Todd4911

9 hours ago, Jason Barra said:

From what you listed, you're off to a great start.  I highly recommend getting a Fish Hawk so you know what your temperature and speed are at your cannonball. I consider my Fish Hawk the most important tool on my boat. With it you will be more consistent with your spread.  

are the older 840 models worth it if I found one for around 350? I have had my eyes set on a live scope to swap between my boat and ice fishing but if I found a cheap enough fish hawk I’d definitely pick it up. 

I actually come from central mass, about a 5 hour drive. It makes for a long trip but I have been obsessed with Lake Ontario since I first came up about 5 years ago. I’m  definitely looking forward to trying out different spots though. I make the trip up to the big lake at least once a month in the summer and twice a month fall through spring. Most of my fishing has been beating down the banks, and fly fishing the tribs. I do run my drift boats as well but that’s a whole different story.

 

the last couple times I went were out of Henderson. I was running meat rigs and flys in the trench between stony island and stony point. Had 3-4’ swells it was a little sporty but we survived, I won’t push it much further than that. 
 

After reading and listening to a few podcasts it sounds like fish may be heading west at that point and I may have just hit it at the wrong time of year? 

The finger lakes will definitely happen this year.  

Thanks! I’ll look into it! 

Thanks I did learn last year to look for the mud line. I got my boat in may and tried jumping right in to salmon. This will be my first season for spring browns

I appreciate it! I’m prepping all my stuff getting ready for browns! Hoping to redeem myself after last season. 

Hi all, 

long time lurker first time posting. I’m looking for ideas or input on fishing the big lake and setting up my boat. 
 

It’s  my first boat, I’ve been to the big lake a handful of times and I’m ashamed to say I’ve got nothing to show for it. 
 

My boat is an 04 Lowe 16.5 side console 40hp Johnson 2 stroke 

50lb thrust trolling motor (no auto pilot or anchoring)

bow mounted anchor winch 

Older hummingbird fish finder with gps 

I also run navionics on my phone

what I have for equipment is as follows

-2 cannon mini mag electric down riggers 

-2 offshore tackle planer boards 

-2 8lb cannonballs 

-2 10’ dipsey rods 30#braid on okuma low profile line counters 

-2 8’ downrigger rods 30# mono 

-1 450 copper rod 

- 1 250 copper rod 

I have typically run 4 rods, it’s usually only myself and one other person that fit comfortably.

I have an ungodly amount of flys, and spoons, spin doctors and dipseys 

I have 2 big planer board masts I have yet to put up, not sure if I will. 

 

I’ve tried fishing from outside Mexico bay- mouth of the SR and up out of Henderson. I’ll likely try outside Oswego this year, those areas are the ones I am familiar with and hit the most.  
 

I’ve been trying the “100 rule” for example 80’ down 20 feet back. 

 

Conditions have been my biggest limiting factor other than the fact I can’t seem to catch anything.

Ive seen cruising fish and plenty of bait piles but haven’t really come across much else.

I’m just looking for some helpful hints, maybe boat setups or techniques. 
 

I did a charter out of Sodus 2 years ago and took notice of everything I could but I’m also fishing a much less capable boat. 

thanks guys