Sk8man

Hey Ben if you want to impress the American chicks when you get here just cut a loaf of that french bread in half and put half of it down your pants

I don't think it was a worm  Ray probably had shorts on

12 foot bamboo with a bobber off outriggers

As noted above trolling is the MAIN technique for trout and salmon on Lake Ontario but there is a world class tributary fishery (no specific stream names can or should be published here though for a number of reasons). Also the area around Lake Ontario has an extremely vigorous fishery for trout, ATLANTIC salmon, and every other species of fish you can think of and walleyes seem to be making a comeback on Lake O as well. The Finger Lakes region offers some of the richest diversity of fishing in the country and if you are not into trolling for trout you can still jig for lakers until your arms fall off, still fish with sawbellies (alewives  ....member of herring family), cast lures from shore or boat, pier fishing in many places on Lake O and the Finger Lakes etc. Don't think for a minute that trolling is the ONLY way to have fun and catch some trophy size fish. Trolling is  a complex activity and it appeals to us for a variety of reasons (none of which is related to saving money)   but most of us have done all the other stuff over the years too despite the main focus here on LOU of trolling. You've already taken the most important step in achieving success by coming to this site ....it is a goldmine of information and you will be hard pressed to find more fresh water fishing expertise anywhere. I should warn you though that fishing on Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes can be ADDICTIVE.....and it is very contagious and may lead to adverse side effects in your relationships with others Best of luck to you.

Oops I have the stainless one....

Zartzleb you have a private message

Zack I think if it were me I'd launch at Onanda....why take a chance... might still be debris in the water or something at woodville

Thanks Jim. I sure hope we luck out and it comes out right

Will the critical info  be posted? Address/directions and phone?

I just sent a note to Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb asking that he support the bill when it is introduced.

Good going Sean! makes me feel like going outside and ripping the plastic off my boat right now

Looks as though this might be a good year on good ole Seneca.

FLX is correct I guess my cheapo nature took over and I was just thinking of free ones

I think it also depends on how frequently you'd have to trailer the boat at current gas prices....I only get about 10 mpg when I trailer my boat....the price here on Canandaigua is at least $1100 or so to keep it on land at a marina and about $2,000 and more for a slip so that doesn't sound out of range but again it also depends on how frequently you'll fish and wear and tear on your vehicle and trailer.... Good luck.

Yes probably the closest to where you want to go is the launch ramp at the extreme north west corner of the lake (used to be the old Chamber of Commerce bldg). There is a lot there to park your vehicle north of the ramp. The Ramada is right nearby and the Hampton is across the road to the west. I've been to both and I actually prefer the Microtel on Hamilton Street (Route 5 and 20) about a mile and a half or so from the launch ramp (but straight up the road). Nice accomodations, less expensive than the others and nice folks to deal with. If foe some reason you are unable or don't desire to use that ramp there is the State Park just down the main road about a mile or so and there is a launch ramp there. You might want to check first to make sure it is clear of any ice there and in the canal connected to it to access the lake. When  launch from the first mentioned ramp  just go due south right there on the west side of the lake (where you'll be) and proceed about a mile or so and you'll see the Belhurst Castle Restaurant (big beautiful brownish stone facade up on the hill) to the west ...continue just past it near the Geneva Country Club and you'll see a water treatment plant set back in from the lakefront. That bay is Glass Factory Bay. If you decide to use the State Park launch just head out to the channel and hang a right toward the lake go out and between the two piers and shoot across the lake (about 1 1/2 miles or so) at about the 11 O'clock position straight across the lake and you'll be right at Glass Factory Bay.  Good luck! Hard to say with the water clarity the way it is now but you may want to fish a little deeper than usual  but it drops off to pretty deep water straight out from there so stay inside the drop offs

All along the south shore in the shallows there are old remnants of docks, huge boulders and structural materials that need to be avoided during shallow water trolling so for the folks new to Lake O. a word of caution - if you value your prop etc. be vigilant in the shallow water....

