Henderson Harbor (NY) advice?

[OnceBitten]

Instead of heading up to the Bay of Quinte for our annual trip, my buddies talked me into heading over to Henderson Harbor instead. I'm going up this weekend for four days and I'm wondering if anyone has any info they'd care to pass along.

I've already done some research on the area, I've got maps, and I have a rough idea how and where I'm going to be fishing. Basically, we planning to do alot of trolling with planer baords at night around the islands, shoals, and Black River Bay. We'll probably start off with a combination of stickbaits and some worm rigs behind bottom bouncers. However since it's my first time walleye fishing in that area, I'd like to get as much input as I can to "cut down" all that water.

Both boats are fully rigged for walleye fishing, so we can use just about any tactics we want. (The only gear we won't have with us are downriggers.) Anyone care to share what's worked for them in the past?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Good fishing,

Fred

[Jersey John]

I fished there a few years back and trolled rapalas and worm harnesses in the black river bay, chaumont bay. Most guys used worm harnesses during the day and jigged at the mouth of the black river. I trolled at night and caught some nice fish. I don't think the islands are good at this time of year, but not to sure on that as I did not fish them. Stay in the bays and troll out over deeper water, the fish could be suspended about 6 ft. down at night.Hope this helps. JJ

[Tim Smith]

I think you've got the right idea. Henderson Bay might be okay, but you'll probably hook up some bass if you get in shallow. Galloo Island is a good spot to work over. Give Stony a try as well- if you don't get anything there don't spend a lot of time, though. Trolling shallow over by Fox and Grenadier Islands is also worth a try. Working a kind of arc from the tip of Point Peninsula over to Grenadier has worked for me as well. Chaumont and Black River Bays may be your best bet if it gets really rough- definitely worth spending some time there in any event.

I probably don't need to say this, but pay very close attention to your charts. There are tons of shoals to reckon with. If you see a point of land sticking out, assume there's a shoal sticking out from that.

Water temp in Mud Bay (very shallow and protected) was 46 degrees last Saturday, just for your information.

You might try posting your question on this board as well: http://www.lakeontario.org/cgi-bin/wsmbb/wsmbb.cgi?SB+BXQLVPUYGQ/FYAKKNAOOB+config
It's not that busy, but you might get some info.

Good Luck!

Tim

[Tim Smith]

I forgot, here's a link to the weather buoy at Galloo Island. Also has the latest marine forecast linked. Thought you might be interested. Looks like the wind might not be too bad this weekend.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?station=glln6

Tim

[Rodney York]

Fred,
Wish I was going with you, grew up not to far from Henderson Harbor.
Lake Ontario is a fantastic Walleye Fishery.
Bill Saiff runs charters out of Henchen's Marina, you may want to stop in to find out recent reports or call Henchen's (315)938-5313
Or stop in at TI Bait Store, if you can find Shawn Dick he also guides for Walleye, great guy. (315)482-9903
Good Luck, Hope you pull some of those double digit eyes!
Rodney

[OnceBitten]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help. I'll post on Monday when I get back and fill you in on how I did.

Tim, thanks for the link, but I'm all to familiar with the LO site. Probably one of the worst on the web as far as people fighting and insulting each other. The open water guys are helpfull, but the stream guys... By the way, you're not a metal salesman are you?

Thanks again guys. Good luck to you all this weekend.

[Sluggo / NY]

Fred..Good Luck this weekend! I'll be looking for your report. If you get any on those custom worm harnesses..I want some credit! I may need it for when I go commercial! With the rumors flying around work here..it may be sooner than I'd like! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

[Tim Smith]

Once Bitten: Actually, I'm a bartender. In fact, I just took a leave of absence from my job in Albany and will be working a bar up in Clayton, NY for the summer. I can stay at my camp, drive 20 minutes to work and be 10 minutes away from my boat. I'm pretty psyched. No computer though, our place still has a party line!

I didn't know about the nastiness on the board I mentioned, I'll have to check it out. Should be good for a laugh.

Tim

[water_wolf]

Okay Tim which bar...O'briens?.....Lost Navigator?.....I grew up in Clayton and my folks still live there...I also have a cousin that guides on "The River".


Rich Ferguson

[Tim Smith]

water_wolf: It's O'Briens. Is your cousin Clay? He runs a beautiful old Chris Craft out of that little place just as you come into town on the right. Right behind Village Peetza (sic). I understand he's known as one of the best. His dad, I guess your great-uncle has a nice muskie mounted behind the bar at O'Briens. I know Clay a bit, but haven't ever been out with him. That will change though, as my wife got a present of a full-day trip out with him for a recent birthday. We're really looking forward to it.

I should be starting at O'Briens a week before Memorial Day- don't know yet if days or nights. If you make it to Clayton this summer, ask Clay or Patty what my schedule is.

Tim

[Sluggo / NY]

Tim..We'll be stopping in to see you on occassion this summer. We shoot up to Mud Bay and stay at Martin's a few times each year. We always end up in Clayton at one of the watering holes while trying to decide where to eat. Rich...My brother-in-law is also from Clayton. He just bought several lots on Dablon Point and will be building his retirement home there in the near future. He's adding a wing to the house for me! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

[OnceBitten]

Sluggo,

Your worm rigs were the first thing I put I put in the boat when I packed. OK, the second thing. The beer cooler was first. But I knew you'd understand! LOL

Tim, thought you might be a friend of mine in the Rochester area. I used to post on that trout site all the time, but not anymore. I went downhill fast. However there are still some really decent guys who fish open water that contibute once in a while.

Thanks again all! I let you know how we did,

Fred

[water_wolf]

Tim,
Obies is a legendary watering hole...lotsa good times there back when I was 18/19 years old (legal drinking age back then...okay WAY back then). Yes Clay is my cousin and he is a great guide up there especially for smallies and musky. He has said the musky fishing has steadily gotten better up there. I will be up a few times this summer. I will look you up at O'bs. Maybe we can wet a line.


Chris,
Don't blame your bro in law 1 bit...I too will be returning "home" when I retire....in 20 years LOL.



Rich Ferguson

[Walteye]

I have fished the Black River/Guffin Bay area in May for the past 4 years, with better success each year,probably because I get a little more knowledgeable each year. I will be going up May 23-27 with my son, and have thought about fishing the Henderson Harbor area this year as well as the Black River area. I have had very good success with very slow trolling bottom bouncers and harnesses in 4-6' of water, just north of the channel markers in the Black River Bay. I have caught walleye and catfish in the Black River Bay in 20-26' water along the north shore. I have also trolled during the day in Guffin Bay with harnesses and silver Ripplin Redfins and have caught 'eyes, none under 25". Black River Bay can get rough too, and if it does, you can troll or jig the river. 2 years ago, I attempted to fish the bay in 4 footers, and had no success. The water was coming over the bow of my Crestliner Fish Hawk 1750, and I had to turn around and fish the river. I caught bass and small walleye(14-18") in the river, trolling #9 Shad Raps, perch color.
Good luck, and are awaiting your post.
Walteye