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Finders Keepers

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  1. There will be an informational meeting on Sat. April 9th starting at Noon in the back banquet room of Capt. Jack's on Sodus Point for all those interested in learning about the Next Gen Tourneys, why they are being formed, the advantages and benefits of these events versus the current tournament events, what type of events are possible, the formation of the tournament committee that will oversee and orchestrate the upcoming Next Gen events, look at the future scope of these events, and offer an open floor for anglers to voice their opinions/ideas/intuitions - full details to be disclosed/determined at the meeting including this year's events/dates, and (pending guidance from the formed tourney committee) will be released publicly later this spring. All anglers are welcome, both amateurs and pro's, those who are new to the sport to those seasoned veterans and everyone in between. Here is your chance to chime in and help guide the creation, planning, and execution of the new tournaments for Lake Ontario that benefit our fishery and local communities, provide an unbiased and fair playing field unlike any other, encourage youth engagement, and are 100% transparent. While the current focus will be on the Sodus Bay area, anglers from other ports are encouraged to attend and look at the feasibility of running Next Gen events out of other ports, and the possibility of multi-port events. It's time to bring back the fun of tourney fishing on a superior platform with unlimited possibilities - come out, see the potential of what lies ahead, and become a part of the change!
  2. I have started a new set of next generation tournament events run on the Fish Donkey App platform that are nationwide and only for yellow perch, called the USA Perch Showdown Events. There will be a spring event and a fall event. The Spring event will run from March 1 through April 16th at Noon with a $25/angler entry. The cash payout is based on number of entrees and sponsor prizes will be added in when available - this year the first place beyond the cash payout will receive an Amped Outdoors Lithium Ion Battery. Get all the details and register at: USA Spring Perch Showdown
  3. until
    The statewide 2025 NYS Summer Classic Tournament will once again feature 3 events in one: All-In-One Large Species Event ($25/angler entry)(Salmon, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Steelhead/Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Northern Pike/Tiger Musky, and Sheepshead) All-In-One Small Species Event ($25/angler entry)(LMB, SMB, Rock Bass, Crappie, Yellow Perch, Panfish (sunfish & bluegill), and Catfish. Lake Ontario Boat Event ($125/boat entry)(Top-5 biggest salmon or trout combined) (NOTE: anglers entered in the All-In-One Large Species Event and the LO Boat Event can enter the same fish into both events) Run on the Fish Donkey App, fish are entered by length rounded down to the nearest 1/4". This next generation tournament event features real-time fish entry with LIVE leaderboards, C&R option for all fish entered (angler's choice), huge sponsor backing, and concludes with a formal awards ceremony and sportsman show (when available) at the Batavia Downs Casino Resort. The cash payout is guaranteed at 80+% based on number of anglers/boats entered plus sponsor funding and prizes. Get all the details, registration info, and latest sponsor information at: NYS Summer Classic
  4. until
    This is the only salmon event that includes all of the Great Lakes (USA and Canada) in a unified competition for salmon! The event is entered by boat, with all salmon being caught on the registered boat being eligible for entry no matter who catches it (captain, mates, charter clients, friends, family, etc.). Placement is based on your Top-5 fish combined length, with each rounded down to the nearest 1/2". Boats upsize their total all season long using the Fish Donkey App allowing for real-time leaderboards, C&R option for all fish (angler's choice), and a whole lot of fun!! There are two levels of play (amateur for $125 and pro for $250), with an 80+% payout (based on number of entrees) plus sponsored prizes and crystal awards for the winners. Get the full scope of the events plus all the rules & regulations at: glssevents.com
  5. My Way Charters out of Sodus is another option, and we offer education charters if you're interested in learning how to run spreads, specifics to look for, etc. with a hands-on experience. Drop me a PM if interested.
  6. Another amazing event in the books! Just under 400 fish entered, over 500 participants from all across the Northeast USA, and after the awards ceremony on March 19th at the Batavia Downs Casino Resort we will have given away over $30,000 in cash and prizes! Can't wait to see which two of our youth anglers walk away with Lifetime NYS Fishing Licenses and who wins the Aqua-Vu HD7i Pro camera system! See all the results at: Leaderboard Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors, including LOU!! We hope to see just as many anglers getting into the upcoming 2022 NYS Summer Classic! Best of luck to everyone in the open water season and we'll see you all next ice season!!
