Warning: FLTA Canandaigua Tourney 10-2-2016

[Sk8man]

I just thought I'd better give the FLTA members a"heads up" on the Woodville launch status. My son and I were there today checking things out and doing some perch fishing. It is my habit when at launches and especially when still dark to physically go out on the dock and look in the water to gauge depth, look for things that might screw up my boat etc.  Well good thing I did because the idiot power loaders have been at it. They have piled up a large pile of rocks right at about the hallf way to two thirds point of the ramp and just beneath the surface. In the dark you might not notice it until too late. My boat drafts very little water (about 6 inches) so I was able to launch by just shoving off manually from the dock with my motor (outboard) all  the way up out of the water until I got out a ways.  then still shallow water drive as it is very shallow with mud that churns up and very thick weed growth some right up near the surface. I know it may not be real popular or convenient but for any of the larger boats and especially those not outboards I would suggest using the north end launch despite it being very shallow in the channel as well but boats have been using it (probably trimming their motors up on the way out and in).  I 'd be staying in the center of the canal and maybe a little to the left as you are passing the swimming pool area going out and to the righ coming in (and that with the deck chairs out near the water) as it tends to be a bit deeper. It is probably only about 2 1/2 to 3 ft in the channel right now if that.  Sorry to be the bearer of sad tidings but better to be aware than paying 2 or 3 hundred for a prop repair  or worse .best of luck to all fishing the tourney.  Surface temp today 66 degrees. Didn't have my other temp stuff with me.  Massive amounts of bait on both sides at the south end in 29 to 40 ft of water (one 30 ft high and for a couple hundred yards. It was so thick that my perch rigs were tick ticking through it.

Edited October 1, 2016 by Sk8man

[Sk8man]

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[Bigfoot]

Jason fished there today and posted a couple of videos on FB. His rainbow program was working. Not sure if he launched North or South.

[Sk8man]

It sounds like he was able to launch OK in either case and that was what I was concerned about and wanted those guys to be aware of. Unfortunately I don't do Facebook so I guess i won't be able to see his handiwork this time

[Nautitroller]

Canandaguia was great for us today even though we were only able to weigh in one small bow. I had a chance to pre fish this past week and found a active group of larger bows in the middle ( North end ish) on some large bait pods. Caught 4 bows that day with the biggest being just under 5 lbs All released.. Today we ended up landing 8 bows and losing two that were toads. The biggest we lost hit a pink FLT alpha alewife down 55' over 222' he jumped 3-4' out of the water twice and thrashed his head throwing the spoon back at me like to say nice try!! I'd estimate that fish at 9 plus pounds... The other we lost played like he wasn't hooked til he got to the net the flipped out and said goodbye! 4 lber or so. Also picked a nice 6lb Laker. Overall the screens showed a healthy amount of bait and tons of arcs. Canandaguia has always been tough for us but today it was a lot of fun, just need to learn how to land the Tasmanian fish devil!!

[Sk8man]

I think a major thing today was the front moving through and the heavy rain last night. It probably messed up the thermocline pretty bad.  The trout fishing has been way off historic levels for some time and especially so for the browns here and it was not a big surprise that none were entered today. At least it was "fishable" today although windy. I was also glad to see the launch ramp was doable and that there were no major problems.  John - sorry I didn't get a chance to chat with you today as you were on the other side of the group at the weigh-in but I did get a chance to talk with a number of folks there and people I hadn't seen in quite awhile so was catching up on things. It looked like a good turn out today and everyone seemed to have a good time and that is the primary thing I guess.  There were a few nice healthy looking bows in the mix too. The FLTA has some very skilled and  well equipped fisherpersons in it and this was not one of the easiest tourneys to fish. Hopefully next year things will start turning around on Canandaigua. Congrats to the folks that caught bows....you earned them

Edited October 3, 2016 by Sk8man

[Nautitroller]

Sorry we missed ya Les, the group of guys n gals that fish in the FLTA are skilled to say the least great folks and always fun. Canandaguia was really fun for us, any one of the finger lakes can take years to learn, I look forward to learning more about each lake we fish, gotta say that the trolling bite was tough Sunday but worth the trip. Thanks for all of your insight!