Pequod1

Here's an update on calling Canada customs. We fished yesterday again and called customs. The phone was answered on the 4th ring and since they had all our info. from the previous trip, we were finished in less than a minute. Even wasted time on a discussion of how the fishing was. And - bye the way - the bass fishing was great.

Had a great day last week drifting crabs on Waverly shoal in Erie. We ran through 3 doz in two hrs. and had bass to 19" The most interesting part of the trip was dealing with Canada Customs. We actually called their reporting number and after a good 10 min wait got a hold of someone. Took another 5 min to go through the questions. In case you decide to fish in Canada, the process was not too painful and a lot better than having your boat confiscated or paying a $1000 fine! It also helps your peace of mind not having to worry. Here's the phone #: 1-888-226-7277

What has helped me in the lake was to use a drop shot rig with a minnow at least 1-2' off the bottom. It kept the gobies off and I still caught plenty of perch. I usually fish for them in the lake off Sodus. Kind of disturbing that you haven't found them yet. They should be there any time now. Good Luck.

It borders Indian land. I usually stop in and get cheaper gas there. Just east of the thruway exit on 5/20.

Take exit 58 off the thruway in Irving. Make a left down 5/20 for 3/4 mile. Rt. at Alleghany rd. You will see Jeromes bait shop at the corner. Stop in if you need bait and info. The launch is the first rt. past the rr tracks. Nice launch and fish cleaning station. I do not know of any other launches other than the ones you mentioned in Buffallo except for one on Ontario St. just north of the Peace bridge. Never been there though.

Good luck. There should be a few boats out there Sat. showing the way. I fish the area a lot and I usually do well staying away from the other boats. If Seneca is too crowded, try Meyers reef, or, get a Canada license and fish just across the line near the roundhouse. The tubes and gulp gobies work dropshotting but live crayfish will slaughter them if you feel like useing bait.

Once in a while, we all get lucky and hit it just right. It looks like you two really nailed it this time. I was off doing a number on the sea bass in New Bedford. Just maybe, I'll have to check out Champlain next year.

I think the bowfin took the best picture Glad you had a good time.

A group that I belong to hires a charter boat out of NH and other areas a number of times a year. The guys have been going since the season opened and have trips scheduled throught the year. P.M me if interested in joining our group.

Tell me about the gas! Luckily, there is a reservation gas station close to Lewiston on 104 that we fill up at. Still $ 3.93 though. I am pretty sure the low water, lack of an ice boom that triggered the run, and the summer we had two weeks ago is responsible for the weak run this year. I just need to get a few more for fluke bait this summer. Great bait.

I will probably try again early this week. Maybe even take W.W.IV along

Well, it was not good. There was very little current when I got there around 8:30 and the water was low and clear. The few I saw moved in small schools of only a handfull and were very smooky. Only two people (rufishin2?) had a good catch but the rest of the 50 or so people at Lewiston probably got zip. I came home with about 3 dozen and they were the smallest smelt I ever got in Niagara. Should have gone to Wegmans!

I am planning on going Thursday. If anyone has gone this week, please post - it is a long trip for me.

Glad I didn't decide to go east. We were at Jewell the entire day with nothing but pin pike. Marked lots of fish at daybreak, but they had lockjaw yesterday.

That is the most impressive catch I have ever seen for Oneida. I know you guys work hard at it. Congrats! In my limited experience, I would recommend a good flasher for Oneida. The few times that we have gone there, the eyes I caught showed up on the unit and I had to move the jig to their level. And, even though it is not safe now, the snowmobile and Atv helped us locate some nice perch last season.

Are you going to fish the contest Mike? I am still waiting for a little bit safer ice on the north shore before heading there.

And I bought a snowmobile because of all the snow on the ice last year!

The one thing I would add to Gators' advise is to go to the CAnoe launch area on the NE side of Canadice real early, use tiny jigs with a mousie and catch some smelt for tip up bait. You should easily get the smelt in 20-30' of water. You can probably walk out from there, set up you tipups an do the jigging thing. Also, keep an ear open for ice conditions at Keuka lake. Lots of lakers there, but you will need a good hard freeze to be safe.

Well Steve, I apologize about the rage comments. It seems that a bad hit is a bad hit. I lost a doe two days ago with the slick tricks. Thought I hit her good too - only at about 15 yds. She walked into a swamp about 100yds away and that was it.

Ray, I am sorry you had to join the "rage club". I had just about the same experience with a big buck two yrs. ago. Watching him trot away with the rage in his shoulder blade was it for me. Went back to the muzzy and now trying slick tricks. Not a single lost deer since I switched back.

I finally got out at red creek/sodus area last eve. I watched a nice 7pt. for 20 min rubbing branches and placing scent everywhere. He was only 18 yds. away but in heavy brush. The doe estrus, I had out had no effect on him and when he walked off, I could not call him in with either the grunt or the bleat. A little later when walking back, I came across two does in the food plot. They were calmly eating and were not even disturbed by me. I kind of figure, they are not quite ready in this area yet.

That rage made a nice hole. Beautifull buck Steve. Congrats.

Perch are still in the bay. W.W. IV. and I were busy the entire morning Thank you Mike