Capt. John Oravec – Share the Outdoors

King Salmon in Orleans County

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

**Another happy angler caught this 26#, 38″ King with Tri-State Charters/Free Spirit Sportfishing. Nice job!**

By Capt. John Oravec

They’re back! The Orleans County waters of Lake Ontario once again are teaming with big hungry king salmon. The first key area you want to hit are the 85 to 125 feet of water between the “Pump House” – a long troll – to the Little House”. Every time the wind turns to the west, schools of matures show up. The fishing depths to rig your lure may range from 40 to 80 feet down. Myself, I am staying with an “O” Frawg spoon program. Yesterday, Ohio anglers hit them – slob to 26 # including 3 double headers! Many good boats (“rec” and charter) are having terrific action in this area. It is hot!

The Oak’s offshore waters 26.5 to 29.5 lines – that’s 280 to 500 ft of water are even hotter lately. The charters Pisces, Irish Thunder, and Reel Excitement were heard talking about crazy good action on the multi-year class king and whopper steelhead whenever safe, calm conditions allow venturing to the shipping lanes. Always keep with the fleet especially when out deep, ok!

So there you have it! It’s a terrific August set up at the “Oak”! All ramps are open, marinas, restaurants, lodging and tackle shops are here to help visiting anglers get in on the best fishing in a decade! The Rotary Derby, as well as the LOC Derby, are underway AND FREE FISHING, courtesy of New York State, goes on through Labor Day, thanks to Governor Cuomo.

Capt John “Troutman” Oravec whoa gotta go! We got another big one on!

Notes from Orleans County Tourism:

We’re happy to report that Capt. John “Troutman” Oravec has returned from his sabbatical and he will resume providing weekly fishing reports.
This Saturday, August 17th is the first annual Keith Poland Memorial Derby – part of the King of the Oak series. Register in person at Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina.
The LOC Fall Derby began this past week and runs until Labor Day, Sept. 2nd. For more info, visit loc.org.
The Albion Rotary Fishing Derby (formerly Orleans County Derby) ends this Sunday, August 18th. For more info, visit rotaryfishingderby.com. Click to view the leaderboard.
Governor Cuomo is giving New York residents and visitors an opportunity to cast a line this summer in some of the best fishing spots in the state – Lake Ontario (including the Lower Niagara River) and the St. Lawrence River – even if they don’t have a fishing license. Through September 2, 2019, all anglers are able to fish the New York waters of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River without needing to purchase a state fishing license. Read more at the DEC website: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/117603.html.

LAKE ONTARIO, Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report by Capt. John /Tight Lines Charters

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

For May 8, 2019
Kings, Browns, FUN!

Wow! The waters from 10 to 30, both east and west of the “Oak,” are flush with quality fish! This quality “mixed bag” is dominated by king salmon and brown trout. The consensus is that a mix of downriggers, small spoons and board lines rigged with 3″ stickbaits was hard to beat all week.

**Capt. Johnny O assists a family from Cleveland, Ohio, catch this King with Mike Grager aboard “Get Hooked Sportfishing.”**

Yours truly teamed with Capt. Mike Grager on the 29 ft “Get Hooked” to satisfy my Cleveland Family (right) with big browns, a steelhead, 2 whopper lake trout and, oh yeah, 7 kings to 18 pounds! Many boats were reporting steady action from the Woods to the Flats. As mentioned last week the green water at 43.5° to 46°F continues to be the hot band.

Area tackle shops will help you with the boards and lure colors. There is plenty of lodging available, restaurants including Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina’s Boone & Crockett’s Riverside Cafe, now open daily from 5 AM to 4 PM.

The Spring LOC Derby starts this Friday, May, and warmer weather is anticipated. Get your fish team together and come on up!

For you local anglers: King Alert! The sharks are in the shallows! Orleans County is definitely “Home of the King” this season. I recently had the NYSDEC survey our catch and the biologist commented on the top quality and size of the fish caught already off Point Breeze.

A special note: Both State and County boat ramps are floating dock facilities, so should high lake levels persist, fishermen and recreational boaters will always have a safe, convenient launch onto Orleans County Waters. And several of our marinas are upgrading their docks to circumvent the high water situation anticipated this time of the year.

Come get in soon for the fun ‘cuz the Orleans County Waters of Lake Ontario are hot!

Capt. Johnny Oravec

Orleans County, NY – King Salmon Lake and Trib Fishing Report for Sep. 25, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

This week’s FINAL LAKE fishing report is from Capt. John Oravec of Tightline’s Charters, September 25, 2018.

Get Ready! The coming weeks are an exciting time for big fish, kings and browns and are now available to the small boat angler fishing in close, out to 20 ft. of water, as well as the shoreline/pier and creek boat anglers.

