Reel Doc

Awesome catch.  All dedicated fishermen know patience is virtue and sooner or later reaps rewards.  Continued success fishing this Winter and beyond

I'm a transplant so my first Cayuga smelting was in the mid-80's when came to Ithaca for college.  Salmon creek was the East side hotspot.  With the invasion of alewives and gobies the smelt numbers have really fallen off.  Last Spring a few guys were filling buckets at some small streams but otherwise, not big numbers left.

I suspect parking on the shoulder along the circle is what folks do.  I only see the activity there when trolling by on the water.  Perhaps others who have launched there will chime in

Welcome aboard!  Regardless of the time of year, if the weather allows for launching a kayak,.then there are.fish to catch on Cayuga.  I'm a troller so can't help with techniques but can say anywhere from about Union Springs South on Cayuga lake has potential to catch lake trout.  Looking back on posts here will guide you and you can launch at the State launches, or at Meyers Point on the East side, or Sheldrake Point on the West side. 

Just be sure to post here with pics of your trip!!

2 hours ago, Pair of Jacks said:

Woohoo…you are making me jealous!!! This sound crazy but her in central Virginia, The upper Pamunkey (where we live) and South Anna branches of Lake Anna are frozen over so our typical winter striper fishing is on hold till ice out…even the sea gulls and Herons are confused.  
 

keep on keeping on!!!

 

 

We know how you feel as a deep freeze here for the past few weeks.  Winter river Stripers sounds great.  Post some pics next time you go out!

Glad to see you made it out.  A couple animal emergencies this morning kept me on solid ground.  Will try for next weekend.

Very nice.  I didn't know you had your own backhoe!!  

6 hours ago, Big Spoon said:

Locked back up a little overnight 

Thanks for the pic/update.  Guess I'll be waiting for a little thaw for next weekend

14 minutes ago, chowder said:

Never give up

That guy in the green coat looks familiar......

Very nice!  Hoping to get there at some point this weekend!

Thanks for the photo!

I'm afraid with temps in the single digits from now into Saturday that Dean's will be iced up solid for a while.  Hoping we can get some Intel on Taughannock as if the bubbler is on it will be useable with a little work breaking the ice by the dock.  

3 hours ago, Sk8man said:

Usually they have sent plastic things that look like book markers with that info on it in some of mine depending on the lake. I imagine the Region 7 office of DEC might send ypou one for Cayuga if you contacted them.

Thanks for the tip, I'll ask about it!

32 minutes ago, Gill-T said:

Awesome!  Note fin clip. 

Yes, 95 % of Lakers I get from Cayuga are clipped.  Been doing a diary for the DEC for a few years now..  Always look forward to the results when they post in March.  I would love to know their system in order to get an idea on ages of some of the bigger ones

The luxury of living close to the launch allows for last minute fishing trips.  I use the wind finder app and it's pretty reliable, but yesterday the lake surf was still coming strong from the South even though the wind started Southwest and an hour and a half later turned to come out of the Northwest.  Definitely a lag between change in wind direction and the waves.  Glad to get out as this time of year you never know when the next opportunity comes up

Hoped to get out Saturday but Dean's had iced up and didn't hear a status report for Taughannock.  

So.... today with the warm up we headed to Dean's this afternoon and despite a snotty surf from a South wind gave it a go.  The chop was less near shore so put out a board and worked in tight for an hour but only picked up 1 Laker.  The wind started to turn and the surf let up a little so snuck out past 75, dropped a couple dipseys with flies and game on.  Non stop from 3:30 until dark, the flies had most of the fires but the rigger went a couple times too.  A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in January and still watch a great football game tonight.

Anybody been by the launch today?  Is the bubbler keeping it ice free?

Thanks in advance for comments

The snow and cold is settling in so grab this rig while you can. 

JANUARY SPECIAL!

Free Trolling Rod and Reel with purchase

3 hours ago, Dlott said:

I have a couple mag 10s cheap if ya want an upgrade from the hang cranks

Thanks for the offer but the hand cranks help keep me warm while fishing on the chilly days.  

Any boats out there?

Haven't been on the water in a long while so when the winds were calm this morning it was time to get out there.  No lines no waiting at Dean's so launched about 9 went straight out 50 yards and started trolling.  Fish were near or on bottom out to 120 fow then suspended between 80 and 120 towards the middle of the lake.   Probably all lake trout or at least that was all that was hungry.  First fish of the day was the largest at 29 inches, the rest ranged from 16 to 24.  Equal numbers hit spoons and flies.  Steady pick right along then back at the dock by 1.  Great December day to be on the water. 

Not seeing reports here lately, anyone working the South end finding some Salmon or are they still in the creeks?  I'll be waiting for the lake to drop a little more before launching down at Taughannock.

Tow your boat, plow some snow, load in gear or deer, this work truck will get it done.  Original owner of this 2011 with 118 k includes running boards and a storage box.  Western 8 foot Unimount plow installed for the first Winter and used for clearing office and home drives only.  Asking $22,500.   For additional photos including original window sticker send me a PM.  Located at 309 Fall St in Seneca Falls.

Great to see a report, thanks for posting.  We have certainly had some above average rainfall lately.  Glad the fish don't seem bothered by an overflowing lake!!

Lakers, rainbow, smallie, and a perch......you can call it a Canandaigua Slam....nicely done!!

Yes indeed, threw it back in 5 pieces.....

Hope you have him hooked on trolling.