Captain's Journal
CAPTAINS JOURNAL.TIMESTWOCHARTERS.COM
July 24 and 25....and she rolled.....
As Yogi Berra once said "It was Deja Vu all over again"!
Same weekend as last year with the same results. We sat at the dock and waited
and waited and waited......
Saturday was 3 footers at the bouy at 5:30 a.m.; and with a forecast of t-storms
and higher gusts later in the day.....not much of a decision to make there. As it
turned out we did get pretty heavy weather in our area later in the day and a
tornado touched down along the shores of Chautauqua Lake.
Today, something a bit different. Winds actually laid out more than last night's
marine forecast; but again that 5:30 am check of the radar was pretty ominous.
LONG line of showers and t-storms. So we opted to be safe rather than sorry,
and we waited, and waited.....but by 9:30 am the weather came in, and as much
as we wished it wouldn't have, it did make our decision to wait seem smart.
The worst part of the chartering experience, BY FAR, is to have to tell a group
that you can't go. Yesterday's guys were blown off for the second year in a row,
and our group for today drove in nearly 3 hrs this morning. Just Awful.
Each group was good about the decision, but I know that it I was that group, I'd
be disappointed we couldn't go; and I know from our perspective, we are disappointed
we could not take them.
We appreciate the opportunity, and look forward to next time...and actually getting
out!
Same weekend as last year with the same results. We sat at the dock and waited
and waited and waited......
Saturday was 3 footers at the bouy at 5:30 a.m.; and with a forecast of t-storms
and higher gusts later in the day.....not much of a decision to make there. As it
turned out we did get pretty heavy weather in our area later in the day and a
tornado touched down along the shores of Chautauqua Lake.
Today, something a bit different. Winds actually laid out more than last night's
marine forecast; but again that 5:30 am check of the radar was pretty ominous.
LONG line of showers and t-storms. So we opted to be safe rather than sorry,
and we waited, and waited.....but by 9:30 am the weather came in, and as much
as we wished it wouldn't have, it did make our decision to wait seem smart.
The worst part of the chartering experience, BY FAR, is to have to tell a group
that you can't go. Yesterday's guys were blown off for the second year in a row,
and our group for today drove in nearly 3 hrs this morning. Just Awful.
Each group was good about the decision, but I know that it I was that group, I'd
be disappointed we couldn't go; and I know from our perspective, we are disappointed
we could not take them.
We appreciate the opportunity, and look forward to next time...and actually getting
out!
Moon River July 20-23
For the third consecutive summer, my wife, son and I took off for a few days of
relaxation at Moon River, Ontario. Located on the lower portion of Georgian
Bay, as long as traffic is good, it's only about 4.5 hrs from Dunkirk.
River was very warm...80 degrees, and consequently the bass and pike were
not cooperative. All was not lost, though, as the panfish kept us busy, even
though they were running on the small side.
Weather was very good, and as usual on these kinds of things...we ate too much!
For any of you that might be interested, Moon Basin Marina is a great facility for
a northern getaway. Click on the link on our sponsor page and tell Cindy/Kevin
you got their name from me!
Long ride back home, though....hour delay at the Peace Bridge, and then we
got the magic number for a "random check".
relaxation at Moon River, Ontario. Located on the lower portion of Georgian
Bay, as long as traffic is good, it's only about 4.5 hrs from Dunkirk.
River was very warm...80 degrees, and consequently the bass and pike were
not cooperative. All was not lost, though, as the panfish kept us busy, even
though they were running on the small side.
Weather was very good, and as usual on these kinds of things...we ate too much!
For any of you that might be interested, Moon Basin Marina is a great facility for
a northern getaway. Click on the link on our sponsor page and tell Cindy/Kevin
you got their name from me!
Long ride back home, though....hour delay at the Peace Bridge, and then we
got the magic number for a "random check".
July 16, 17 and 18
July 16....
After over a week of calm water, we got up today and found the lake to already be rolling, with
no sign of hope of it calming down later in the day. The worst part, by far, of the whole chartering
thing is to meet your group at the dock, and tell them that its too rough to go. But at least these
guys had a chance to reshcedule for later this summer!
