How things have changed .

[SusanJames]

The requirement to have at least two people on the boat prohibits me from entering as I fish almost exclusively solo in my little 15' aluminum. I realize the odds of ever placing are slim to none for me but I would enter just the same. Obviously the science behind the bigger fish being where they are and the limits of my equipment mean my odds are low but there is always that one in a million chance...worse case scenario, I might stumble into a big brown and I'm having a blast fishing anyways so what more could I ask for. 

Edited May 5 by SusanJames
typos

[chinook35]

1 hour ago, SusanJames said:

The requirement to have at least two people on the boat prohibits me from entering as I fish almost exclusively solo in my little 15' aluminum. I realize the odds of ever placing are slim to none for me but I would enter just the same. Obviously the science behind the bigger fish being where they are and the limits of my equipment mean my odds are low but there is always that one in a million chance...worse case scenario, I might stumble into a big brown and I'm having a blast fishing anyways so what more could I ask for. 

 

[chinook35]

I totally agree with that the requirement to not be able to fish solo seems like a big money grab 

lie detector tests are required and sworn statements should be enough. 
there are a number of rules and limitations that have turned me off to the LOC derbies. Seems like it’s turned into a big money maker for the promoter 

[whaler1]

Weather looks good in the morning. 
go fish. 

[whaler1]

Next four days look mint. Good luck all. 

[GAMBLER]

Someone finally weighed a king over 20 in.  Thank god.  This would have been horrible for the LOC if zero kings were weighed in. 

[idn713]

I’ll be honest—and I know I’m not alone here—King trolling has simply become boring. When I started in my teens, I couldn't get enough of it. Probing the deep waters of Lake Ontario was a mystery, and watching a rod pop was the ultimate rush.

But over time, that mystery gave way to predictability and a nagging realization: the boat is doing the fishing.

 

When you’re on a buddy’s boat, the captain and the electronics set the game plan. What’s the actual payoff? Reeling in a fish that was hooked by someone else’s tactics, equipment, and spread while you just happened to be the quickest to the rod.

People will argue it’s a "group effort," but let’s be real: unless you own the boat, you’re just a deckhand. Trolling is exclusive; it keeps the actual "fishing" in the hands of the machine.

 

The thrill of the fight eventually wears off. You become increasingly aware that the boat is dragging the fish; that "screamer" is often just the result of water drag pushing against a frustrated King. After a few years, the novelty fades to the point where you’re begging your buddies to take the rod—especially if it’s a Laker on copper (at which point I’d rather throw the whole rig overboard). Even the appeal of "wild-caught" salmon loses its luster once you admit it doesn't hold a candle to Walleye or panfish.

 

Lately, I’ve become obsessed with jigging because it feels like an actual hunt, offering a level of autonomy that trolling simply can’t match since I'm no longer relying on a motor to move my lure. It provides a direct connection to the fish that makes for the best pound-for-pound fight you can have on light tackle, allowing me to be the true author of the process and the architect of the catch from start to finish. While jigging might never beat trolling in terms of sheer numbers or "efficiency," it has already blown it away in terms of pure enjoyment; if the conditions allow for both, I’m picking up the jigging rod every single time.

[GAMBLER]

1 hour ago, idn713 said:

I’ll be honest—and I know I’m not alone here—King trolling has simply become boring. When I started in my teens, I couldn't get enough of it. Probing the deep waters of Lake Ontario was a mystery, and watching a rod pop was the ultimate rush.

But over time, that mystery gave way to predictability and a nagging realization: the boat is doing the fishing.

 

When you’re on a buddy’s boat, the captain and the electronics set the game plan. What’s the actual payoff? Reeling in a fish that was hooked by someone else’s tactics, equipment, and spread while you just happened to be the quickest to the rod.

People will argue it’s a "group effort," but let’s be real: unless you own the boat, you’re just a deckhand. Trolling is exclusive; it keeps the actual "fishing" in the hands of the machine.

 

The thrill of the fight eventually wears off. You become increasingly aware that the boat is dragging the fish; that "screamer" is often just the result of water drag pushing against a frustrated King. After a few years, the novelty fades to the point where you’re begging your buddies to take the rod—especially if it’s a Laker on copper (at which point I’d rather throw the whole rig overboard). Even the appeal of "wild-caught" salmon loses its luster once you admit it doesn't hold a candle to Walleye or panfish.

 

Lately, I’ve become obsessed with jigging because it feels like an actual hunt, offering a level of autonomy that trolling simply can’t match since I'm no longer relying on a motor to move my lure. It provides a direct connection to the fish that makes for the best pound-for-pound fight you can have on light tackle, allowing me to be the true author of the process and the architect of the catch from start to finish. While jigging might never beat trolling in terms of sheer numbers or "efficiency," it has already blown it away in terms of pure enjoyment; if the conditions allow for both, I’m picking up the jigging rod every single time.

