how is fishing in buffalo

[wnyguy]

I live just outside of east aurora, sounds kind of far away but much to my surprise is only a 35 minute drive to the small boat harbor launch. This was my first year on erie for the most part, and really my first year of using my recently aquired old boat so it was quite the education for me, I guess you can teach an older dog new tricks... I don't know why but that lake just calls to me, must have some pirates in the family line somewhere haha. I am done for the year, the engine is fogged, very sad. But, I may sneak out on the breakwall and cast for walleyes we'll see. I am seriously considering getting a kicker motor, for trolling but also for backup use, especially for late season fishing. It won't look pretty but my old boat (86) already isn't pretty so what's the difference! Engine sure ran good though this year no blips at all. btw I have to use the arrows keys myself when changing text, sometimes it's like 1985 all over again.

[fishkiller16]

Wnyguy I have a kicker on my "old" small boat (1981 19' sylvan) and it looks good. I have put thousands of walleye in that ol sylvan over the years from Chautauqua Lk, Silver Lk, and Lk Erie from Buffalo to Port Clinton Oh. So dont count out the old boats, the first tool you will need is a trolling motor 8 hp or a 9.9 and go 4 stroke if possible. and next is just as crucial is good electronics (gps & fishfinder). After that is a good group like us....lol if you need any pointers or wanna jump in with me one day just ask. , Jim

[wnyguy]

I used to go fishing quite a bit when I was younger, and for a while fished a week up in canada for walleyes each summer so I kind of know what I'm doing, but I discovered that erie is a different kind of animal. You just don't stop anywhere and throw a bobber and worm out to catch sunfish...
I have been eyeing up the 9.8/9.9 4 stroke engines, still need to decide to buy a used one, or just go brand new. Lots of money to spend though, but also it would be an engine that would last a long time and my son could probably get use out of it down the road as well. This spring I put a humminbird 788ci unit on it, and I bought the navionics hotmaps chip which really worked out well. Santa hopefully is bringing me a better marine radio with antenna also. I have to say this is the most expensive free thing (boat) I ever got in my life haha. It never stops does it. Oh well we all have our vices, might as well be something that puts a delicious meal on the table. Thanks a lot for the offer to fish, I just might take you up on that. Does your kicker swing down to use?

[fishkiller16]

yes the kicker swings down on both boats i have a yamaha 9.9 on the 19 ft, and a 9.9 honda xtra long shaft on my 27 ft baha both are on a garlock spring loaded bracket i want to replace the honda eventually on the big boat with a honda 15 hp xtra long shaft the boat is 7000 lbs with an enclosed hard top and the 9.9 is a touch underpowered going into the wind. look at the tohotsu 9.8hp a friend just bought one for $2300.00 with electric start brand new.

[captainjoe]

I drove by the Small Boat Harbor yesterday and saw that the last launch ramp has been taken out of the water. Another sign that the season has ended. I know of one ramp that stays open, depending on the debris and ice. that's at the foot of Ontario Street. I never launched there but it looks pretty good.

[captainjoe]

I heard that the ice boom was scheduled to go in today.

[wnyguy]

Yeah I saw those tohatsu motors right away, seem to be pretty decent. I'm going to take my time on this one for now. Sure would be nice to fish for perch late like this though. This coming summer I'm going to work out a system of launching my boat with no dock, I think I have everything I need right now. From my ice fishing days perch fishing was always great right at first ice, so it should be smoking hot out there! Haha next year I'll be all ready and erie will have ice covering it earliest in season in 100 years. My canvas cover is the original, and really looks bad and leaks even worse so I'm going to see what I can do about that this coming year as well.

Here is a link to ny's fisheries report for 2010 if anyone didn't get this, it's pretty interesting.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_mari...shannrpt11.pdf