laketrout6

drift in 8-20 fow using a 1/16-1/8 oz jig with a dobson or oak leaf grub. We fished Keuka today and I took 15 with a grub and one with a dobson. Fishing today was extremlly slow. Buddies did about the same using dobson only--go figure.

Thousand Islands would have all the species they're looking for and more.

I have winter fished Keuka for many years and have had no trouble with my outboards at freezing temps. When in the down position they will drain themselves. Only precaution I take is that when below freezing temps are expected before using again I will put the motor in the down position for 3-4 minutes then start the engine for just a second or two ( to "spin" the water from around the impeller) then by the time I get the boat secured and ready for the road I'll put it up in the trailing position. Been doing this for 40 years and never had a problem. One thing to watch is to make sure there is no water in the lower unit, if there is considerable water there,from a bad seal, and it freezes it could split the casing. I had this happen once to a motor, not cheap.

Yes, saturday was a good day for lakers. Two of us jigged up 22, largest was 6-7 lbs. Tons of fish and bait at the south end.I agree that we are seeing a larger average weight fish this year. We've taken(and released all but what we could use and give away)107 in just 6 trips this year for an average of just over 17 per trip. Our best was 45 and worst was 8.All but 6 taken on jigging spoons and the 6 on plastics.

Guppy, WE use various jigging spoons both 3/4 and 1 oz. Dimond jigs, Northland Tackles Buckshot spoons( their perch color usually works best for us). Sweedish Pimple(white). Lakers uaually like anything white, last week our best catcher was a silver 1 oz diamond jig covered with white electricaql tape. The secret is to have a quality fishfinder and know how to use it, no use jigging "where they ain't". Sometimes takes 30-45 minutes of searching with the color video to find a school then use the bow mounted electric motor to stay with them. This time of the year they can be found from 100 ft to the bottom, usually around 135 where we fish. Rodbuster, I'll take the morning shift and you can have the afternoon, sure plenty for all. Noticed that we are getting more 4+ poundeers this winter than last, sure are fun on 8 lb test.

Jigging has been great in January at the south end of Keuka. In three trips we've boated (and released most) 78 lakers. White spoons have working the best. All three days they shut down at noon.

We usually jig up the lakers, decent fight on 8# test and a light rod. A week ago we boated 14 and last sat 45. We only keep what we can use on the grill and release the rest in the water without netting/handling them. Have over a 99 % survival rate. Last week they were all laying with their bellies in the mud.

I'm goning to guess that he could park about 8-10 rigs, maybe 3-4 more in summer when you can park on the lawn. He charges $10. He's the only game in town for Keukas south end unless you"re a resident and have a card for the town launch. Only had one other vehicle parked their with us on thursday and none yesterday so parking is no problem this time of year..

Just in case you're interested, Ron,the new owner, at the old Hammondsport Motel has done a remarkable job of installing twin concrete ramps and a beautiful dock complex. Launched there thurs and today, all plowed out and bare gravel. PS--lakers are hitting bigtime this week.

Seth Green rig, hands down. Copper second but I still would rather do it with a 1 oz jigging spoon

Wanton waste of a gamefish for fertilizer??????????

We marked many fish up and down the water coloum anywhere fron the tip of the Bluff to a mile and a half north of there closer to the Bluff than the middle. We caught the end of the bite at 9-10:30. We should have been ther a couple hours eailier. Still a great morning on the water and they were delicious on the grill last night---

What size, the usual 17-21 inchers? We did the same sat morning on the B'port side. Kept 4 for a nice meal for the 4 of us. One about 25" that we realased. A perfect day to be on the water.

711 is correct, will take effect Oct 1 IF passed which it probably will. Mr Walleye is also correct, way too many lakers in Keuka. We'll do our part sat to take 9 out of the pool.

I hear ya about the $15. I agree but it's the only game in town. The gas alone to drive to the State Park and back to H'sport would probably cost you more than payiing the $15 plus more time going and coming.BTW, there's a detour on 54 A for a month or two according to the DOT sign, don't know exactly where. Both the motel and Urbana launch were pretty full this morning, fog didn't lift until near 11 and not a ripple on the water. Lakers were on the feed until the fog lifted. Two of us boated, and released, our two man linit in just 7 minutes, Ended the morning boating 33 and kept 5. All verticle jigging in the middle off willow Pt.

$15---WOW!!!! What a rip off that is--BUT---it's the only game in town. Glad to see the present owner leave, what a tool he is. Raised the price to $10 and never spent a nickle on the ramp. Glad he's going---but $15--- Too bad for us the DEC lost a couple of court cases over the years to give us a decent public ramp there. The good citizens of H'sport don't want us out of towners on 'their" lake. Wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard that over the years.

Anyone doing any good on northerns this winter? I know the population is in a low cycle but wondered if there was any good news. Used to have fun with them around Severne.

I've been using this ramp on and off since the mid '60's. The previous owner was a gem not like this guy. Never saw a "businessman" come off as such a jerk anywhere. A total idiot. We use the ramp at the Switz most of the year but for winter fishing( laker action really ramps up about Xmas week)that ramp is usually unuseable due to ice/snow. The state has tried for years to purchase land at the south end for a state ramp but the locals have always sucessfully blocked it. They don't want the riff-raff on "their" lake. All we can hope for is the old guys retires and sells the place to a someone that appreciates customers and acts human.

Try to find a copy of " Complete Fishing Handbook New York State Lakes for Fabulous Trout, Rainbows & Salmon " By Earl Holdren, published by Outdoor Sports Press, Box 20, RD 1 Stanley, NY 14561 and printed by Flower City Printing, PO Box 4744, Rochester NY 14612. This book was copyrighted back i n1975 so will probably be very hard to get but it shows all the popular ways to fish the Finger Lakes back thern. I caught my first Keuka Lake laker back in 1960 when I was 12. Back then you either pulled copper or used the Seth Green Rig, using rowboats or at least used an outboard to get to your spot then rowed. Back then a 40 HP outboard was as big as they came. I started out rowing then advanced using a motor(God forbid),to using a deep sea rod and reel in a rod holder( popular beliefe then was that you HAD to work the rig by hand to catch fish) and on to downriggers in later years and I've now evolved to verticle jigging and catch by far more than ever before with light tackle. Lots of neat history on fishing the Finger Lakes, the book, if you can fine one, will explain it all--hope you can find a copy-- Tight lines---