BSmaster

Heard on the radio this morning that the DEC is going to ask Duck hunters to determine the 2015 hunting seasons. There must be more to this but it sounds to me like an effort to get feedback on a smaller scale.

Atlantic - I think. About what non native fish deserve to be in what waters. I think, in my opinion, that we, humans, have mettled with our environment in the mid atlantic and north east to the point that whatever we do will not return us to what was and if it makes somewhat improvement to add sport fish to the various systems I am more than ok with it. And to add to this more... I would like to see natural musky and walleye stocked in all of the fingers and in Conesus (specifically) I would like to see the addition of striped bass hybrids... I do not expect to see any of this in my lifetime. If you ask me in 5 years what I would like to see it will be what I just said.

River herring is 10 per person per day. (upper river) Sustainable stocks are considered too low. I was thinking about planning a trip. The slot limit is something that I practiced before it was a law. It makes perfect sense to me, however, It may take more than 10 herring to get a striped bass that I can keep and therefore I am debating a scheduled trip. I knew from my talks with captains in the fall and with some of the blogs focused in the north east that this was inevitable. I believe Commercial fishing is the culprit but every recreational angler will pay for it.

New Striped Bass Limits Effective March 17, 2015 New York State is committed to maintaining a healthy stock of striped bass for both recreational and commercial fishing. To comply with the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission’s (ASMFC) mandated 25-percent harvest reduction, effective March 17, 2015, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has established limits that will allow the striped bass stock to recover more quickly. These limits are: Recreational: Marine and Coastal district (south of the George Washington Bridge): 1 fish, 28 inches or larger, during the Apr. 15 – Dec. 15 season Hudson River (all tributaries north of George Washington Bridge and all inland waters): 1 fish, 18-28 inches OR 1 fish larger than 40 inches during the Apr. 1 – Nov. 30 season Delaware River: 1 fish, 28 inches or larger (no closed season) Commercial: The commercial quota was reduced by 25%. A slot limit of 28-38 inches during the Jun. 1 – Dec. 15 season are the new limits. New York also recommends the use of “circle-hooks†while fishing for stripers since this reduces the mortality of released fish. NOTE: Anadromous river herring regulations remain the same for the Hudson River. The possession ban remains only for the Marine and Coastal District and all other waters in New York State. Please visit the NYS DEC website for details on the new limits and regulations .

2 techniques I use is reaction bite with a shallow diving rapala in perch or natural and finesse bite using a light jig 1/8, 1/16 or 1/32oz (depending on current) tipped with a minnow or tony. Conditions are right you can take a trout float rig and tip it with a minnow and get some good results but usually all I get doing that is bass. Last year was rough for me. I hate giving advice when I stunk so badly at it. Walleye eat slower than my daughter so you may want to use a stinger hook. After you get a few skinless baits returned to you, you will know why. Holding holes have depth and structure. This is usually where people fail in the river. Walleyes like to get out of the sun. Also the sun, avoid it. Crappie days fish better. I also love going out on the harvest moon. I think this is the best week out of the year to fish for eyes. I like to fish the mornings and evenings. Given more time and energy - past midnight.

Looks like they are stocking adult size fish in CT. http://www.onthewater.com/connecticut-stocks-state-record-brown-trout/ Pretty fish. I wonder if it fights like the browns I have come to know?

I think I would back troll or long line if I fished eyes in the eastern basins. Chaumont, Black river especially. Conditions have to be right. I would use suckers or shiners for live bait, maybe some worm harnesses and then some jig raps or soft plastics. Drift sock to keep it slow if necessary. Casting to the side I would use suspending perch or natural jerkbaits. I have no advice for trolling it other than I would get the water temp data for a period of time to see what it has been and try to get a feel for what stage the spawn/ post spawn is in and then come up with a strategy. Doing the same thing that worked last year will (in most cases) only work this year if we have the same weather pattern. Most of it is experience in noticing similarities to what has happened in the past and that is why you hear a lot of ambiguous advice and telling you have to put the time in. There will be no hotline to tell you where to go and what to use. Like bass I guess in that you can catch them in a lot of different ways. It also can be how much water time you have in the season as well. My retired cousin put the time in this past year and smoked me. The same exact spots on the river but he went at the right time (while I was working). Good luck this year, Joe

The guy was a tool bag but he wasn't Bill Gates either. That punishment is fitting. Not only that, I am sure when he returns people will recognize and harass him. I have never been in front of a judge to know how they preside over the environmental cases like this. There was a huge uproar over this incident so I wonder if that makes a difference. I am saying what if there was no video? Like the video of Ray Rice putting the smack down on his girl. Stuff happens all the time with no video and the punishment is kinda week in comparison to those incidents caught on medium. Just saying.

