felixjayce

Great report! I'm in the market for a new boat and I'm looking at Dual Consoles for all around versatility. From your pictures, it looks like you might be fishing out of one. If you don't mind me asking, could you let me know the model, length, beam, engine size, and how it fishes. Any drawbacks? Positives? Thanks for any info. you can share! Chris

Thanks guys for the info. Chowder- I remember meeting you at Cayuga one year. Hopefully all is well. Chris

Hi, I'm heading up to fish out of Sodus this Tues.- Sun. We'll be fishing Lake O. but always like to head over to the Finger Lakes for a couple of trips. Will be targeting trout and salmon and would like to know which of the lakes you'd recommend for this time of year. Would rather catch size over quantity. I've fished Owasco and Cayuga in the past and done okay but have never tried Seneca,Keuka or Canandaiuga. Just was wondering what you guys would recommend for this time of year. Can I fish light line or are the fleas still bad? Lastly, I don't know the area very well and if you could recommend the best ramps, depths etc.. it would be greatly appreciated. Your area is a fisherman's paradise and I look forward to my annual trip with great anticipation. Take Care, Chris

Hi, Let me start of by saying that I appreciate any advice that I get through this site. Posters on here definitely know their "stuff" and I value that a great deal. I'm looking to book a charter out of Sodus Bay for the month of August. I'll be looking to target kings and any bonus trout available at this time of year. Who would you recommend as a charter out of this port? Thanks very much for any tips and advice!

Hi guys, I just got back from my trip to NY and I can't thank eveyone enough for the advice you gave me. I had a friend who's had some tough luck health wise and his son with me and I felt added pressure to put them on fish. You guys definitely helped me do it and I'm grateful for that. We got blown off Lake Ontario so the Finger Lakes were our saving grace. We fished both Cayuga and Owasco twice and caught some nice fish. Cayuga: Our biggest Lakers ran up to 7.5 lbs with the average being about 4 lbs. The atlantic salmon were cooperating as well but most were on the small side(14-17"). The 2 biggest were 2.8 lbs and one beauty at 4.4 lbs. We managed 2 rainbows 2.5 lbs and 3.4 lbs. The salmon and rainbows put on quite an aerial display! I couldn't find the browns. I fished 2-3 miles north and south of the plant and I would say that the lakers were biting the best anywhere from 30- 85' down. Owasco: Caught some nice lakers but they were smaller. Average was 3lbs and biggest was just under 5lbs. Caught a nice rainbow around 3.7 lbs and probably the nicest fish was a 6.6 lb walleye caught at 4:30 pm! No browns here as well. Chowdahead: I have a 2007 Navionics Platinum chip. Cayuga and Owasco were not in platinum detail but that doesn't mean it's not now. Call Navionics to check it out for their 2008/2009 chips. With that said I still got very precise depth contours from both lakes that were spot on. They just weren't the 1 foot contours that the platinum detail gives. I was able to straddle the dropoffs and stay out of trouble. I run a Humminbird 997 SI with this chip. If you can get a Navionics Platinum chip for Cayuga I highly recommend it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Not sure if it's compatible with Lowrance or not. Once again, get in touch with Navionics to see what they have to offer. Thanks again and it was nice talking to you at the launch. Once again I can't thank you guys enough for all your help and advice. Getting blown off Lake O. was depressing and you guys definitely helped turn that into a rewarding trip. Take Care and good luck! You guys have an awesome fishery!

Thanks so much guys. This is exactly the info. I was looking for. Hopefully the weather cooperates.

Rustyrat, What can I say! You're the man! Now I feel like I have a clue as to where to start my search. Thanks again!

Rustyrat, Perfect advice and thanks alot for it. How far from the launch is the plant? One last thing, what's a cheater? Up here in NH we stack the downriggers to get more lines out. Is that what you're referring to?

Hi, I posted previously and got some great advice. I'm heading up your way on Thurs. and just wanted to make sure I start off in the right area. I'll be driving from Oswego and it sounds like the best place to launch for salmon/trout would be Myers Point? Is this the best place for me to start my search? Should I troll north from this spot? Should I troll on this shoreline or head over to the western shoreline? How far is the power plant from Myers point? This is a big piece of water by my standards and I just want to maximize my time catching fish and not doing as much searching. Any last minute tips would be greatly appreciated.