  7. **Tourney Update** The 2022 NYS Winter Classic is off to an amazing start this year! We have over 520 anglers competing this year making the current cash payouts for all 7 species divisions: 1st Place = $545 2nd Place = $295 3rd Place = $195 PLUS Weekly Cash Awards = $41/species/week PLUS Shoreline B&T Bass Cash Awards ($150/$100/$50) PLUS the Grantley's B&T Youth Lifetime Fishing License Award PLUS the Climbing Bines Youth Lifetime Fishing License Award PLUS 14 Youth Angler Achievement Awards PLUS a ton of prizes and giveaways to offload at the awards ceremony March 19th at Batavia Downs! Anglers can register at any time for only $25 but must do so the day before they wish to start entering fish - register at: NYS Winter Classic Registration There is still over 4 weeks of tourney action left - gotta be in it to win it!! Best of luck and tight lines!
  8. Last call for getting in for the Kick-Off Door Prize Drawings TONIGHT AT 7PM - anglers must be registered by NOON FRI DEC. 31ST to be eligible. Anglers will still be able to register later but will need to register the day before they wish to start entering fish! Pictured are the trophies for the Top-3 anglers in each of the 7 main species divisions. Youth Angler Achievement Award Trophies are still TBA. NOTE: We've made some additions to the NYS Winter Classic in the FishDonkey app. You will need to refresh your app. Here's how: Go to the app home screen and place your finger about 1/3 of the way down the page. Drag your finger to the bottom of the screen. You will see a roving circle. That's it! If you can see the Bass Division Leaderboard you are all set! We would also like to give a huge shout out to all of the sponsoring companies for this year's event: Batavia Downs, Aqua-Vu, Kahtoola, Climbing Bines Craft Ale Co., Shoreline B&T, Automatic Fisherman, Hammer Built Homes, Fish Hounds Outdoors, The Glow Tub, Fish Donkey, Grantley's B&T, Ontario Seafood, FishUSA, hagemann's B&T, Amped Outdoors, Reel Cool Lures, Soco Baits, Walleye Freak, Sportsman's Warehouse, TJ Morgan's Seasonings, NE Bait Supply, Rocky Mt. Custom Jigs, Fillet Away Fish Mats, Treat Taxidermy, Makiplastic, Addicted Fishing, Coldwater Customz, Tim's Herks, Jiffy Ice Drills, Frabill, Plano, Deep Freeze, Vital Signs & Design, Hirsch Taxidermy, Koyote Ugly Spoons, Sullivan Tip Down, Celox, Nautic Sport, Green Mt. Sporting Supplies, Ice Strong, BHammer Tackle, Adirondack Fishing Junkies, Ice Fishing Tournament Guide, Nebulus, Factory Direct Trailers, NY Outdoor Talk, Savage Gear, Lake Ontario United, Ice Fishing Fanatics, Filer's Power Sports, and Ice Fishing 247. Best of luck to everyone in tonight's drawings and tight lines to all for the next two months of tourney action!!
  9. A few updates/announcements as mentioned on the Tourney Facebook Page: New this year: *Shoreline B&T Cash awards for the Top-3 Bass ($150 / $100 / $50) *Grantley's B&T Youth Lifetime Fishing License Award *Climbing Bines Youth Lifetime Fishing License Award *14 Youth Angler Achievement Awards (7 male, 7 female) *Premier trophies for all Top-3 anglers *New 2022 Sponsors: Climbing Bines Craft Ale Co., Walleye Freak, Grantley's Bait & Tackle, Ontario Seafood, The Glow Tub, Hagemann's Bait & Tackle, Coldwater Customz, TJ Morgan's Seasoning, Sportsman's Warehouse, Shoreline Bait & Tackle, NE Bait Supply, and Amped Outdoors *4" and 6" tourney decals now available at Grantley's B&T Today we received the Aqua-Vu camera systems to give away in this year's event, including an HD7i Pro system valued at $850! Just a reminder, for any youth registered in the event this year, they will need to have the word "YOUTH" after their registered name to be identified as a youth angler and be eligible for the NYS Lifetime Fishing License Awards. With so many new sponsors coming onboard over the last couple weeks, we will be making a new flier for the 2022 event - stay tuned for the new design and downloadable file! It's not too late if you have a company willing to sponsor the event (or if you know of a company that could benefit from statewide exposure), get them in touch with us now to discuss sponsorship details and get them listed! Register before December 31st at noon to be eligible for the $1,800+ in door prize drawings including at least one Aqua-Vu camera system!
