Each year, when we pull our boat out of winter storage, the expectations of preparing and maintaining it for the coming year often exceed our capabilities. “Get it done.” And as you get older (like me), sore joints and creaking bones can slow your efforts on subsequent fishing trips.
So sometimes, you just have to forget about all the chores of organizing and preparing to make the most of your trip and go rent a charter boat, which can be an eye-opening experience. Last weekend, my granddaughter and I did just that.
My dear granddaughter has been busy studying for years in college to become a veterinary technician and helping teach 4-H kids how to care for horses in Western New York. “run away.”
Last weekend was an exception.
We went fishing with Captain Dennis Young. “For Your Eyes Only Sport Fishing” With the cheerful and energetic 81-year-old first mate “Chugger.” Their dock at Burt's Cove, south of Dunkirk Harbor near the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, allowed easy parking and a short walk to his spacious (and wide) Starcraft fishing machine. The boat is state of the art and equipped with a networked I-pilot speed and direction control system. The rig is powered by a fuel-efficient 200HP Yamaha main engine, a 9.9 HP Yamaha trolling motor with Trollmaster 3, a Minn Kota Ulterra electric bow motor, Cannon Digi-troll downriggers, Cisco rod holders to power six Dreamweaver Ninja side planer boards, and over 20 fishing rods and reels. Daiwa Wilderness trolling rods and Okuma Coldwater High Speed fishing reels are spooled with lead core or braided line in various lengths to accommodate a variety of conditions.
As we slowly pulled out of the dock and left the port of Dunkirk, Dennis and Chugger explained the plan for the day. They explained the safety equipment (life jackets), the fishing plan, how to hook and bring fish ashore, etc. On one side we used lead core fishing lines in 6, 8, and 10 colors, and on the other side we used lead core fishing lines in 5, 7, and 9 colors. These fishing lines would only have stick baits and hard body spoons behind 75 feet of fluorocarbon leader line. On the two Dipsea Diver rods (one on each side) we would use spinners and worm baits. The downriggers were attached to 30 pound test braided main line with the same length of leader. We slowly worked our way to a depth of 80 feet and arrived about 5 miles offshore. Now we were knowledgeable about the boat, the gear, and the fishing plan.
While Chugger was setting the lines, he let me and my granddaughter work as well, quickly setting up the long line deployment, teaching us how to connect the planer board line, and getting the job done quickly. It didn't take long for the fish to find our bait. A long A Bomber (15A) in Northern Lights color was one of the popular fish on the lead core line. Eyefish #319 “Fantasy” Spinners/worms and copper backs were hot baits on Dipsea Divers, fished at 155 feet back on a 3 index with a boat speed of 2.2 mph. Fishing with these guys was a “The best way to fish” We quickly filled our limit of walleye for the day and were back on shore just before noon.
“How far do you think it is from here to the shore?” Captain Dennis asked. Kelsey guessed about 6.5 miles, I guessed 7, and Chugger said 6. Captain Dennis smiled as he pressed the button for the navigation and sonar unit on the Humminbird's main screen and said, “We're off the water.” “Five point eight miles. You win, Chugger. The winner has to swim back, my friend.”
We all laughed and felt like part of the crew. “Why am I working for this guy?” Chugger had a big smile on his face. On the way back, Captain Dennis shared some valuable fishing tips, reinforcing the camaraderie and sharing of knowledge.
Captain Dennis added: “I keep it simple because it's effective, foolproof and anyone can learn to tie it. We use a double uni knot on each end of a 27-pound lead core. It's a simple and strong knot, but perhaps most importantly, the end where the lure is attached. I use a 30-pound VMC Duo-Lock ball bearing snap swivel between the end of my 17-pound Tactical P-Line fluorocarbon leader and the lure. This is especially necessary when running spinner/worm rigs. It prevents that pesky line twist that we all dread, which can require a new leader or having to re-spool the line.”
Captain Dennis Young, who has been running the charter since 2020, is retired from the Buffalo Sewerage Department and lives in East Otto, New York. We laughed a lot on this trip and had a lot of fun. Captain Young's motivation for running the charter is simple: he loves fishing and he loves spending time with people. When I asked him about his favorite customer joke, he answered without hesitation: “That's easy.” He said, “They look at the tip of the rod and all of a sudden they yell, 'There's a fish!'” Our trips were not just about fishing, but also the joy of sharing experiences and laughs.
The outdoors in New York is great.
Outdoor Calendar:
Aug. 29: NYS Hunter Safety Course, Ripley Rod & Gun, 6-9:30 p.m. plus additional half-days, 9820 Rod and Gun Club Rd., Ripley. Register online: https://register-ed.com. Attendance both days is required.
Aug. 31: Labor Day Sporting Clays Shooting, NSCA registered event, Hanover Fish & Game, 780 Overhiser Rd., Forestville. Registration begins at 8 a.m., shooting begins at 9 a.m. More info: https://hanovercalys.com.
Sept. 1: Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Family Picnic, members only, 1 N. Mullet St., Dunkirk.
September 1: New York State squirrel hunting season opens in Western New York (gray, black and fox).
Sept. 6-7: WNY Walleye Association Lake Erie Walleye Tournament, contact Ron Kucinski at 716-545-5925 or email: kucinski1293@gmail.com.
Sept. 7-8: New York State Hunter Safety Seminars, bowhunting (Sept. 7) and firearms (Sept. 8), West Falls Conservation, 55 Bridge St., West Falls. Register online: https://register-ed.com. Separate registration is required for bowhunting and/or hunter education (firearms).
September 9-22: New York State Early Antlerless Deer Hunting Season 2024 (firearms allowed). Check for specific Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).
Sept. 15: Deadline for waterfowl hunting applications to Oak Orchard/Tonawanda WMA. Visit NYSDEC online site.