camper4lyfe

No bit, but still better than working.

I think I'm going to hit Conesus for a quick bit at lunch today.  I'm starting to think it might be the last time on the lake for me, based on this snow that's coming.

 

So I’m basically a complete newbie when it comes to hard water. What effect will all this snow that’s coming have on the ice? I know snow insulates and can inhibit ice formation, but can it potentially cause the ice to degrade?


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That’s insane on so many levels


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And....how about the guys that come up to your holes that you have drilled in preparation for changing holes when one gets slow and folks come along and just start using them despite them being close to your hut etc. ... a little courtesy and manners can go a long way out on the ice.

I started using an old hole today, and I was a bit paranoid it might have been used by someone. The guy was gone, and it was iced over, so I was confident it wasn’t being used, but I definitely would have given it up had someone come after it.


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11 minutes ago, Gator said:

So, with all the talk about folks setting up too close to you, I had a chuckle today on Conesus when a guy towing three shanties stopped his ATV between one of my buddies and his tip ups, right in the middle of  where we were fishing. My buddy had to move his tent to see his flags! This guy on the ATV didn't even ask whether there was room or if we minded or even said boo. Not that we gave two craps (well, Scotty could have given them a crap, in a bag packaged nice nonetheless), but it would have been decent to acknowledge that there were other guys there. And it wasn't like we were fishing near other folks, just five of us in a group way the hell away from the crowd. 

 

Go figure.

I think I saw them come in today.  Was this around 11-11:30:  I was out with my little guy (no dice, I really don't know what I'm doing, so I'm winging it), and saw a big group come in not too long before we left.

Good bite today for me , had to throw the candy at them. Had 4 flags 2 took in the weeds and stole my bait before I got there. The others were 37 and 36in . Both released for someone else to catch. I didn't see much of anything else going on .

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How’s the ice looking?


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14 minutes ago, Crafty Jay said:

 

The south end lacks the panfish that the north end has. The kid friendly jigging action is pretty much non existent. However you can set tip ups and get into some decent pike action. I’ve been skunked and I’ve caught double digits from the south end so I’d say it’s hit and miss as far as entertainment for the kids.... Ice is safe just stay away from the inlet. Park in the state lot and there should be a trail leading out there


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Perfect.  Thanks!

Has anyone fished the south end of Conesus, down by the inlet?  I know it gets pretty packed up by Vitale, and parking can be an issue.  I'm just wondering if the South end is any good (and safe yet?)  With my kids being so little, there's no getting up at the crack of dawn to get them dressed and out the door at 0'dark-thirty to beat the rush.

17 minutes ago, lfthzmrk said:

If you want a ton of small perch (not keepers, great action for kids) and not a long walk, try the south end of Silver lake. Plenty of ice on west side 8+ inches. get out to the deeper water toward the middle. I was also on Sodus Saturday and had similar experience bringing home a couple dozen keepers after weeding through 4-6 shorts for every one. Definitely got colder in the afternoon when the wind picked up. 30+ FOW. Anything with meat on it worked fine.

Conesus is a 2 minute drive for me.  With 2 little kids with limited attention spans, closer to home is better for calling mom to come get one of them when they get bored/cold.  I've had great luck on Silver, though.  I've pulled some nice pike from there.

Got to north end Conesus alittle late this a.m. couldn't find park spot, went to state boat launch fished 5.5 to 10 fow water over weeds no bite. Fished from 930am to 11am, packed up, went over to Honeoye. Fished 12fow south end, caught few fish. Fished till 2 or so.

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I ran by Conesus Lake late this morning and couldn’t believe how packed the lot was.


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Bait shop was out of waxies and spikes when I stopped by. Apparently there’s a shortage of wax worms due to a fungus of some sort, so no fishing today. I’ll stop by during the week and pick up some spikes for next weekend.

I figure an adequate assortment of snacks will keep them occupied. I may toss their hockey skates in as well.


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I dug out some of my gear today to take inventory. I want to take my boys (ages 6 and 7) out on Conesus soon, but today’s wind put the brakes on that one for now. Tomorrow’s wind is looking marginally better. I don’t have a shelter, so I’m weather limited right now.

 

We’ll see what tomorrow brings. I’m only going to drill a couple holes and jig this time around. I don’t know how long their attention spans are going to be, and don’t want to mess with tip ups (and associated bait) for a half hour fishing trip.

 

 

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47 minutes ago, skinny420 said:

I haven't been to conesus this year and I don't know for sure. But there is a new bait shop on the north end of honeoye....Doc's bait and tackle....8690 main St. And there is the bait shop on the west side of silver...higgans family bait shop.....3834 W Lake Rd. What direction are you coming from?

I'm at the North end of Conesus.  I can see it from my house lol.  I'll get in touch with Finger Lakes.  Their Facebook page makes it appear that they are open.  I stopped by a couple times this summer and it was dead, so we'll see.

Where's a good spot to get bait this year for Conesus?  Is Finger Lakes (formerly Ted's) open in Lakeville?

There are in most of ny but not in the 1000 islands

There’s a limit of 50 unless you’re in Jefferson County.




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My question is would pike prefer perch or gobies because while everything eats  gobies the abundance of perch to the point that there is no daily limit makes me wonder what which one they would eat

Unless things have changed recently, there is a limit in perch. It’s something like 50 per day, but still a limit.


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Made for a good supper, too. Even my super picky eater of a 5 year old liked the perch I caught.


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I’ve caught 2 pike on senkos. Both were green (pumpkin?).


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Took my oldest out for a quick fish tonight. Ended up near Eel Bay and he landed his first ever keeper smallie, and he did it all by himself. And I landed my first ever drum. And I filleted my first ever fish tonight, too.

 

 

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It's a good day if I'm out with friends and not at work.  Anything past that is just icing on the cake.

My 7 year old LOVES fishing, but my 5.5 year old would rather be inside on his tablet, so it took a little convincing to get him to give it a try.  I picked them up early from daycare, stopped for drinks and snacks, and he ended up having a lot of fun and wants to do it again.  It definitely helped that he caught the first fish (that his older brother helped him unhook and release).  He even lipped and released the bass that I caught on a bad cast.

Dumb question from a newb: what’re these fleas you’re talking about?


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I'm looking for places to take my kids fishing.  I know about Conesus Lake and Vitale Park, and I'm wondering how the bank fishing is on Honeoye, especially around Sandy Bottom Park, and Honeoye Creek in that area.  Is it worth taking them during the summer?  They're ~6 and 7, so their attention spans are pretty short, so having to work hard for the fish is not idea.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.