  10. **Pre-Tourney Update** There are now 390 anglers registered in the event which has boosted the payouts for each of the 7 species divisions to: 1st Place = $420 2nd Place = $218 3rd Place = $145 PLUS Weekly Cash Awards = $30/week/species for all 7 species. PLUS Monthly Prizes for the leading fish at the end of January. PLUS two Youth Lifetime License Awards. PLUS over $3,500 in door prizes yet to be given out. PLUS trophies for all the Top-3 winners. PLUS Cash Awards for the Top-3 Bass ($150/$100/$50). PLUS additional awards and youth giveaways! We have more sponsors adding to the prize structure almost daily - like and follow the tourney Facebook Page to stay up on all the tourney news, announcements, and updates! Register today (only $25) to be eligible for all remaining drawings and giveaways, and plan to attend the awards ceremony at the Batavia Downs Casino on March 19th! Simply go to NYSwinterclassic.com or fishdonkey.com
  11. 6" and 4" decals will be available starting next week at Grantley's in Ontario and Davenport's on Sodus Bay, additional locations later in December.
  12. **Pre-Tourney Update** The winning starts Dec. 1st - are you ready?? Registrations continue to flood in pushing the guaranteed cash payouts higher for all 7 species divisions (245 entrees): 1st Place = $285 2nd Place = $135 3rd Place = $92 PLUS Weekly Cash Awards = $19/species/week for the largest in each division! PLUS over $17,000 in sponsored cash & prizes to win! Anglers have until tomorrow (Nov. 30th) at midnight to enter and be eligible for the Early Bird Drawings and Day 1 of the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! Then for each remaining day through Dec. 12th, to be eligible for the drawing that day entrees must be received by Noon. Here are just some of the prizes up for grabs: *New Kahtoola Ice Products *HT Jig Packs *Automatic Fisherman Base Kits *Fillet Away Mats *Ice Rods & Combos *Northland Lures *TJ Morgan's Seasonings *Gift Certificates *Makiplastic Baits *Reel Cool Lure Packs *Hammer Walleye Harnesses *Frabill Ice Products *Magnum Bait Stations *Automatic Fisherman Snappers *Hand Augers *Ice Well Live Wells w/ Gear *Kahtoola Microspikes *Ice Safety Kits *Addicted Apparel We'll post the full list of confirmed sponsors in tomorrow night's Facebook post, then we'll start highlighting them one by one all through the month of December leading up to the start of the event on January 1st! If there are any other companies or individuals who would like to support the event via sponsorship or in any other capacity, please drop us a PM with the details of your support. We greatly appreciate all of our sponsoring companies and individuals who help make these events possible!! To register, simply visit NYSwinterclassic.com and follow the links, or go directly to fishdonkey.com and search for "NYS" to find the 2022 event. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Register TODAY and join in the fun this winter season!!
  13. Thank you! We are hoping to have decals available at local tackle shops in December when tourney posters are distributed. They will also be available at the NYS Spring Classic Sportsman Show and Winter Classic Awards Ceremony in March. There is also customizable apparel available now at: Classic Tourney Apparel
  14. until
    A statewide fishing tournament event that includes all waterways of NY State (ice and open water) from January 1st through February 28th. Includes 7 species divisions (pike, walleye, trout, pickerel, crappie, yellow perch, and panfish) for a $25/angler entry fee. Cash payouts based on number of angler entrees, plus weekly cash awards, monthly prize awards, and multiple prize giveaways. Fish are entered via length using the Fish Donkey App on angler cell phones at the time of the catch, and can be kept or released once entered. Full details can be found at: NYSwinterclassic.com
  15. We have started to put together the prize listing for the upcoming Early Bird Drawings and 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways! Check them out at: Prize Listing (scroll towards the bottom of the page) To be eligible, simply register before December 1st on Fish Donkey: Tourney Entry If you have never fished the event before, or if it has been a few years, join in the fun this season and see why so many anglers love the new format, higher payouts, and prize giveaways!
