rmcguirk

Condolences on your loss.

For me, too, and for everyone else I saw out there. Given the "perfect" weather, I thought for sure that there would be a top water or reaction bite. While I did get some action on a swim jig, like you guys it was not near what I thought it would be--one big pike and a couple of other pops but no other fish. I never dreamed that they'd be hiding under docks given the conditions. Ah well, live and learn...

So, I’ve got a basic fish and ski boat. Bought it new 7 summers ago. It came with a pretty weak FF—a Garmin Echo 150, with a tiny screen. I actually had a better model, a Garmin Echo 500c on my kayak already, so I swapped them. It has now fried after about 8-9 years of solid use. I can go back to the tiny 150, for the time being, but I’m going to need a new solution. Space limitations on the boat restrict me to a max 5 inch model. Questions: 1. Will the newer Garmin “chirp” models just plug and play, meaning I won’t have to install a new transducer and wiring? Alternatively, will other manufactures’ units plug and play? If so, any recommendations? 2. If I’m going to have to install a new transducer and wiring anyway, recommendations on a new unit. Thanks in advance.

Got out last night on Conesus for a couple of hours after work. Absolutely nothing other than a pike bite off. This morning was better, but not great. Got four before lunch, including a 5.5 LM, which made everything better. Everything came on a wobble head with a rage bug in 3-4 ft. Tried to force feed a lot of other baits and nothing else produced. Got a peck or two on a drop shot, but they we’re likely rock bass or sunnies. Nothing but casting practice from about 11:30-2:00.

Yikes, that's a stud. I don't know what's more impressive: that single amazing fish, the 11 fish over 5 (including another over 6), or the 100+ in the boat on a day that, a few miles away, I was scratching for bites on Conesus. Outstanding!

Got one for Christmas from my boys, but it is going to be quite a while before we've got water around here to try it out...

On Canadice, that was super nice of them, with so little boat traffic. If you run out of gas there, it could be a long time before you run into somebody who could help you out.

Well, gotta say, this makes me feel better--meaning at least I'm not the only one. Due to family issues and a boat issue, in May I only got out last Saturday and then again today on Conesus. Last Saturday, got skunked for about five hours. Skunked in May! Awful. Had high hopes for today. Went the first 5 hours with nothing. I saw one guy locked in on beds with his power poles pull a few, but I don't have those and bed fishing doesn't work well in my rig. Finally, in the last half hour, I finally pulled one smallie. Typical Conesus Lake 2 pounder, but she fought like a demon. I sure hope the season turns around soon, as it has not started well at all.

Got out again on Conesus for about four hours --10:30-2:30. Weather was much, much nicer. Fishing was still pretty tough. Managed four bass, two LM and two SM. Biggest was a 3.5lb LM. Also boated three pike, one of which was a stud. I did a bit more exploring today. Some parts of the lake were just a bit cloudy--about three feet visibility. Other parts were chocolate milk--less than one foot visibility. I've never seen it so cloudy. Lots of boats out, especially on the north end. From what I could see, nobody was doing particularly well.

Got out for about 3 hours on Conesus today. Only had four bites. First was a 2lb LM, second was a pretty good pike. Stupid me, forgot to check my line, and the next bite meant I lost that jerkbait. The fourth bite was on a trap, and didn't land it. All bites were in 7 feet or less. Water temp never got above 47.5 and it was as dirty as I've ever seen it. Tomorrow's supposed to be sunnier and warmer.

@wnybassman: Thanks! Super info and obviously timely. I can't wait to get out there. And, if my buddy and I catch two that top 10 lbs, it will be a good day! Love this forum!

@ww2farmer: Thanks! As always, you provide great, actionable intel on what's going on. Much appreciated and hope to capitalize tomorrow and Sunday.

So excited! Boat is going in Conesus on Saturday. Marina is going to leave it out for me to clean/stock on Friday evening and the maiden voyage for the season will be Saturday morning. So, where are the fish in WNY--shallow or deep? I've been out the last two weekends on Honeyoe in my kayak and didn't get a sniff. Both days it was quite windy, and better safe than sorry, I stayed very close to shore hoping for some LM cruising. Nothing. @ww2farmer and others who've been out on Silver or elsewhere, where are the fish? What was the water temp when you've been out? Over the next couple of days, it doesn't look particularly warm, unfortunately. As usual, thanks!

Year in, year out, a t-rigged worm catches as much as anything I throw (perhaps as much as everything else). I'm always trying to force feed them something else for fun or variety. I'm sure that if I stuck to nothing but an old fashioned worm, I'd catch more.

Good to hear. I bought a 7'4" platinum series as a new jig and t-rig rod, to go with a new carbonlite 2.0 reel. Though I couldn't hold one before buying, as I obviously would have preferred, my local shops (BPS, Dicks, F&S) had very little selection in the moderate (I.e., sub $200) price category to touch and feel, so I would have been buying whatever I chose sight unseen. It arrives Tuesday. I guess if I don't like the "feel", I can return it and only be out the delivery charge.

Early in the morning, when it is quiet on the lake, no. Prefer the sounds of nature. But when jet skiers, etc. start bombing around the lake, sure. Put my phone on shuffle and enjoy.

I picked up one at the recent sale. Felt nice. Smooth and precise. We'll see how it casts, etc., when spring come along. I've got several PCs, and they are not the highest end, but they are workhorses, and the new real feels much nicer in hand.

I need (ok, perhaps just want) a new bottom contact rod--it will be used almost exclusively for jigs and t-rigs. I'm going to go to BPS to touch and feel a few rods, and probably buy something with the classic sale and trade in. In looking at the BPS website, and they are advertising their new Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Casting Rod. Looks nice enough, but looks are not particularly important, sensitivity, handling, balance, etc. are. Has anyone had a chance to see and hold one in person? Better yet, has anyone fished one? I've had pretty good results with BPS-labeled products in the past. Gear is not the highest end stuff in the world, but I'm typically looking for the sweet spot between price and quality. I'd like to keep it around $150 or so, and with the trade-in sale, this new series fits the bill. Related question: MHF 7'1" or MHF 7'4"? Would be used almost exclusively from my boat, so it wouldn't be a kayak or shore rod. I've typically stuck to 7' or 7'1" rods, but I am interested in trying something longer. Pros/cons? Thanks all.

Got out both days this past weekend on Conesus. Fishing, for me, was pretty slow. Nothing doing on top water, which had been pretty reliable the last few weekends, and almost nothing on moving baits (two pike bite offs). I did have some luck bouncing a jig and pig on the bottom, including this guy, my new personal best at 5.95LBs. The scale bounced on 5.99 a couple of times before settling at 5.95. Would've loved for her to go 6, but haven't cracked that yet.

Those look awesome. Good action, I assume based on fact that you're recommending them?

So sorry for your loss.

Dadadadayyuum. I really need a lesson.

All good options here. You also should consider the Finger Lakes withing striking distance, including Honeyoe, Canadice, Hemlock, Conesus, and Silver. All provide good fishing. If scenery is important, it is hard to beat Canadice and Hemlock.