Oneida Lake Walleye?

[SlabStomper]

I'm planning on driving down to Oneida shortly here and am looking for some advice. First I would like to know your preferred line. I have some 8lb Fireline micro ice and am wondering if I can run that without a leader and be fine or if it will end up limiting the amount of strikes? Second I'm wondering the baits. I've heard jiggin raps, slender spoons and Swedish pimples but I'm lost on what sizes and colors. Last do you guys like to relate to basin or structure like shoals? I've got a gps so finding both is easy. I'm only 16 so I'm limited on how often I can make the longer travels for fishing so I always try to make the most of them. Any advice is appreciated fellas. Thanks

[o2rmk800]

head over to the Oneida threads and do some reading. those guys have some very detailed and great information. go into the old reports and conditions from last season too.

[huntny30]

I am no expert but you will see where people are fishing, using GPS maps and finding structure and deep holes will work, jigging raps are always good, some put buckeye heads on the treble, some use fathead heads and many don't use bait at all...there are perch and other fish so many jigs work as well...I always use 4 lb test for perch, crappie and on Oneida...good luck and be safe

[SlabStomper]

I've watched those threads forever but I'm looking for a little extra info. So based on your experience the Fireline would be a bad idea even though it has the 3lb diameter and the crystal color? Does anyone run straight Fireline if so what strength? Looks like I'm going shopping regardless 

[buck 1]

stren mega thin clear    6 # tip  your lures with a buck eye head  keep bringing the mark up and hold if it wont stike open your bail and let it drop to the bottom and start over again  dont go with out a flasher just wasting your time

[SNAGGER]

  All I run is jigging raps, left my spoon box at home last 4 trips. 6lb clear mono, but one rod has 4lb power pro braid for deeper water.  Million ways too skin a cat, but for hot fish, perch included, hard to beat a rap.

[SNAGGER]

stren mega thin clear    6 # tip  your lures with a buck eye head  keep bringing the mark up and hold if it wont stike open your bail and let it drop to the bottom and start over again  dont go with out a flasher just wasting your time

  Buddy of mines dad still refuses to use a flasher, hes old school, hes gotton the first 3 on the ice 3 straight trips ahead of everyone in his group.  pretty cool stuff.  hes dialed in at first light.

[PerchEyes]

  All I run is jigging raps, left my spoon box at home last 4 trips. 6lb clear mono, but one rod has 4lb power pro braid for deeper water.  Million ways too skin a cat, but for hot fish, perch included, hard to beat a rap.

Snagger is right on the mark in regards to jigging raps.
My go-to is a 7 cm in Glow color (mainly white with a tad of chartreuse on the head).
Add a perch eye to treble hook (or minnow head).
Only complaint with this lure is occasionally you'll bump a fish off at the hole due to the hooks on the ends.

PerchEyes

[PerchEyes]

  Buddy of mines dad still refuses to use a flasher, hes old school, hes gotton the first 3 on the ice 3 straight trips ahead of everyone in his group.  pretty cool stuff.  hes dialed in at first light.

For the last couple years, I have had more success (and fun) by reducing my use of a flasher.
I'll leave on till I start marking then pull the transducer up and turn it off.
Allows me to concentrate on jigging technique and detecting a light bite.
Try it next time!

[ejp419]

I've never fished Onieda, but when I get fish on my flasher sniffing my lure I look at my rod tip....

[Shouldabeenhereyesterday]

I've never fished Onieda, but when I get fish on my flasher sniffing my lure I look at my rod tip....

It also works the other way...learn to read the flasher when they are hitting....lot of times when the bite is lite and they dont move ur rod tip you can "see" the hit on the flasher.

[SlabStomper]

Alright thanks for the advice guys looks like I've gotta get some stuff and then find my way down there. Once again thanks for all the help!

[buck 1]

im always willing to help any one that wants to learn and good luck to ya when you go

[33Canuck]

This is why this site and the guys on the ice rock, some guys are tight lipped which I can understand at times but when you have great fishing why not enjoy it and help others enjoy it with you.  Good stuff guys!

[reeleyz]

I use 4lb. fireline crystal for eyes and #5 jigging raps. I feel like I get a better hookset with braid and you can really feel the bites. If you are fishing in a shanty braid is great but if it is cold and you are outside it can be a pain because it will ice up.

I always fish some type of structure for walleyes. The base of drop offs are generally good. Sometimes the middle of the drop is good and at dawn/dusk the top of the drop off can be good. Oneida has tons of great structure. I look for subtle changes in the structure like points or hooks, steeper drops etc. Even if it is only a drop of a few feet it can be good.

Good luck!

