pro-fish-n-c

I've never caught a tiger over 32", but many that size and smaller. I must say, their beauty is something to behold when the sun hits them. The various shades of iridescent blues and greens is stunning. Truly one of nature's objects of beauty. When we see its a tiger on the end of the line instead of a pike, everyone gets excited, even if its small.

I appreciate the input. I'm a beginner on otisco but a veteran on Oneida, and one of our hotspots the minnows get pushed on shore onto the sand and the 'eyes dorsal fins come out of the water at times they run so shallow. We tried close in parallel to shore shallow but in my opinion they were stalled at the weedbed lastnight... If the wind kept blowing the rest of the nite in the same direction , I would put money they would be in that first 5 yards off shore like you guys are talking about. When they are in like that and the water is calm, it's key to keep your headlamp off and not shine the water. If you must keep it on to watch the rod tip, keep your light steady and in one direction, not flashing back and forth.

What rod setup are you guys using to get the big lures out there. I did ok with 15lb power pro, a cheap 7' ugly stick medium weight, and pfluegher president. All my rod and reel money is invested in my jigging setups for Oneida. I was getting five colors out with this but I can see where if you are shore bound you can use a little more distance.

You have to pay to play, I figure losing 30 bucks of lures is about the same cost if I trailered the boat down for the night. The stupid mistakes are what aggravate me though, accidentally closing the bail, or breaking the tip off my St. Croix in the door of my truck like last week. I re measured that fish this morning, 26" on the nose, 6lbs 13oz, and 14-3/4" girth. I guess I was a little optimistic on the weight in the heat of the moment. Hoping for an 8lber in the near future.

Casted east shore of otisco from 7pm to 11pm with a buddy this evening. Threw f18's, bomber saltwater magnums, husky jerks, gapen polish shads, and xrap shallow super shads. . Missed one hit on a black and gold bomber magnum, and caught one fish on a shad color f18. Heard the fish start hitting about 830, nice wind in our faces, but the fish were pretty far out, and we could hear them hitting slowly yet continuously the whole time we were there. . Frustrating to say the least, especially when i lost 3 , yes 3, f18's by being an idiot and accidentally snapping the bail shut when casting. Fish I landed was 26" measured and an estimated 7.5 to 8lbs. Shocked at the thickness and girth, as this was my first otisco walleye ever. Thanks to everyone on the forum for the advice and info I've read. Will be back with a vengeance when the wind is right, and will be bringing the boat out for sure. Also astounded at how they sound when they hit top water compared to Oneida fish, sounds like dropping a cannonball in the water from 50 ft up.

Two years ago I found a dead one washed ashore in the seneca river in Baldwinsville. Total length was 62" measured with a tape. Amazing fish . This fish appeared to have been killed by a boat prop. They are very susceptible to boat impacts and prop damage, as they like to sun themselves in slack water just below the surface.