakers with small bronze stingers and needlefish. The core took a 20 "? rainbow and a 20"? Atlantic. I had a small joined perch rapala on the end of that line. I also had a couple of big SMBs taken on the core. The rainbow was released, as was the LL, however the LL was a floater, and ended up going the livewell. I gave it to John Gaulke at the ramp. He cleaned it there, and we saw a bunch of 1/2" perch fry in it. I hope to try it again tomorrow. Rusty

Thats more like it.. Thanks

Is that correct ? 10 Ams and 11 Pros ? How come participation is down so much ? The enonomy ? Rusty

Well, there are two fewer lakers there now ! I think soaking them in ice water may have removed some of the strong flavor. Either that, or frying them in butter- yum. I didn't even think to check the stomaches of the two lakers from Sunday. I doubt there would have been anything except alewives because they came from the middle of the lake, 80' down. I remember reading that pollutants from Groton ? sewage treatment plant were being blamed for some of the changes in the lake. Do you know if that has changed ? I still think Oneida is the place to go if you want to catch walleye. A couple people I work with report great catch rates. I don't fish Oneida because 1) its an hour drive, and b) I typically am a catch and release guy, so catching fish that are good eating is not a concern. Hope to get out again soon. Rusty

Thanks for the info guys. The fish look like they might be from the same stocking . Last year maybe ? It would be great to get that lake back to a 3 trout fishery. Lakers, Rainbows and Browns. Head to Oneida if you want Walleyes. I have a 4 color lead core I'll try next time. I've got to have an orange spoon somewhere in one of the tackle boxes. Rusty

That works for me. You hear of any one catching browns ? I've done a few rainbows there this year.

Howdy all, Trolled Owasco today from about 9:30- 1:30. Nothing on the north end. Moved outh and picked up a 10" rainbow from 54* water, wich varied from 40-55. Got two 25" lakers when I hit a bait pod. Couldn't revive 'em when I tried to release them, so they came home with me. I filleted ? them , and soaked them in icewater for an hour or so. I did the egg wash, seasoned bread crumb thing, and pan fried them in butter and EVOO. To my suprise, they were good ! I don't keep much of a fishing log, but it seems to me that the lakers are getting bigger, and fewer. Seems like I used to be able to catch a bunch of 18" ers, now I get one or two per outing, and they are generally in the 23+ range. Oh yeah- remember the flea flicker. The little bastards were even attaching them selves to the dipsey wire. Rusty