Reel Doc

Nice picture. Great to see you got it done!!

Sounds like you had a good Welcome to Cayuga! I had a blast with my first Cayuga pike earlier this year. Similar to yours it hammered the stickbait off the big board and ran nearly a hundred feet. Loads of fight but I was nervous near the end it would cut through the flouro. The stick was caught in the front of its mouth and hooked both top and bottom jaw. Many stories on here of pike taking multiple sticks intended for Browns and landlocks. One big difference between Cayuga and Ontario is the dramatic drop offs pretty close to shore. If you're at a ledge on Cayuga it can seem like there is 20-30 feet depth difference off boards on 1 side of the boat vs the other. I never dared fish in shallow until adding an autopilot this year. Too nervous about crashing while setting lines or fighting a fish

This season has been loaded with firsts for me and hard use of the planer mast is one of them. When I bought my boat 10 years ago the only fishing equipment it had was a little Hummingbird fish finder. So I jumped on a LOU classified ad for a package of older gear that had a pair of manual downriggers with swivel bases which are still going strong. In the package was the Invader mast, (no base), and a set of Super Skis. Last year I finally installed the mast with help from Great Lakes Planers who custom built a base that fits like a glove. Tony Salerno is great to work with, highly recommend!! This Winter really put the system to work on Cayuga lake with great results. Starting last month it has had to tackle Ontario for the first time. With the wider rolling waves the harder tension caused the line to jump the pulleys several times and when I switched to Amish Outfitters boards the stronger tracking by the boards has stretched the Springs. Last week I ordered new pulleys from Great Lakes Planers which look to be more suited to the task. For me, I love fishing off the big boards compared to inline. Setup and takedown takes some time, especially in rough water, but when a fish grabs and goes you are directly on them which is thrilling all the way and no awkward inline board removal.

Enjoying all the reports posted today....here is mine. Felt like the first great Spring day out there. Being an Ontario rookie I don't know where colored water typically builds around Pultneyville so went over by Ginna as fish were there earlier this month. Started in 10-20 fow while the sun was low but all quiet. Moved out as the sun went higher and the lake went flat. Finally a good Brown took a UV Naked Jordo Stinger down 25 over 40 fow but then continued quiet. Kept working a little deeper and found active Lakers in 55 fow so boated 3, all on spoons down 40-45. I know many of you dis Lake Trout but I had to post a pic of the first Ontario laker to see the bottom of my boat!! Remember I cut my teeth on Cayuga Lake Trout! A little chop started up on the water so decided to get skinny again and see if the fish weren't going to stay spooky. Rewarded with a great double off Bay Rats Cant afford it and glow frog. My first Ontario steelhead and a really gnarly Brown who fought hard for at least 15 minutes. Got to say I'm just loving the early season fishing out on Ontario. Water temps hung between 44 and 45. I assume when the water warms the fishing techniques will need to change. If anyone is willing to give me a primer for fishing Ontario in May, I'm all ears!!

Love the pictures. So cool to see your kids having a good time.

Congratulations to her.....having a fishing gal is a wonderful thing!!

Great pictures and great to meet you at the dock today. That first mate of yours will be a fast learner so plenty of good times ahead. Next time we meet up I expect you to bring your Golden along for the trip too!

Nothing about fishing is bad enough to get me to take up golf. Appreciate all the input!

Being a rookie fishing Ontario this year please help me out with what the East wind does to the South shore fishing conditions. I've read from many here that prevailing current is West to East, (makes sense), so is it a case where the East wind disrupts the upper part of the column?? Is an East wind a Spring problem or all season. What adjustments do you make to find/entice fish when the wind is wrong? Thanks in advance for comments!

Some beautiful fish there. Nice Nice and Nice!!!

As bad as you had it, If you had a full recovery consider yourself lucky. Many people and/or their doctors in the upstate area have not taken tick bites as seriously as they should and the potential for more severe long lasting signs are real. Each year as the ticks worsen in the Syracuse to Buffalo corridor I do think more are becoming aware of the risks.

FYI to all....mild Winter means ticks survived and will be thriving this Spring. We've been seeing them on dogs and cats since February. Be careful out there....Lyme is no joke for people and dogs are susceptible to Lyme, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichia, all carried by ticks in upstate New York. Sorry I sound like a public service message but ticks are bad news

Loving the pictures of Cayuga lake Browns. I have not been able to sniff one since 2018 so had to go up to Ontario and get some last month.

Looking good!! In the end you have to admit its a little more satisfying when you have to work to catch them!!

That's a great looking crew you have there. The smiles tell it all, regardless of what the fish are doing!!

I'm thinking this site needs a "Fisherman's Best Friend" page to post photos of all the great dogs out there.

If you note in both photos, my gal is on a leash. Training her young about the boundaries so later on, perhaps even this summer, she can be loose in the boat. Don't want any negative experiences with the water, fish, or hooks while she is still young. If your dog is older and a hardcore swimmer it may take some time and patience to train it to stay in the boat. Definitely start with a short leash and short trips....even non-fishing trips so can focus on the dog.