July 17....
Still rolling today.
My son lobbied for, and succeeded in heading over to Cassadaga Lake in the little boat to do
some panfishing. Didn't get any keepers, but we probably landed over 100 small sunnies, perch,
calicos and even had 1 decent smallmouth on.
July 18....
A bit of leftover roll this morning, but the forecast looked good, and it looked like it would lay out.
It did. Unfortunately, the fishing was not quite to the levels of last week
We did box 6 nice walleye, and dropped another 4 or 5; plus a bonus brown trout that was pushing
10lbs!
Big slides and board lines were dead for us. Riggers were the best on WD Mojo. Also took 2
off the 10 color on the 5" zman chattersticks.
Off for a few days now......
After over a week of calm water, we got up today and found the lake to already be rolling, with
no sign of hope of it calming down later in the day. The worst part, by far, of the whole chartering
thing is to meet your group at the dock, and tell them that its too rough to go. But at least these
guys had a chance to reshcedule for later this summer!
July 17....
Still rolling today.
My son lobbied for, and succeeded in heading over to Cassadaga Lake in the little boat to do
some panfishing. Didn't get any keepers, but we probably landed over 100 small sunnies, perch,
calicos and even had 1 decent smallmouth on.
July 18....
A bit of leftover roll this morning, but the forecast looked good, and it looked like it would lay out.
It did. Unfortunately, the fishing was not quite to the levels of last week
We did box 6 nice walleye, and dropped another 4 or 5; plus a bonus brown trout that was pushing
10lbs!
Big slides and board lines were dead for us. Riggers were the best on WD Mojo. Also took 2
off the 10 color on the 5" zman chattersticks.
Off for a few days now......
July 10 and 11 - Ameracan Walleye Derby
Fished the New York Walleye Association Ameracan Derby out of Dunkirk July 10 and 11. This is a
maximum 4 guys per boat; 5 walleye per day; 2 day combined total weight format.
On board with Gerb, Capt. Gary and Joel...
DAY 1:
We did 23 fish; most in the 4-5 lb range. We were second group today, which meant 8-5pm fishing. At
2 pm, we figured we'd be weighing 5 fish for 20lbs.....not to good....but things changed for us big time in
the last hour and a half, as we upgraded with several nice fish. Ended up at 30.08lbs for 5 walleye...sitting
in 29th out of 79 boats, but we're bunched up with quite a few others. We still have a long shot!
Capt. Bud (Alibi Charters) is sitting in 3rd after today...great job!
Pretty much a little bit of everything again, but the 10 color rig with a 5" green Zman Chatterstick was our
best. This combo probably took 10-11 of our catch today. Also took some on the slide divers, jet divers and
the riggers and even 1 on a small slide diver off the boards.
Also had a couple of lakers, the largest was in the 10lb range.
DAY 2:
We did 12 fish today; 11 could have been identical twins in 4lb range. We were first group today, which meant
7-2 pm fishing. At 1 pm, we pretty much figured we'd be weighing 5 fish for 17 lbs.....but we managed to hook
a 7lber clearing rods off the downrigger....bumped us up to 22lbs, better, bu not good enough. Finished in the
middle of the pack with 52lbs for 10 fish..... Top boat was 79lbs.
10 color went dead on us today....we figured 10-11 fish on it yesterday, but only 1 today. We also had cold water
move in on the western end of our loop from yesterday...8 degree break between 50 and 55 feet....
Chattersticks were again good and we actually had better luck with the 5" today. Mojo WD stayed hot off the
riggers.
I think it might have been too calm today.....
Fish fry to end the night....bacon wrapped walleye, deep fried walleye, and we did a pan fried with a crushed
jalapeno pretzel crust that was awesome!
Joel (L) and Gerb (R) show off some of our catch!
Can't complain...fishing has been awesome and over the last 3 days we boxed just over 50 fish! Plus we had a
blast again!
maximum 4 guys per boat; 5 walleye per day; 2 day combined total weight format.
On board with Gerb, Capt. Gary and Joel...