If you find king trolling boring, there is always golf! 

[LongLine]

Guess he's never flown solo.  

[idn713]

1 hour ago, GAMBLER said:

If you find king trolling boring, there is always golf! 

lol I absolutely love golf, one of my favorite hobbies 

[idn713]

7 minutes ago, LongLine said:

Guess he's never flown solo.  

lol, well of course I have silly guy. Caught many many many kings trolling. Just kinda got old. 

[fisherdude]

10 minutes ago, idn713 said:

lol, well of course I have silly guy. Caught many many many kings trolling. Just kinda got old. 

I respect your opinion in years of salmon trolling it can get old. Especially you own the boat Supply the gear pay for the gas you bring your buddies they barely give you gas money break and lose the gear. Caught all the fish . 

[HB2]

5 hours ago, idn713 said:

I’ll be honest—and I know I’m not alone here—King trolling has simply become boring. When I started in my teens, I couldn't get enough of it. Probing the deep waters of Lake Ontario was a mystery, and watching a rod pop was the ultimate rush.

But over time, that mystery gave way to predictability and a nagging realization: the boat is doing the fishing.

 

When you’re on a buddy’s boat, the captain and the electronics set the game plan. What’s the actual payoff? Reeling in a fish that was hooked by someone else’s tactics, equipment, and spread while you just happened to be the quickest to the rod.

People will argue it’s a "group effort," but let’s be real: unless you own the boat, you’re just a deckhand. Trolling is exclusive; it keeps the actual "fishing" in the hands of the machine.

 

The thrill of the fight eventually wears off. You become increasingly aware that the boat is dragging the fish; that "screamer" is often just the result of water drag pushing against a frustrated King. After a few years, the novelty fades to the point where you’re begging your buddies to take the rod—especially if it’s a Laker on copper (at which point I’d rather throw the whole rig overboard). Even the appeal of "wild-caught" salmon loses its luster once you admit it doesn't hold a candle to Walleye or panfish.

 

Lately, I’ve become obsessed with jigging because it feels like an actual hunt, offering a level of autonomy that trolling simply can’t match since I'm no longer relying on a motor to move my lure. It provides a direct connection to the fish that makes for the best pound-for-pound fight you can have on light tackle, allowing me to be the true author of the process and the architect of the catch from start to finish. While jigging might never beat trolling in terms of sheer numbers or "efficiency," it has already blown it away in terms of pure enjoyment; if the conditions allow for both, I’m picking up the jigging rod every single time.

 

 

Could not have said it better myself 

 

I have been saying for years , salmon trolling really isn't fishing . More and more electronics and equipment make it easier to find , stay on , and catch fish .

 

My friends really don't like it.  They would rather fish bass or pike . And to a  certain extent , me too . 

And derby entry numbers , to a large extent , prove that . 

 

I like to troll for salmon , don't get me wrong , but a lot of the mystique is gone . 

[GAMBLER]

14 hours ago, idn713 said:

lol I absolutely love golf, one of my favorite hobbies 

Come on Isaac!  Golf is for people that don't fish!  

[jk1]

I agree.   Jigging is fun =  You catch the fish, the boat just keeps you dry while doing it.   Now I can troll for pike and walleye, while holding te rod.  But I am in a 14 or 16 foot boat.   And casting is fun too......jk

[BRsnow]

I think people use crazy heavy equipment these days. I use 12-14lb on spools with light rods and 20lb on paddles. I know we caught kings to 42lbs in Lake O with 14lb line. It is super fun. All fishing is fun, but Salmon are super fun.

[Lucky D]

When it was the ESLO the prize money was more new boats new trucks those were the days. From pulaski to oswego there was 20 sports stores all open early and closed late. You had to book your room that year for next year. You couldn't get in the Goldenfish restaurant if you fished late and it was open till 10pm.the fall ESLO looked like a floating city in the early morning from Mexico to Sand pond to Oswego. 

[fisherdude]

1 hour ago, Lucky D said:

When it was the ESLO the prize money was more new boats new trucks those were the days. From pulaski to oswego there was 20 sports stores all open early and closed late. You had to book your room that year for next year. You couldn't get in the Goldenfish restaurant if you fished late and it was open till 10pm.the fall ESLO looked like a floating city in the early morning from Mexico to Sand pond to Oswego. 

Perfect description of Mexico Bay you only needed to mention you can walk in any open bait shop in Port Ontario and pick up the best cut bait ever made Rhys Davis for five bucks at 3: 30 am

Edited May 9 by fisherdude
.

