[PapaJohn]

Those of you that have met me know I am not the best fisherman on here, though I have been fishing since I was 5, and do OK most of the time.

However, before moving to NY 4+ years ago, I never lived in a state with bronzebacks. All these posts from you guys have me itching to try to catch some. My question is where? This Indian Summer prompted me to put in for Monday off, and I'm going to get in some fishing Saturday and Monday. Does anyone have a recommendation on a lake in SE NY, (Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Putnam, etc.) where I can put in my small boat (it's a Sea Eagle, as long as I can get up close to a launch I'm good. ) and have a decent chance at smallies? I think I can pattern them if the fish are around, but I'm not sure of a good smally lake outside the NYC reservoirs. Wappingers Lake is one possibility, but does anyone know if the weeds are down? Only time I tried it this year you could walk across it. Let me know, if not I'll hit one of my smaller largemouth lakes each day.:beerchug:

 

[Meg]

John,

I could help with lakes closer to upstate, but not in your area. Good luck though!

 

[Gregg]

Your best bet is to rent a boat at Rockland lake. I think he is still renting, Huge might know for sure. It late in the season to get the permit plus PIPC will give you a tough time getting a permit for an inflatable.

Next best thing would be Wappinger Creek, I think it should have smallies it part of the Hudson and no permit needed.

One more thing, one more drop in water temp and put the Sea Eagle away for the year they don't recommend using it in water colder them 50 degrees.

Yes I own a Sea Eagle 9

 

[Johnkud]

Depending on how far you want to travel , in Sullivan you have White Lake , Toronto, Swinging Bridge that all hold Smallies , Rockland Lake of course , Roundout and Wappingers Creeks a number of Bear Mountain lakes . or just get a reservoir permit and ask any member when they have an open seat . I seldom REALLY post but there is NOT a bad guy on this board . Every one that I've met or fished with is beyond decent

 

[PapaJohn]

Thanks.

Gregg, I knew about the water temp. It won't be long before it gets put away. The thing does get a little stiff in the cold, doesn't it? Thanks for the tip.

John, I'll check a map and see if any of those are worth the drive to me. Right now I think Wappingers might be the best close bet. I do have a reservoir permit, fish it from shore and have fished with some of the "resdogs", but for this weekend I figured it was short notice to get a backseat, especially for Monday. And I agree with you, EVERYONE I have met from NYBass are great people. What I meant was I have learned from this site that I'm a pretty good fisherman, but so many guys on here are better than me, just from experience if nothing else (and I don't just mean age, it's mainly a time-on-the-water thing) and I still have a lot to learn.

I'll get out one way or another. Hope some of you guys do too before it's time to light a fire, pull out a Basspro catalog and write a letter to Santa.

 

[Gregg]

The Creek can be an interesting place have you ever fished it?
Which Sea Eagle do you have? And how are you powering it?
As for the temp thing just trying to be safe don't want anything bad happining to a friend

 

[BUDDYROW]

best bet for smallies....... come to sullivan county.....
swinging bridge res.......smallie haven the crazies have
left the water.......2nd choice toronto res.......bring a camera
to either place.....peaceful this time of the year....
eagles a plenty.....will be there sat/sun.......:beerchug: :beerchug

 

[Jared C.]

hi John...

Hey dude, what's up? I figured I'd throw in the name of a lake that hasn't been mentioned yet...Highland Lake - about 9 miles South of Swinging Br.. I fished there once - there's a man named Peter Fink who rents boats at Sand Beach - caught one nice LMB, but I know there are some HUGE smallies in there. It's a nice-sized lake in the shape of a bear's claw and is quite deep. I don't know if the launch has changed, but I think the Sea Eagle could manage - haven't been there in a long time, but maybe some guys on the board can let you know more about it. The drive up isn't too bad (from you it's probably about an hour and a half), and the road is gorgeous. Might be a fun day for exploring. If I'm not mistaken, Sand Beach's # is (914) 557-6166, I'm not sure if the area code is right. Mr. Fink can tell you if it's open still and the conditions, and it doesn't seem to get much traffic on weekdays if I remember correctly. Let me know if you need anymore info, and thanks again for that great day on Indian Lake! Good luck!

Jared

 

[PapaJohn]

Thanks again guys

Jared, Thanks buddy, I was hoping to stay closer to home on Monday because I really only have the morning free for fishing and then some things to do at home. Indian Lake was a fun adventure, maybe next Spring we can try again.

Gregg, I have only fished Wappingers Creek a few times, and only once from my Sea Eagle. Kind of funny because I LIVE in Wappingers Falls (granted for only 2 years). There is a nice deep pool in Red Oaks Mill where I've caught 2 smallish but decent smallies fishing from shore. Unfortunately the store I used to park at has a mean dog that gives me the creeps so I started fishing upstream slightly from it. That spot, just before a waterfall, I have caught LM. I've only floated my Sea Eagle in Wappingers Creek once, and that was in the Lake off Rt. 9. It was also more to give my kids a boat ride though, not to fish. My Sea Eagle is a 9 with the floorboard and seat package. I use a 40 lb thrust Minn Kota on it. Were you thinking about Wappingers Lake, or the stretch of Creek past that on to the Hudson?

 

[Gregg]

The 2 times I used my Sea Eagle on the creek I put in at the public ramp at Spring Street.