Cayuga Lake State Park 6/26
Guided Matt and his dad Dave for a 1/2 day today. They do some bass fishing around VA and Wash. DC and were looking to get more familiar with Cayuga Lake bass fishing. Dave has a summer place just N. of Union Springs and he’s trying to get into fishing. Matt fishes a bit but has found Cayuga to be challenging. Anyways I did a lot of pre-fishing for them this week, trying to get re-acquainted with Cayuga largemouths. Fishing had been fairly tough for me, until today that is.
The weather system probably played a huge role in the bite today, but the storms and accompanying low barometric pressure apparently got fish on the feed. While waiting out a thunderstorm with some wild lightning I went over some theory and techniques with the guys incl. bass patterns on Cayuga and working rattlebaits, jerkbaits, swimbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures. An area I had somewhat limited success in earlier this week (on 6/24) came through and a good time was had by all. The guys landed around 1/2 dozen decent bass – mostly 1 to 2lb fish. Dave missed a beauty – probably a 3lber. Other follows and hits were had. A bunch of pickerel were landed. We had great fun with the pickerel, which hit and fought as good as the bass. Sunfish and perch also chased and hit the lures. Hot lures incl. a Rat-L Trap, a modified spinnerbait and a hard jerkbait. By the morning’s end both guys were casting baitcasting rods and enjoying it! After the trip I did a little testing of one of my new Po’ Boy Swimbaits and I checked outa few areas. The time to test “new” lures and areas is when the fish are hitting, so I left our hot area and went on the prowl.
Overall I managed to land 3 bass. Fish were much more aggressive than earlier in the week. Fishing pressure was pretty high for a Friday – though it is summertime.
From time to time I get asked about boat rentals on Cayuga Lake. I stopped by the Cayuga General Store on 2679 Lower Lake Road and met Mike the new owner. The place has been rebuilt and is very nice. He’s renting pontoon and fishing boats and hopes to increase his “fleet” next year. Give him a call at (315) 568-9439 and tell him you heard about rentals from John the guide! His store is on the water just N. of Canoga marsh – a usually good bass, panfish and pickerel area. He’s open seasonally.