[Sk8man]

I don't believe there is a single explanation for the apparent downturn in participation in the LOC or in Lake Ontario trolling in general. Fishing itself seems to have taken a downturn in participation and especially by young people. The onset of the Internet, video games, intensive involvement in children's sports and extracurricular activities among a host of other competing interests has changed the very face of fishing as a desired outlet. Add to this the economic factors mentioned here by others etc. As a kid I lived on the Canandaigua Outlet and fished about every day after school, I had a trap line for muskrats to earn my money for fishing equipment as well as collected bait and night crawlers to sell to get money so I could send away mail order for my equipment. How many kids in today's world could relate to that scenario? The decrease in involvement in the LOC is not the only one that has significantly decreased in participation. The Finger Lakes derbies have also shown a very significant decline to the point that it is a question mark whether they will even be held in the last few years. I remember that there was in excess of 2500 participants in earlier National Lake Trout derbies now just a few hundred. Look around when at the launch ramps and you will note that nearly all of the fishermen are middle to old agers....again too many competing interests for younger folks and the costs are becoming prohibitive. There 6also appears to have been a shift to perch and bass fishing by many former trout and salmon  fishermen. Again ,the many valid points already brought up on here are factors, and when you put it all together the current changes in participation become understandable if not palatable. For me, the derbies have always been more about the challenge above the money and nothing is more exciting to me than seeing families fishing them or kids hooking up with something and getting excited. At this point in life I appreciate just being alive and getting out on the water and having a good time regardless of my catching success. 

[BRsnow]

I don't fish derbies unless it just aligns with being out there anyways. I love fishing. I was guide/tournament muskie angler for a while and realized making it business took away from the joy I experience on the water. I do however enjoy taking out new people and teaching them fish. Some of my fondest memories are Lake O with my late father and my Uncle, who I will be Salmon fishing with on a Lake Oahe in July. He is 86 and still gets after it on Lake Huron. I do hope they figure out the fishery. There is something about king salmon fishing when it could be a mid 30's to 40 lb fish. Sure MI and WI still get those fish ,but not like Lake O did. It wasn't just a needle in the haystack. 

 

Cranking in mid teens to mid twenties on 30-40 mono, that is just a different deal. I do also realize there are fleas now. It just seems quantity vs quality is the goal. I like giants. These tournaments in Lake O were based on the giants. You get giants, you get crowds again.

[cnyh2ofowler]

I love to fish. Troll, cast, ice, bobber, lake, river, ocean. We eat a lot of fish. Salmon, walleye, tuna, halibut and it is nice to catch it yourself and give it to people to enjoy. There is a decrease in the number of anglers everywhere and I agree that everyone, but me, seems to be getting older. Caught my first salmon on the Platte river in Michigan 51 years ago when I was 8. Not as many kids fishing today which is not good for the future of the sport.

[HB2]

And another thing 

 

The Brown trout prize should be bigger and more played up than it is. 

 

Maybe a lot of Kings all over this year but a lot of years most kings are west of the Oak . 

 

That way guys can enter , target browns with chance of big payout . 

I remember they gave a big boat for Salmon and smaller for big brown. 

[GAMBLER]

16 minutes ago, HB2 said:

And another thing 

 

The Brown trout prize should be bigger and more played up than it is. 

 

Maybe a lot of Kings all over this year but a lot of years most kings are west of the Oak . 

 

That way guys can enter , target browns with chance of big payout . 

I remember they gave a big boat for Salmon and smaller for big brown. 

Good luck with that!  Kings are the premier target on the lake.  They draw the most participants.  With participation down, prize money isn't going anywhere but down.  

[Gator]

I love trolling, but Isaac has a great point. Somewhere, the line got blurred between fishing and simply operating machinery to catch a fish. Many of the accoutrements that we use to increase our chances of finding and hooking fish get in the way - yeah, they make you a "better" fisherman, maybe, but do they allow you to enjoy the simple thrill that got us all hooked when we were kids? As I've become more experienced and accumulated better toys, I actually think I experience less joy.

 

That's one reason I love fishing out of my kayak so much. I use a paddle, it's a PITA to keep position, I don't have a livescope so I'm not glued to the screen (I get enough screen time when I'm not outdoors), and ultimately IMHO it's more rewarding. Same goes for fly fishing the rivers out West. There's nothing between me and the fish. I read the water, I choose the fly, and I fail spectacularly all on my own.

 

There's certainly no wrong way to fish, and different strokes and all, but I guess one question we could all ask ourselves: for you, is fishing an end or a means? 

[HB2]

4 hours ago, GAMBLER said:

Good luck with that!  Kings are the premier target on the lake.  They draw the most participants.  With participation down, prize money isn't going anywhere but down.  

Most years , you have very little chance to win big salmon unless you fish Olcott west and really ,including this year . 

Yup , kings are the man  but if the prize was bigger , maybe more east end guys would participate . 

But thats just an observation . 

 

Lovin my row boat . At some point , and I have been saying this for some time , some of you guys have to ask yourself the question , " what are we really doing here , is this fishing or a video game ? "