idn713

lol, well of course I have silly guy. Caught many many many kings trolling. Just kinda got old.

lol I absolutely love golf, one of my favorite hobbies

I’ll be honest—and I know I’m not alone here—King trolling has simply become boring. When I started in my teens, I couldn't get enough of it. Probing the deep waters of Lake Ontario was a mystery, and watching a rod pop was the ultimate rush. But over time, that mystery gave way to predictability and a nagging realization: the boat is doing the fishing. When you’re on a buddy’s boat, the captain and the electronics set the game plan. What’s the actual payoff? Reeling in a fish that was hooked by someone else’s tactics, equipment, and spread while you just happened to be the quickest to the rod. People will argue it’s a "group effort," but let’s be real: unless you own the boat, you’re just a deckhand. Trolling is exclusive; it keeps the actual "fishing" in the hands of the machine. The thrill of the fight eventually wears off. You become increasingly aware that the boat is dragging the fish; that "screamer" is often just the result of water drag pushing against a frustrated King. After a few years, the novelty fades to the point where you’re begging your buddies to take the rod—especially if it’s a Laker on copper (at which point I’d rather throw the whole rig overboard). Even the appeal of "wild-caught" salmon loses its luster once you admit it doesn't hold a candle to Walleye or panfish. Lately, I’ve become obsessed with jigging because it feels like an actual hunt, offering a level of autonomy that trolling simply can’t match since I'm no longer relying on a motor to move my lure. It provides a direct connection to the fish that makes for the best pound-for-pound fight you can have on light tackle, allowing me to be the true author of the process and the architect of the catch from start to finish. While jigging might never beat trolling in terms of sheer numbers or "efficiency," it has already blown it away in terms of pure enjoyment; if the conditions allow for both, I’m picking up the jigging rod every single time.

Put another sneak on the bait pile last night. Crunchy snow hasn't fully melted, so I was only able to sneak to about 170 yards. Have two mangy yotes I have been wanting to kill, as well as two beautiful ones. This just happened to be an absolutely beautiful coyote. Hammered her and she was dead running. Just a gorgeous "red" yote, that was as fluffy as can be!

Did a couple quick sets the other night before the warm up, no dice calling besides a fox. Fired up two different packs with challenge howl but neither would commit, despite being within 700 - 1000 yards. Ended up putting the sneak on a bait pile yote (best I could, still a 200 yard shot due to crunchy snow). Smacked her. Enjoy the video.

Will be curious as to how you do, I have to imagine the movement is hugely limited with the deep snow.

Nice vid, always irked me that they have that center reticle colored red, wish they would just keep it green.

Did a couple of sets last night, called in a few foxes (shot one). Thought I would have a little more action than I did, but it's not a bad start. Clipped the video as I pulled left on the initial shot and almost blew the front leg off ( don't like showing animals in pain due to my idiocy). Def forgot how jacked up I get on these thermal hunts. Gonna have to remember to settle in and take that deep breath, Much smaller target than a big ol doe!

Nice big doe at the buzzer

Tough way to start the thread, Bill. Sorry for your loss. Was there recently, and it was brutal. I will say, yotes trying to dig up my dog would have my blood boiling. They would be killed by any means necessary.

Good to know I am not alone on that one. Every bow season, I can just feel gun season applying more and more pressure for me to get it down before it pretty much shuts my year down in terms of big bucks. Honestly, I've reached a point where I might start scouting some thick, nasty state land just to feel like I am in the game with a gun in my hand.

Anyone else property just suck when it gets to gun season? I can’t stand it. We have a lot of CRP and I know deer want that high stem count when the pressure sets in but man. Gun season is just the worst. During bow it’s deer everywhere with bucks cruising and the second opener is done, it’s a ghost town until late season.

Good to hear I wasn’t the only one. Nothing on cams and almost no tracks on the property. Assuming the afternoon should get them up?

I’m hearing more and more things about crossbows of all brands not being able to stand up to the limb pressure they generate. I was actually eyeing up going to Ravin next year but in going down that rabbit hole apparently those bows are really notorious for string snapping after very little use. Might be staying in the Tenpoint brand but keeping the FPS closer to 400. Anyway, that’s a huge bummer, especially RIGHT NOW.

Scrub bucks everywhere the last 2-3 days and the shooters are vanished. I’m sure all the big boys are on that first good doe hard. Only thing I’m seeing is dinks and yearling does. Hope to catch a good one cruising on the morning sit here.

Anyone feel like everything is super behind? I’m not see hardly any sign laid down by bucks.

I do appreciate your hopefulness, but I will tell you that you have some seasoned and good anglers telling you the truth. 40" pike in our area are a trophy, and as such, they are very hard to come by. You will need to study the habits and feeding patterns of 30 inch fish and then dial your approach in from there. I have a friend who has caught a few 40's out of Conesus, and he dedicated LOTS of time to doing so. Bigger jerkbaits, glidebaits, and spoons (believe it or not) worked on the deeper weed breaks will get you started in the right direction. Typing on the keyboard about theoretical fish sure as heck aint gonna get you the 40!

Well. Erie is hilariously insane. We have never tried this before so I gave it a go today. Ran out to 69 fow out of the Catt, put down 2 harnesses on two #2 chinook divers on a 2 setting. We had the divers out 115. We set down two riggers with harnesses at 55, 50 feet behind the ball. And well………we never once stopped reeling on fish. Keeping four rods in the water is an absolute chore. Had the 3 man limit in under 2 hours. This fishery is just bonkers. Best down speed was 1.8-2mph at the ball. Big thanks to Fisherman21 for some pointers from his trip out, helped us be on fish from the jump!

A fellow member (Gator) and I got out this morning to check on the kings…..and they were not around! We were greeted with ice water on the inside and some of the worst screens we have seen all year. I went 1/2 on lakers and Gator had a few nice marks storm in on his jig but they were reluctant to hit. Essentially it wasn’t the target rich environment you need to get it done on the jig. Once the water stabilizes a bit the screens will come back. My buddy did quite well on the jig yesterday on kings. Crazy what one day and a hard flip can do! Still a nice morning to get out and it was a pleasure to have Gator on the boat. Made for some nice conversation and getting to know a fellow angler better!

I certainly managed!