July 18 Report

[Tony Scime]

Decided to give the east river a troll this am. Started at 6am up near the BR canal. Used two rods - one with a Firetiger raider and a second with a gold tonylure. Down up and down past Motor Island. Down up and down past the Yacht Club. Took off the raider and put on a firetiger Tonylure. They tend to go deeper with a better shake. Bouncing bottom past the bridge towards the power lines in UN5. A 38 incher grabbed the gold tonylure. Snagged the hooks and unhooked the fish. Stick measurement. That was 8:00.

Another calm, sunny day. Seems those are the only days I've been fishing. But chilly night. Have confidence in hitting a fish (but not 2) these calm, clear, early mornings. 8am is actually my latest fish.  Tried Tonawanda side too, but no more luck.

Trolling was easy. No moss and little floating weed. Water was well stained. 5 feet in east and 10 in west. Did throw a tube for awhile in UN2 to no avail. Sun got up high and I got off the water.

Happy to hit a fish most mornings, but gotta go out at night and get a big one. Tom and Carl are doing it right.

Tony

[Scott McKee]

The Tonylure returns!  Bell-bottomed jeans can't be far behind!

[John Jarosz]

Does that mean there's still hope for my leisure suit?  Even the charities don't want it!!

[Jay Nannen]

Tease all you want but Tony keeps putting fish in the net!!  This guy knows his muskies.  On my way to Salvation Army tonight to see if I can locate the light blue tux I wore to senior prom....

[Tony Scime]

Hey, tonylures have only been around for 25 years. Bell bottoms? I used to wear those in junior high 45 years ago.

I was looking at some old release reports and wonder why I haven't been using them more (I think it had something to do with Depthraiders). But they've caught my biggest fish. So I thought I'd get more of them out of retirement. In fact, I almost had the urge to make some more!

Tony

[John Jarosz]

Tony...if you make any more, I'll buy one.  I've got a boxful of old tackle that we used when I was a teenager...and they still work!

[Scott McKee]

Does your mother have any pictures of you in bell-bottoms?  Now there is a newsletter cover!

[Riley Himmrich]

What does a TonyLure look like?

[Tony Scime]

Tonylures are basically a piece of wood with some stainless steel screweyes and lips and a paint job. Truthfully, shape and color really don't matter (other than for marketing) as long as the lure runs true at the speed and depth you want, and holds up to the rigors of muskie fishing. It should have a decent, if sometimes subtle, shake.

I've made hundreds all different types, including pikies and have caught many muskies here and at Nipissing (homemade pikies there). It cost me a couple bucks per lure compared to the costs of $8/lure (or $20 plus for a good pikie) at the time.

I gave away my lathe a bunch of years ago when I stopped making them. I have hundreds and know I won't use many of them. Never sold any, but gave a few away. I have a tough time giving any away knowing they're irreplaceable, and each unique in it's own crafting and style. But I do have about a hundred unfinished (for about 15 years) that someday I plan to paint and add the hardware.

Here's a picture of just a handful. The bottom 2 have caught me 2 of my 3 biggest fish. One of my top three fish was caught on a jointed, similar to those pictured, only in silver-flash. It was a 50"+ 38lb (cradle-weighed after deducting the weight of the cradle) back in 1994.

[John Jarosz]

Tony...yeah, you don't want to get rid of those.  They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Some real beauties.  That red & white one (I like that the best) was a popular color.  I've got an old red & white plug with a small metal propeller on the nose.

maybe it's time to look for another lathe! 

[Riley Himmrich]

Those look great, if you ever sell any i would certainly buy, or if youd like some of those blanks painted up i would, heres one of my latest. Ive been wanting to get a lathe for those style baits.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt138/Riley-H/Mobile%20Uploads/I...

[Tony Scime]

Really nice paint jobs, Riley. Artistic and professional! I may take you up on your offer. Once the painting is done, the hardware is easy. 

[Scott McKee]

I just checked out your Photo Bucket.  You already know I love your paint jobs, but I didn't know you were a FZ fan.  Would you whip me up one of your deep diving Jake-thingies in Cosmic Debris, Keep it Greasy, Tinseltown Rebellion or Bobby Brown?  If I painted lures I think I would name all of my colors after Frank' songs.