Is it possible?

[Brian]

I do a lot of trolling for walleyes on Oneida Lake, but would like to try Lake Ontario. Is it possible to go out on a calm morning with a deep v 17 ft. walleye rig and catch lakers or browns. Any advise would be greatly appreciated...the boat has down riggers and I have dipsy's , jet divers , snap weights, lead core and what I don't have I'll get. I just don't know if I would be wasting my time or if it's safe.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[K Gonefishin]

Sure is you'll be fine. I had a 16 ft tiller at one time and would always go out on Erie which can be a little worse than Ontario as far as snottyness of rough water, choppier vs wider wave span. Just watch the weather and go out on a 2ft or less day and you'll be just fine, make sure you have all saftey gear and having a VHF marine band radio...just in case and don't go alone.

[Brian]

Kinda my thought. Thanks for the advice. If I go out of Oswego and drag bottom are there lakers to be had?

[rustyrat]

Fish for kings, don't bother with the mud chickens. Kings can be caught in 100 fow which is not far to run out of oswego. I used to do it in a 16 fter.

Just have to pick your days. They will be in that range very soon if not allready.

RR

[jekyll]

Consider Mexico Bay. The salmon will be stacking in shallower water soon. In front of Catfish Creek puts you on salmon while staying inside Paradise Bay which is sheltered from the west winds. Usually has much smaller seas.

[T_barb]

I fished for a number of years in a 16' boat from the Oak to Sodus... You just need to be careful and when in doubt get off the water... make sure you have a good radio as well!

Put a lot of fish in the boat... I always figured as long as you have the right gear and you presnet a good program, the fish don't know what kind of boat you are in...

Also with a set of planner boards, some lead core, copper and wire, you can cover a lot of water...

Good Luck

[Landshark]

i do it all the time

[Mike Plotner]

I take my 16 foot starcraft out all the time to 300-400 feet without problems just watch the weather make do with what you got or can afford Be safe and have fun the fish will come. If you dont have a speed and temp unit get one you'll be glad you did GOOD LUCK

Mike

[Schools Out]

I do it all the time, and run as far a charity island for eyes in a 16ft lund.

[Brian]

Guys, I really appreciate all the advice.One last question. I know the launch at Mexico is gated...if you come in after they close is your rig locked in?

[Storm Warning II]

Every spring I see a flotilla of 16'ers off the Niagara Bar as far as 7 or 8 miles off the river. There are PLENTY of days Lake O is like a sheet of glass, at least on the west end.

[Lucky Enuff]

I don't use that launch much, but I don't recall a "gate". There is a pay station but I don't recall an actual gate being there? Then again....I could be wrong.

Rod

[fishman08]

i've come off the water around 930 a couple different times and was never locked in. although i've heard they close the gates at 9 or 10 in the fall. this was years ago however before we started fishing oswego so i'm not sure what they do now

[Brian]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. This is a great site. The wind died enough on Friday night just before dark for a 16 ft. boat so I ran out of Oswego. Trolled from 50 ft. and worked out. When I got to 110 I started marking fish 70 down. Set the riggers there and within 15 minutes hooked up on a chrome and green NK. Too much fun to be legal.

[LongLine]

Brian - Nice fish. You're hooked now Just remember to use common sense out there.

Tom B.

(LongLine)