pro-fish-n-c

That's a great idea Old Man. I need to figure some storage issues out on my boat, not very convenient having release tools scattered around, when you are in a hurry.

Thanks for the advice. Will target the bait at the proper depth if I find it, can run small spoons all the way up to 13" grandmas. Hope to meet some other members while we are there.

I'm hoping to make it. Weather won't stop me but work might, will try and make it if I don't have to work. Never tried Otisco for tigers before, not sure if I should be casting or trolling this early in the season.

Is Artpark a productive area as well? I know there were some walleyes there last year when we were smelting.

Horse hunter thank you very much. Did that come from musky mike's trolling secrets book? I looked online everywhere for that and it seems its no longer available.

Was trying to get some info on 13" grandma's, does anyone ever use them and how do they work for you. The only info I have found is they will hit 15' to 18' with braid, and 25' to 30' on super lines . Just trying to get an approximate on line out to achieve max depth and any opinions on this lure good or bad.

Thanks

Definitely an awesome fish.

First week to third week of May generally, depending on the water temp, they will be stacked up at the face of every dam in the Seneca river system, provided there is good flow. No need for specialized carp gear or techniques. Medium heavy ugly stick, 20lb braid, bare lead jig head tipped with a worm, hopped across the bottom. You will catch as many as you care to. Anything over 30lbs in this system is a real solid fish.

What make and model riggers are these?

Thanks.

http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/12/the_tale_of_two_potential_worl.html

This link shows another one caught as well. Awesome fish.

http://www.glangler.com/_literature_121846/Reel_Calculator

Here's a direct link.

Thanks for sharing, sweet vid, awesome fish, and niceazz boat.

Made it out for a final trip, spoons and spinners off rigger, flatlining, casting. No fish, water very cold. Might try one more time if we get an extended warm spell. Motor appears to have blown a shift shaft seal , have to take care of that first.

How did you make out?

Nice. What speeds have you guys been trolling at and water temp. I'll be trying out some new bombers hopefully.

Access won't be a problem, due to the nature of the launch and where I fish. I'm concerned it will be a waste of time though if they won't chase lures at those temps.

Now that I'm basically waiting for muzzleloader to start, I'll have some opportunities next week to take the boat out. Haven't been out in two weeks, and believe the water temp to be down around 37 to 39 degrees.

Will trolling still be a viable approach for pike, or will they be too sluggish to chase lures at this point. Any recommended speed to start? Was doing well at 1.8 mph GPS into the current before. I am able to run my small boat as slow as I want off the terrova if necessary.

Thanks for any advice.

Check Craigslist, thought I just saw one on there in the Syracuse area.

Nice fish motocross, care to reveal how deep, and I'm guessing water temp was around 48?

Sk8man,

Small alewives definitely look alot like gizzard shad. These are definitely shad though, they are very common on the lake. Last fall season, the schools of shad were so large it made the shore fishing tough once they came in, it was common to see shad schools 10 to 15 feet wide.

Check this link, alewives are present in the lake but not common:

http://www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/OLI/olei-alewife.htm

South shore: schneibels, Lewis point, chapman park, south shore boat launch, Williams beach , Oneida shores, rt 81.

Look for a lure that has the maximum action at the slowest speed, for the depth you are fishing. Castability is important also

Also let me add, for the guys who drive a ways. It's almost worth the drive As long as its not dead calm. Yes, the first hour after sundown can be phenomenal, but it's not the only peak time every night. So if you can't make it then don't worry. Historically I do best later on in the evening, when the second wave of fish comes in.

Here's a pic that shows the size of the shad they are concentrated on:

I agree, Oneida has been on fire for me as well. Saturday nite I landed 10 or more fish , and missed or lost that many in 2 hours fishing. Sunday nite was much slower , only managed one. Last night pulled another limit quick after trolling for pike, in less then an hour.

Go to lures remain the shallow shad rap, small xraps, and the new hot lure is the xrap shallow shad. Try it you will be suprised.

I used to use bigger sticks, but 2.5" to 3.5" work best for me. The shad I'm finding in there stomachs measure 2 to 3" generally.

Justin is correct, there are more bigger fish in Oneida then people think. I think it's easier to target large fish by trolling though.

They are getting fat quick though, I weighed a 20"er the other night at 3lbs 10oz. Not exactly an otisco fish, but still tasty.