Trad Gang

It's time to start a western New York bowfishing thread. Lets hear from you guys that went on the rabbit hunt in Farmersville. I was looking at Hemlock lake in southern Livingston county. I fish there all the time tons of fish in the 10-20 lbs. range. I can take 2 other people on my boat for those that don't have a boat. The boat limitations on the lake are 16 foot and 10 horse. All you really need though is a trolling motor on a small boat, we would be fishing close to the launch.

If we time it right there's plenty of carp to be shot on the state swamp near the town of Alabama.The Iroquois NWR doesn't allow it but its legal on the Oak Orchard and Tonawanda WMA.Only problem might be is the best spawning action is usually about the first week of turkey season.Most of the area you can wade or use a small canoe or flatbottom.No motors allowed.

I've got a couple of hot spots I don't mind sharing, ''longrifle '' pm'd me not to long ago about doing a tradgang carp hunt in wny about two weeks ago if we could get some guys together. I'm game for it...

Hey swampbow where you at I'm up that way just about every other day from the last weekend of October to the week before the gun opener in November, I waterfowl hunt the refuge. All kinds a carp in those swamps.

I'm in Batavia now but for twenty years lived adjacent to Iroquois and Tonawanda.Killed a pile a ducks there in the 80s and 90s but my passion for waterfowl died with my last lab a couple years ago.Still hit the swamps for deer.

Swampbow is a trolling motor allowed in Oak orchard? Any boat size limitations, I have a 16 ft. grizzly flat bottom to heavy to row but would work with the trolling motor. Also Stoneknife(Jim)
has a Jon boat we fish together all the time. The spawn usually occurs later in Hemlock its a lot deeper, slower to warm up.

No motors,not even electric, on the creek or in the ponds in the state and federal areas.

I'm in and can take one or two in my boat.

Fish fry at nashoba's place after, he makes the best carp sticks this side of the Mason Dixon line    :biglaugh:

:biglaugh:  Funny Jim, next time I smoke more venison sausage I'm going to have to put that secret ingredient(carp) in yours.

The bunny hunt was a good time. I'm looking forward to this too! Knawbone where are you??? ha ha just teasing David! :)

Weather permitting me and Stoneknife are looking to possibly take guys out May 20th or the 27th. For those that are interested we can fit 2-3 people on our boats. Pm me if you are interested.

Where will you guys be going? Thanks, Jim

We will be going to Hemlock lake in southern Livingston county. Jim if you are coming from Buffalo you can meet me at my house I'm about a mile off of rt.5 in Caledonia which is the next town east of Leroy.

Sorry I had the wrong dates the correct ones are May 25 th or June 1 st .

Thanks Alex. I'll look at my work schedule,  that's the only thing that would prevent me from making it! Thanks for the info :)

QuoteOriginally posted by Sockrsblur:
The bunny hunt was a good time. I'm looking forward to this too! Knawbone where are you??? ha ha just teasing David!   :)  

Is David afraid of water    :bigsmyl:

Alright men,just saw the post you know I'm in,I don't care who's boat I'm in Jim's or Alex's.I still am working on buying my bowfishing rig.Today I blew my stash on .380 ammo and muzzleloading powder but I will be ready to go.Looking forward to seeing you all again.

Gerry glad to see that you are going to make it, looking forward to it. If you need help or places to buy equipment let me know.

Something to think about when talking bowfishing rigs; a cheap open face reel with 30lb line and your old aluminum arrows with a wire brad behind a field point works great.Heavier traditional heavy fiberglass fish arrows allow you to shoot deeper but not as far.Spawning fish are usually on top.A heavy line rig(usually 100lb line  standard) can also get tangled and bring your arrow back against your head.If you go the aluminum route bring 1/2doz cause the bigger carp will bend them up !When shooting in the swamp at smaller fish <15lbs I often use my older hunting arrows with my beat broadheads.I get better practice that way,can shoot farther,and its fun chasing the shallow water hit fish.

I like my AMS reel never get a tangle with it. Just to play it safe use a safety slide system with all your fishing arrows. Gerald glad to see you on board (no pun intended) Your welcome on my boat and may be better off as Alex is kind of a carp Jonah so to speak   :goldtooth:

Thanks men, I will be buying a AMS reel for sure. Maybe your right Jim,if Alex is a carp Jonah the last thing I want too do is be thrown overboard and spend 3 days in the belly of a huge carp.   :scared:

:laughing:

:biglaugh:  Gerry if you want to shoot minnows then you better go on Jims boat, but if you want something a little bigger you might want to come with me.

Also Gerry Jim will try to shoot all the fish and he will make you do all the work. He never uses his motor he makes the passengers row, he say's the non-ethanol gas is just to expansive to use.

Yep I felt bad taking this one away from it's momma

  (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/420W/100_0832.jpg)

:bigsmyl:  Like I said if you want to shoot big fish you better come with me!

