Well, it is August and I should be posting lots of photo's of big kings, but I am not. Sure we catch a few but there are no numbers to speak of as of today.
So we continue to target brown trout and steelhead and we are putting together some decent catches.
Glow green, black and silver and chartreuse spoons on the riggers 15 to 40 back off the ball and dipseys are doing the job on the Bt's Find where 56 degree water hits the bottom and fish in it and above it. Don't be afraid to run some lures right in the 70 degree water. If they want it they will come up for it.
As I said, kings are spotty but they can be found. Seems like I hit a few in 150 to 200 FOW right in front of the Oswego River and they seem to favor the ice water or just above it. Green E-chips with green glow Atomik flies and Chrome green Spin Dr's with a hammer fly takes the bites most days.
Oneida Lake
This week the Bassmaster Elite Series will present it's Champion's Choice tournament to Oneida Lake Thursday through Sunday. The top bass fishermen in the nation will be there, with the Bassmaster Angler of the Year title on the line, along with the rookie of the year crown and the Junior Bassmaster World Championship. The top prize is $100,000.
Tournament headquarters are at Oneida Shores Park in Brewerton, at the west end of the lake. Launch time is 8 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with weigh-in at 4:55 p.m. Launch time is 10 a.m. on Sunday, with the weigh-in at 7:30 p.m.
Fans will have a chance to meet the top pros during Angler Alley from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Oneida Shores. There will be concerts by The Custom Taylor Band at 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Heartland at 2:15 p.m. There will be a fireworks display at approximately 8:40 p.m. Sunday.
Oneida Lake is a smallmouth paradise, but it was the largemouth bite that led Tommy Biffle to an Elite Series victory here in the summer of 2006. On a lake known for big bronzebacks, Biffle used swimming frogs to catch even bigger largemouths and bring 63-10 to the scales over four days while the second- and third-place finishers targeted smallmouth. The 2008 Empire Chase, will force Elite anglers to make the same decision to go after the more plentiful smallmouth or go for broke and hope for action from the bigger largemouth. Last year, the fishing was so good that even the pros that didn't finish near the top came away raving about Oneida Lake.
Walleye fishing seems to be better in some of the deeper spots. Target 40-50 feet with worm harnesses trolling or drifting. Black and purple jigs tipped with crawlers will also work, as will blade baits jigged off the bottom. Try off Shackelton Shoals, Dutchman's Bar, Lewis Point or Godfrey Point. Bass have been snapping, too. Just locate shoals, drop-offs or rocky bottom areas and toss soft plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits or live bait like crayfish and nightcrawlers.
Sandy Pond fishing has been good for bluegills, perch and walleye. Fish the drop offs and weedbeds.
For something different, treat yourself to a day of Northern pike fishing. These ferocious fighters are some of the easiest fish to catch and provide some of the best excitement fishing can offer. It's a good idea to fish near deep weedlines. Lakeview Marsh the lower salmon river and Sandy Pond are all good bets. Start with a lively presentation such as crankbaits or spinners. Troll them right near the edge of the weeds. If this doesn't produce try some weedless lures and fish right through the lily pads and weed beds. Make sure you use a heavy leader or even a steel leader as their teeth will cut most fishing line.
Now is a great time to schedule a lake charter. The kids are out of school and area captains are available for lake charters. Just log on to Lakeontariooutdoors.com There you will find, daily fishing reports, numerous links to great sites and area businesses, as well as lake charters and river guides.
If you want to fish with us in 2008 here is what I have left.
August 19 all day. August 11, 25, 26, 28 PM
September 3, 4, 8, 14, 15, 17
River Trips
October 1, 7.
November 6, 21, 24, 26
December 8 - 19.
See you on the water. Troy