Sk8man

Hey Tim one of the things I've done since having my little whaler (which didn't have a bilge pump) is I rigged up a portable bilge pump with clip battery connectors for the battery and a section of garden hose with a hose clamp attached to it to allow water to be pumped over the side or transom. I've never needed it thus far as I have one on this boat already but it is an added security "blanket" and something I can throw to somebody who may need it as well.

Well you did the right thing regardless....you sure don't want to give her the feeling that she can't get herself straightened out when she goes out in the boat. Those wave characteristics on Lake O. (slow long rollers) can do it to you....I've never been actually sick out there but definitely a little queazy a couple times. A buddy of mine has it happen there but never on the other lakes we've fished together despite it being very rough. AND... ya don't want the wife to take the plug out and poke holes in the bottom of your new Islander before you go out next time by yourself

Nice going and report. I saw your post last night but haven't been to Seneca since the trout derby so didn't have any current info but it looks as though you got them dialed in OK sometimes "experimentation" is more fun anyway

Hope you're having good luck Jason...let us know whats happening out there....

Andy, The info above sounds right on target. Take each thing singly and modify it as described and I think you'll solve the problem. If it doesn't then you'll at least know for sure that they are 'light bites" probably coming from fish that aren't really all that hungry because they've been chowing down already.

My take on it is this: Most folks on many different bodies of water (e.g. Finger lakes) seem to be reporting the same result. The lakes are "transitioning" toward the thermocline setting up and there seems to be high availability of bait still in relatively shallow water in big congregations making it easy for fish to feed without much effort, and there is considerable early morning light right now enhancing this possibility. The recent deluges of rain haven't helped the situation either (except maybe in terms of being able to launch without as much concern) My hunch is that in a week or two (at the latest) things will stabilize (if the weather cooperates) and the huge bait pods will disperse into smaller pods and the fishing will improve greatly (toward late June early July (if like in many other "normal" years). Folks who anticipated a return of last years fishing fiesta may not have been looking closely enough at the differences in the weather conditions leading into the present situation. Last years warmth, dryness and general weather was very abnormal. Lake O may be a bit different because of its size.

A word of caution: When fishing near the shipping lanes you need to be very vigilant because these large ships and barges have the right of way and can come up on you faster and much more quietly than you might think. Many years ago I was out in that area with my little13 ft. Whaler. I was fishing for steelies and my 2 stroke 9.9 was pretty noisey....I happened to look in back of me and there was a huge double barge bearing down on me and they didn't appear to see me at all. I cranked up the 35 and took off full tilt with my downriggers still in the water I thought about carrying a second set of underwear after that .....I know.....I had no business out there in that little boat...

That's great Ed....guess it pays to get pissed one in awhile

Yep spoons on top and out F/F closer in and toward the bottom

Man....sure make s me miss the saltwater fishery....nothing like it....never know whats going to be at the other end of the line....

Just a suggestion for next time if you want laker action....one of the most effective methods on that lake seems to be vertical jigging with fairly heavy jig which could have been done drifting from your description of the water conditions...secondly, it is a very bottom oriented fishery when it comes to trout- especially lakers. The fish you marked at that depth could have been trout but they also could have been smallmouths suspended that perhaps have moved out from the shallow water (spawning areas)...usually not 90 ft down though so maybe juvenile lakers there. For action with the whole bunch of people you described jigging would have been the preferred method but if you go back yourself try either using Seth Green rigs pulled deep (with a variety of spoons until you see what type/size hits) or downriggers just off bottom (with sliders and heavier spoons tight to the ball or cowbells/peanuts) and at drop offs near the bluff area. You could start out right out from the launch ramp and troll toward the bluffs (and slightly north around the "corner" then head across toward Marlena Point and then back toward Gibson"s landing headed toward Hammondsport on the west side. Usually the 80-125 ft. range is where to be (water-wise)

I've had my Cannon 10a's since 1985 and I've only had to replace the power cords because of weathering and uv effects. They still have the same wire on them and I've never had a problem with either one of them despite thousands of hours of use. There aren't many things that last that long anymore....unfortunately many products are now manufactured out of the country and the use of plastic parts etc. it is the accepted way of doing business. I hope Cannon (and many other companies for that matter) takes a close look at things and goes back to their previous quality control standards.

:smile: Ed - Sorry about your situation pardner...but laughed my a.. off about the 'big words" ...man...you guys never give up.... I've heard some good things about contacts with Cannon and them standing by the product so hopefully they will be able to do something for you. It sure is frustrating though....a couple weeks ago I took a brand new Okuma Convector out of the box and put a bunch of braid on it and then when I went to test the drag there was none.....what the h ever happened to something called "quality control" on these products? Good luck with it Ed. Les

Ditto on what Rick said. The release problem is probably related to the stretch factor in the mono and the 30 wire will solve it.