justtracytrolling

On my boat these overused phrases are usually questions from customers. 1. How big do they have to be to keep? 2 What if I get a really big one can I keep it then? 3. What if it's a state record then can I keep it? 4. How big do you think that one was? Answers 36 but it doesn't matter because we aren't keeping one No No but I'll measure it! About....

Nice fish! First Saturday in May can't come soon enough.

I don't do all that much strictly pleasure fishing anymore as most of my trips are with customers and I love it! That being said it's so nice to just relax, watch lines, and enjoy being afield knowing someone else has everything under control and I don't have to concern myself with the details.

My winter fishing fix on the lower Niagra with Captain Vince Pierleoni ended up my first spring brown trip. Captain Vince asked if I was interested in trying what he felt was excellent february opportunity for browns out of Olcott and I was all in. As it turned out he was spot on! He had us on fish immediately and all morning. In the end Matt and I had a spectacular day going 15/16 with a few real nice fish. I can't say enough how easy and enjoyable Captain Vince made our trip.

Sadly enough the diaries arent used at all for management purposes...just catch rates to publish. No decisions are made with the info and once I was told they cant manage a fishery using our data i never filled out another trip log for the dec. I hope somehow things turn around but by all accounts every species in the fishery seems to be stuggling except the bait.

I have a several regular customers that took trips to canada for over a decade and they all say the same thing...why drive so far, spend double, and oh by the way you cant bring back the fish! The numbers are there for sure, but my customers want filets for the freezer and that isnt an option in canada. The fish are willing for sure and easy, but the thing that makes walleye fishing great is how tough it is....if i wanted it to be easy id bass fish. That being said im ready Landshark!!

The small spoons work well on walleye anywhere!

I remember running off the bus to see if my uncle got a buck every day after school. Must have been a great hunt on many levels...sure is a dandy!

Ive had terrible issues like this in recent years. My lease is up against a great farm that I also hunt with permission, but the farmer didnt monitor his property so everyone hunted it. Of course many ended wandering over to my side screwing up much of what I can hunt. Finally one these "hunters" made the mistake of harassing the farmer. This year he has put up locked gates and made it clear to all but a couple they arent welcome. The few that have permission other than us dont have gate keys. Not surprisingly we had the best season in a long while shooting 2 good bucks and layed on eyes on THE buck. Opening day we all passed bucks and 2 hunters passed 6. I saw a rut this year like one ive never seen my entire life. This is the first time i didnt have people constantly pressuring and felt like i didnt have to be there all the time patrolling the line. It feels good knowing I can give the place a break till the late season and have a chance deer to hunt in daylight. We should have tougher laws pertaining to tresspassing on private land. We put so much time and effort into having the type of hunting we want only to have some slob screw it up. I dont care what kind of buck you put your tag on but take the time to set up a place to hunt where you have permission and STAY there...or go hunt state land!!!

I thought id share a pic I thought was cool of me with my 9 point and the box blind in the background on the other side of the valley. He never took a step so this is like a reverse angle. The buck wasnt the biggest on the hill, but I was happy to put my tag on it.

We have 5 12s and a 9 across three boats and I couldnt be happier. The side imaging and auto chart were game changers for me trolling, though im in 70 fow or less. The standard mega imaging transducer is excellent. I cant imagine not being happy with the new helix 12...i absolutely didnt want a touch screen though.

That is a brute. There are many fisheries around the state producing smallmouths in excess of 6 pounds. The largest I know of on Otisco was 7 pounds 14 ounces. We had many over 6 but nothing over 7 yet. I remember when fish like that were absolutely unheard of....