DAY 1:
We did 23 fish; most in the 4-5 lb range. We were second group today, which meant 8-5pm fishing. At
2 pm, we figured we'd be weighing 5 fish for 20lbs.....not to good....but things changed for us big time in
the last hour and a half, as we upgraded with several nice fish. Ended up at 30.08lbs for 5 walleye...sitting
in 29th out of 79 boats, but we're bunched up with quite a few others. We still have a long shot!
Capt. Bud (Alibi Charters) is sitting in 3rd after today...great job!
Pretty much a little bit of everything again, but the 10 color rig with a 5" green Zman Chatterstick was our
best. This combo probably took 10-11 of our catch today. Also took some on the slide divers, jet divers and
the riggers and even 1 on a small slide diver off the boards.
Also had a couple of lakers, the largest was in the 10lb range.
DAY 2:
We did 12 fish today; 11 could have been identical twins in 4lb range. We were first group today, which meant
7-2 pm fishing. At 1 pm, we pretty much figured we'd be weighing 5 fish for 17 lbs.....but we managed to hook
a 7lber clearing rods off the downrigger....bumped us up to 22lbs, better, bu not good enough. Finished in the
middle of the pack with 52lbs for 10 fish..... Top boat was 79lbs.
10 color went dead on us today....we figured 10-11 fish on it yesterday, but only 1 today. We also had cold water
move in on the western end of our loop from yesterday...8 degree break between 50 and 55 feet....
Chattersticks were again good and we actually had better luck with the 5" today. Mojo WD stayed hot off the
riggers.
I think it might have been too calm today.....
Fish fry to end the night....bacon wrapped walleye, deep fried walleye, and we did a pan fried with a crushed
jalapeno pretzel crust that was awesome!
Joel (L) and Gerb (R) show off some of our catch!
Can't complain...fishing has been awesome and over the last 3 days we boxed just over 50 fish! Plus we had a
blast again!
July 9
Time to catch up a bit.....
Had a charter July 9th; based upon the forecast I was very worried that we would not
get it in, and looking at the radar at 5:30 am did nothing to ease my concerns. But
by the time the Horbey's arrived an hour later, things were looking up, so off we went.
Managed to dodge most of the rain while we were fishing, and just beat the front coming
through. Cool.
We boxed 16 walleye...no real big guys, but plenty of good 3-4 lb eaters. Heaviest walleye
was just over 6lbs; plus a really nice bonus smallmouth that was over 4lbs!
Little bit of everything worked today...
Zman chattersticks on the boards, big slide divers and 10 color....red or green in both the 3"
and 5"; and the Mojo and purple sunrise WD Dreamweavers were good off the riggers.
Working the inside water 50-65 feet.
Some pics......3 generations!
.
Thanks for a great day guys!
Had a charter July 9th; based upon the forecast I was very worried that we would not
get it in, and looking at the radar at 5:30 am did nothing to ease my concerns. But
by the time the Horbey's arrived an hour later, things were looking up, so off we went.
Managed to dodge most of the rain while we were fishing, and just beat the front coming
through. Cool.
We boxed 16 walleye...no real big guys, but plenty of good 3-4 lb eaters. Heaviest walleye
was just over 6lbs; plus a really nice bonus smallmouth that was over 4lbs!
Little bit of everything worked today...
Zman chattersticks on the boards, big slide divers and 10 color....red or green in both the 3"
and 5"; and the Mojo and purple sunrise WD Dreamweavers were good off the riggers.
Working the inside water 50-65 feet.
Some pics......3 generations!
.
Thanks for a great day guys!
July 5
I think I can sum up today in one word, WOW!
Based upon a tip from Capt. Bud (Alibi), we rolled west this morning. Bit of a chop once we got set up, so
trolling into the waves was challenging, but we had a great troll back to port.
We landed 17 walleye by 12:30, losing only a small one right at the back of the boat. Plus, it was kind
of cool for us to show off the diversity of Lake Erie today, as we also had a sheepshead, rock bass, smallmouth,
silver bass, white perch and yellow perch!
Everything took turns working today, but the Z-Man chattersticks continued to produce fish, taking some off the 40
jets on the boards, the 10 color down the chute and the slide divers off the side. Red or green were the best. Also
our 10 color bites were on a 5" chatterstick. On the rigs, our best was a WD Mojo spoon off the 55 ft rigger.