I finished my tremendous 1000+ fish season with a brace of 22 pound kings for a local couple who recently walked on Troutman 2 for a late day troll. Be sure to come rigged with J-Plugs, jointed Rapala’s and assorted, diving, rattle style crankbaits in bright glo and florescent colors.

Make sure hooks are in top condition, extra sharp too, as river run salmonids grow teeth and their jaws get leather tough! There has been a lot of rough stormy weather limiting boats, so the catch report right now is light. But this same weather sets up favorable conditions for anglers who frequently fish the estuary piers and river mouth flats with stained river outflow plumes that hold river bound monsters!

I want to thank all Great Lakes Anglers who have come to Orleans County this open water season on Lake Ontario. Everyone who did, shared exciting fishing action that was consistently terrific from May to mid-September. Wow, 2018! Yeah Baby!

“Troutman,” Captain John Oravec, Email: captjohnoravec.com

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045

Myself, I must move onto the St. Lawrence/1000 Islands and the Niagara River so this fisherman is deferring the fresh Orleans County Fishing Report to Orleans County expert Ron “the Licorice Man” Bierstine of Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge for the Fall action from the Oak’s mouth upstream as well as other area streams.

I am available at captjohno@netzero.net and 585-590-2045 (boat/mobile) for questions or info. Thanks and Fish On! Troutman -Out!

THANK YOU, Troutman, for your weekly reports!

Orleans County Stream Fishing Report for Sep. 24, 2018, is from Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

So far, kind of a mixed bag of salmon catching opportunities. We have now finally strung together a few nights of cool weather helping to lower water temps some. Still no big precipitation events – next chance of rain thru tonight and tomorrow.

Lakeshore winds remain mostly non-prevailing between East or South. It would be interesting to see what a few days of westerly winds would do for on shore movements of fish.

Anglers are catching some salmon from the Oak river mouth to the lower river to the last of the slow water to the fast water gravel and to the dam. No big slug of fish reported in any one particular spot. Fishing pressure remains moderate and spread out thru all those spots. There are now reports of a few fish in fast water areas downstream of the dam and in the typical staging spots in the last of the slow water areas. Those fish are likely moving to those spots stealthily some at least because there is not a lot of Lower Oak boiling around staging.

So in other words, fish for now don’t seem to be hanging around the lower river area much in traditional spots like say at the Bridges. Flows in the Oak (supplemented with Erie Canal feed 24/7) remain good if not up some and certainly higher and more productive then the natural runoff. So far, low flows of the other area smaller tributaries.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely,

The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Orleans County LAKE ONTARIO and STREAM fishing report for Sep. 18, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Orleans County LAKE fishing report for Sep. 18, 2018, is from Capt. John Oravec of Tightlines Charters

Well, the weather for many enjoying the Orleans County fishing action, it has been wonderful this week!

There are a few matures in the mud-line area in the estuary and up the Oak Orchard River to the Waterport Dam. Most of the hookups at the river mouth are low-light morning flurries by trollers using bright J-plugs in silver bullet and various glow patterns. Don’t forget the venerable J -13 Rapala, Rattle Trap and Crocodile spoons for flat-lining. Please remember the big majors run extra-long when hooked in the shallows so be careful leaving the channel.

The in-shore ledge and shallow flats action has typically slowed for the big fatties under clear, calm-water conditions. Also, when trolling the flats, move away when someone that hooks up and keep your planer board close to the boat. They will still give you an edge.

Because of the stable, calm weather, a large gang of trollers have located a strong down temp break/alewife raft of schooling silver fish over 300 to 400 ft of water and WOW! By fishing a north/south troll pattern with rigs at 35 to 70 feet we found crazy king/steelhead action with the best steelhead action of the year!

The fleet is widespread west to east, uncrowded, so when you find a hot spot circle back, play with speed and direction and watch your rods fly! Most of the kings are skips to low teenager class. The steelhead show plenty of 22″-25″ keepers, but it’s the 7 to 11 pounders that are ripping up the surface. Just tons of fun! Some charters have returned to running spoon sliders with fast action results reporting 30 hit mornings and early limit boxes.

One important note: please cull your catch, releasing smaller size fish. Those 1 to 5 pounders are the next year’s tackle breakers! I don’t see this mid-water 300 to 400 ft fishery moving much, but please remember it’s mid-September with cold fronts and hurricane remnants frequently passing with windy conditions. Stay in a group, have updated forecasts and at the hint of incoming weather and wind, pull rods and boogie to the inshore waters and try there or call it a day. Upcoming windy, wavy rainy weather is forecast this late week and that combination will stir sulking matures for good big fish action close to the Oak’s harbor mouth. Count on it!