Hey Guy's, I'm here but don't have a fishing rig for my bow, and my boat's too big, and the Kayak won't work. I'm booked for the 25th and am not sure at all about ist week or two of June. All things considered, it's not looking good for me on this one.........unfortunately!   :banghead:

Thats ok David... just checking on you  :)

Thanks Jim, But you know I'll make it if I can. I'm sure I could come up with a fishing rig. I have a couple of fish arrows I picked up at a yard sale.I really would like to go, as I have never bow fished before. And yes, Carp is excellent eating from what Iv' been told.   :D

David, the season is long, if you want to get out let me know, you can use my son's rig. Your welcome anytime.

Thanks Jim, just night have to take you up on that offer.

Jim, thats a nice fish there,thats what I want too shoot. And man o man let the carp smackdown begin.

are we still on for the first weekend in June   :campfire:

FYI...I checked out the swamp yesterday and the carp were running heavy in the ditches but not actively spawning in the ponds yet.I would guess that by the end of this weeks sunny weather they will be rolling.

Jim, I have on my calender the 25 of may or june 1st,I am still in.Let me know which one or maybe both?

I just got back from fishing at Hemlock lake the water has warmed up to 58 degrees in the south end of the lake. I could hear the carp in the cat tails and see them swaying back and forth. It will be a couple more weeks before we see any action down there as that lake is slow to warm because its so deep(90 ft. at the deepest).

Guy's June 1st sounds great to me,can't wait.

First of June it is then weather permitting. Roll call please.

I wish I could make it but I must work.  That is a slob of a fish you got there Jim! I can't wait to hear the stories and see the pics.  Good luck to all.

I would love to come out but will be at my little brothers wedding. Hope to sneak some bowfishing in while over there in WI.  I wonder how the tux would look covered in eggs and spawn   :rolleyes:  

I have been seeing the carp in the shallows here in Scotia.

Took my son and went yesterday at a local swamp,shot 6 in about an hour.That new AMS reel I bought is awesome.Can't wait til the 1st of June.

Jim and I were at Hemlock last week, I think we got 10 between the 2 of us. The fish were a little deep, the water seems to be improving a little every time I go there. With this heat wave we have been having the spawn should be getting closer.

I'm ready   :bigsmyl:

Alex and I went out today I ended up with 23 carp, next weekend is looking good. The water is still cold and a Little turbid, hopefully warmer weather will give them a jump start. Gerald I'll call you this week, anyone else interested in going as it stands we have six people that are in.

I got 16 so that made a total of 39 between Jims boat and mine. The raccoons are eating well around my house!

Getting the coons fat for the trapping season I see   :bigsmyl:

Go get em guys.
I hope you can match that hog that Stone Knife was holding up.

After turkey hunting this morning I went to check out one of my favorite fishing holes... This should get the juices flowing!

(http://i.imgur.com/RwQcB0j.jpg)

There were dozens, really uncountable!

(http://i.imgur.com/2peC4hj.jpg)

I like sneaking around the weeds looking for the biggest Carp. Rather than shoot a lot of arrows I like to feel like its more of a stalk through the weeds using fallen logs for cover to get close. I make a little game of it.

(http://i.imgur.com/l427tGU.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/8aQts3N.jpg)

I didnt have my bow fishing stuff with me but I will in the morning after my last turkey hunt of the season.

Looks like a nice spot James, I like to shoot big ones if I'm at the right place otherwise I just like to shoot   :thumbsup:  Getting pumped for Sat.    :jumper:

Sorry I can't go guys, I have a wedding to attend. My only niece is getting married. Hope you guys have a great time- get lots of monster carp- and I'll be over to go bow fishing with you soon. Knaw

I had a cousin get married on the first Sat. of deer season once   :scared:

The morning was fun but no turkeys were bagged :)

(http://i.imgur.com/XGzeemW.jpg)


(http://i.imgur.com/fM1XrpC.jpg)

So early afternoon it was off to the Lake!
I did better there. I knocked the dust off the GN Super Ghost today. Beautiful afternoon!

  (http://i.imgur.com/wV7CIKT.jpg)


  (http://i.imgur.com/YjAN9A6.jpg)

Good luck in the morning guys, be safe!

looking forward to your results.  Good luck!

I just got home from work and immediately got on Tradgang to check this thread.  I can't wait to see the pics and hear the stories!    :campfire:

What an awesome day we had today tons of fish taken. Gerald took two with one shot, what a blast we had.

  (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/420W/100_1048_zps47de4896.jpg)

:thumbsup:

One of the best moments for me was when this older gentleman came walking up to the launch wearing a pair of hip boot. He said that he had lost a lure while fishing earlier and was going to look for it. After a little talking with him he told us his name was Ralph and that he played music and use to bowfish about 35 years ago. We asked him to share a song with us as he like to share the word of God through his music, he played and sang a song called little man for us. After he was done I thanked him and asked if he still had his bowfishing gear and he does. I have his phone number now and when we are going back I will give him a call so he can go with us, pretty awesome stuff.

