how is fishing in buffalo

[wnyguy]

The last walleye I caught trolling felt like a wet sock on the end, I wasn't sure I even had a fish on until it almost got to the boat. The hardware used to get down deeper takes away from feeling the fish on the end somewhat. I have "worked" the pole when trolling, ie bring it slowly forward and then slack off, this gives me a good feel of how everything feels with no fish on, kind of a baseline. I've seen my pole act differently, set the hook, and then bring it slowly forward if I'm still unsure to check how it feels. I'm still new at this fishing erie thing, but years ago used to troll for walleyes up in canada, chautauqua, with smaller everything.

Fish that have fight left in them, when they get near the boat will actually see the boat, think it's a predator and panic. That's why they get lost at the boat, and is exactly what happened to me last year with a big musky that I hooked and lost at the boat, forgot about that crucial time when they see the boat and will try and sound deeper, roll, etc. This can happen especially if the fish does not fight much at first, or you use the boat to get closer to the fish like I did my musky.

[wishin fishin]

thanks guys you have all been so helpful - its because of this forum that my fishing skills have increased - i read all that is posted by you and have learned alot.

i'm a wanna-be al linder, so if you see me on the water, say hello, i drive a blk. 18' lund - "rippin lips"



one confession, although productive, trolling can be so boring, i'm use to feeling for the hit!!

[wnyguy]

one confession, although productive, trolling can be so boring, i'm use to feeling for the hit!!

I can get bored with it too, that's why I hold a pole and work it. Speed it up, slow it down, up down etc anything to give it a little action and I have consistently outfished the people who just sit there watching the pole. I have caught some niced sized walleyes in the past by moving the pole forward and then moving it back, that slows the lure/bait down right in front of a following fish and they can't help but strike. You know how doing S turns gives you an idea of speed and what the fish want? Same principle and at the least I feel like I'm putting in some effort. In a boat with just two people and a couple of poles this works pretty easy, with 6 lines out and 4 people maybe not.