“Troutman,” Captain John Oravec, Email: captjohnoravec.com

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045

Orleans County Stream Fishing Report for Sep. 17, 2018, is from Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge:

So far, the area can’t catch much of a break for some consistent cool weather or precipitation or a good NW blow on the Lake. Winds are mostly light, E or SE making for mostly stalemate conditions. Forecast is for still warm temps thru the beginning part of this week and then cooler toward the mid and end of week. A chance of rain yet most of the remnants of Florence are forecast mostly south of the area.

For now, there is sporadic salmon action at the Oak Orchard river mouth and lower Oak by persistent casters. A few legit still-fishermen and bobber-drifters are now plying the migration routes or staging spots with eggs or skein. Usually, greater concentrations of fish are required for good egg/skein success. A few casting anglers report some brown trout and steelhead hook ups too. There are some anglers drifting the mid to slightly high (reported) and mostly clear flows at the Waterport Dam. There are a few salmon there – the typical early fish that don’t linger downstream. Probably the only survivable coolish and oxygenated water is there at the dam.

The other area smaller tributaries have mostly low and clear flows with probably scattered migrations and some salmon scouting those trib mouth and lower river areas in the low light or at night periods. Hopefully with some consistent cooler or wetter weather, or favorable winds, there will be more salmon near shore and river mouth and lower river staging action.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely, The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec, Tight Lines Charters – August 28, 2018.

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Alert! The big sows are in!!!

After a long day on Monday 8/27/18, guiding two2 separate veteran groups to a bunch of mature Kings 80 down over 120 on cut bait, I switched programs. Troll moved to rough structure in 60′ of water and got more 15 to 22 pound Kings!

The Oak Orchard River is running from heavy rains and the sharks are whiffing river scent already! There is no need to fly around 5 to 10 miles out. You may be leaving big fish action!

On that subject, everyone in the Orleans County area mourns the loss of Mr. Carl Hazel from Barre Center, NY. Carl and a fishing partner were trolling a 20 ft. rig and went down in extremely choppy water many miles out. We all appreciate the big efforts by the Orleans County Sheriff, USCG, Canadian Coast Guard, civilian anglers and a skilled Canadian Freighter Pilot in the recovery efforts in tough conditions. Please use every possible source of weather and lake condition information. Be prepared with USCG survival gear, anchor, rope, signaling kit, cell phone and distress flag. Make part of your strategy on big water to leave a float plan. Stay with the pack, watch the weather and keep your speed reasonable.

The LOC Derby runs to Labor Day. The winner lurks off the Orleans County coastline and this angler is fishing in close!

Now go get ’em!

Captain John Oravec
captjohnoravec.com

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec of Tight Lines Charters, Sep. 4, 2018.

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Orleans County King Salmon in Lake Ontario are on the BIG BITE!

From a tired Captain, the day after Labor Day…

Fish on and Happy Labor Day from everyone at Orleans County Tourism, the Fishing Fleet and the supporting area merchants that make coming to the “Oak” the top Great Lakes Fishing Package again this year!

Whether you are a local fisher-person going out for a couple of hours of great fishing with our famous sunsets or one of the out-of-state rigs I see every day slipping out the harbor at sunrise – go get ’em!

Weather systems typical for Labor Day week have repositioned the thermocline from 25 to 40 down early in the week to 70 feet down over the weekend.

More boats had good luck in the mid-water (150-250 feet). Another hotspot developed in 50 to 70 FOW west from Johnson’s Creek to Chrome Dome. Remember, mature river-bound kings, browns and coho sniff out duckweed lines and Johnson Creek can be a strong drawing force.

A NOTE ABOUT THE CURRENT NOW: THE RIP IS PUSHING FROM NORTHEAST TO SOUTHWEST SO WATCH YOUR GROUND SPEED ON ANY KIND OF WEST TROLL. IF FISH AREN’T LOOKING AT AND HITTING YOUR SPREAD, THROW OUT THE BAG! THEN, WHEN ON THE EAST TROLL, THROTTLE UP and WATCH YOUR GPS SPEED…AND MAKE THE RODS POP! THIS CAPT HASN’T CHANGED LURE COLORS IN A MONTH (300 fish later). I focus on speed, vary lead lengths, use flouro-carbon line and stealth spreads. It matters!

While some may think that with derbies now over, that’s it! Don’t believe it! With the high percent of mature fish in the daily catch, plus good soaking rains pushing rich water out of the tributaries, ledge-staging big mature Kings will become the target in the coming weeks. Then followed by pierhead, shallow water J-plug trolling and pier casting. River runs can start early in a year like this.
There is plenty of big fish action ahead.

