Prof T

location?

This was an old trick from the 90's on Oneida. Release, like a Black's on the cable above the ball. Run a stick bait like a Rapala or Thunderstic Jr. back about 40ft. Small snubber, like a 3/16 dia on the rear eye of the ball, tied to a short leader say 6 ft, pulling a shad Rap ( or similar diver).

Don't know about the legality or ethics of dragging a lure in such a fashion as you never know when you have a fish on until you pull the rigger up. I think I recall that being what tipped the scales in the illegal/unethical direction.

still available

Got the old man part right![emoji476]


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Some parts of the river are pretty congested, and as a result a speed limit of 30mph was enacted between Rock Island Light (just above the bridge) all the way to Chippewa. I think high speed is generally what most irritates “conventional “ fisherman, along with the practice of blasting by a bait fisherman at close distances.


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Summer memories in action!


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It's the opening  week of bass season and I've never seen so many pro style/equipped bass boats working the area from Clayton to Alex Bay. Is there some kind of tournament going on or are folks just out enjoying the area? Got to be good for the motels and bait shops and most notably, gas stations. Publicity appears to have drawn a lot of out-of-staters.

Pretty rare fish indeed! Love those fog horns early in the AM.


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Nice catch! There seem to be some decent size fish this year. April was awesome, and it seemed you could still find some good schools this month. It's easy to find friends when you've got some good perch coming! Stay on em.

ttt

Thousand Islands


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ttt...  still have this unit

Jim, Great video. Gets my heart going for sure.

That being said, if a guy is planning to try downriggers here, he'd best be knowledgeable about the structure he's fishing, have good charting software, and a better depth sounder. As usual, summer fish are generally in the bottom 3 ft amongst those well documented broken boulders. Very unforgiving, but not impossible.

Patience is the key. 

Much more comfortable than traditional type. It is now an automatic for me to wear it, even beyond May 1.

Keep in mind that in NY they only count toward your 1 PFD per person IF THEY'RE ON. I still carry traditionals.

You know Kevin doesn’t exaggerate when he says it was “a little” windy. I know for a fact that Kevin enjoyed this day more than anyone involved.

Well deserved!


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Ttt


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If you are lucky enough to have a fish market in town, go there and get a bag of their Golden Dipt all purpose breading. $9.25 for 5 lbs. It’s not the same as you get in the store. My friends run Stan’s in Rome and have cooked thousands of pounds of fish and supply all area restaurants. It has a binder in it so it doesn’t fall off into the oil, burn, and wreck your next batches. I also use their prewash Batter Mix instead of milk and egg.

Constant temp 360 degree oil, 1 min 15 sec deep dry perch, 2 min 45 sec walleye, both at room temperature, Perfect every time. Never any left.

Cook like the pros!


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ttt

Congratulations on your success. Your persistence is to be commended.

If I could be so bold, I'd like to offer some unsolicited advice. First, if you don't already, start keeping a detailed journal. Pay attention to water levels, temp and clarity. Pay attention to what's not working as well as what is. I only started a few years ago, and regret how much I don't recall from great trips in years past.

The second is a tip I got from one of the best fishermen I know who is a frequent poster on this site. He'll say that "patience is one of the most overrated qualities in a fisherman". If it's not working , change it up. Don't beat a dead horse. We've all got hundreds of lures we don't go to unless the old favorites aren't producing. Get them in the water. Be unconventional and don't be afraid to experiment. You're going to nail a fish or two that's learned to ignore what everyone else is doing.

ttt

Minn Kota solid state unit distributes recharging power from main (starting) battery to 2 trolling motor batteries while running. Automatically senses state of primary battery, switching output once fully charged.

New units are $149. I got this one in a package with some other items and just don't need it. I was assured it worked when removed by previous owner. This particular unit is designed for 3 battery, lead acid systems only.

Lots of respect for Justin ( Justtracytrolling ) and his opinion! Overharvesting mature fish can be devastating, no matter what the species.

I believe that the past 12 months of pandemic has put a lot of people back on the waters, both open and frozen. That's great for the sport and for the businesses that support it. With that should also come a deliberate effort to become selective about what we keep.

Cheers

Prof T

Kevin had help!

I used to trailer my aluminum boat exclusively, and it's the TRAILER that determines how good or bad your experience is going to be as long as you're within the weight limits of your tow vehicle.

As far a boat considerations, you should narrow down your search based on how you plan to rig it. If you're going to fish the big lake, and you want to extend your season, then you probably want to be able to have a canvas enclosure. That especially true if you've trailered a decent way and you plan to put in full days. My guess is that's why you see so few center consoles here vs Florida.

I'm totally surprised that you don't see more west coast style aluminum boats, like Hewescraft or North River. Crestliner makes a Commander model similar. Fully welded, heavy gauge. If you look at them from the side, the helm is moved toward the bow compared to most of our walk through windshield boats, giving you a larger open area in the stern. The compromise is that it reduces the size of the bow fishing area. Add a model that puts the motor on an extended bracket behind the boat and a 19 footer fishes like a 24!

Final consideration for me is freeboard. My gunnel height hits me in the thighs when I lean to the side of my boat, and I'd have to work pretty hard to fall overboard. Big disadvantage is that a taller boat, with the canvas up, has a lot more sail area that can make anchoring in the wind and boat control more difficult.

Cheers, Justin

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