Welcome aboard. We look forward to seeing you out there and hope to hear more from you on the forum. Chad does a great job with this website and it is truly a valuable resource for everyone here.

Les

If you can store them in your cellar or inside somewhere where the temperature is fairly constant and it is not humid that would be the preferred place. If not and in an unheated garage I'd say hang them up horizontally fully extended lengthwise on the inside wall if you can on hooks (like those in perforated board) and you could put large zip lock bags over the reels and use rubber band to secure them. Wherever you store them (inside or out) make sure to back off the drags on the reels. I would wait to oil them or otherwise service them until just before you use them if stored outside as the new grease or oil may set up on them. Don't put them away wet in any case. The tackle should be OK "as is" if the tackle boxes are dry and water resistant and kept out of direct exposure to the elements and direct sunlight beating down on them....same for line on reels avoid direct sunlight on them (e.g. from windows etc.). Good luck!

Yankee is right - in order to get the most from your Lowrance especially in shallow water applications (where the 200 works best at marking fish) and then using the 50khz out deeper where it excels at marking depth just use the Lowrance otherwise you're kind of p...ing in the wind with both units competing (or interfering) for signal at 200khz

Another thing is that the waves etc. usually become SECONDARY when you realize that much of the time you can't control your boat (direction or speed) properly to catch much of anything and tangles are the rule rather than the exception. It sure can take the fun out of it when the wind cranks up...

I've used sliders since the 70's and the free ranging  sliders have always worked best but as Dave has said they do usually stay in the belly of the line (but on turns they seem to ride up a bit). I usually put my first lure (attached to the release) down 10-20 ft (depending on how shallow water it is too) and then I add the slider to my line  on an 8 ft leader with a small flutter spoon and run them down to where I want them. Most of the time you will want the leader shorter than your rod (my downrigger rods are 8 1/2 ft.) so you can net the fish easily unless you're into hand lining them   If you run heavier spoons there is more of a chance of  a tangle on turns or at very slow speeds (or if your other downrigger is close to it). Most of the time rainbows or landlocks or small browns (or a crazy smallmouth) will be the ones that hit it. When you pop your downrigger (or better yet if a fish does it) the slider slides down to the swivel of your other lure and extends past it. Most of the time you won't be tangled but it can happen....especially if you have used a stick bait on one of them

If you are going to use lead core for deep fishing for lakers you are going to end up with popeye arms if you're into "working out" it'll be great....

On the other hand, leadcore certainly has its place in the "arsenal" but deep water fishing for lakers isn't a real strength of it.  I'd set up something SPECIFICALLY geared toward catching them at depth to make it easier on yourself. Use wire or downriggers where you can easily get down there and where you have much more control over the actual depth and I'm pretty sure you will greatly increase your success rate as well as keep your arms from wearing out   After reeling in a few "snakes" on the lead core (especially with a sinker on it) and having to put it out each time you'll get a feel for what I'm saying....A wire rig (of various types) in my view is the way to go for lakers when they are deep. Save the lead core setup for the shallower water stuff when the lakers aren't as deep or "toplining" with it rather than the deeper water trolling or bottom fishing which is mostly where the lakers are during much of the year.

I'll bet there are some folks smirking right now because a lot of perch HAVE come through the ice on Seneca.....maybe not this year... but there are places to get the Seneca perch through the ice.... and there is nothing like it when you get into them...especially when you are by yourself

If that doesn't work I'd check the marina at Branchport.  I know they used to rent slips but may also rent trailer space on land there.

At least you gave it a shot....the closest I came was taking the dog for a walk today and even that was pretty cold

You might want to contact Geordee Magee. He has a number of crews that cover a wide area (not sure how far west buthe does Rochester area too).He does good canvas work and he stands behind his work. canvas work is not cheap no matter where you go ( for quality work). I've had him do several thousand dollars worth of stuff on my boat and it has all been good. Here is his website: http://mageecanvas.com/