flyboy7

The magnum dipsy diver chart goes to 100' (without the super ring attached). That is the dipsy that I use in my kayak if I need to go really deep.

I put 12.75 miles on my kayak this afternoon/evening out of Sandy. Same slow fishing for me. I marked fish on the bottom in the 100 to 110 foot range. I managed to land one laker in 110 FOW. Water temp on the bottom measured 58 degrees at 110'. My arms and shoulders are tired from paddling. Maybe it is time for some rest !!

I only run one rod. The reason is that I don't want to deal with the possible issues when a fish gets on and lines from multiple rods start to cross or drag on the bottom. And there is nobody else to hand the other rod to if both rods hook into fish. I like to use a rod holder in front of me that keeps the rod tip out to the starboard side. This does provide some tendency for the boat to pull to the right but I can compensate by paddling harder on that side. If the wind and dipsy both pull me in the same direction, I will sometimes put the rod in one of the flush-mount holders that I have behind me. That eliminates the sideways pull but puts the rod out of sight which I don't prefer (yesterday I unknowingly dragged a small king salmon for a long distance because the rod was behind me and he was too small to take out drag). I pull a dipsy diver set at "0". I have one that dives to 40' and one that dives to 100'. (still building my arsenal as this is all new to me since I am primarily a fly fisherman). Behind the dipsy, I have been using an 8" Spin Doctor followed by a spoon or fly. I use a Shakespeare line counter to get the desired line length. I use Power Pro braid line and fluorocarbon leaders. I have a Humminbird fishfinder with GPS. This provides depth, fish/bait location, boat speed, surface temp and of course my position relative to earth. I use a Vexilar Deptherm thermometer to measure temp at depth (I have to stop moving and fishing to take depth temps). I permanently attached a compass to the console. I carry a hand-held marine radio. For the most part I am set up like a power boat. Although very limited, I have most of the capabilities that the real boats have. It is just a whole lot more work to get to the fish and can be quite a workout trolling for 4 hours. And, things that you'd take for granted on a power boat are a bit more complicated on a kayak. For example, how to handle a thrashing fish that has hooks hanging out of his face when the only place to work is in the water or on your lap. For safety on the big lake I recommend the following (sorry if these things seem obvious, but it can be dangerous out there): • Use safety items as required by law - Always wear a life jacket - Whistle or air horn - White light visible from 360° (if paddling at night) • Sit-on-top kayak - Most are self bailing - Most are very stable - Easy to get in and out of - Open water re-entry is much easier • Compass and/or GPS • Cell phone and/or marine radio • Paddle leash • High visibility color kayak and clothes • Dress for the conditions There are online kayak fishing communities out there that can be very helpful and where you may find friends to fish with. Here is one base in the rochester area.. http://fishgator.ning.com/

Well said Paul. Safety, preparedness and boating rules are always of primary concern for me as a kayak angler. The same things apply as when I ran a power boat. I won't go on the water without a GPS, compass, marine radio, life jacket, lights & whistle.

Nice job on the buck Perch Predator! Chowder, I process my own deer but didn't save the ribs from my opening day buck. I would like to see "Wild Willy's Wondeerful Rib Rub recipe".

Sounds like a white bass to me...

Great job! That gives me motivation to keep trying with my kayak and fly rod!

I have not yet battled a king in the kayak. Biggest freswater fish in the kayak so far was a 6 lb brown trout. Biggest saltwater fish was 10 lb striper. Big fish tend to tow the kayak around.

Fishing Report Your Name / Boat Name: no name 14' Kayak ============== TRIP OVERVIEW ============== Date(s): 9/17/09 Time on Water: 3:00-8:00 PM Weather/Temp: Clear, 65 degrees Wind Speed/Direction: N 5-10 Waves: 2' early subsiding to calm at sunset Surface Temp: 68 Location: North of Sandy Creek =============== FISHING RESULTS =============== Total Hits: 0 Total Boated: 0 ==================== SUMMARY & FURTHER DETAILS ==================== I put my kayak in at Sandy Creek about 3:00 PM. Saw one salmon porpoise in 10' water as I was starting out. I paddled due north 2.25 miles to 180' water. Ended up paddling 9.25 miles, never marked any bait or fish. Had a nice chat with Jason and Tricia near the creek mouth at sunset. Maybe next time !!

I have a fishfinder with GPS on the yak. I just don't go far enough to find the fish. I usually limit myself to bass fishing since they are within reach. Today I logged 9 miles on the kayak and only managed to get out to 125 feet of water. Maybe when the fish get in a bit closer I'll get some!!

Thanks for the replies. Motoman, since I am fishing from a kayak, I don't usually venture out far enough to find the trout and salmon during mid summer and don't have a down temp probe. But now know that when people on this forum speak of an upwelling I have a better idea of why the surface temp maps on the internet may not yet show it happening. LongLine, thanks for the links! Jude

Fishing Report Your Name / Boat Name:14' Kayak ============== TRIP OVERVIEW ============== Date(s): 9/11/2009 Time on Water: 7: AM - 1:00 PM Weather/Temp: partly cloudy & cool Wind Speed/Direction: NE 5-10 Waves: 2' Surface Temp: 52 Location: Near Maxwell Creek =============== FISHING RESULTS =============== Total Hits: 0 ==================== SUMMARY & FURTHER DETAILS ==================== Saw a post on LOU that sounded like the lake had flipped. Checked the internet this morning to see if I could confirm this. The Michigan Sea Grant Coastwatch page showed temps in the high 60's (but also showed probable clouds). I wouldn't have gone bass fishing if I knew the lake had flipped but it looked to be a good day so I went. When I got on the lake the surface temp was 52. I decided to head for deeper water and troll for trout and salmon with my fly rod and deep sinking line. I paddled out to 125' deep water and never marked any bait or fish. Surface temp a couple miles out was 58. The breeze started to increase and the swells got big enough to convince me to paddle back to bass depths. I had a nice ride but didn't find any fish. What do others use as a source to determine surface temp and lake upwelling prior to heading out? My source isn't always too reliable...

Nice report Paul. It was a good day fishin' with you guys. Kliph, I recommend a sit-on-top for safety reasons. If you happen to fall out of a SOT, you can flip it back over and climb back in. I have practiced this on my Liquid Logic Manta Ray 14 (now branded as Native Watercraft Manta Ray) and it is pretty easy. A flipped over sit inside kayak fills with water and is a real challenge to get back in. Plus, SOT kayaks are available with plenty of dry storage areas. Jude

I have fished my old favorite spots near Sodus and Webster numerous times this year and the bass are just not there. One or two is a good day now. The good old days seem to be long gone.

Welcome Paul!

Name: Jude Location: Spencerport, NY Home Port: my garage Boat Name/Type: Liquid Logic 14' sit on top kayak I fish for: Bass, Trout, stripers and whatever else wants to bite! ================== Howdy. I used to troll the big lake for trout and salmon but sold the boat a few years ago. Traded up to a kayak - rigged with fishfinder, GPS, and other essentials. All of my fishing these days is done with the fly rod. My favorite Lake Ontario spots are near Sodus but the bass shortage has made things pretty slow for me these days.

Here is a doe that swam past me while kayak fishing near Maxwell Creek last week. Here is me chasing her back to shore since I didn't think she knew what a 60 mile swim was going to be like. Jude

Nice deer.