  (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/420W/100_1047_zpsf721c4ef.jpg)

We had a awesome time. Me and my neighbor Doug shot so many fish it took the two of us to lift the Rubbermaid tub full out of the boat. We must have had 120 -150lbs worth of fish in our boat. I will extend the invite to anyone interested in going while the spawn is still in full swing.

Here is a pic of Doug, did good for a green horn   :D
  (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/420W/1370200967_zps4fa593dc.jpg)

Looks like everyone had a blast.  Nice shot Gerald!   :clapper:

Jim looks like it was a blast...Good deal..

Tucker it sure was, I even got some shooting in.

  (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/420W/100_1044_zps0699ec72.jpg)

:clapper:    :clapper:  
Congratulations guys.

Thank you so much Jim and Alex for a great outing. I had a blast,my left arm began too hurt not from hauling in all the fish but, from hanging on to my bow for roughly 8 hours. You guys are pure gentlemen,and thanks for being just fun guy's to be with. A few things I learned, 1-wear your ugly clothes,it can be messy 2-bring plenty of water,3- baby wipes are a carp fishermens best friend. Looking forward to doing it again,hopefully some more W.N.Y. T-Gangers can join in on the fun.

Gerald you are welcome, give me a shout when you are ready to go again.

Thats a Nice Mirror Carp on the double!!!

Gerald, glad you came along and you are welcome on my boat any time. I had to power wash the boat after this one    :scared:

Looks like you guys had a blast. I'm free to give this sport a whirl if and when you guys go again. Looking forward to seeing you fellas again.   :thumbsup:

David we will let you know when were on again. Looks like next weekend might be good.

Thanks Jim, I'll try to get ready. I need to get a slider and some line and I'll make my own bow fishing rig. I have a fish arrow and the top of a 5 gal. bucket. Really looking forward to it.

A guy from work showed me some carp pics that a friend of his shot at Seneca Lake the other day, those fish were HUGE!!! the smallest one was as big as our largest.There were 20 fish in the pic and probably 5 or 6 were 25lbers. You could fill a live (dead) well with 7 or 8 of those sized fish.

Gerald we will have to make a road trip before the spawn is done so we can shoot some big ones.

Longrifle, I grew up on Cayuga lake and did a lot of fishing on Cayuga and Seneca lakes. The north end of both lakes is were the most carp spawn. I have been surrounded by dozens of huge carp milling on the surface. I used to think about how fantastic the shooting would be for bow fishing.

David where on Cayuga did you live my dad has a placed on Wyers point rd. near Sheldrake point?
Gerald any time you want to go I'm ready, I would like to try shooting some bigger fish than what's available on Hemlock. Hemlock has the numbers just not the size.

Alex, I lived 3 miles up from the lake in Trumansburg. Have friends that live in Sheldrake.One lives right on the point next to the boat launch. They used to hold a carp fishing contest on  the lake. Don't know if they still do or not, but last I knew, the record fish was either 40 or 50 pounds. I don't remember which, but I would say the average carp for that lake is probably 15 lbs. Many fish 20+.

Cayuga lake batch from Sat. Alex and I went to scope it out, who is interested in going on sat. the 22nd. We had about 300 pounds of fish in my boat.
  (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/420W/download_zps0ae1cccc.jpg)

It looks like my son is in for Sat. I stoked now   :campfire:

You picked the right spot Jim, that lake is loaded this time of year. You can count me in for sure.  Carp city here we come.   :thumbsup:

Awesome David   :thumbsup:

You guys are killing me, look at all those fish. I would love to go but my sons little league game is at 4:00 and I help coach. I need to go one more time before its done, good luck guys, have fun.

We had a blast yesterday, two boats four guy's
. David was with me and Stephen was with Alex. They shot the most fish for sure but David and I each had 30 pound fish in the tub a couple real line burners. Alex has a phone pic I'll post it after he sends it to me.

Good shooting!   Looks like u had a blast

Glad you all had a great time,thanks for breaking David in on the fine art of carp collecting,30 lber. that's great.

Sorry about the half headed pics   :bigsmyl:

    (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/420W/IMG952013062295165426_zps6ac3b973.jpg)

  (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/420W/IMG952013062295165420_zps79df320b.jpg)

Those are a couple of Hawgs, thanks for sharing.

Thanks again Jim and Alex, It was a beautiful day and great conditions for sticking some carp. There were enough fish still spawning that it made for a great day on the water. I think every fish I shot was 20 lb plus. It had been a number of years since I had been on the north end of the lake. It brought back a lot of memories. Jim is always a gracious guy and a pleasure to be with. Alex and Steve got in some fine shooting, it was good to see father and son sharing the experience. Always a good time with my fellow western NY Trad Gangers. God bless, Knawbone

I agree with you David, they are two fine gentlemen.

Looks like a great time. I cant remember the last time I was into spawning fish.    :clapper:

Hey Charlie, I'd get you on some spawning Carp in trade for the contributors Deer hunt! LOL   :bigsmyl: