Congrats cronoticed with that nice laker, a sign of good things to come on Cayuga I hope!
Spoke to you briefly Saturday at the ramp, I was the guy trying to get the Sea Ray started (needs new points). I jigged a couple hours earlier in the a.m. without much luck, cold water still gripping mid-lake...
...launched at Long Pt. Sat, very few laker marks north toward the college, same heading to camp at King Ferry. Water temps 36 - 39 along the way.
Areyounuts - Bottom was littered with dead gobies off dock.
Warm the guide wrap using a hairdryer, then gently cut the wrap up the GUIDE FOOT toward the guide ring using a razor blade or scalpel - avoid scraping on the bare blank if possible. Your thumbnail combined with a bit of light heat works as a wonderful tool to scrape any remaining wraps off. Also, mask the guide wrap(s) off before removing, which helps protect the blank and also serves as a location reference for the new guide. Hope this helps!
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Thanks for the kind words fellas, appreciated.
Glad to help if I can Sean, holler anytime.
Mike
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Hey Ed, don't let the needle in the haystack get you down -- The rest of us "hay bales" thoroughly enjoy your posts!
Here's my "fish-whisperer" Tucker...
good spot:
bad spot:
Spent Friday on Cayuga jigging with my buddy Chris. Great to be out after a long hiatus. Found the bite sporadic overall (typical bluebird day), but we managed to catch a bunch of fiesty, clean lakers. Best of luck to all in Barney's derby, my son & I planned to enter but a flu has created other plans for me this weekend.
Chris landed this nice leaper, released to fight another day...
Thanks very much, appreciated. I use stabilizer for storage and still use gas-treatment during the fishing season even though it's ethanol-free gas. Will check into the impeller replacement, thanks again!
I have a 2011 Merc 4-stroke 25hp efi. I usually change the oil, oil filter, and gear lube in October, cover the boat and store it outside for the winter. I only use ethanol-free gas. I'm wondering if any additional maintenance should be performed, such as replacing the impeller. Also, I was told by a marine rep that there is no need to unplug the tank and run the gas out of the engine, something I had habitually done in the past. Just wondered what your experienced thoughts are on this! Many Thanks!
My .02 fwiw...been at this game awhile, still learning...
I have good luck using a painfully-slow jigging motion of only a foot or so on/off bottom, always a tight line, set the hook on any slack.
Like Guff mentioned, a horizontal approach often works well. Also, try letting the jig sit motionless on bottom for awhile, then rip it up quickly and gradually slow down to meet the speed of any chasing fish, don't stop reeling.
As mentioned in posts above, keep your jig above any rising fish, then reel away if they're interested ("Getaway mode"). Seems the less they can inspect your offering the better - they become educated ("edjigucated"?) fast. Don't sit and pound away on non-responsive fish - move.
Chasers will hook themselves, no need to cross their eyes with a stout hookset.
I also enjoy using my custom 7', med-heavy, mod-fast rod (Cayuga) and a flipping reel spooled with 8lb mono when the chasing's good, which I'll dare say is a majority of the time. The flipping switch comes in very handy for jigging. I resort back to braid on a bit faster rod when they're more bottom-prone.
Have patience, the bite cycles throughout the day (and month).
Try a lighter, 3/4 or 5/8oz jighead on occasion, even in deep water. Sometimes they seem to prefer a slower-falling meal.
I wholeheartedly agree with Dawsonscreek - treat yourself and enjoy a jigging trip with John Gaulke, www.fingerlakesanglingzone.com . I retired my trolling gear many years ago after do so. (Warning - an addiction will shortly follow! )
Have fun, Mike
Interesting post! My favorite pre-dawn - 9am or so morning jigging trips on Cayuga are usually productive (I enjoy the peace and coffee too!), but I've experienced several humbling afternoon/evening trips just the same. Sun/moon cycles, cloud cover, barom. pressure, who knows....that's the fun of it. May need to try a late-evening trip sometime though. Nice to see Cayuga on the rebound this year, we're really blessed with this fishery.
First trip of year for my son & I yesterday also, Hammondsport end. Good time, weather was almost too nice. Found cooperative fish at all depths, usual staple of white & seafoam shakers did the trick.
MEC model 8567 "Grabber" 12ga progressive shotshell reloader, lightly used, works great - in excellent condition. Includes dust cover, powder baffle, and large bag of Claybuster wads. $275 firm. Located in S. Tier of NY - Will deliver for free to Finger Lakes/ N. PA area within reason, otherwise add $25 for UPS shipping (to U.S. address-only please.) PayPal accepted.
This is a feature-packed, comfortable, functional boat - I have the tiller model and enjoy it immensely on Cayuga. Plenty of room and very stable for a 16' r.