Lone Star

Short version-You might lose gear trolling near one of these. They're for a DEC study. Everyone else probably knows this but I didn't find any posts.

First time out on Saturday and noticed a buoy out in front of the Bluff and thought "Someone is using hotspot buoys here?"

Thought I steered clear of it but lost a spoon while passing by, too far away to read the small print message that I later found out included the word "away."

The Association put out this helpful warning about orange buoys in February, but the DEC must have decided on using yellow as well- https://www.keukalakeassociation.org/Orange_Buoys_on_Keuka_Lake.pdf

"Anglers, please be aware that if you are fishing within 150 feet of these buoys, it is possible that fishing gear may get entangled in equipment used to anchor the buoys to the bottom."

Orange_Buoys_on_Keuka_Lake.pdf

I hadn't ever heard of a Sutton spoon until I tried to find out about these.  Obviously Keuka trying to send me a message.

Here's what a Naples-made Sutton 44 & 71 spoon looks like after getting hooked on my jig Saturday. Falling-apart brittle. Couldn't tell if the mono they were attached to was ever part of the copper wrapped around the whole mess. At least I got to learn that people love these 44 spoons.

Thanks.

DEC diaries show very few, but I know the charter captains down in Hammondsport boat them occasionally.

Can anyone point me towards the basics of targeting landlocked salmon on Keuka Lake?

I've been able to locate and successfully apply specifics to the lake trout.

(Jigging white tube jig works best for me, I prefer jigging to passive downrigger trolling)

If anyone can share a particular lure & method that will put a salmon in the boat, or send me to a Keuka-specific guide, that would be great. Thanks in advance.

No round gobies, but 8 pickerel helped take the sting out of boating no lakers on Saturday. Only went around the Bluff. Are they all down in Hammondsport now?

Nice!

Glad you got them to open up.

Went back out Saturday. Jigging with a white tube jig from the Bluff up to Branchport in everything from 50 to 160. No hits whatsoever.

One small pickerel on a spoon right before I gave up after five hours. Free worms? "No thanks", say the fish.

Several boats launching out of the State Park. No problem with the water levels now. Lots of trolling going on, but I didn't see anyone bothered by trout. Bass guys hitting every dock on the lake.

Branchport was rough & windy while the Buff point was calm. Watch out for a debris plume as you approach the State Park & Branchport. Tree branches, weeds, dock parts, and lumber scraps have all collected in this area. Worst hazard was a mostly sunken log.

Hit a large tree branch on the way south, caught up in the prop, leading to one of those "What the Hell?" moments before discovering the problem.

I did get the motor tuned up, which was the actual purpose for going out.

17 minutes ago, bulletbob said:

 It is a  township ramp, but I don't believe its a "residents only" ramp..  I have used that ramp for many years.. you just back down the ramp, make the  left after launching and park along that road.. NEVER have had a problem or angry word.. On the contrary all the residents around there have been very nice and friendly.. Just don't leave any garbage, and watch your language etc.. I would use it.. It is NOT suitable for a big boat at all especially when the water is super low... bob

The water is very low at that launch right now, my prop can verify. And I'll second your thoughts on the great neighbors who very much appreciate quiet, clean, respectful boaters.

4 hours ago, chugbug said:

What about the launch in Keuka is it residents only , sure would better than running down from the penn yan arm , I realize the pennyan launch might have ice now . 

Here' s the info on the Hammondsport launch http://www.townofurbana.com/boatlaunch.htm

19 hours ago, Tg8 said:

Is the Hammondport launch open? I've never launched there?


Sent from my iPad using Lake Ontario United

Town launch in the village is "Residents Only" and equipped with parking lot gates opened by an electronic key fob. The motel next to the launch http://www.keukalakesideinn.com/ has its own launch, but I don't know what they're charging. I thought they were closed for the season.

1 hour ago, guff said:

Still decent numbers in north west corner of Branchport arm yesterday.75-90 fow. Only boated 3 but had at least 4 on and then lost them between 12:00 and 3:00.

That was the intended target area, but the motor wasn't giving me that feeling of reliability. What were you using?

16 hours ago, jk1 said:

By using the word "contacts" you did see some fish on the depthfinder( or as we call it the TV)?  Last year that place was a desert.  On the south end of the lake we only caught fish of the eastern point then over in front of the restaurant 3ish miles up  the motel and at goldseal......jk

Yes, "contacts" as in sonar contacts on the 1990s era LCD screen. None "contacted" my jig in any way.

Went out on Saturday to the point of the Bluff from 10 ft out to 150 ft. (Actually 150 back to 10, a few times) No luck.

Vertical jigging with a 1 oz white and a bit of Dipsy Diver with a silver spoon down to 75 or so.

No consistency on contacts. Some at 35, some at 75, some at 138 in 140 ft.

Got pretty rough as the warm wind picked up. Just happy I could hit the lake in February. Time to tune that outboard.