Weekend Update 6-6-2008

Happy Friday,

If the weather will cooperate this weekend, it looks to be a great weekend to be on the water.

I should mention, as of yesterday, the launches at Lower and Middle Genessee are now open. The water is still very high, and both lakes remain slow now wake. Trout are being caught on Lower, as well as Ottawa and Fowler Lakes. Look for them suspended over deep water.

Panfish are moving shallow. Look for groups of them in shallow, sandy or gravel areas adjacent to deeper water. Shallow weeds, wood, and reeds will concentrate fish nearby. 1/8 ounce lindy rigs, tightlining with splitshot rigs or hook, plastics tipped with live bait, or hook sinker and bobber rigs will all produce. Redworms, waxworms, panfish plumpers and small leeches are your best live bait options.

Largemouth are moving into a post-spawn pattern. A few males can still be found on nests or in the shallow water defending fry, but most of the fish are working one of three patterns. The outside edge of the shallow weedline in 8-12 feet of water is holding some fish, but the majority are relating to inside weedlines adajcent to rock or gravel areas, while a few fish are foraging on small bluegills in areas where gills have come up to spawn. Wacky rigs, skirted grubs, shakey head rigs, drop shot, texas rigged plastics and jig and chunks are all catching fish. Sha;llow running crankbaits and topwaters are starting to produce.

Pike have been very active during this last batch of unstable weather, with lots of 30"+ fish caught the last week. Target shallow weeds in 3-8 feet of water with spinnerbaits, buzzzbaits and lipless crankbaits. Deeper, and bigger fish can be found along the weedlines in 10-15 feet of water, and can be caught using slipsinker rigs baited with small suckers or large shiners.

Musky fishing has been hit or miss, but some quality fish are being caught on top of shallow flats and along the weedlines in 8-15 feet of water. Swimbaits, jerkbaits, gliders and bucktails are all producing. Perch patterns and pearl whites have been the better colors.

Good Luck,
CT