Sk8man

Last I knew he was just on Facebook. I know he was building a new building for his operation and I don't know whether he is in it yet. Here is some contact info though: Great Lakes Lure Company (Jason Oakes) 1777 Grand Central Ave Elmira, New York 14903 (607) 426-5094

Good advice and I've field tested many of Jason's spoons as well as fished with him as he and Theresa are valued friends. I second your recommendation about the Great Lakes spoons as they are very high quality, very nicely designed, speed tolerant and have a long track record of productivity on the Finger Lakes, and I've had good success with them on Lake O as well. For the folks that still pull wire (i.e. jerk copper) the Great Lakes #4 spoons are the closest I've seen to the original Pfleuger #4 spoons in both appearance and function. Thanks for mentioning them and jogging my memory letsfish2day. I would highly recommend the spoons as well as Revolution spoons - another high quality product made by another LOU guy.

Bladerunner has been around for a long time makes quality products and used to make copper jerking spoons that were replicas of the Pfleuger #4 which worked about as well as the original. I believe they are nickel plated rather than silver plated so in terms of durability they are more resilient but actual silver is the ultimate in reflectivity under water in terms of being seen well from a distance so as in many things there is a compromise here. With that said I have always said that it is the action that is primary in these spoons and the Bladerunners are virtually the same as the Suttons in that regard (in my opinion). Durability is important and as with the old MIller spoons that were similar to the some of the Suttons durability of finish means that the spoons may have a longer life span (if you are not into taping or re-painting)

Just don't stick your arms out right now 30 mph wind

Fish cut related infections are well known and can be serious as mentioned. The mucus layer on the fish contains all sorts of bacteria which may be "protective" for the fish (e.g.places where rubbed off can be predisposed to fungal infections on the fish). "Fish poisoning" can lead to very serious consequences and that is why I mentioned it. It really isn't a minor issue despite your being lucky enough to avoid it as for most part so have I. The use of gaff hooks in freshwater is permitted only while ice fishing.

Perhaps the most important aspect is that you were able to spend some great time with your dad and have a great shared memory of that very successful fishing experience Although I don't necessarily agree with the specific way rolmops commented in this particular post both he and Gator have a good point. The Internet has some real positive value, but it also has some real liabilities with respect to fishing in particular. One only needs to look at the Lake O tribs and the way some unscrupulous people have come from far and wide to rape the fishery for the profits made from selling eggs (for caviar). Perch fishing is quite a bit different from trolling for trout and salmon in the open lake where the fish roam far and wide; mainly because perch are a "schooling" species. Yes they can be found in large schools, and despite the fact that some fishermen think that they can never be fished out because of their prolific breeding - many things can and do drastically affect their numbers and sustainability in a fishery. The fact that they concentrate in numbers and largely according to size and their s*e*x* (word not allowed) at times in the season (without any regulatory protections), that they have a very "generous" individual harvest limit (50) without regard to size, that their eggs are heavily preyed upon by alewives, panfish, and now the Round Goby, it takes them a relatively long time to get up to the sizes desired, and the fact that people are allowed to SELL them makes them very vulnerable as a species. A place like Sodus Bay where there is a direct connection to Lake O suggesting that they can "re-populate" does not change these facts because the wiping out of schools of them changes the overall distribution which may take many years to re-populate and may make the lower numbers of them more susceptible to predation by the larger predators (e..g. Pike And Pickerel and others) and may take many years to accomplish if at all. The issues are complicated and various. Fishing technology has changed greatly over the years and at a very fast rate recently. The advent of GPS, sophisticated fish finders now having "live" viewing capability, HD underwater cameras,etc. has completely changed the face of fishing and the efficiency and effectiveness in which the fishing is done. When you put all this together with the fact that perch usually can be found within 50 yds or much less of where they were the day before, and guys selling them and/or fishing in tournaments are using cameras, GPS coordinates, and sophisticated fish finders to select out the largest specimens and schools of them it doesn't take long to see the results. End of rant....guess something hit a sensitive "gland"

Thx Tmag

Doesnt look like that much ice there yet. Looks as though the laker is in there after the perch (size of head compared with body)

X2 on Go Bombers. My daughter graduated from there in 2014 Great college and community.

Silver plating probably put on too thin over the brass blank then....the most important thing about the sppon is the action though and they will catch fish even when the finish is messed up. Shouldn't have to be a consideration though given the cost of spoons. They need to get their act together. Very small operation but a very old one.

Also possible that exposure to the cold water affected the lacquer coating on the spoon and the silver finish itself is perhaps OK? Worth a check. I know they have also had historic problems with the silver plating finish as well. C3M is correct I always wipe mine down after retrrieval.

Just something to keep in mind when handling Pickerel and Pike. They are loaded with bacteria in the mucus covering on them. Any cuts received can get severely infected requiring antibiotics. My son encountered this last year pulling a 16 pound Pike out of the water (on 4 lb test line no less) so grabbing them anywhere around the mouth area is risky. Insertion of a gaff hook carefully inside the gill or mouth is the preferable way to go. I think the fish may have had the last laugh as he slid back down the hole when released

Some of it relates to how familiar someone is with solo fishing, and knowing their own boat and how it handles) very well.....and prevailing wind can be a factor as well. I have seen guys launch 25 ft. boats solo in good or "protected" situations. Does that mean everyone should do it? No. Having your launching and docking sequence or system down cold is important no matter what sized boat you have.

I am very surprised ssomeone hasn't jumped on this as it appears to be a great deal.