Black Friday Harbor Report

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

 Today,Black Friday 5 boats were in the South Gap,Zippo! The winds went SW to 45+ mph at 1:15 pm,rolling waves over the whole long wall,5 ft washboard behind the walls,3ft whitecaps at the dock that was one foot under water.John stepped off on a dock finger in the SE corner of SBH,walked around and got the truck & trailer.He backed in 1/2 way and I stabbed the center of the trailer bunks,hooked up the boat to the pulpit and we pulled out with waves rolling over the transom.Only good thing is the water will get stained a little for the rest olf the weeks fishing.

[John Pensyl]

Another great learning experience.  That harbor can turn ugly in a hurry.  Be Safe out there and have a plan in case the dock is under water when you get back!  Gusts to 40 my a**, that wind was ripping!

[Frank Stachowiak]

Fished with Mike Crehan.  Saw Larry, Joe Hetzendorfer, some PA guys and duck hunters.  When we got close, it seem that the hunters suggested we keep away. Either that or they decided to shoot at minnows ten feet in front of them. The wind was howling and we called it a day when it shifted from the west.  Docking was a chore but at least the dock was a few inches above water.  It was a good day to keep your hands inside the boat while docking as we were like the bumper cars at Crystal Beach.  No fish. There were two guys fishing alone.  I wonder if they made it in OK.

[John Pensyl]

We were the last ones out and all made it in safe, some dryer than others but all safe. The one guy fishing alone in the little blue boat from pa was even nice enough to stay and help the last 3 boats reach the submerged dock in the waves.  Drive on trailer is a godsend it that situation, had to be the only ones left with dry feet.

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

I did a wind data search and found that when we called the day the winds were gusting to 48 knots out of the WSW.The hardcore guy in the little blue 16 ft boat from PA is a retired SgtMajor from 82nd Airborne,he fishes Chautauqua Lake all summer in any weather conditions.

[Frank Stachowiak]

Larry, he would have been airborne indeed if he stayed out any longer

[Josh Ketry]

The seiche effect was in full effect today:

[Joe Hetzendorfer]

I went home right after that and bitched at my wife that the Gortex sneakers she bought me DID not work! Hate when that happenes!! Who ever that guy was helping us I thank him again!!! 

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

Joe,I can 't remember his name,he is a retired Sgt Major Jumpmaster from 82nd Airborne,tough as nails,I talk to him at Chautauqua Prendergast Launch around 10 times a year.We should have good water color for Sunday!

[Frank Stachowiak]

Joe, gore tex doesn't help when your feet are soaking from the pounding you took on Friday. My float suit started to get heavy from the wind blown rain. I guess we all have the "fever" when we go out in such weather. There is only one cure and it is still down there someplace.

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

 I almost went trolling from Robinson Rd to Tonawanda Island on the Erie Canal today.They were catching muskies there out of season last May.Taking days off in the last week is tough!

[Josh Ketry]

I often fish the Erie Canal near JoJo's place .   In the past 2 seasons (none this year) I have boated 5 muskies there and lost another.  There was no place to report them so I didn't.  Biggest was 42", smallest was a 25" or so I got when bass fishing (that was the first one I saw in there)... The one I lost was a good one (probably 45").    The Canal is always an option in the wind....I wish they would put a good launch up Buffalo River a bit...

[Scott McKee]

Josh? Is there any place you haven't caught muskies?  My sink is clogged.  Do you think you could come over and maybe pull a musky out the pipes?  Muskies clog my brain, I see no reason why they couldn't clog my drain.