Finders Keepers WHI Report

[Finders Keepers]

Tough fishing is an understatement as 2/3 of the field came in with empty coolers! On Friday our initial plan was to head east to the plant east of Olcott in search for the warmer water. When our team arrived in that location we found 38 degree temps - not exactly what we were looking for. So we continued east and found an area (along with about 30 other teams) holding temps around 50 degrees. 4 passes through the area in 8-12 fow yielded 3 small coho for us and we saw at least 3 others boated by other teams, but again all small. Two came on UV black tuxedo spoons and the other on a SS Purple diehard spoon. Knowing that there were at least coho in that area, we ventured deeper to see if we could locate some kings. After several passes with cold temps and a blank screen, we started venturing back westward to see if we could locate any other areas holding coho, and hopefully locate some kings. We did find some steelies and lakers galore east of Olcott, but no king action to be had. So with the wind/wave forecast showing an increasing west wind for tourney day, we had a difficult decision to make: run back east to where we located the coho in hopes that they were still there, that we could catch some larger ones, and chance the wind forecast that could make for a very long, rough ride back, or head west and fish the bar where we have done well on coho and kings in the past and not have to worry if the wind came up.

 

After many long discussions, our gameplan was to head west just short of the Niagara River in close and try for coho in the warmer waters, then head deeper for kings/coho. In the morning we were greeted with a ripping sw wind and felt we were making the right decision. For the shot gun start we hugged shore and lead the pack heading westward. We set down a little east of the river where we had 48 degree green water. We set up our spread heading east with 2 riggers and 4 long lines off the boards with a full spread of small and SS spoons. After setting up, we turned  back westward and worked towards the river. The green water had disappeared and was replaced with clear, cooler water, so decided to pick-up and run out to the bar where the pack was located. We set down a little west of the red can by the boarder on the bar. We worked the area north of the red can from just off of the bar to 300 fow. There were fish there but we just couldn't manage a bite. After a couple hours with nothing to show, we decided to work eastward and try some skinnier water (40-80 fow). Again we marked fish, but no takers. So for the last couple hours we put out a shallow water program and worked the inside waters all the way back to port. We managed to boat several browns and steelies, but no sign of cohos or kings. At 2:45 we called it a day and headed in with an empty box.

 

Once back at the dock we learned that very few boats managed to put a coho or king in the box, as our partnered team Two Fish had managed two small kings and were sitting in 8th place. Congrats and huge props go out to Team Kingfisher who pulled out a very tough win, along with the other teams that placed!! Thank you to Kevin, Penny, and everyone else involved to organize this awesome event! It was cool having the crew from Salmon Showdown there and we hope this will springboard more opportunities for future tournaments!

 

Wouldn't you know, the next day we returned to the bar in search for a LOC fish targeting lakers and wound up working just inside of the red can (about a 1/2 mile from where we were the previous day) with a ton of fish on the screen and landed 2 kings amungst the lakers and steelies boated that morning all before noon! We also saw 2 larger kings jump nearby to really rub it in!

 

We'll be doing some promo work over the next three weeks, including Bass Pro Shops next weekend, then we'll be getting ready for the Oak Orchard Open and will be ready for a comeback!! Good luck to everyone in the Niagara Pro-Am's, let's hope those kings show up soon!!!

Edited May 12, 2014 by Finders Keepers

[reelintense]

Tim and Jeff,  very nice report, albeit it not a good one in terms of fishing.  It does however make me feel MUCH better as I trilled 6-7 hrs Friday afternoon and then again on Saturday off Ginna and didnt move a rod.  Fished 15-175 fow and NADA....barely a couple of marks, a few assumed lakers on bottom, but nothing doing and 39-42degree water.  Did not hear good reports from anyone, after that NE blow last week.  Sorry it wasnt better action for you guys out west....I assumed thats where all the fish were....since they werent here! LOL  

 

Jason

[Finders Keepers]

Thanks! Yeah, that's the way fishing goes sometimes! On Sunday we had 46 degrees on top and 44 down 30 ft near the Red Can where we were hitting the fish. There were lots of suspended marks along with the lakers on the bottom. It won't be long and the bar area will light up! Things are just running a bit late this year as expected...

[tlox]

Good report... similar to what I had as well.  Glad to know it wasn't just us, although I figured that as we didn't see any other boats really hooking up.  We worked the exact same area Fri and Sat.

[Gill-T]

I remember the first WHI and the horrible fishing that day. That all day sinking feeling of not watching rods move and wondering what the rest of the fleet was doing. The stress knowing ONE FRIGGIN' good fish could put you in the money. That is why its called fishing and not catching.

[Mortigan]

I remember the first WHI and the horrible fishing that day. That all day sinking feeling of not watching rods move and wondering what the rest of the fleet was doing. The stress knowing ONE FRIGGIN' good fish could put you in the money. That is why its called fishing and not catching.

:yes: