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Heard about the balloon trick. Never tried it. Does it work? Would be great if it did. Tie a balloon to a perch and follow the balloon. Rght?

Thanks for the info guys. Rolmops - Does any special color mini- mite work better than other colors ? Also what is best weight say in 10 fow?

Have had experiences in the past where I have been watching nearby guys hooking into perch but the perch will not bite for me. Talked to guys back at the launch and figured I basically was using same techniques as they were. The only difference I could see was that they were anchored while I was using my Minn Kota on spot lock to stay in one spot. Wondering if vibration or noise is scaring away the perch. These perch were in shallow water (10 to 20 feet). I would cast out a considerable distance but still no good results. Next time out I will try anchoring. Just wondering what other's experiences might be. I have had good results basically fishing over the side of the boat in 50-60 fow so would say spot lock is not a problem in deeper water.

Great idea.

Thanks for info bulletbob. Sounds like I should cool my heels in December. Mid November was such a HOT bite I guess I was hoping it would continue. Sounds like slow and steady and deeper is the December tactic.

Did very well on Keuka in November but can not seem to get any results in December. Am just diving into casting for smallmouths so need to get all info I can. Old fishing spots in November are not producing this month. Wondering if I should be spending more time searching and what areas would be best.

Using my method above got 5 limit in 1 hour then following week in 50 minutes. Fish were in 100 fow. On Branchport end.

Love jigging for lakers on Keuka. There are a lot of them in that lake. My method is to find some on my fish finder then jig for them. Note that the ones sitting on the bottom do not show up on my fish finder. However if I see just one I will drop the jig over it and quite often the fish on the bottom will head up towards the jig as it is falling. I watch the fish finder and then just before the fish gets to the jig I start reeling up at a moderate speed and get ready for a hit. In the spring they will be in 50-70 fow. In summer 100 fow is a good depth. In the winter 150 fow will be good. Have had good luck with smaller chartreuse paddle tails on 3/4 oz jig head. Sometimes they go for silver Kastmasters. Jigging around the end of the bluff is a good place to start. Love the spot lock on my Terrova Minn Kota trolling motor for lining up right over the lakers.

Good number of pike trying to get over the spillway yesterday. Some in the 30 inch range. Very fascinating. Don't often see nature at work so close up. Would give you the idea that pike fishing should be good in the lake. Have never fished it myself. Lot of water coming over the spillway compared to other times we have been there.,

Like to take grand kids and Grampa to south end of Conesus to see pike and walleye make their spawning run. Would now be a good time or is it too late? What is best time?

Jigged up 15 small but tasty lakers yesterday. In the morning got some at the Branchport end and in the afternoon near the end of the bluff. Most from 60 - 75 fow. They liked a small 3" paddletail on a 3/4 oz jig retrieved just before the fish and jig met according to the view on my fish finder. Still can not figure out what they are actually eating. Their stomach is filled with these small mosquito looking objects which I believe are some sort of insect but I can not figure out what they are. Any thoughts? Definitely no sawbellies.- Al

People fishing at Penn Yan end Thursday afternoon. One group out fairly far.

It is a baitfish that DEC said they would stock to help replace the sawbellies that seem to have dropped in number

Got one 6 pounder full of eggs.

Lots and lots of hungry lakers near the state park launch Wednesday.80 to 130 fow. Hope they did not stock the ciscos (sign by launch) in that area.

Hi Sk8 - In the process of gutting them on the lake I saw quite a bit of digested material in the stomach. I did not take the time to check it out more closely so not sure what it was. Definitely not sawbellies. Have seen tiny shrimp in them in the past. Will check it out next week more thoroughly. Just my opinion but my theory is that because Keuka lakers do not eat sawbellies they are less oily and top notch eating. Just my thought, probably wrong. Did find sawbellies in stomachs once this winter in the west branch but have not seen any since.

Well finally some good news. Boated 5 lakers and lost one at the boat. Also 4 or 5 bumps yesterday at the Penn Yan end of the lake (70 - 90 fow).They liked white or green tube. Impressive number of laker blips on my ff. Also good number of small bait balls. Lot of suspended laker blips just under the thermocline. Normal size lakers for Keuka (less than 22 inches ) but will be some good eating tomorrow after marinate in lemongarlicious and charcoal grill. Do not normally fish the east branch but looks like I need to hit it more often.

Had almost the exact same experience Friday out of Long Point as PCPete. Good news was that based on my ff there are a lot of lake trout north of the point, just not cooperative.