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What I am getting at is, there is no number 1 system.Everyone has thier own spin on things.What works for me might not work for Perchslyr or vice versa.What you have the most confidence in is what you are going to use the most.You will never catch the big ones if your gear is not in the water.Drill alot of holes and spend as much time out there as possible.
agreed but a watched pot never boils and when I set tipups I find myself watching them more than I watch my flasher...
Yep!I may have decent luck putting keepers on the ice. But yesterday produced one fish in 5 hours.My only mission was to hook up the 'ol lady and it worked, but it was FAR from productive with only 5 in the water. In those depths I set my tipups using my flasher saving me some time from the old sounder method. In 100-125 fow it still takes me close to 1/2 hour. I'm easily distracted In those 5 hours I could have covered a lot more water if I stuck to jigging. And I probably would have tripled my catch according to how I usually do. 3 Or... Maybe more like 2. Now... another curveball I've noticed. I've caught a few really nice trout on Schroon and LG this year using small perch pimples.Mostly keepers now that I think of it. The constant smaller throw backs are happening on the big stuff that Tony keeps selling me on. Granted, everything last one has been productive. I just can't help but notice my bigger fish jigging are hitting the smaller jigs.
Ok Jamey let me ask you this?Do you think that the smaller presentations are working on the bigger fish because that is what the forage they are chasing resembles OR is it because these fish are in areas of high pressure and are a tad hook shy? For me larger jigs are better for the 23" and up fish.I however go out of my way to be on "fresh" fish.I don't like to be on other peoples left overs.I am in no way questioning what you are doing Jamey just curious on your thoughts or anyone elses.
Thanks bird for the advice. With some of the pm's I received you would of thought that I asked for someone's first born. I see what some people meen when they post about rude " this is my spot find your own " people on here atleast some seem cool and willing to help out I wasn't asking for your private access just somewhere away from the crowds.
You guys are 110% right. I'm a walker and often tied to the areas getting pounded on day in and out. I'm always fishing with the kids or women too and need to keep the trek minimal. Which is probably why the dead bait on bottom is producing better for me. If they stare at an easy meal long enough, they'll eat it. Same with my jigging. I put the dang tipups out and jig the same general area. Make my rounds with anything big and white and lucky to get a couple shorts. Make the same round with the UL and small chrome pimple and I'll get a good one... Sometimes. You can question me all you want man. I know who's putting up the bruisers on that lake. Typing this stuff out like this it helps me realize what I'm doing right and wrong. And might help a few others. I gotta get a solo trip or 2 in to cover some new water for sure.
The problem is, access points are becoming fewer & fewer because there are some pigs out there, that leave garbage all over. I remember signing a pledge here on the Shanty to take home what I bring and pick up after others, which I do. There a lot of good places to fish with no close access points, either you have to walk, which I have done for years, then I got a 4 wheeler to get to some of them, it not always easy with deep snow but generally it will blow off and you can get around. I've fishing LG for 37+ years and have a lot of favorite spots, that I have found on my own. I have taken people to some of these ares and I expect the courtesy of them not to go back to that spot with 1/2 dozen other fishermen. Some have broken that trust and I won't ever show them a spot again. That's why people don't like to tell about their spots. I have a lot of time effort a money to get to these spots, isn't that part of fishing search and reward yourself with a great spot that no one else knows about. I don't own it, but I don't have to give it up either. Good luck with your search!
Perch bite was good today. Until the lakers moved in. They broke my line twice and got most of my good perch jigs.
Here is my take on a losing battle, the Internet killed all the good fishing.A site that gets 10's of thousands hits a day, yes I think IS hit 30,000 in 1 day invites people to the areas. When folks say they are catching enormous numbers of fish from a water body it invites the masses. Some good some bad but if for a minute anyone thinks people are not drawn to the numbers they are only fooling themselves. There are only so few public access points and once machines show up its cut in half.It makes me eager to get out there reading those impressive catches but I look for the less crowded areas despite numbers and as always happy with 1 but getting skunked is always part of fishing for me.It's only natural that folks wish to share their great days with the public but numbers invite numbers and the issues that preclude. Great tourism but sore eye for all from the antics of a few( trash, trespass etc)The biggest most helpful thing from public forms is conditions .I'd like to know , ice thickness ,snow, caution spots, parking problems and of course a pic of a fish or two, not how many you caught. Obviously this is just my position on access problems for popular waters , just throwing it out as food for thought.Heck back in the day you had to spend time in the local pubs to find out the ole' timers honey holes and even then they could just be goose chase they sent you on. Now, it's just a click away .Have fun and good fishing:Peace & Tuna
LG is a big lake and there are Lakers every where, some of the biggest are in places most won't go, they are too lazy. Good luck to all that are after big fish, remember you have to work for what you want to get, or is that the problem, like the occupy Wall Street generation, they want it handed to them.
I think the trick is getting them to bite. I'm sorry. .. that was pretty lame. I just couldn't help myself. On a serious note, that is too bad to put all kinds of work money time etc... and come home empty handed. I have been there and it never feels good. It also doesn't feel too good to hear and see everyone else catching but that's life. I fished a small local lake 3 or 4 times and just about got a hit or two and that's it. One day I hooked up with a buddy who showed me a little bit more than I knew and I tried a few different things...including a different spot on the lake. Then, I got into them and regained my confidence as an ice fisherman. Now.. I haven't been skunked there yet. Haven't always pounded them but I usually catch some at least. If I get discouraged nowadays I just remind myself that my time is gonna come. I'm sure yours will too.
I'm glad the internet killed all the good fishing Hmmm. Sound. Like someone's not having a good fishing season. People kill good fishing and access areas Just because I park somewhere doesn't give everyone the right to park there even if you got some cold dolphin.