Rob and Splitshot, Thanks so much for your replies. Very concise and specific! I'm very grateful that fellow anglers are always willing to lend a hand and give great advice. I can't wait to give it a go!

Thanks to Rustyrat and The Remedy for all your help. It sounds like Cayuga may be the better alternative to Owasco. What route would I take from Oswego to get to the launch on Meyers Point? Also, what is the average size for trout and salmon on Cayuga? I like to run 8-10lb test of my riggers and leadcore when not on Lake Ontario. Am I asking for trouble if I go this light? Lastly, what size body of water is Cayuga vs. Owasco? I really appreciate all of your input to get me pointed in the right direction.

Hi, I'm heading up to fish Lake O and the Finger Lakes from Aug.14-20th. I'll be staying in Oswego and would like some advice on which of the Finger Lakes to try for trout and salmon. Last year I tried Owasco and did really well on lakers and also caught a nice rainbow, walleye, and brown. I stopped by Bass Pro before fishing and they all said don't go to Owasco and that the fishing isn't that good there. I was surprised because I thought it was great when you compare it to NH and ME fishing. My question is whether or not there's a much better option to try that's not too far from Oswego(about the same distance that Owasco is)? I know nothing about the other lakes so any advice as to what launches, depths, setups, speeds, and lures to use would be greatly appreciated. Also, is there a lake that's good for sizable pike(10lbs plus) at this time of the year in the same general vicinity? You guys have some of the best fishing in the country right in your "backyard" and I look forward to my yearly trip out there with great anticipation. Thanks, Chris

Lyk2fish, I'm glad you were able to experience some of the great fishing we had and it was much too shortlived for me. Sounds like I missed the hot bite over on Lake O. by about a week. Oh well, there's always next year. The weird thing is I hate the taste of fish. I try to release as many as possible if they have a chance. If not , I make my neighbors very happy. I love to catch them and the bigger the better. Best of luck for the remainder of the year to all on this board. I guess I'll have to settle for our smaller NH. fish. Thanks, Chris

Lumberjohn, Thanks for the quick reply. I'm just trying to figure out a way where NH. could grow their fish as large as yours in NY. We too have glacier lakes but our avereage size fish just doesn't compare. Thanks for enlightening me and now I know that F&G would probably laugh at me if I even brought up the topic. We do have a 300 acre lake near us that is stocked by the lake assoc. and their are alewive in the 1000's. Let me tell you, the browns grow big in this lake, up to 12lbs.(very rare) and a good shot at 4lbers. Thanks Again, Chris

I just got back from a trip to the finger lakes and was exremely impressed with the avereage size of the trout/ salmon. Does anyone know the primary forage base for these fish? Is it alewives, smelt, or others? The reason I ask is I live in NH. and we have Lake Winnepesaukee which is 44,000 acres with lots of deep water but the average size of the fish is a joke compared to the finger lakes. We have other lakes in the 3,000- 5,000 acre size range and it's the same deal. Our primary forage base is smelt which are not very hardy and my theory is fish don't get as large off feeding on smelt as they do on let's say alewives. What are your thoughts on this? I only fished Owasco Lake but was amazed at the average size. Are all the finger lakes like this that hold trout/salmon? I'd like to get some feedback from you guys so I can contact NH. Fish and Game and see if perhaps we should be focusing on a better bait source. Any NY fisheries biologists out there who have observations on this? I hope you guys realize what a superb fishery you have out there with the finger lakes and Lake O. Every time I leave all I can think about is the next time I'll be able to come back. In my opinion this is one of the best overall places for size and variety in this great country of ours. I'd move in a split second but family prevails. I thoroughly appreciate your input and advice. PS. Lumberjohn- a big thanks again!