[Chowdaire]

I tried the Power Pro Ice Tech braid this year. It's not supposed to freeze up and so far it hasn't, even up to Black Lake in -4 temps. It's pricey but I'm pretty impressed with the performance.

[wish4fish]

I fished Oneida for the 1st time. Started w/ jigging raps and a moonshine  tipped w/ buckeye head, 4 # fluoro on  lightweight rod. I kept losing the bigger fish and what would have been my 1st Burbot at the hole...  Downsized  to teardrops w/  buckeye head and managed a few keepers.     I was surprised at how subtle the bite was. Iced 40 or so eyes, most were between 12 and 14 inches.

[Murph20]

I fished Oneida for the 1st time. Started w/ jigging raps and a moonshine  tipped w/ buckeye head, 4 # fluoro on  lightweight rod. I kept losing the bigger fish and what would have been my 1st Burbot at the hole...  Downsized  to teardrops w/  buckeye head and managed a few keepers.     I was surprised at how subtle the bite was. Iced 40 or so eyes, most were between 12 and 14 inches.

bigger bait=bigger fish....I always run braid..wayyy better hook sets..

[Chowdaire]

I find with the heavier baits, raps, rattle spoons, etc., you absolutely need a heavier rod. At least a medium action. If not when the fish gives those headshakes on the way up that heavy bait swinging just rips the hooks out of his lips.

[Murph20]

I find with the heavier baits, raps, rattle spoons, etc., you absolutely need a heavier rod. At least a medium action. If not when the fish gives those headshakes on the way up that heavy bait swinging just rips the hooks out of his lips.

x2...thats the only way i roll.. 8lb ice braid, 32'' medium heavy rod.. I also cut off the front hook on the raps..when i hook up 9/10 fish get landed.

[SNAGGER]

I disagree with cutting the hooks off, did that too a few of my raps 8-9 yrs ago, my numbers went way down, 70% of my eyes are hooked on that single hook on the front, perch included.  I've always replaced the trebs that come on it with some of my own..  26 inch medium light rods for me....

[filetandrelease]

I use fireline original 4# with a 6# trans optic leaded about 2 ft just to absorb the shock of the hook set  and a tiny barrel swivel and I use fast snaps for quick changes I carry 4 rods 3 for jigging and a dead stick , with a med rod , I have used the ice line still freezes like a bear if out side , in a shack it's all fine , raps , pimples , cast master, and Scandinavian  to name a few , and I don't cut off the front or back hook off my raps or the other horizontal jigs i use

[buck 1]

I disagree with cutting the hooks off, did that too a few of my raps 8-9 yrs ago, my numbers went way down, 70% of my eyes are hooked on that single hook on the front, perch included.  I've always replaced the trebs that come on it with some of my own..  26 inch medium light rods for me....

    those hooks are on there for a reason and  i made my own pole very soft tip with a bad  a.. back bone for a good hook set those eyes  have hard gums

[Murph20]

I disagree with cutting the hooks off, did that too a few of my raps 8-9 yrs ago, my numbers went way down, 70% of my eyes are hooked on that single hook on the front, perch included.  I've always replaced the trebs that come on it with some of my own..  26 inch medium light rods for me....

that front hook catches the ice, most my fish are hooked on the treble,, too each their own tho..tight lines

[SNAGGER]

  Those moonshines have no front hook, used one last week, missed like 7-8 bites in a row then dumped 2 fish on the way up, snow was deep, draggin was tough, those bites weren't coming along that fast then.... cut it off let it sink too the bottom of the lake, put a #3 rap on, back in business, just got too guide them into the hole, yes some get caught on the hole and come off, but atleast I got too fight them too the hole.

[SNAGGER]

  I got 2 rods with 6lb gamma ultra clear, these rods are for water under say 24 fow, as I get deeper say 26-30 I use 4lb mono, also gamma ultra clear, after 30 fow, comes the 4lb braid....

[filetandrelease]

I just bought at the end of last year a bulk spool of fire line 4 , and a 300 yard spool of 6 if I go for the big eyes in Can

[mjw]

I use 20lb power pro with a six pound fluoro leader haha its the only braid that I had laying around but It works! When you come down make sure to stop at apps they will set you up with what to use and where to go

[filetandrelease]

I use 20lb power pro with a six pound fluoro leader haha its the only braid that I had laying around but It works! When you come down make sure to stop at apps they will set you up with what to use and where to go

  you can debone and boil coming up so fast LOL

[huntny30]

Slabstomper you are getting advice from three of the best eye fisherman on that lake...if Snag, FnR and Reeleyz give you advice it will work...good luck out there!