stoneam2006

Nice work! How was the water clarity? Could you see the bottom in the chute? 

Honestly didn't look in chute. Water was green except for where mud was coming off shore. The mud was only spot we had action. Got away from it and nothing.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Hey guys picked up boat from Mr Hank Saturday. Went for a shakedown and brown trip out of fairhaven. Fished 730 to 1 went 2 for 5. And the 2 landed was a double. Good time. First tims we have chased browns this early.

 

Also some cool photos from ice season too. Just parking ice and the creeks this year.

 

Fished erie tribs sat night and sun am

 

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

 

 

Aaron I would go into it backwards.
Where I would live if I had the choice, and then is the location viable for you and your family. The fact that you’re skilled should be pretty valuable.
Location plus opportunity should result in a great new life.


Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

That's the worst part for me...I have spent my entire life from 8th grade on trying to live where I do and work where I do now....so it's pretty cool I did that but have never thought about anything else really...lol

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

All good trades... you should not have much trouble finding something you are happy with. You should check with Lockheed Martin in Syracuse and see if they have something up your alley. Great pay and benefits and there are a lot of great locations for both family and fishing within 30  minutes.

I'll check them out....I was pretty happy when I started to look for a job when they first told us and had multiple interviews and offers within a days of being told. The piece of paper from college helps but what a difference 10 years in a trade makes.

But I can't help but think is this what I want to do for the next 30 years...I've been givin an opportunity to basically hit the reset button at 35 and as much as it sucks its an opportunity that if I do it right I could end up ahead.


I appreciate the feedback I knew I'd get good opinions here!

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I’ll second moving somewhere commutable to two metro areas. Living within commuting distance to both Rochester and Buffalo had been advantageous for me. I’ve seen 3 plant closures and never had to collect an unemployment check. Close to lots of good fishable water, open spaces or in town depending on your preference, and low traffic.


Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

That idea does appeal to me...thats the only down fall where I live now. I worked at one of the best 2 plants in town. So jobs here are really limited. So now when I'm looking at places I'm trying to make sure that there's more opportunities if something comes up.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

What type of work are you looking for or comfortable with?

I'm a welder and machinist by trade. Been a machinist for the last 10 years here and Currently running and programing a 5 axis CNC mill. Have run alot of mill machines manuals and cnc. Before this I worked as an aluminum welder mig and tig. But have welded most normal materials. I really like the idea of machine maintenance career.

Bc of the way they are closing the shop I have the chance to go back to school for free and pick up another degree to add to the welding and machining degrees. Have toyed with the idea of HVAV or electrical. And Possibly grabbing my CDL and captains licenses as well.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

+
Best of luck with whatever you decide and although a move can be exciting it is also right at the top of life's stressors[emoji2]

Yes it is! February 2 we got told. Been crazy. I had accepted a job in Buffalo then decided to stay till they close. So now we have a year maybe 18 months to decide. They are telling us June 2022 we are done.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Ha, I made my way to Pittsburgh in '95 and really haven't left. I did move from the city to out past the airport and live on 30 acres. But i really dont like the 2 hour drive to my boat on Erie on the weekends.

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

Few guys from our camp live down there. Both construction guys. I'll have to look at jobs there. We camp just outside Erie Pa all summer.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Forgot pics lol


This boat was so sweet for what we were using it for.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Aaron you may want to make up a list of pros (the things you want or need in a living place) and Cons (the things you absolutely don't want or need) e.g. you have young kids so school is important, you may want to eliminate urban environments, you may want to be near lakes etc. but also near shopping or medical services etc.
 
Like cars and boats there is no PERFECT one out there and the decision involves compromises in terms of what is important at a given stage of your life circumstances and what you can afford financially and pretty much only you can answer that question.[emoji2]

Absolutly!!! We have so many "lists" it's crazy. I'm even really considering captain license and charter full time if I can get far enough head start.

One problem we have is neither of us have traveled far. I grew up in Canandaigua she grew up here in Hinsdale so we talk about moving but have no idea what's out there really. My parents and sisters are in SC her sister in Florida so we have debated living on coast if we could find somewhere....Charleston SC sticks out to me but have really only been there on vacation. But coastal fishing seems like it could be alot of fun. We just did a flounder charter down in Myrtle beach ...I'll attach a pic

The company has admitted that our jobs are going over seas and bc of that there's a bunch of programs they have to provide too. So all of that comes into play as well.

It really is a life changing event...we are nervous but excited but also want to make this move once. We are even looking at options of building where we are now and I'll commute the hour to buffalo..

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I moved to Western NY from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago.  A couple years ago, I bought a house in Springville.  Though the taxes are high (to me), I'm pretty happy there.  It's a great community, good schools and about a 40 minute ride to Lake Erie, Buffalo and an hour 15 to Lake Ontario.

Springville is on our list...we actually live in Hinsdale now. Just outside olean.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

So the shop I work at is closing their doors permanently sometime in the next year or 2 and has me and the wife trying to decide what to do from here.....

 

So outta curiosity if you could move anywhere as 35 yr old and family where would you go? Jobs fishing and education all considered.

 

Even in NY...where's some good towns with good taxes and jobs within let's say 1.5 hr from Ontario or erie...prefer to live in country...

