Honeoye -Conesus-Sodus Bay
My last report told of finding some quality bass on Sodus and having a very good day of fishing. Moving forward to June 20th, something had changed. My clients broke off two big fish, but then I had to dig deep into some of my old areas from bygone years to find a few willing biters. It was, at best, a slow day.
June 19th on Conesus was a very good day with the bass willing to bite for several hours. The weather conditions made fishing a test as the wind was quite strong. We went to the north part of the lake and found some good bass shallow. Then we fished the east and west sides of the lake using a mix of plastic baits. We caught a good numbers of fish in the 3-5 pound range, but none over 5. Some bass had spawned and a few were pre spawn.
Honeoye was very good for bass fishing on June 18, but a storm came through on Monday the 22nd with high winds and rain. The water went from clearing to turbid and the bite all but disappeared. As we fished, a friend and neighbor asked if the sheriff had lifted the 5 MPH no wake order, and I informed him that I was unaware of any issued. He told me it was posted at the marina and the NYS launch. As a NYS licensed guide and USCG Captain, I am very careful to try and present a good image for bass fishermen and had read the D&C, and watched the local news on TV covering the flooding, but did not read or hear of the no wake/5 MPH order. According to my neighbor, several people were issued tickets for exceeding the 5 MPH order. If a boater did not launch at the marina or the NYS ramp, the other media did not do a good job of making the order available to the general public. It is my opinion that warnings should have been given and upon a second offense, a ticket issued. Now, if a speed offense was committed within 200 feet of shore, then a ticket was justified.
Good fishing, wear your life jacket, and maintain a proper lookout.
Frank