Capt Vince Pierleoni

Bruce, are you retiring?

Someone on here will know for certain, but I don't believe there is any problem with utilizing or transporting sunfish as bait. As for Sturgeon, there is definitely a spike in the population in the lower Niagara river, and many are hooked in the fall while we are drifting for Salmon. The federal FWS is around alot taking counts on their numbers as well.

That looks like a neat device if you are harvesting the fish. It will cause some gill damage, however . If you are photographing and releasing, the Boga grips, or the less expensive versions that clasp only the lower jaw, are a much better choice.

Stay tuned Tom, I actually had four days with camera men onboard during the series. Probably won't have much footage in the final footage though, you know, the ATOMIK apparel! Actually, if you want some laughs, there is a piece of footage of me ATTEMPTING to sing on the Pro Am site in the "Raw" link. It's called, "alert angler". Bruce and Tom, you guys gotta stop perpetuating myths about me, LOL! Once I really learn all the tricks of the computer, I will copy and paste the "thank you" letters I get for helping the newbies that I run into. Seriously, If I wasn't competing in the event I would jump at the chance to insure it's integrity, by observing on one of the top ten boats. When you stop learning in this business, you're all done.

Anythings possible, and yes, 50% seems ridiculously high. Heck, the west coast canners will move operations here with that figure. In the early 90's while clipping Kings at the Hatchery, a few of us saw with our own eyes a memo from the then fisheries chief stating that a major objective of the DEC into the future was to reduce dependency on stocked fish. Keep your eyes and ears open, as stated elsewhere in this thread, our policy and decisions are now being made by non-fishermen and people with no history link to this winning program.

The feds provide lake trout, as it is part of their native species restoration program. They have had problems hitting target numbers due to aging hatcheries and funding shortfalls. Several species successfully reproduce in Lake Ontario tribs. Young Kings, Cohos, and Steelheads have all been documented as naturally hatched fish. The water quality continues to improve, so much so that there are new lamprey spawning sites discovered every year. lamprey thrive as water quality in tribs improves.

New price! $50

Deadline for online entry is noon today. Tom Allen is also collecting entries.

Very necessary post. Fish Tech, by your user name you are probably a new Temp or DEC new hire. Many of us are tired of hearing the "sky is falling" bio mass scare tactics. Thank you for your contribution, but here are some FACTS: The Lake Ontario forage base has never showed signs of over-predation from Salmonoids. The truth is, we put existing forage base populations in peril, by not having ENOUGH predators to level out the population in relation to their food source. When we see the numbers of GIANT alewives that we have all season, we know they weren't cropped off enough by the population of Salmon in the Lake. This creates an imbalance, leaving the older large alewives vulnerable to crowding in limited winter habitat, increasing the likelihood of a die-off either in the winter or late spring. These large over-populated alewives are the ones that eradicate hatches of Lake Trout, Walleye, Yellow perch and young-of-the-year alewives. The predation on the newly hatched Alewives is what causes the huge spikes and valleys in the Alewife populations. Increased populations of Pacific Salmon would even this out, create a slightly smaller but healthier population. Catch rates would increase on the target Salmon, forage base populations would stablize, native species hatches would survive better, and the whole system would be better off We already planting half the number of Salmon that we were in the late 80's, the Feds haven't been able to hit the target number of stocked Lakers in many years, and in the DEC's own words, some years the entire hatch of "wild" Chinook in the Salmon river is lost due to predation. It is foolish to rely on wild Chinook hatches to carry the fishery and control the Alewife enough to keep their population healthy. This Salmon fishery that we have here doesn't "cost" taxpayers at all. It drives an economic shot-in -the -arm that is enormous, and brings in alot more tax dollars than its cost.

Deadline for online entry is Noon Monday, Aug 9th.

Several of us have been warning of this for years! Yes, that is exactly why they are so interested in the natural reproduction study. Gill-T, EVERYTHING you say is true. If it looks like a rat, smells like a rat, THEN IT IS A RAT! I'm afraid we are in for another difficult year collecting eggs. We will have less heading upstream on the Salmon, for starters. Absolutely unbelievable after the last time this happened, no contingency plan was put in place. Yes, the long term goal is to wean us off Pacific salmon.

Congrats Brian and Marlene! Does this mean you guys will be wearing leather chaps at the Oswego Scotty?

The Lake is a churning cauldron of current, even when it lays flat calm. Stability provides an opportunity for the fish to "set up". Baitfish will gather where their needs are met, and the gamefish will find them. The longer the water remains stable, the better the chances for long term fishing action, and less searching. WIND is the great wild card, it shifts currents and causes upwellings of cold water, as well as piles of warm water to pack in. There are so many variables to cover here, it is a lifelong study. You are on the right track being on this forum. To answer your original question, a "roll" or "flip" is usually refered to when cold water comes in from underneath deep, and warm water pushes out away from shore. The Trout and Salmon slide with the stable water in most cases, but it can cause location challenges for anglers.

