panfisher

U should have been there when the guy would land and take off his floatplane there. Kept it down by California Pt. And there is always some guy tooling around in a big, noisy water skiing type craft.. Is that what you were referring to as a "Donzi"? Always a good warm water fish lake though.

Fisherman21... Just wiki'd up the story on the grass carp....noticed they were introduced for some of the same reasons the bighead and silvers were, but not in the same places (catfish farmers in the south). They are not at all like their benthic feeding cousins and seem like they would b great fighters compared 2 the common carp. Had no idea they were even around upstate NY... Will give them a try. And they say here that they are wary feeders as U have stated. Thanx.....(BTW... will definitely release any, if any, are caught, and will explore by myself!).

Nice catch and movie man! First of the year and biggest ever....? SSWWWeeeeeet!! One thing though. Not to be critical or anywhere near that, but was that fish 2 big 4 it's britches? Seems like the fight (from the video) was not that, well, strong or energetic. I've seen that in big guys of several different fish, not always of course, but enough times, even with big kings, a smaller version will fight even harder. Like a big heavy whatever has enough issues just to move itself around!!! Could have something to do with temps or time of year or just individual personality... Anywhoo, great fish and video. Congratulations!!

True for the traffic. This used to be one of the best smallmouth lakes around, and has always been known for the buckets. I caught a nice 6 1/2lb brute biggie there and have seen bigger. And a nice 5lb. smallie (scale weight) on a bright yellow grub body 1/8 oz jig in mud brown water which had been stirred up by wind and rain about 4 years ago...In early spring before tons of pleasure craft hit the water, we used to regularly pick dozens of beautiful smallies right next 2 shore all along the north and east shores... really easy and fun...on grub tailed jigs. That seems to have slowed down in recent years. But, perhaps we have not gotten out as early in the year, though. All were released of course. Mostly largemouths these days, and walleyes, too. Nothing wrong with that!

The less needed or used for good results, the better, in many cases...!!! Well done.... sounds like a blast!

fisherman21... Yeah if anyone knows, U should about that one (hermit's comment)... Unless, of course U R going out the the west coast, where it is legal to catch and keep sturgeon. In California the legal take for white sturgeon is 1 per person per day, all year long. Kept fish between 46 and 66 inches only! Green sturgeon R illegal...

One thing is certain.... from smallmouths to perch to walleyes and largemouths and pike and yes, even cormorants, they are all CHOWING DOWN on of the gobies!! They must be tasty and easy 2 get... like hamburgers.... Love to C the underwater McGobie's drive-up window line!!

Great looking smallies.... I've caught them in the St.Lawrence in deeper channels about 40ft down on the bottom still fishing with drop sinkers (bells) using nightcrawlers... they seemed 2 b competing with nice American eels, as you were not sure which had your bait till they got to within 10-15ft of the surface. The eels would b pulling hard but did not "run" so much and the smallies would. Reason being that the eels would almost always wrap themselves in a tangled ball with the line....They both put up great fights all the way into the boat....both would have lots of energy, but the smallies could channel it into more of a fight than just a struggle....(if that makes any sense !)

Those bluefish are tasty too!!!

Had 2 ask...Who knows...U might have given it up! Those R nice fish. Aren't they one of the carps that were introduced in the south by catfish farmers and spread and now might get into the Great Lakes via Chicago shipping canal. Not to get anyone stirred up. It is obvious they R not the phytoplankton eaters like the bigheads, or come flying out of the water with any boat noise like that other family member (silver carp?)...Those look sweet though. Do they fight any tougher than commons? And thanks for the tip....won't abuse it..

