Ric66

Fished Friday from 7-10:30am in 70 to 85 feet. Two riggers from 50 to 65 feet and a 10 color. Used Sutton spoons to mimic the smelt and also a black and silver jointed rapala. Was only getting hit on riggers so added a snap weight to my core and it started to get hit too. Tried other patterns but only the suttons and black/silver rapala worked.

I had same experience. Sticks early then spoons. I used 44 suttons. Figured sunny day would be good time to use them. Riggers 50 and 60. 5 color worked early but then died

I went out solo yesterday early. Managed four keepers and lost two others before wind got too strong, and ran out of worms! Caught a bunch of perch, white perch, and sheep head which is why I ran out of worms.

Hey Jim, Which boat launch is that? The State launch close to the mouth of the Catt or Hanover? Didn't think either of them open until later in spring. Thanks, Bob

Fished Wednesday from 7:30 to 10:30. Set up in about 60feet a half mile away from the pack of boats. Never had to move, constant action, and fishing ridiculously easy. Even caught a few on bare hooks. Caught a bonus small walleye. Putting boat up for winter though great walleye reports making me want to go after them.

Not many reports so decided to go to Barcelona for the first time. Went out to 80-100fow. DR set at 40ft and set up a 3 and 5 color. Used F9 rapalas gold/black and silver/black. Everything took hits but leadcore was best. Marked very few fish, probably because they were up in water column. Glad I had a good day- long drive from Rochester. Will probably concentrate on salmon rest of season.

Glad I stayed home. How did he fall out and then get back in? Dangerous in these cold waters.

Anyone planning on going out on Thursday? Weather shows wind out of east. Will it be worth it? Coming from Rochester so don’t want to waste gas but itching to get out.

Went out early this morning and got a hit on a downrigger right away but lost him after a short battle then didn’t catch anything till late morning when I finally got a keeper. Hit a fire tiger jointed rapala. Didn’t move another rod so I switched all my jointed rapalas to deep diving crank baits and that turned them on. Got two hits right away. A storm looked like it was coming in from the north but I hoped I could get one more before calling it a day. My rigger got hit and I could tell it was a good one. Then my other rigger got hit for a doubleheader…… but no. First fish got tangled in my second line. Had to hand line the fish into the net. This one was 27 inches. Also caught a bonus perch…. He fought the hardest. Used the chamberlain release again but line kept getting hung up on the metal lever. Don’t ask me how. Used a rubberband in the release and this worked great. It’s what I do when I use black releases.

Thanks fishmaster! I’ll give that a try.

On one of my riggers I was using a Chamberlain release that I thought was set light but a 4 lb walleye still didn’t trip it. I think I’m going to just have to experiment with it till I get it tuned right. They do seem like a great release and looks like a lot of people recommend them. One thing I was very pleased with where new retractable transom tie downs on my trailer I used for the first time. I lost a tie down so decided to install the retractable ones. Why didn’t I do this years ago? Love them!

Went out around 5:30am this morning and beat the crowd. Only a few boats at Sunset Marina when I arrive., but half hour later and there were a ton of boats out. Went out to 75 feet and set up a couple down riggers and planer board. By 10am I had my second limit of the week. Marked many fish and it really seemed like shooting fish in a barrel the last couple times out. Couple weeks ago I went out of Sturgeon and got skunked so I'll take this. Nothing huge but the the fish were chunky. One problem I am having is when I get a fish on, cant tell it because the fish doesn't release from the rigger. I've tried all the releases and if I set them too loose, they false release, too tight and they don't release at all. I guess I'm just going to have to keep experimenting till I find the sweet spot. Walleye fishing with down riggers is very different than fishing for salmon on Lake O.

Fished Wed from 6:30 to 1pm in 70 to 85 feet. Fished worm harnesses but no luck. Gold and black jointed rapala took four fish off a rigger, black and grey took another and flicker minnow run on three color core with four ounce snap weight on planet board took the last fish for my limit. Bugs were unreal.