Lumberjohn, I just got back to NH. from NY. and all I can say is I'm jealous. Just as you said, Owasco was very fishable while Lake O. was too rough for my 17' boat. Fished Sat. from 4-8 pm. and did well. Mixed bag: 6lb. rainbow, 5.5 lb. brown, 3.5 lb. walleye, 4.5 lb laker, and several smaller lakers. All fish were caught 38-40' down on riggers and leadcore with small 2.5" spoons in alewive, chart/black dot colors. Headed out of Emerson launch and fished the middle of the lake in 90-180' of water. Came back on Tues. and fished 8-11am and we did awesome on the lakers. Tried the middle of the lake again and nothing so trolled the shore where the houses are right on the road and got into them hard. 10 lakers all 38-55' down over 65-120' of water on riggers(lead not working). Same size spoons but orange with black dots was getting a hit every 15 minutes. 2 at 7lbs., 5 at 4-5lbs., and 3 at 3lbs. I'm pretty sure we could have caught lakers all day long but regretfully had to pack up and head home for NH. Lake O. was okay but smaller kings this year, 8-13lbs. Largest was 23 lbs. I'm so glad I brought my boat and took your advice. Thanks again! Chris

Thanks for the previous post. If I do decide on pike, what depths and baits would you recommend? Troll or cast? Live bait or lures? How far is Conesus from Oswego? Any trout/salmon in Conesus? Where do you recommend launching? Heck, with all this info maybe I could do a "double" on Owasco and Conesus. You guys have been great! Thanks, Chris

I'm heading up to Oswego on Sat. from NH. and run a 17' boat. The weather/waves get me a little nervous. If the big lake gets too rough where would you recommend trying for trout/salmon. Are there any in the Salmon River already? If so, can you fish for them by boat? What lures and location? I posted a similar message on the finger lakes link and got some great responses. Are there any bays that could produce trout/salmon this time of year and keep me out of the rough stuff. I live on a "bass" lake and would prefer not to target them. I wouldn't be opposed to going after big pike/muskie if I can't get out on the main lake. Any thoughts? Thanks, Chris

Thanks to every one for their suggestions. It looks like I may have to head to Owasco Lake on Sat. afternoon if Lake O. doesn't lay down. Lumberjohn, those were 2 great reports. You live on Owasco and you're willing to share that much info, that's awesome! I live on a "bass Lake" and I'm looking more to target the trout or bigger pike. How is Owasco on a windy day? Thanks, Chris

Hi, I'm heading up to Lake O. this weekend to fish out of Oswego. I have a 17' boat and the weather/waves concerns me. My question is if Lake O. is too nasty for my boat, which of the Finger Lakes or other area lakes would you recommend going to that don't get quite as rough. I'm staying in Oswego and don't want to travel too far. I'd be looking at fishing for trout/salmon and would rather fish for size than numbers. I wouldn't be opposed at fishing for large pike,muskies, or walleye if that's a better option. Any advice on lakes, tactics, and where to launch would be a big help. I'm coming from NH.(6.5 hours) and would like a backup plan if Lake O. doesn't cooperate. Thanks, Chris

Hi, I'm new here and I'm going to make the splash into wire dipsies. I'll be running 1000' of malin wire off a Daiwa Sealine 47lc and Daiwa Medium Black Widow rod. I have a clear magnum dipsy with an O ring and would like to get a chart on how deep it goes with wire. I checked the package and Luhr Jensen web site and could only get a depth chart for running it with 20lb. mono at 2.5-3.0 mph. I know it will go deeper with wire but I have no clue as to how much deeper, how much wire I should let out, and at what setting and speed to achieve a certain depth. Does anybody have a chart or info to help me get started? I'm heading out to Oswego from NH. this coming weekend and would like to add it to my arsenal. Any other pointers on wire dipsies(flashers,flies,lures,cutbait etc..) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks A lot, Chris

Hello, Just found this site and it looks great. I live in NH. and fish out of a 17' Starcraft. I only make it out to Lake Ontario a couple of times a year. If I had my choice I would move out there, but family prevails. My buddies from MA./NH. have not quite been bitten by the Lake O. bug like I have. This is a bummer because I would like to head out to Lake O. alot more often but it gets a little too pricey/boring for 1 person. OH WELL!!!! I guess I'll just have to satisfy my addiction through this site and others. I hope to learn alot from you guys in the future.