From the Farmer for the Farmers. God Bless you. Cold wet May barn full of hay but a dry June will soon make you change your tune. Thunder in the fall no winter at all but if Christmas day is bright and clear expect 2 winters in one year. Winters fog will freeze the hair on the dog.

I am curious what makes a walleye that large. What niche conditions are preferrable? oxygen, forage, depth, temp? I ask because a 25 inch eye caught in Corning didn't look anything (other than being a walleye) 25 inch eye caught out of Conesus. Obvious differences are lake vs river and forage but what about other factors?

That's funny. I kept reading while thinking its not April 1st and it seems like you couldn't get the boat in the lake. Am I missing something? Nice read.

Why do people say A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

I was hoping you would chime in Kevin. I have the Stoeger 2000 (3") and a friend of mine has the 3500 (3.5") and no complaints from either of us.

Does your semi have removable chokes or is it fixed? chambered for 2,3/4, 3, 3,1/2 inch? THese are questions that i would ask if you are duck or turkey hunting. Duck requires steel shot and there are some instances where you wouldn't want to fire steel thru your shot gun. Some guys are really into it and take time to throw their patterns out to 40 yards and count the pellets within a 6 inch circle. You can kill ducks and full mature toms with a skeet shell (I have done it). I do not recommend it. If you can pair up with someone that can teach you how to hunt them you will be doing better quicker and eventually you can pay it forward to another newbie. I do not duck hunt because i was never shown how to do it properly and although I have fought thru the inexperience it just doesn't seem like fun because I am always 2nd guessing myself. I thought about doing a guided hunt up in Auburn sometime in the future and I recommend you do the same if you can't talk some more exp. guys to let you tag along. You need to know your ducks too so you do not shoot too many of certain types. Also, I know that if you learn the flight patterns, you will be shooting at the ducks when they slow down instead of when they are in full flight jet mode. This is why it helps to watch experienced people. Spring Turkey hunting is fun. The more time you can spend scouting your hunting area the better. Regs are simple 2 bearded birds not on the same day month of May. Can't hunt after 12pm. You are supposed to report them like deer. Tag them like deer too so you will have to get those if you don't already have them. http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html Good luck, I still think you chose a great spot for your camp. Joe

Yeah, and why does my tooth brush hit all of my teeth? Why do people always say "I am not trying to be mean" and then say something mean?

Watching a bass pro show recently and they stitched some footage. It was very smooth from air to water. Being a novice I never knew that 3lb smallmouths turn into 2lb largemouths as soon as they are let go. You can learn a lot on these shows. I wonder if the edit room ever caught up to that one. Reality shows that keep it real go under fast. It is complete exaggeration and embellishment. I do not watch Wicked tuna but i will watch Duck Dynasty. I know it is mostly fake but it entertains me. This winter I have all the fishing shows recorded and I go thru them when I get time fast forwarding thru the sponsors. I am always looking for a new presentation or technique. I do not ice fish, so this winter season has been really brutal for me.

HVS and Tackleshack. I recommend them both. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful and as I said before they have equipment for the same $ as the big boys. I shop Amazon a lot and have never had an experience where I would not return.

I shop everywhere. I am loyal to my wife, my employer and my country. While I try to do as much shopping at the local shops (30 min drives) and I do very much appreciate them and agree that their prices are right in line and they are an asset, I live in a free economy where I can choose where to spend my dollars. I just spent my hard earned $$ at a local shop buying gear for my nephews' birthdays but they didn't have everything so I finished at Dicks. If you are fortunate enough to have everything you want and need in one M&P shop good for you. Nothing like it. If not you probably need to go elsewhere(s) - like me. You can say I am part of the problem but I say what problem? Free economy. It isn't a game, it is a competition. The strong will survive. I always try to let the shops know what i am looking for. If they do not carry it - so be it. I will get somewhere else. The obligation should be on the business to satisfy me - not the other way around. I do not think I could run a shop so my hats off to them. Hard work and long hours.