On the boards, we ran 165 back; slides were set at 140 and 155. Although we had them on board, we opted
to not run any worms today.
Off the lake for a couple days, then back on to fish Friday, and the Ameracan Tournament Saturday/Sunday.
Based upon a tip from Capt. Bud (Alibi), we rolled west this morning. Bit of a chop once we got set up, so
trolling into the waves was challenging, but we had a great troll back to port.
We landed 17 walleye by 12:30, losing only a small one right at the back of the boat. Plus, it was kind
of cool for us to show off the diversity of Lake Erie today, as we also had a sheepshead, rock bass, smallmouth,
silver bass, white perch and yellow perch!
Everything took turns working today, but the Z-Man chattersticks continued to produce fish, taking some off the 40
jets on the boards, the 10 color down the chute and the slide divers off the side. Red or green were the best. Also
our 10 color bites were on a 5" chatterstick. On the rigs, our best was a WD Mojo spoon off the 55 ft rigger.
On the boards, we ran 165 back; slides were set at 140 and 155. Although we had them on board, we opted
to not run any worms today.
Off the lake for a couple days, then back on to fish Friday, and the Ameracan Tournament Saturday/Sunday.
July 2 & 3 (pics added)
So, we FINALLY get back on the lake Friday with the group that we had to cancel Monday and
Wednesday due to wind. Lake is good, but with the blow, and the full moon, not sure what
the fishing will bring....but, hey, we're back on the lake!
Turns out to be a TOUGH bite for us. We land 4, plus a laker and the usual assortment of
junkers.....BUT, we have 2 over 8lbs, and 1 in the 9.5lb range! No set pattern for us as we
got 1 on a board, 1 on the ten color, 1 on the slide diver and 1 on the rigger. Chattersticks
and WD's.
Saturday, head back out with my son and my visiting brother in law. Have 3 on, drop 2; then
make the cardinal sin. We left fish to move to where someone else was getting them. Didn't
do much after that, and then my son had enough....Now off for the 4th!
Wednesday due to wind. Lake is good, but with the blow, and the full moon, not sure what
the fishing will bring....but, hey, we're back on the lake!
Turns out to be a TOUGH bite for us. We land 4, plus a laker and the usual assortment of
junkers.....BUT, we have 2 over 8lbs, and 1 in the 9.5lb range! No set pattern for us as we
got 1 on a board, 1 on the ten color, 1 on the slide diver and 1 on the rigger. Chattersticks
and WD's.
Saturday, head back out with my son and my visiting brother in law. Have 3 on, drop 2; then
make the cardinal sin. We left fish to move to where someone else was getting them. Didn't
do much after that, and then my son had enough....Now off for the 4th!
June 28 - July 1
Started out the week looking forward to a lot of fishing, so I get to the marina early on Monday
(28th) and knew right away we weren't going as the wind was 25 mph at the dock! So Gary
and I took a ride up to Buffalo to West Marine and Gander Mt, and then took the long way
home by going for lunch with our friends up at the Black North Inn. Would have rather been
fishing, but we had a great day anyway!
Tuesday...the lake continued to roll.....
Wednesday.....she rolled on.....
Thursday, July 1.....still rolling, but not as bad....waited to make the call..... Ended up taking
a ride with Capt's. Bud (Alibi), Paul (Fortune), Dana (Mojo) and Tom in my boat around the
perch bouy to check out conditions....no go again.........This time the road trip was to Great
Lakes Tackle in Erie......
We try again tomorrow.........
John
(28th) and knew right away we weren't going as the wind was 25 mph at the dock! So Gary
and I took a ride up to Buffalo to West Marine and Gander Mt, and then took the long way
home by going for lunch with our friends up at the Black North Inn. Would have rather been
fishing, but we had a great day anyway!
Tuesday...the lake continued to roll.....
Wednesday.....she rolled on.....
