MadPerry

WTG!  That 18 is a nice spring king.  Hope they are there tomorrow for my bro and I.

_{Feel so bad for all you guys who get to fish in the middle of the work week}  

Hey bud -

I added them to my arsenal last year. I use my slide divers exclusively with mono and my dipsys only with wire. Thus they each have their place. I use them when targeting the top 30-40 feet of water and I must say they can be a deadly tactic in the spring or even offshore for top water steelhead.

They can be a little bit of a pain to deploy, but after you get the hang of it, it's not too bad.

Chris

Thanks, Chris.  I think I'll start with one test rig and see how it works out.  I really like the idea of divers, but I firmly believe that standard dipsies are a deterrent to some fish.  They have never produced the numbers that I get on riggers or leadcore.  A slide diver looks like a good stealth rig.

Funny how fast things changed in a day.  And with no heavy wind overnight.

 

I was curious how long you have been running slide divers?  Do you prefer them over dipsies, or just when in shallower?  Do you use dipsy rods for them?

I was fishing solo in the same area and think I saw you. I did have a couple crazy near boat experiences with feisty spring kings....running alongside the boat and running for riggers and prop, but none full circle! It does add another element to it. Great job!

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Fairly certain we passed each other a couple times, now that I see your boat in your avatar pic.  That king was just nuts.  Didn't think it was possible. 

A little spritz of "Off" will help.  Don't know what they are called, but at least they don't bite.

Today I got my first run with ipilot autopilot, in tandem with kicker.  Having controls around your neck is HUGE.  Moved out of the channel around 5:30 and set up in 30fow north of the bay.  Maintained 2.5-2.8 downspeed on the fh.  Started the day out with a wire/dipsy w/flasher/fly, 3 color core w/spoon, and rigger at 25 w/cheater(spoons).  Took an hour before that first hit and it came on the rigger at 25.  12 lb king that gave me a ride I've never had.  Never have I had a fish circle the boat while maintaining a trolling speed.  And with all that craziness, I never crossed another line.  The next fish was 2 hours later, and glad I didn't give into boredom.  Settled into a 40 and 25 rigger, both with cheaters, and 5 color core setup but worked outward and east to Webster.  Stayed away from the pack at around 60fow and it paid off.  A pair of Kings at 15lbs, and 2 Lakers in the 8-10lb class.  Ended the morning 5 for 8 with the 3 rod spread, and a double that I could only manage bringing in one.  The weather was great, the lake was flat, and the fish were quality.  We are so fortunate here.  All spoon bite for me, with Warrior NBS/Warrior Salmon Slapper custom taking 2 fish each, and a Pro King mag Roadkill took 1.  Orange and whites weren't touched.

 

Ditto that on the boats. Word IS out. Really nice Atlantic there! With so many more being caught, this just might be my year.

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Thanks for that update. Ill wait another week.

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Anyone have an idea of water temps on the north end. Specifically around the state park launch out of Seneca Falls?

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Dang!  Good for you guys!  Jealous of that Atlantic.  Maybe I'll catch one in my lifetime

Quick report.  Wanted to make sure I made my own thread so I don't "hijack" someone elses.  Left the channel a bit after 4 and trolled towards Webster working 25-35 fow, then back.  Hooked up twice within the first hour or so.  First fish coming off a deep diving gold/blue challenger stick on.  4lb brown.  2nd fish came off the rigger 15ft down on a spoon I don't know the name of(see pic).  A fun 10-11lb king.  Netted and released.  Swam away hard and fast.  Then nothing...  for 2 more hours of switching tactics and lures.  I think I should have done better but didn't.  Always learning.  Waves were 1 footers with 2's mixed in.  Started to flatten out as the night wore on.  Good color from 20ft +.  Tomorrow morning should be gorgeous.  Kings are still hanging around and I hope they will be for awhile.  Good luck tomorrow for the lucky guys who get out mid week.

 

Hope they are still there the rest of the week! Well done!

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I can't imagine asking to chase browns after playing with kings, but to each their own.  Maybe they prefer to eat browns?  Trips like yours make me very hopeful for yet another good year on Lake O.  Thanks for the detailed report.

We all have those days when we second guess the direction and we don't have the day we hope for, but the pics of your nephew tell me someone on that boat was happy.  If it makes you feel any better, we were least productive in the muddiest water out of the bay.

A couple weeks ago we had the goby bay rat out and it accounted for most of the fish that day.  Today it didn't even take a hit.  Like many other sticks, it has it's days.  I have a few stinkers in my boxes that have never earned their $8-$15 tag. 

I had mine on.camo so the fish can't see me

    Appeared to have worked!

We went 7 for 7 working east and then back to the bay.  Not stellar but enjoyable.  First king of the year at 12lbs, 1 steelhead, 1 coho, and 4 browns from 3 to 6lbs.  Worked 20 to 40 fow.  Hot lure of the day was a chartreuse j11 rapala, followed by a good old fashioned gold Sutton spoon. 

 

Sorry to be preachy, but I saw MOST guys fishing today without life jackets on.  I think most are not aware that they are required by law until may 1st.  Would really stink to get a ticket from the coast guard.  Obviously this only applies to boats under 21 feet.

 

Good working condition.  Has a pull handle.  $50.  I'm in Irondequoit, NY.  Call, text Rich @ 5857five5nine8six5.  Or PM.

An 18' boat can make it out of the launch in the bay.  There were a ton of them launching in that size yesterday.   The water level is a smidge above where it was last week.  Still about 18-24" below normal.  I would NOT risk anything larger.  Can't speak for the launch at the genny.  It is a deeper pitch but I have no idea how far the pads extend into the river.

I wish you luck getting it back, but the odds...

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Looking forward to seeing both of your reports this year, and the other regulars for Irondequoit Bay.  Anxious to see who hooks that first spring king!

Nice way to get things started. Just curious how deep you ventured out? We hugged the shoreline but were tempted to try in the 40's for some lakers.

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Where did you launch from and how big is your boat?

Thanks,

Chris

Used the county public launch. My boat is 17'. I think someone with an 18 could make it, but like us, they would have to shove it off the trailer and winch it back on. Maybe Mayers ramp extends further in the water and at a deeper pitch?

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We launched a little after 7. The level is low, as everyone knows by now. Had it been any lower, we wouldnt have made it out. Only saw a single other boater doing circles in the bay. No one but us in the lake. Waves around a foot, with some larger rollers. Temps between 37 & 40.8 on our troll to webster pier. Water was inconsistant. Nice color most of the time, but occasionally muddy. We went 5 for 5. 2 coho, 3 brown. Most were small, only one brown above 6lbs. The 2 coho were very small. Sorry no pics. Glad to be out playing with new gear and back on the lake after a brutal winter.