Sk8man

Admiral Byrd (Bob) and I took awhile to check the weather this AM before deciding to give Seneca a try in his newly "reconditioned" Penn Yan boat. We launched from the Chamber a little before 8 or so and fished until 1 PM. A bunch of fish were marked at the 75 ft or so range yesterday by Bob and we had 48 degrees down about 90 ft today with low 70's on the surface so we trolled south with a combination of things(one 5 leader rig, a dipsey with spoon a downrigger and spoon a flasher/fly combo, a leadcore and the weed patches started almost immediately. Shortly after we started the rig rod started thumping and taking out line and it turned out to be a 6-7 lb chubby laker on the 4th spoon down (nail polish special Sutton 44) tossed back and kept trolling south then turned back north just north of Reeders and when the bottom came up a little quicker than expected we nailed a small laker on the dipsey /spoon rod set at about 250. We trolled north against the now 10-15 mph west wind and nothing happening ( thank God for his autopilot though) but when we pulled in the lines in front of Roy's we had another laker on the rig down on the last leader (another nail polished Sutton 22). We were trying to avoid "lakerville" by running up high but no rainbows or landlocks and browns were in the cards for us today. It was mostly a test of Bob's "improvements" to the boat and it all worked great. The grass pockets were pretty annoying especially one huge one that temporarily disabled the trolling motor it was so thick and wrapped up the prop and the fleas were pretty bad too encrusting just about everything we had out and it was clearly a two man operation bringing in the lines. The pics were the highlights of our trip

There are times when the fleas are so thick that they even gather on the 200 lb downrigger wires and anything vertical already happened this year on Keuka.

Nick yesterday they were even all over the 30 lb flea flicker Mike was using and my 30 lb wire (all along it at intervals). It may pay to check lines frequently to minimize buildup at least.

At least you're seeing stuff Kev. You fishing west of Sodus?

We only saw about a half a dozen boats out there yesterday Nick and we didn't have hardly any marks and the bait was up high about 50-60 over 170 or so. I don't think we marked over 5 fish while out there. You seeing any better screens?

Nice laker! Every once in awhile Skinny gives up one of those hogs....I think I remember years ago a 30 lb laker came out of there....they must be really old because the feed there sure isn't rich (e.g. no sawbellies etc.) or plentiful for them.

X 2 on the "hang in there" Jason it usually gets worse before it gets better so hopefully you'll be headed for better In the meantime enjoy whatever part of the vacation you can.....you'll get there bud.

Yeah I think Hop used to fish with Fred Flintstone at one time

Doesn't get much more hardcore than that Joe

Yes the old motors were made to last not all the plastic and cheapo parts like in today's and simpler was better. I used to service my old 1979 35 Johnson myself but when I take the cover off this Optimax it looks like I'm on another planet. I had the1972 Whaler for 22 years and sold it for $300 more than I had paid for it

Nice going Joe and Nick! Best wishes on the wedding Nick....we'll be thinking of you while we're out fishing this weekend Joe will probably have his boat right outside the reception waiting to take off