Should be a good one. Anglers should know that they can fish L.O.C. derby at the same time. Where is weigh-in this year? Let the public know so they can come see what its all about.

Thanks again to you and all your volunteer friends. I look forward to meeting you someday, if I haven't already. Many of the anglers I come across in Ontario province seem frustrated. They feel like they have no say in policy, not only in the fishery, but towards things like Lake Ontario rooted wind power. They act like they don't know how or where to take the fight. Perhaps people like you can begin to unite the sportfishermen and women into a powerful voice. Go get one of those "Forties" swimming off your shores! Best wishes the rest of your season.

Hi John(of Credit River Anglers), I have thanked all of your sportsmens clubs and groups several times on this forum. I can read and feel your passion for the Atlantics, they are truly a great fish. Where the frustration comes from, not just here in the states but in your province, is how disinterested both OMNR and NYSDEC have become with Pacifics. They are the TRUE savior of the Great Lakes. Why should it take a super human effort from volunteers to continue Chinook stocking in Ontario? Why should every time we have a hot, dry fall here in NY, should we be sitting on pins and needles hoping we can get enough clean eggs to propagate another planting? We have several facilities yet we rely on one source, with no real contingency plan. Why do I say say savior? Well lets not even go into the economic and quality of life improvements they bring our Lake. Lets just look at the biological improvements: Man altered the Lake forever by building the seaway, and letting the lamprey and alewife in. Today, exotics continue to harm and threaten. The Pacifics provided early key info on Lamprey densities, as they returned to rivers and scarring could be assessed. The Pacifics are the only viable way to control alewife populations. When the alewives are kept at a reasonable level, yellow perch, walleye, and Lake trout hatches have a fighting chance. If not, alewife populations eradicate many hatches through predation. As for your beloved Atlantics, a diet too heavy with alewives reduces their fertility due to the thiamine present. I realize as a dedicated sportsman, you know these facts, but I have written it here for the newer anglers. Both the OMNR and the DEC do a poor job of educating the angling public, and the public in general, as to the fact that the Pacifics help in every way. Even if all you are interested in, is restoring a naturally sustaining population of Atlantics, Kings and Cohos are the answer. The "misinformed" fellow anglers to which you refer to, are merely expressing the way they see it. Many of us see it as, we are so lucky the Pacifics took to this lake the way they did, despite the way it was screwed up. Why are the managers on both sides taking this gift so lightly, and putting all their energy elsewhere? Will someone please tell me why both the province and NY is so gung ho about restoring the american eel? How about we put more effort into treating all the new lamprey spawning sites that are popping up due to improved water quailty? Or how about the province taking real action on some of the 2 million or so cormorants that I saw fly by while I was in Bluffers recently? I am one of many over here, who appreciate greatly the efforts of your sportsmens groups. Thank you.

Sorry Ed, i didn't actually answer your question. Usually the failure was in the snap portion, and yes the black ones from two different manufacturers were particularly bad.

I dont think DW has assigned numbers to their swivels. I call the small ones "spoon swivels", and large ones spinny swivels. Shane at DW, or dealers like Tom @ Atomik or Pete @ Great Lakes tackle should be able to help. They are silver. The last straw was when I was told by a formerly reputable company that yes, they found the swivels I returned to them weak and brittle, but it must have been that I stored them too close to a "electro-magnetic force" yowsa.

Today I have a chance to share a little on some great products we are using in my operation, and give them props. Some are newer to the market, and others are old news. I have learned about great products on this forum, so here are some I can share. Yes, I am associated with most of the companies, but I consider my credibility to be everything and have let some sponsorships go because they wanted me to be exclusive or tell stories that weren't true. Dreamweaver Ball bearing swivels-- Thank you Shane. We needed a swivel that wouldn't fail. 0 failures in 2 years. Others that used to be good seem to be more brittle. Fish Hawk X-4-- the 840 was great, with better seal on the probe, and 10x the battery life, this is bullet proof. Okuma Clarion 55-- High speed 6.2--1 ratio reel with great drag and capacity enough for full core lead or up to 400 copper. Atomik flies--Does this guy ever stop? lots of fish catching flies out there, these have the most durable materials I have used. Atomik Copper-- no need to go elsewhere. Dreamweaver SS spoons-- wow, I can not get over how durable the finish is on these. Serious trollers appreciate not having to deal with one shot and having all the tape come off because the entire finish came off. DWs and Mags have similar quality finish AND rings you don't need to change! Raymarine c--140 widescreen fishfinder/GPS/EVERYTHING This has been everything Kevin Jerge at Wilson Boatyard said it would be. No more protruding through hulls either! Flush, and the tilted element inside is ordered for YOUR hull. Kevin can also give advice on installing all Raymarine products, and can do the actual installations as well.