 

here's some of our pics from erie last few trips thanks Mr Hank!

 

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

 

 

Here's one I'm going to try and go to with the boy.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Do you run them tight to bottom


Sent from my SM-A505U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Most of time yes...there are times I'll bounce them off the bottom on Erie. But I've also run them higher in the water column where the thermocline is if temp is right. Actually picked up a nice Steelhead on lake erie this summer and have caught a bunch of walleye on them too.

You can see the color patter on the cowbells in this pic.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I have run gambler rigs on Cayuga Canandaigua Ontario and Erie and if I'm targeting Lakers it's all I use. They work! Last year got to try out the death traps gambler makes and they worked great too and they don't pull near as hard as cowbells. I don't have a favorite color just whatever is rigged up at the time lol. Can't go wrong with gambler rigs for lake trout.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

With the Walleye boards the weights at the bottom need to be adjusted correctly and inline boards aren't as good as big boards in rough water. Inlines may dive initially but if brought in steadily with the rod tip down a bit they should be fine. I don't usually run mine a long way out from the boat for a couple reasons so they come in pretty rapidly.

I didn't mess with the weight on bottom much...if you pointed at the board reeling it wasn't near as bad...but explaining that to a 8+10 year old got hard lol...point at it till board is off then tip up after lol hopefully the big boards will help that.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Not gonna lie I hate mine (all Erie use)...I have run the tx22 the walleye boards and the offshore tackle yellow boards...they all were a pita for me but the offshore yellow ones were best out of the 3. I had issues with them diving all the time. I ran braid (double as dipsy rods when fish move deep) and lockjaw clips on them so they didn't release. I tried everything when reeling them in and still dove especially when on a big sheep or a steelhead. Needless to say I'm going to big boards. I think it will be easier on the kids.

Ran them with mono off buddy's boat and made them release and they worked quite a bit better...still not my favorite tho.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

That leads me to anotherquestion. When your done with ur hunt for the day do u shot off the load? Or open breech plug and push it out, or pull primer and leave it loaded? I hunted with flintlock last year so no choice u gotta fire em off.  Just courious what u guys do.  

Pull primer and wait for next trip.....but be aware of temps...don't bring in and out of hot/cold environment...could sweat and foul the powder

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Lake Ontario United mobile app

A lot of guys don't run riggers on eyes and I can't imagine not.  Short cores with long leaders off a rigger has produced 8 of my 10 biggest eyes this year and they take no work to keep clean and running.  I have noticed if I put 2 or 3 riggers down I don't get the big fish I do when I put 1 so I know the cable hum etc has a negative effect.  I put braid on my center rigger for tomorrow. If it gets hot I'll do the others on the water or perhaps in the morning early.  

I've been running a 4 color off my rigger on Erie this summer been very productive rod...altho fishing has been slower for us. That rod has always been a go to

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I believe I have a copy of the great lakes edition if your interested. Bought a few years ago off here I believe and don't use it like I thought as I use the app lol...let me know

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

My CVA wolf SS with konus 3*9 scope shoots extremely well out past 150 with 100 grain of 777 pellets and 250 shockwave projectile...shots 1+4 are flyers (on paper plate) 2+3 are perfect. My favorite set up that I own. Clean and lube with TC brand cleaners and finish lube with TC bore butter. Cci primers

 

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

I have a complete Navico / Simrad AP12R set up that I'm looking to sell. It works but will not compass calibrate correctly and runs a sloppy course. The dash control works fine, all LEDs work. Comes with Compass, Steering helm for cable steering and dash control. If interested let me know. Best offer.

Pm sent

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Lake Ontario United mobile app

My bad!  Sounds like a different ball game in the fingers.  No excuse for that guy.   In Lake Erie, it's a whopping $75 a year for a policy for PA and NY waters.  I'd never impose on somebody to tow me in when I could have just paid $75 for piece of mind, but yet I see it all the time.  My boat insurance has towing but I decided to buy a policy directly with the tow company this year to not have to deal with a middle man if stranded.  Got stranded on 4 of July last year with my whole family onboard and had to sit on the phone with Progressive and wait for them to play middle man and authorize the tow with the tow company, so for $75 I can just jump on the radio or give the tow company a call.   

Ever since I've been on the big lakes I pay for both services too...75$ a year is cheap insurance

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

This scenario happened on Cayuga Lake. Cayuga is a lake with no Towboat US available. Since we have extremely limited options there is a code of ethics where we help each other out whenever possible. I agree that some situations may occur that you can not assist. That is very rare on Cayuga. I lost several hours during a tournament towing in a fellow LOU member years ago. The repayment for that will be when someone rescues me someday down the road. 
 
(Does this look familiar Aaron/stoneam2006!)

Something I've never forgotten! Haven't had the opportunity to pay it forward other than offering a jump pack at the dock a few times but I always have my VHF on!

That was the day my distributor blew up inside my motor...what a disaster that was.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Took a buddy out for Lakers this am...6-12 boated 10 Lakers 2steelies and walleye lost few eyes and few Lakers...gambler rig alien with death trap took all 10 Lakers and the steelhead good morning on Erie!

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Lake Ontario United mobile app