Thursday, July 1.....still rolling, but not as bad....waited to make the call..... Ended up taking
a ride with Capt's. Bud (Alibi), Paul (Fortune), Dana (Mojo) and Tom in my boat around the
perch bouy to check out conditions....no go again.........This time the road trip was to Great
Lakes Tackle in Erie......
We try again tomorrow.........
John
June 26/Great Lakes Angler
Well, the lake forecast improved dramatically over the last 24hrs, so I took the opportunity to use the
NYS license free weekend to get some of my floor hockey teammates out today. Although the bite
has been good up until the last few days, this morning it was not. Generally on the full moon
days it is a late bite, but today was super slow, and most boats we talked to this morning ranged
from none to 3 'eyes. We boxed one on a 10 color, 5" chatterstick combo, and dropped 2 others.
From what I understand, though, it lit up pretty good by mid afternoon.
Still a blast to get some of the guys out for the first time on Lake Erie!
************
If you get the chance to read it, we made it in to Great Lakes Angler this month under the Eastern
Lake Erie report. It's only a small bit, but hey, we're happy to help spread the word about our
fishery!
Weather permitting we go Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and probably Friday this week so be
sure to check back for more information (hopefully better results too!).
NYS license free weekend to get some of my floor hockey teammates out today. Although the bite
has been good up until the last few days, this morning it was not. Generally on the full moon
days it is a late bite, but today was super slow, and most boats we talked to this morning ranged
from none to 3 'eyes. We boxed one on a 10 color, 5" chatterstick combo, and dropped 2 others.
From what I understand, though, it lit up pretty good by mid afternoon.
Still a blast to get some of the guys out for the first time on Lake Erie!
************
If you get the chance to read it, we made it in to Great Lakes Angler this month under the Eastern
Lake Erie report. It's only a small bit, but hey, we're happy to help spread the word about our
fishery!
Weather permitting we go Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and probably Friday this week so be
sure to check back for more information (hopefully better results too!).
First Report for 2010!
I've heard the fishing for walleye has been pretty steady, but after my Canadian trip, Mother
Nature was not cooperating (nor was work) to allow me the chance to get the boat in the
slip.... until Friday!
Launched her, and got all secure in the slip, and then headed out solo to see what I
could get going, and to make sure all the equipment was up and running. Ended up
with 4, in a little over 2 hrs. 3" Zman Chattersticks on big slide divers, from 105-115
out of "3". Also some junkers, which is usually the case in those inside waters.
Back at it again today with a couple of friends. For the most part, sounded like it was
kind of slow. We ended up with 4 in the box , and missed a couple of others that
felt pretty good. Chattersticks again we taking all the bites off the big slides, we
had 1 off a 20 jet; and 1 on the 5 color down the chute. Black and silver was good for us.
Capt. Gary holds one of our fish from today.
We did notice that the fish were barely getting hooked, and everyone fell into
the net with the hooks already out of their mouth. Literally, the hook was as
far forward as they could get and still stay hooked. I think that's why we had
a couple we dropped.
Surface temps were in the 67-68 degree range, and down temp was 63, 30 feet
down. Its not even mid-June yet....so this is looking like a great start!
Nature was not cooperating (nor was work) to allow me the chance to get the boat in the
slip.... until Friday!
Launched her, and got all secure in the slip, and then headed out solo to see what I
could get going, and to make sure all the equipment was up and running. Ended up
with 4, in a little over 2 hrs. 3" Zman Chattersticks on big slide divers, from 105-115
out of "3". Also some junkers, which is usually the case in those inside waters.
Back at it again today with a couple of friends. For the most part, sounded like it was
kind of slow. We ended up with 4 in the box , and missed a couple of others that
felt pretty good. Chattersticks again we taking all the bites off the big slides, we
had 1 off a 20 jet; and 1 on the 5 color down the chute. Black and silver was good for us.
Capt. Gary holds one of our fish from today.
We did notice that the fish were barely getting hooked, and everyone fell into
the net with the hooks already out of their mouth. Literally, the hook was as
far forward as they could get and still stay hooked. I think that's why we had
a couple we dropped.
Surface temps were in the 67-68 degree range, and down temp was 63, 30 feet
down. Its not even mid-June yet....so this is looking like a great start!