  16. Registration for the 2022 NYS Winter Classic is open! With over 600 participants last year we are looking to top 1,000 this year which would generate a cash payout over $18,700 (including both Weekly & Monthly Cash Prizes for the largest fish entered in each division) plus over $10k in product giveaways! Register before December 1st to get in on the Early Bird Drawings and 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways featuring a brand new product from Kahtoola! There will also be a round of door prizes drawn on Dec. 31st and a second round at the awards ceremony at Batavia Downs on March 19th. Current sponsors include: Batavia Downs Casino, Plano, Frabill, Kahtoola, Jiffy, Automatic Fisherman, Okuma, Addicted Fishing, Nautic Start, Fish Donkey, Fillet Away Fish Mats, Deep Freeze, Reel Cool Lures, Vital Signs, Koyote Ugly Spoons, Celox, Factory Direct Trailers, Lake Ontario United, Ice Fishing Finactics, and Green Mt. Sporting Supplies. (More too come) For tourney information and to register, visit: NYSwinterclassic.com Tourney Specifics: Dates: Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2022 Location: All NY State Waterways Cost: $25/angler (register in Fish Donkey) Species Divisions: Pike, Walleye, Trout, Pickerel, Crappie, Yellow Perch, Panfish Fish Placement: By Length Fish Entry: Via the Fish Donkey Platform
  17. Check out the initial run here: https://www.facebook.com/545253593/videos/pcb.10160558045033594/379349940391995 I will upload the entire adventure to my YouTube channel when I get some time to upload it all.
  18. Most of the time, although I did get tired a couple times and had to take a brief break (when I captured video and pics). I also had the capt. take over in the beginning to show me how much pressure to put on the rod/line as I have never used such heavy fishing gear before. It was such an adrenaline rush, especially the first time it came across the back of the boat so we could see it - amazing!!
  19. It was interesting to talk with the locals there, as well as the guy who processes the fish (one of the guys from the show). The price per lb is actually figured out when the fish is sold in the market, not at the time it is taken (like on the show). Prices can be higher for smaller higher quality fish, but they tend to be exaggerated on the show. This one will likely price out around $8/lb according to the current market and what the capt. expected to receive.
  20. It was a free trip for me to go out with them, so it went to the capt. However, I was able to keep the cut they used to grade it and the tail section that we were able to slice around 10 more cuts off of and I will be able to make a tail mount with it. It was a trip of a lifetime and and PB that will be hard to beat! More importantly though I have made some amazing friends in that fishery to share more experiences with both here and up there in the future!
  21. Had the amazing opportunity this past weekend to travel to Maine to target shark and bluefin tuna. I was invited by one of my educational charter clients to join him for a day, but then got upgraded to a larger boat with one of his friends who had an extra seat for an overnight trip. In the middle of the night while trying to jig up some squid, we hooked up on the main rod rigged with a live Pogie. For the first 10 minutes it stayed deep without doing much, and we thought we had hooked into a large shark. Then it streaked to the surface and made a massive run! We knew we had a large tuna on at that point and began what would be an almost 2-hr battle until we tail-roped it. Once in the boat it measured 101" and weighed an estimated 650-700 lbs! Back at the dock it became the talk of the town with people coming from all over to see it as we all waited for the market truck to arrive to process the fish and get an official dressed weight - 519 lbs! One of the largest caught this season in that area, a fish of a lifetime! An unbelievable experience!!