Man, these posts are just too damn good! Don't ya know I have packing to change today on an off day! This is why what has happened is so tragic. Make it bad for all of us who legitimately fish these events, those of us that will take it like a man when make a stupid decision or just plain get outfished. This taints our whole sport, and makes it that much harder to secure sponsors. Lose,lose,lose, all the way around. I have faith in the anglers around this lake, that we can uphold the integrity and ethics of future events. Peer pressure and retaining each others respect should be enough.

Shade, I will give it a shot answering your questions: The Pro-Am got started here in 1985. It was being successfully run in Michigan, out of Ludington, for several years prior. It was with great assistance by the wonderful(then) Lowrance Electronics co. They were truly based out of Tulsa OK at the time, and honchos from the company were all over it. I remember a John Florio being instrumental in the operation. He moved on to start the Cabelas Walleye circuit. Don't know where he is now. They ran them with intensity, we fished one in MI where a team was DQed for waving to another team--under the no comm rule. We watched another team and observer sort through their cooler, sorting out fish that would count and not count. They had ran so far away, they did not know the day had been weather shortened. The times and weights on their sheets were critical. Lowrance put sponsorship money up(as well as units), earned naming rights, and was considered the most prestigious event on both lakes. The "Brand recognition" they recieved from those early events continues today. Only until recently, many still referred to it as the "Lowrance tournament". I am looking forward to another company that wants to etch their name into history and the minds of the buying public, to step up and earn naming rights and run with the Pro-Am series. Perhaps the efforts with the TV shows will lead to this. I personally feel that the point scoring system, which came from those Lowrance people, is a stroke of genius. SO many times, strategy must be considered while weighing out numbers vs size. Many events where trout and Salmon were both available but not exactly in the same locations, have come down to mere single points to determine the winner. Good stuff. I do enjoy the Salmon only events, but the Pro -Ams and when they are held pose tremendous challenges. Today, due to the growing interest in these exhilarating events, we have 4. I'm sure the economic shot-in-the-arm they provide where ever they are held, is another reason why an area would want to host one. The series concept is fantastic, needs to grow, and I'm sure is in it's infantcy. As for who owns them, wow, I guess the counties that they are run out of??? Wish I could say we do. I just know improvement is easier from within, whether participating or sponsoring. I think the commitees that are in place today, are there because when the economy first started to slide, manufacturers did not want to spend man power policing and organizing these events. They hoped to continue name recognition through sponsorship money or product only. Tourism people(some begrudgingly) and a few business owners stepped up and picked up the slack. Most of us have something rule-wise we would like to see changed, but running these events is a HUGE undertaking. I think some of the way rules are conducted, are to minimize ugly "gray areas", and keep the counties from becoming involved in controversy. At the same time, the integrity of the events is of the utmost importance. Perhaps it is possible for us as participants through peer pressure to police ourselves above and beyond what the commitees are willing to do. This could work until another corporate sponsor with a backbone and a concern for ethics and integrity picks the series up and runs with it. As for online petitions, these should not be necessary if the event or series organizers conduct their own due dilligence. Have the spine to ban for life anyone flagrantly cheating. In the defense of the Pro-Am commitee, I feel this is why the rules have been relaxed in some areas and tightened up in others. They dont want to DQ guys for scratching their nose and having it construed as a "signal" to a nearby boat. Yet be a minute late by absolute satellite time and its "see ya!" Just ask me! Online petitions are risky. What if Andy and Toms team stay on the "tear" they are on, and just through pure resentment the majority vote you gone? Nah, the Tournaments must enforce their policies, especially if it means banning a cheater, or you have nothing. Until you have a bigger entity run with these events, we have what we have. In many cases, we as entrants should participate "in the spirit of the rule". We may have to self police in several areas to continue the integrity we all want. And the events must be willing to make the tough calls.

I heard several teams from Canada are coming that didn't last year. This should be a BIG one and a great way to close out the USA based Tournaments!

Congrats to you and the Screamer boys for the 7th place finish. Congrats to Vito on the win. We just have to help them with the meeting and observer pairing. Ours came from a 35 footer and got placed on an 18 footer. There was no seat for him. Growing pains, I'm sure. Even they must be amazed at the hunger for Tourny competition. We stumbled onto a slight concentration of migratory fish, on our way across the lake. They stayed put long enough Sat morning for us to have a shot. Just a day of drops for us and only managed 2 matures. We went down swinging for the big boys, as we knew with the caliber of the field that 6 immatures or Cohos would not do it. See you in a couple weeks!

Quality, one piece handle. I would consider it med hoop. Perfect for walleye, and all but the biggest Salmon. $20, Olcott area.

This was $300 new, and is in perfect working order. $75 It is the Horizon Nova model. NOW $50!!!! 8/11/10