Sk8man

First of all there are some different types of fleas and some are more difficult than others to get off your lines. It also depends on what particular lines you are using (e.g. leadcore, wire, or mono/fluoro etc.) and in some cases the line diameter as well as the texture of the line makes a difference. With mono for downriggers I use the Bloodrun 30 lb Sea Flee and a fluoro leader off of it and in general it works quite well for that application and confines pretty much any build up to the leader and/or connections. The Sea Flee line especially when new has a lot of stretch and that is something to get used to. It is very slick and that is probably why the fleas have a hard time attaching to it but I also now make about 7 twists of the loop in my Black releases to keep ity from slipping there. Leadcore and braid load up fast and are probably the most prone to quick build ups. My 250 and 300 coppers don't seem to have much problem other than at the leader connection to the swivels. Seven strand wire collects it pretty good if the fleas are real thick...I'm not sure about 19 strand wire as I haven't used it. Keep in mind that the concentrations of fleas vary greatly throughout the water column both vertically and horizontally. It is why some folks report heavy infestations while other say they were light or didn't encounter them at all the same day on that particular body of water. Some people also check their lines more frequently than others giving them less time to bulld up. Recently on Lake O the fleas that attached to our lines looked a greenish color rather than grey and they came off the lines quite easily in comparison with some other types we've encountered and especially those on most of the Finger Lakes which are like cottonwood stuff to get off. When very thick they will also build up on 150 lb downrigger cable so the larger line line diameter thing is not bullet proof either. Folks have mentioned many ways in previous posts here that they get them off and some of it depends on which type of flea and what type of line interms of success. For me usually they seem to come off the line by scrunching them up and pinching them off. The other day we were able to just shake our lines with that particular type and they came off. Some folks slap the water with their line. If the fleas are thick I know of no way to prevent them totally and checking your lines very frequently is always advisable.

I know he is a bit homely Nick but he could become a good friend

I rest my case..... Good going Nick

WTG!

Wow a flash from the past....I had two of the long arm boom versions and they saw a lot of fish in the seventies and early eighties. That one looks in pristine shape.

Nice job on it Pete Thanks for your thoughtfulness in posting it. Happy jigging!

No matter which lake folks choose to fish right now a lot of care needs to be taken out there....a lot of submerged debris. We snagged a big branch with a rigger on Lake O the other day and glad I didn't hit it with the big motor. Stay safe out there.

Coming from Lancaster if coming either Rt#5 or the Thruway probably either the Chamber of Commerce launch in Geneva or the one at the Seneca Lake State Park would be the most direct. The Chamber launch is just east of Rt #14 in Geneva and the State Park is just east of that about a mile or so. The chamber launch will get you to deeper water a bit quicker. Spinneys and fly or spoons will work and especially for lakers trolled just below the thermocline . Rainbows, landlocks and browns may be more susceptible to spoons trolled fairly fast from rigggers or coppers. Be prepared for the fleas especially if using leadcore or braid. At this point in the season don't be afraid to troll out in the middle in deep water for bows and landlocks. Thermocline running from about 35 to 65 ft today.

Small light weight spoons for the Atlantics (e.g. small Honeybees, #8 Sutton, small orange or lime green Acme Looter if you have one). The Atlantics will probably want the presentation much faster than the lakers too. Lakers should be in the 90 -100 ft range I would suspect and without the depth finder I would be starting on a diagonal from shore and trying to reach bottom with some weight as I go along until you can't reach bottom or you connect. They are going to be bottom oriented at this point in the season in the colder water. Run a very short leader off the thumper with a heavier spoon on it

Gill - If you are getting the bass you need to be DOWN....I'd try some weight added? Also if there are any stores around there that carry Lake Clear Wobblers (attractor) the large copper/silver one is worth a shot with a small to medium spoon behind it (about the size of a Sutton 44)

X2

I don't disagree with what you are saying about the wave perception Chris and I know you are correct. I also think TeamRampage68's advice is something to consider. By the way, I wasn't in the 12 footers intentionally ( in my 13 ft. Whaler no less) an unanticipated electrical storm came out of the west/ northwest with very high winds while fishing out deep out of Sodus Point and I barely made it back to shore. The folks on the pier were cheering me on because the huge boats were also struggling to get back to shore. I later saw on the news that the waves were 12 ft... they seemed like the Empire State building to me at the time and I had about 6-8 inches of rain and water in the boat too My scariest time ever on the water.

I don't think there is really anything "magical" about this . The color matching thing is probably more of a 'human thing' than related to the fish catching process. It is most likely the combined action of the flasher or spinney catching the attention of the fish and being in close enough proximity for the fish to either grab or chase it and the fly appearing "vulnerable" or "wounded" following the commotion of the attractor. There may be certain colors that are enhanced by particular light levels at the time or particular water color or characteristics or the interaction between these but to think a fish is going be turned off because something doesn't match is human thinking not fish related in my view. A lot of fishing includes a strong element of superstitious behavior too...I am guilty of it as well but I also recognize it for what it is In truth there is no magic or single answer to this you have to experiment on the place you are fishing at that point in time (e.g. light levels, wave characteristics etc.) to see what may or may not work.

I guess my point is this : If you are new to the lake and in a 12 or 14 ft boat you shouldn't rely ONLY on the buoy data or even the weather reports regardless of where they come from because there can be many other factors perhaps unanticipated or not included in the data. For example it may be updated in intervals such that you may look at the info when you get up in the AM and leave for the lake and arrive there an hour or two later things may change significantly like the predicted wind direction and velocity for example and this may alter the data that you saw before leaving and when you arrive at the lake things are quite different and usually not "calmer" either. Another thing I have wondered about is whether debris (significant right now in the lake) may gather around the buoy perhaps and keep it from rising accurately?). I have never seen the actual lake wave levels lower than the buoys have reported. The buoy reports are certainly much better than nothing as is true of the weather reports but things can and do change quickly on Lake O and you always have to be on your guard out there and not take anything for granted while out there or even before departing from home. She can be very unforgiving of "mistaakes"

I know what you are saying Chris and it is similar to judging fish weight but I've also been trolling for over 50 years on Lake O and all the Fingers except Otisco and have experienced 12 footers on Lake O in the past as well as having fished both oceans and I can tell 2 ft waves vs. 3 to 4 footers pretty accurately. Sometimes some of the buoy reports appear inaccurate to me when I get out there.

Fish307.com in Lake Goerge provides servicing if you need it and they have parts as well. Good folks to deal with.

Matt - Hold off until we talk later this afternoon....