Ricbme

Last several years I average 4 fish on hour. This year less than 1. I've had three 4 hour trips with only one catch per trip.. Best day so far was when I took out 2 grand kids and we still fished sawbellies, boated 6 in 2 hours along with several misses. It's gotta be the murkey flood water stired thins up. I fish the west branch. Crazy year so far for sure.

Anyplace selling minnows around Lamoka lake?

Thanks Sk8man for reminding me of the regulation . I knew about the 5 lure (as with a seth green) but all I was thinking was less than 15 points. Guess I better cut them down to 5.

Ok, here is how I get sawbellies. If you go to a bait shop to buy them expect to pay $1 each. My method will cost you $1.50 -$2 and I can use it on several trips if taken care of. We can catch 50-60 in less than 10 minutes, normally by my 7 year old grandson. So the first thing you need is an Ice fishing or small child fishing pole. Next a Sabiki Rig! I never heard of one until I went fishing for Grouper and Red Snapper in the gulf. The first thing on that trip was to get bait, so I naturally figured he was going to use a cast net but he gave me a pole with 1 dozen hooks dressed like a fly and a 1 ounce sinker on the bottom. He said throw it out 20 feet and don't reel until the line is vertical. Imagine my surprise when on the first cast the temptation to set the hook was driving me crazy and when it was obvious the line was not going to be vertical I reeled in 12 six inch bait fish. 3 of us caught over 75 in just a few minutes and in the livewell they went. On our way to the fishing grounds, 90 miles, I got to thinking, why couldn't I use that rig to catch sawbellies? So the next day, off to the salt water bait shop I went and purchased 5 packs @ $1.35 each. Since I was going to use these at night I purchased glow in the dark with #12 hooks. Back in NY, on Keuka, and after I told the guys we were not buying bait tonight I rigged it up on an ice rod. We put the light in the water and once we saw a just a few darting around, I tossed the line out about 15 feet, let it go til vertical and I feel them on. My buddies expressions were priceless. I brought in 9 on the first cast and from then on everyone had to have a turn. I used the same rig on at least six trips catching well over 100, well worth the $1.35. My grandkids have a blast with it. Not only catches sawbellies but also bluegill, perch and sunfish off the dock. Here is a link with more info. You can buy them online or tie up some like Dick said. http://www.theonlinefisherman.com/how-to-all/440-how-to-tie-all-fishing-knots/6203-how-to-use-a-sabiki-rig-for-bait

3 trips on Keuka in the last 7 day's and it has definitely changed. Lots of fleas and tons of weed pockets on the west side from the bluff to Stone Point. The wire dipseys couldn't run 20 minutes before they had to be pulled in cause of the weeds. Crazy thing is the little lakers (several under 15") off riggers 120 over 150+FOW and the 4-6 pounders caught flat lining deep diver Rapalas. I thought we might grab a bass and was surprised to land 4 decent sized lakers. I think I'm gonna grab some sawbellies next and try some live bait fishing!

In response to Sk8man, we normally fish from the bluff to Gold Seal, but last weekend we went straight to Stone Point and did large circles in the center of the lake. Fished all rods with the same exact gold lure just to see if everyone we took home would be a female. Fished 3 hours with one 6lb2oz and the rest of the keepers 15" to 21" with several released under 15". Again like I said, all females. Next trip out, no gold just to see if it's a female thing!

OK, so on our first 4 trips on Keuka, my Grandson and I have kept 38 lakers. Catching limits on this lake is pretty easy and we keep them them all over 15" and after filleting them, they go to friends and family after we have a Saturday night fish cookout. So here is where it gets interesting. Every laker we have caught has been a female with eggs. Yes, 38 females! I noticed it after cleaning them the Saturday before last and I'll be darned, the 8 we brought home last Saturday were again all female with eggs. I was just curious if anyone else other than myself thought this was unusual? Oh, let me add one more thing, we have caught everyone on the same lures! We fish with 2 riggers and 2 divers and use gold Laker Takers on all four. They have always worked for us so why change. We catch them from 3 lbs to 7 lbs. Maybe this Saturday we will try another color to see if we catch any males.

Looking for a mount or if anyone knows of any other brands that will fit an Invader commander 3000 downrigger. Even tho the company has a web site and phone I have given up after 2 weeks of trying. Does anyone have a solution.