  22. The 2021 NYS Summer Classic Fishing Tournament concluded earlier this week with some very close races for the top spots, including the Top Lake Ontario Boat pulling into the lead by only a 1/2" on the last day as they competed for the $1,000 cash bonus award put up by Batavia Downs! Here are the final results of all three events: Small/Inshore Species Event: Largemouth Bass: 1) Andy Cozzolino Jr. - 22.00" 2) Jose Vuittonet - 21.25" 3) David Muir - 21.00" 4) Charles Hodencamp - 21.00" Smallmouth Bass: 1) Kathleen Muir - 21.00" 2) David Muir - 20.50" 3) Michael Hunt - 19.50" 4) Steven Trumpowsky - 19.50" Crappie: 1) Zach Waterman - 16.75" 2) Jason Stevens - 14.50" 3) David Muir - 13.25" 4) Andy Cozzolino Jr. - 12.50" Rock Bass: 1) Jose Vuittonet - 11.50" 2) Jared Raimo - 11.50" 3) Dan White - 11.25" 4) Andy Cozzolino Jr. Panfish: 1) Jared Raimo - 11.00" 2) Jason Stevens - 9.75" 3) Jason Cecce - 9.50" 4) Dan White - 9.50" Yellow Perch: 1) David Muir - 14.00" 2) Kathleen Muir - 13.75" 3) Dan White - 13.25" 4) Ryan Shellman - 13.00" Catfish: 1) Eric Scordo - 32.75" 2) Erik Williams - 32.25" 3) Leah Cavallario - 32.00" 4) Cody Moffitt - 31.00" Large/Offshore Species Event: Salmon: 1) Wayne Culverwell - 40.75" 2) Chris Petrucci - 39.00" 3) Frank Kohlbach - 38.25" 4) Jonathan Perry - 38.00" Lake Trout: 1) Cameron Hasner - 35.00" 2) Sarah Miller - 34.25" 3) Frank Kohlbach - 34.00" 4) Guy Rosenbarker - 32.50" Brown Trout: 1) Frank Kohlbach - 26.75" 2) Brandy Stone - 22.00" 3) TJ Palkovic - 14.25" 4) Andy Cozzolino Jr. - 12.50" Steelhead/Rainbow Trout: 1) Jackson Kruszynski - 31.00" 2) Liam Devries - 27.25" 3) James Kane - 26.50" 4) Brandy Stone - 26.00" Pike/Tiger Musky: 1) Frank Kohlbach - 37.00" 2) Bobby Bulger - 32.50" 3) David Muir - 32.00" 4) Robert White - 28.00" Land Locked Salmon: 1) Brandy Stone - 16.50" 2) None 3) None 4) None Walleye: 1) Bob Rustowicz - 31.25" 2) Cameron Hasner - 31.00" 3) Frank Kohlbach - 31.00" 4) Sarah Miller - 29.00" All 1st Place winners will receive a cash award, trophy, prize package, and free overnight accommodations at Batavia Downs, 2nd and 3rd Place winners will receive a trophy and prize package, and 4th Place winners will receive a $25 FishUSA gift card. Lake Ontario Boat/Team Event: Top-5 Combined Salmon & Trout: 1) Nate Stephenson - 194.50" 2) David Urban - 194.00" 3) Lucas Falkner - 73.25" 4) Liam Devries - 34.00" The 1st Place Boat/Team will receive the $1,000 Cash Bonus Award from Batavia Downs, cash award from the event, crystal trophy, prize package, and overnight accommodations for up to 3 rooms at Batavia Downs. The 2nd Place Team will receive a trophy and prize package, and the 3rd & 4th Place Teams will receive prize packages. The awards ceremony will occur at Batavia Downs Casino on September 18th at 6:30 following the NYS Fall Sportsman Show (10am-3pm) and BBQ dinner banquet (5pm-6:30pm). Anyone can attend the show, banquet (registration required), and awards ceremony including youth/minors where we will have giveaways, raffles, and drawings including the youth gear giveaway where we will be loading up the youth anglers in attendance with new gear to use in the upcoming seasons! This is always the highlight of the evening!! After the awards ceremony is the After Party in the casino for some fun on the slots machines and often live entertainment. If you missed this year's event, the show and awards can give you an idea of where these events are building towards, and the next generation of tournament events. Aspects of next year's events (2022 NYS Winter Classic, 2022 Oneida Lake Walleye Classic Opener, 2022 NYS Hudson River Classic, 2022 NYS Summer Classic, 2022 Great Lakes Salmon Showdown, and the 2022 Finders Keepers Corporate Challenge Series) will be discussed at the 11am seminar at the show, and improvements to the events will be presented/discussed at the awards ceremony. Unlike other events, the Classic events are driven and improved by angler input to produce fun and exciting tournaments on a fair playing field for all and with 100% transparency. With an 80-85% payout (unlike the 20-25% payout of other similar competitions), the payouts will continue to build towards monumental amounts as more anglers realize the benefits of these events. If you haven't tried the new Classic events utilizing the Fish Donkey platform and C&R option, I highly recommend trying one of the 2022 events next year! There is a reason they have virtually no negative feedback, continued growth, and near 100% angler satisfaction - join the next generation of fishing tournaments and have FUN in 2022!! NYS Winter Classic NYS Hudson River Classic NYS Summer Classic Great Lakes Salmon Showdown Any questions or media inquiries regarding the event, show, and upcoming awards ceremony can be directed to me at (585) 330-0494. Tight lines and best of luck to those still competing in the 2021 GLSS this month!!
