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I have been fishing Lake Ontario for several years and have aspired to run a third rod in addition to my pair of downrigger rods. I often fish solo from a smaller boat (Tracker Targa) so conditions often muck up my program as soon as I add the third rod or hook. I like Braddocks and I Bay as my home ports. Haven’t had much luck with cheater lines or a dipsy so I am looking at a copper set up with 400’ of copper. Thoughts?

My 15yo has become a pretty avid fisherman and likes the challenge of carving his own path outside of our salmon/bass trips. He is super focused on bullhead! Any decent spots between Rochester and the Finger Lakes? Brown was a couple of weeks ago out of I Bay on a Thinfish.

Trolled east with spoons at 110’ over 160’. West troll was tough with the wind and subsequent blowback on my gear so we didn’t cover too much water before we zipped back to our starting point. Did a nice fish on each of our passes.

Hustled out to a bunch of marks I have stored on my Helix 8. Lines in by 4pm and out by 7pm. With my son in the boat I had hoped to run cheaters off each rigger but the bite started pretty quickly. 6 hits on a purple magnum and 3 fish to the boat. Mostly on a west troll at 70 over 150 fow. We kept one with a full belly for the smoker.

Fished Braddocks for a couple of hours. Wandered from 200 into 70. Ran spoons on riggers and meat on a dipsy. Switched to plugs when I got in close. Only a brown. Out deep cold water was up high. Really warm in shallow.

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Same. I am sure I am reiterating here but I have a good formula using WindfinderPlus and a lake camera or two when unsure. I focus first on waves 1 foot or less and a south(ish) blow. I do infrequently see low wave heights and higher winds. On those days I find that I need to be a bit strategic with my boat window so the boat is less of a sail. I have grown to be a bit smarter and consider whether I can properly clear lines and land a fish on marginal days. Sometimes yes and sometimes no way. I am a Tracker (Targa) guy too.

Great fish all and agreed any tiny kernel of wisdom is appreciated. Good karma will make its way. back to you.

Good work. I grew up in Urbana and share your love for the lake. So many stories of fishing…boozing…fishing and fishing!

Yup. May be a touch less on weekdays.

By the way $18 launch fee.

I am in Fairport and have always fished Braddocks. Not sure why, maybe I just got comfy with the launch. This summer I committed to “figuring” out Irondequoit. What I have definitely determined: Yes on browns and yes on lakers.