Looking for input

[Cas]

Looks like I'm going to head out to Lake Ontario next Thursday, and have Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday to fish (here's hoping to no huge weekend blows out there). I was last out there about 15 or so years ago. Since then - the fleas have taken over. What are the suggestions for that? I don't have wire setups. How does the flea flicker line work? Or other suggestions.

When I used to go out there, we camped out at Selkirk shores near Pulaski. From what I see on the LOU forum, the kings are still out pretty deep. Ron suggested maybe Oswego, as the run to deeper water isn't as far from there. Open to suggestions here as well.

I'll assume the same lures and techniques from 15 years ago still hold (bigger spoons than here, dypsies, flasher/dodgers, etc.) My current slide divers are braid, which I read isn't good for the fleas. I've got bigger rods/reels that I don't use on Champlain that I figure I'll load up with whatever the appropriate "line-de-jour" is to keep the fleas off as best as possible.

Looking for input and suggestions. No temp probe yet, so I'll have to find them the old fashioned way, trial and error, and read up on some forums beforehand and see what people are saying.

Thanks for any info.

[Shaye D Winds]

Cas,

Ron is right. They may still be more towards Oswego. Back in 2011 I posted a lengthy report about our fall trip. It was at the end of August but I am sure you may find some pointers in there. the written report is on page four of the post. Go to page 5 and I posted the set ups we used as well as the time of day we ran them. I would create a link but do not know how. Just look under Lake Ontario reports and go to page 2 or three it is labeled Shaye D Winds.

Also I use the Cortland Flea Flicker line in the 20 lb class. it keeps the fleas off but does twist at times. Crazy stuff as it is oval not round.
Hope it helps.

Don

[Cas]

Thanks Don - lots of good info in there! What's the size on those echip flashers? Have you guys noticed a considerable difference with the echip vs the non-echip?

[Shaye D Winds]

The flashers are 8". Yes we Always use the flashers with e chips

Last year the hot flasher was a green e chip with fireworks tape. The gal that runs port Ontario tackle made them.

Green flasher with a green crinkle fly is a must have.

Don

[jusfishin]

Cas,
Don's report is spot on for us as well...we do use the braided wire on our dipsies, have not had an issue with it with fleas...I use 30lb flea flicker vs. Don's 20lb, same result...occasionally twisted...as for Mexico vs Oswego...either place is not to far to trailer from Selkirk...in my opinion it completely depends on water temp in the bay...some year's Mexico Bay is bath water from top to bottom and the fishing is difficult...also if the weather forecast is not favorable, as Ron stated, it's alot quicker to get to the dock in Oswego...don't be afraid to throw a J-plug out there, last year we caught alot of fish on plugs...both on the rigger and the dipsy...Good Luck....

[MADSIERRA]

look either myself or flashpoint up if you end up in Oswego, we would be glad to help. we are both docked on Orange dock. Matt has a 24 foot penn yan called flashpoint and I have a 27 ft Baha called Madsierra. good luck. matt had a trip today and then we will both be on the pond for the weekend thru tuesday next week.

[voyager]

I camped at Selkirk a couple of weekends ago for some bass fishing on Mexico Bay. The campground is pretty nice with quite a few fishermen staying there. Ten minutes or less drive to the Mexico point launch, less than half an hour to Oswego. A good spot for a base.

[Flashpoint]

As madsierra said...give me a shout! You will def need wire for your dipsies! Fleas are sticking to them & the rigger cables this year! Not to discourage... the fish are there! Def want echips & spin doctors. Some white glow with green for cloudy days....chrome with green on sunny days! Pro am, green crinkle & hammer are all goto flies!!
Good luck!!

[Cas]

Thanks to all here and via PM. The money is starting to flow - ordered a couple echips, some flea flicker (hope it works) for the riggers, wire for dipsies and 300' of copper. Lures, flies, etc. will be picked up once I'm out there. Not using special rods for the wire, so hopefully a few days of running wire on the big pond with wire won't ruin the tips. But if they do, they're not my favorite rods anyhow (too heavy for Champlain), and if they do, that means we're having some luck out there.

Backing then copper, and backing then wire - what do you suggest for backing? Is heavy mono OK for backing? What do you usually have for leader lengths?

Do guys out there use the slide diver, or straight dipsies? Is lead worth running? What channel is monitored on the radio out there, same as here?

I appreciate the info. It will be a learning curve out there, looking forward to it.

[lazycs]

Cas,

300 yds of power pro for backing and 50 ft. of your favorite fluorocarbon leader ( 20- 30 lb.) is a good set up,mono is fine but the reel won't hold as much. i've used the smaller slides on my out and downs to get it away from the rigger with good success. on the wire the reg. dipsies are what you want. (black or clear are a good start). a lead of 8-10ft. behind the dipsie with or without a snubber. if you use a snubber use the small diameter clear ones,(opti tackle).

lead isn't used as much late season as spring but can be used in a SWR. let what ever color amount out then set it in your rigger release and drop it down to when the rigger depth and lead depth combined get you in your target fish depth. this can work when they get cable and weight shy.

channel 68

good luck...

[Shaye D Winds]

Cas,

Even if you really don't care about the rods you will use for ditsy rods I would recommend twilli tips. If you leave the standard eyes I would be concerned tat the wire will break on a hard hit or the wire will cut through on a long run. They are only about $7 each nd are easy to install.

Don

[Shaye D Winds]

Cas,

Even if you really don't care about the rods you will use for dipsy rods I would recommend twilli tips. If you leave the standard eyes I would be concerned that the wire will break on a hard hit or the wire will cut through on a long run. They are only about $7 each and are easy to install.

Don

[fishhuntadventure]

Cas, Even if you really don't care about the rods you will use for dipsy rods I would recommend twilli tips. If you leave the standard eyes I would be concerned that the wire will break on a hard hit or the wire will cut through on a long run. They are only about $7 each and are easy to install. Don

I was thinking that twilli tips might be a cheap out for one-shot use instead of a roller rod. I wasn't sure. Thank you for the confirmation!

[Shaye D Winds]

Cas, Even if you really don't care about the rods you will use for dipsy rods I would recommend twilli tips. If you leave the standard eyes I would be concerned that the wire will break on a hard hit or the wire will cut through on a long run. They are only about $7 each and are easy to install. Don

I was thinking that twilli tips might be a cheap out for one-shot use instead of a roller rod. I wasn't sure. Thank you for the confirmation!

There are rods made to use with wire dipsys that have twilli tips on them. The set of Hartlands I use have twillis and I have used them for over ten years. They work great.

Don

[Cas]

OK, last post, I think, before heading out at the end of the week. What's the best route for driving out there? Truck will have a camper on it, so I don't think driving over the adirondacks is ideal. Out of Burlington, head north and cross in Alburg, and take Route 3 to Watertown?

Madsierra/Flashpoint - might shoot you a PM while I'm out there, just to ask how deep you're fishing and where the temp breaks are. Hope to have a Friday afternoon trip after the drive. We'll be at the Sunset RV park in Oswego.

Thanks again for all the info.