B4 the gobies, it was easy to drop down anything anywhere and bring up nice smallies in the Big O. Now in many areas the gobies get 2 the lures or bait before the smallies can. But, the smallies are still there and getting fatter than ever on the gobies. The bass have adjusted, but many fisherman haven't and I believe, mistakenly think cormorants or egg eating gobies or any # of other things have driven the smallies out. I DON'T THINK SO! Does everybody understand how remarkably bold smallies are, even along side there bigger largemouth cousins? Biggies will spook where smallies will come in and investigate.... Anyway, john1947, your diver buddies verify what really is happening down there (I like the 'eyes too). I hear of more being caught in the main lake lately, and have my own experience with the 'eyes as well. Look for more #s of those in the coming years along the south side of Big O. And bass fisherman have to change techniques to get the smallies- just kind of think of the gobies as weeds or snags and U might develop ways to regain consistency with catching them....they R still there.

A true fishing fool and great photo story man! Once again, U have demonstrated your passion for chasin' fish of all kinds. Bowfishing too!. Of particular interest were the pictures of the carp after the eel.... 2 of the photos (the "other guy", followed by U) looked like a slightly different carp sub-specie...the color, body shape, head and mouth shape, dorsal fin and width of the caudal peduncle seem diff from common carp I've caught and seen. ....and, well done! P.S....care 2 say where they were caught?

Great story woody 184... like the part about fixing the wheel bearing. Then going out for a couple of hours with someone who doesn't fish salmon and then nailing a major.....Imagine that!!!!!

DNRoch.... thanks. Never heard of this company. Looks like the T-swivel will work great on jigging up lakers as well!!

Yeah, just saw this post....That's doin' pretty good, especially if U were by yo'self!!!! Awesome zern; and great report!

I'll second what zackblain says....it gives you a whole new attitude about laker fishing when jigging can b done rather than trolling!!

Lund SSS is right...And young folks will always be more daring. Some not always so wise. So, again legally (with all of the said yadda yadda yadda addressed), IF Manitou is closing it down and the resourcing is finished there, a park-like entity, with some safety and liability issues looked at and resolved, could be awesome! What...would we really need more residential or commercial (retail or industrial) development there? Take what is established, improve it for some recreation, fishing #1 of course, and and let's relax and have some fun and breathe some fresh air and publicly enjoy it. No-power small boats only, shoreline access, walking and maybe some games and picnicking area (if the property and/or money did support it), wildlife, like whatever gravitates to the area, whatever. It could be fantastic and a great little area. A nice little piece of dream-come-true, with some really good fishing opportunities!

Nice catch.... ! I'm supposing U guys are going to fillet those babies up...Did you know that largemouth bass, just like the ones you have there, are sold (live from a tank in the stores) consistently over the years for $10.00 A POUND.....?!!....That is higher than just about anything else in the market. And they sell well!

Great report!! Really good story and awesome pic of a nice heavy finger laker....!

Treerat....What's the call sign for that or any other station U know of that airs "Grizzlygary"?

Well, all being said.... it would still B a sweet dream, given the fish are in good #s and variety there; if the area was turned into a park with fishing the main venue!! Yes issues with money, of course, safety and liability, jurisdiction,and all the other associated yadda yadda yadda. But hardly anything that hasn't been dealt with and worked around before. For the sake of just one more local great upstate fishing spot, it could be done....AND a somewhat unique place too!

Ssswaaarmms of bluegills....Niiiicce! Good eats. And much fun on the flyrod with complimentary bass on the side....! And what wine will U be having tonite with your fish fry? (or beer?)....

Yeah BSmaster...I like that one about casting around the docks if shore fishing before walking them. And cast back before you leave said dock or pier. Bass love to hang around and under these and can be caught on the way back off said structure... They may often not B as spooky as U might (and should) believe. Beetle Spin? I, of course, thought it stood for U know what!

I've seen this place for many years...If the fishing is that good, than maybe the owners and the DEC and and the town of Penfield need to get together. If Manitou is pulling the plug, it needs to be turned into a park or something. Yes, I can understand all the arguments about opening a once closed place up to the public; but what is there to lose if the quarrying is all done? Unless Manitou is just looking to sell and the resource is still there....In my experience, closed down pits often have GREAT fishing....

Night fishing in Canandaigua? Excellent! Please let US know how it goes 4 U.....I am curious about the after dark ventures for other than 'eyes...