Chaumont Bay vs Guffins Bay

[redshanty]

After seeing all of the great posts last year from Chaumont Hardware I'll be making my maiden voyage to the area at the end of next week.  I originally was planning on going out on Chaumont Bay but then I found a shanty rental from Guffins Bay Marina and the fella will shuttle the guys without wheelers for $5 round trip.  (great deal)   I'm the trip "organizer" so I want to make sure I don't screw up by fishing Guffin's vs Chaumont.  Are they generally about the same or should I abandon Guffin's and stick with Chaumont?  Not looking for hot spots or honey holes, just wondering if anyone who's fished there might offer an opinion.   Many thanks in advance.           

[esox slayer]

After seeing all of the great posts last year from Chaumont Hardware I'll be making my maiden voyage to the area at the end of next week.  I originally was planning on going out on Chaumont Bay but then I found a shanty rental from Guffins Bay Marina and the fella will shuttle the guys without wheelers for $5 round trip.  (great deal)   I'm the trip "organizer" so I want to make sure I don't screw up by fishing Guffin's vs Chaumont.  Are they generally about the same or should I abandon Guffin's and stick with Chaumont?  Not looking for hot spots or honey holes, just wondering if anyone who's fished there might offer an opinion.   Many thanks in advance.           

You'll do well at either location.  I've fished both bays for many seasons and have had great success on all species in both..

Guffins has got an ample supply of perch, big walleye taken out of there every year and good sized northern pike.

The main bay, likewise.

If you don't have machines to get around the ice, I'd avoid the main bay as it's a long walk to the decent fishing grounds, depending on what species you're targeting.

[bgaffney]

Exactly

[Crappie slammer]

How deep do you fish on guffins bay and is there ice there yet or should I say is it fishable

[Rugburn]

The guy from Guffin Bay may actually take you to Chaumont, it's not that far from his place. If he's guiding I suspect he knows the area well.

[tj_cubin]

What’s the deal with that shanty rental? I don’t see anything on their website about it.

[redshanty]

I saw a post for it somewhere.  Its a 2-3 person shanty.  Sets it up for jigging.  No heat.  I’m bringing a mr buddy.   $35 a day.  He only has one shanty working right now. 

[redshanty]

You'll do well at either location.  I've fished both bays for many seasons and have had great success on all species in both..

Guffins has got an ample supply of perch, big walleye taken out of there every year and good sized northern pike.

The main bay, likewise.

If you don't have machines to get around the ice, I'd avoid the main bay as it's a long walk to the decent fishing grounds, depending on what species you're targeting.

thanks esox.  We are after Eyes and perch.  We have more people than wheelers. 

[bgaffney]

RedShanty If you have wheelers as stated be sure you have insurance and registration with helmets. Oue DEC are not as strict as Cranberry Lake but a ticket could ruin a great fishing outing. Good Luck!

[esox slayer]

thanks esox.  We are after Eyes and perch.  We have more people than wheelers.

The only other advice I can offer up to you if you're unfamiliar with this body of water is this:

Watch for where others are fishing to get ideas where to go, but more importantly, pay attention to where the people are not, or are in very sparse numbers.

This bay will bite you in a hurry with changing conditions, just ask the guy who didn't understand changing conditions and went on an iceburg ride a couple years ago up here.  Apparently, just because he was on 8 inches or so of ice that had broken up/refrozen numerous times and the current (outflow) was ripping his jig sideways in the hole, he "thought" he was ok "cuz he'd been out there awhile".

When you guys get up here, ask Greg or whoever is working at the hardware store that day about ice conditions and where to avoid, they've got up to date information and are happy to share...

[redshanty]

GREAT INFO ESOX.   Really really appreciate it.   If u are ever in the need of striper info on the upper hudson let me know!   

[dcosto]

Is Chaumont Hardware no longer a sponsor of this site? I miss their excellent reports.

[dpmsrm03]

Need to friend them on Facebook....lost website a few years back.

[reeleyez]

Does anyone have more details on the contact offering these services..

[esox slayer]

Does anyone have more details on the contact offering these services..

http://guffinbayresortandmarina.com/index.html

[bgaffney]

Add a compass to your list.

[Buckeyefisherman]

Looks like it is going to be a cold weekend.  I am planning on toughing it out though.  I'm hearing some good thing about Chaumont this year.  I really wish we could set up a parking lot over on 3mile bay though.  That place is a diamond.

[basscott99]

Has anyone heard the ice broke up today on Chaumont from the wind?