  23. More additions to the show: -NYRA Awards (sponsor of the 2021 NYS Summer Classic Trophy Awards) -WNY Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management -Reel Cool Lures -Kids activity area with games, coloring, and other fun activities. I am also hoping to have some of the new products from Frabill and Plano for the upcoming ice season to check out before you can but them - there are quite a few new items coming out this year that look fantastic! Also, if you have any used or old gear you would like to sell/trade, we are looking to fill the flea market area and are now offering FREE tables - simply register via PM to me to reserve your space! Those who have confirmed already will be refunded their fee. Show timeline: 6am-10am: Set-up 10am-3pm: The Show 3pm-5pm: Tear Down 5-6:30: Classic BBQ Dinner Banquet w/ Giveaways (open to anyone, registration required - opening soon) 6:30-8:30: NYS Summer Classic Awards Ceremony & Raffles (open to anyone) 8:30-??: After Party in the Casino Giveaways at the show and dinner banquet, along with the raffles, will feature limited edition Koyote Ugly products.
  24. This year's educational trips went amazingly well with most trips scoring some bonus fish. Some of the topics we covered and practiced included: -Running 2 divers on a side -Running a multitude of planer lines using large boards and inline boards -Setting up and deploying downriggers -Using waypoints to track fish movement and alter presentations -Advanced downrigging techniques like sliders and cheaters -Importance of probes -Various lines and their applications, including fluoro leaders -Proper hardware -How to set-up and tune meat rigs -How to set-up various spreads using a multitude of various lines -Go to rigs for various species -How to tie your own fly rigs -Proper storage of various tackle And so much more!! Each class is tailored to what you would like to learn/practice. If you would like to shorten that learning curve, I do have some very limited availability this fall, or you can get a jump on next year's dates by stopping into our booth on Sept. 18th at the NYS Fall Classic Sportsman Show at the Batavia Downs Casino. Listening to someone describe how to do something is completely different than doing it yourself on the water! Join me on the water (or I can join you) and class will be in session! Drop me a PM or give me a call at (585) 330-0494 to schedule your class!
  25. Preceding the 2021 NYS Summer Classic Tournament Awards Ceremony, the NYS Fall Classic Sportsman Show is scheduled for Sept. 18th from 10am-3pm at the Batavia Downs Casino Resort. The event this year will feature vendors, seminars, and a new angler flea market for anyone looking to offload or trade some gear. Booth spaces are $25/space and on a first-reserve basis. There are currently 25 spaces available. If interested, drop me a PM or give me a call at (585) 330-0494 to reserve your booth. The show will be followed by the Summer Classic Awards Banquet (all you can eat BBQ buffet, $25-$30/person), formal awards ceremony with raffles and giveaways, and the after party in the casino. I will have displays for Frabill, Plano, Automatic Fisherman, Okuma, Finders Keepers Fishing & Educational Charters, and Aqua-Vu set-up, where you will be able to see some of the latest gear being offered by these companies, including the new Ultra-lite nets from Frabill, array of Edge Flex boxes from Plano, and many of the Aqua-Vu camera systems. Seminars and full list of vendors TBA in August.
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