There is less overall boat traffic, good availability with area charters and lodging operators and plenty of fish. Fish on! Oil the reels, get fresh, strong line, tie new knots.

Shark wars are coming!

See you on the Orleans County Ledges no deeper that 120 ft.

“Troutman” – Captain John Oravec; Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
Boat/Mobile: 585-590-2045; Email: captjohnoravec.com

Capt Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.
Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Lake Ontario – Orleans County LAKE and STREAM fishing report: September 11, 2018.

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the "Troutman 2".

LAKE REPORT from Capt. John Oravec of Tightlines Charters:

Happy Fisherman from Minnesota with one of the 3 Salmon he caught. Not bad for his first time fishing on Lake Ontario. Courtesy of Mike Grager

This week we were blessed with two fisheries, both in shore with red hot action! Fishery #1: lots of anglers found a cooperative mixed bag of “feeder” kings, steelhead, Choo and rogue brown trout in the 90 to 130 ft. of water band (FOW). Many reported consistent spoon bite 50 to 70 ft down, 350 coppers and flasher “meat” rigs on 210 divers.

Fishery #2: Several charters (specifically Free Spirit, Rally Killer, Troutman 2, Pisces) moved east and up the ledge to 65 FOW and discovered dense mature kings. I have to say this inner ledge action rivaled the dodger crush of the 1980’s!!!

By 6:30 pm, my guys said “uncle”, worn out from hauling on screaming reel 20 pound class chinook. Many boats agreed that multiple hook ups were the norm and my boys scrambled during a 4 timer – all big, all runaway freight train fighting kings using custom “O” Frawg Northern King Spoons. By looking at the calendar, this schools depth (65 ft.), the pink belly on most of the fish and forecast for days of east winds, I expect these salmon are Oak Orchard River bound. (Pink belly kings indicate laying on bottom where chafing zebra mussels occurs.)

Expect big fish 10 to 40 FOW very soon! The forecast for the upcoming late week/ weekend is for 80° weather and lighter winds so get ready with flasher fly combos, j plugs and screaming reels. The mature fish are in! Have fun, since the Orleans County Lake Ontario waters are, after all, “the Home of the King!”

T-Man out!

“Troutman”, Captain John Oravec, captjohnoravec.com

Tight Lines Charters, 1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045

Capt Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

STREAM REPORT from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge, September 11, 2018.

Well, we got our change in the weather and on the cusp of that change before the Lake got too roiled up there were a few salmon hooked up at the Oak river mouth on Saturday and Sunday, Sept 8th and 9th. Some strong winds and cool if not cold water near shore have kept some guys at bay thru the start of this week. There was something like 1 – 2 inches of a nice soaking rain here on the Lake Plains thru Monday, Sept. 10th.

You’d be hard pressed to see much effect on tributary levels though since things were starting so low. But no doubt its cooled things down some and coupled with that previous mentioned wind, some salmon have come into the the lower Oak and maybe a few have fired all the way to the dam. The Lake has gotten so cold in the near shore waters from the most recent weather that it may have made a cold water “fence” that trout and salmon may not want to cross – for now. I haven’t seen any obvious concentrations of staged up salmon in the lower river typical spots just yet. Forecast is for a return to warmer temps and with some lakeshore prevailing westerly winds there should be a return to more typical staging fish movement.

Oak Orchard River mouth King, early Sep 2018

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec of Tightlines Charters: Aug. 7, 2018 – Lake Ontario, Orleans County, NY

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Lake Ontario King Salmon are on the bite near Orleans County, Lake Ontario, NY.

There is a lot of great fishing going on this week off the “Oak” in Orleans County. One group of fishermen, charter and “Rec” boats are coming back to port happy by trolling 55 to 135 ft of water, mainly east of the harbor from the west end of the “Flats” to the “Devil’s Nose”. Actually, I think that if anglers launched at Bald Eagle, they will find a pile of big fish right out front and save a lot of fuel in the process.

FYI, if you have a hankering for pudgy brown trout try smaller stingers, slims and the like. Downrigged and slow-trolled weaving from 50 to 60. If a hot morning bite is your cup of tea, set up at daybreak then set up at 120 ft overall, get your speed right and watch the rods fly! One special tip: these king salmon are on the feed, low light activity is crazy. Try not to waste this prime time running gobs of lines early. Put down two or three riggers, vary your leader, drop back lengths, mark fish, vary your speed and direction and get in on the action!

Update! A little bird told me yesterday that several boats had crazy fishing fun out on the “30 line” on a big mixed bag of Chinook and whopper Steels 55 to 75 down with a 12 pound weight. This location corresponds to roughly 450 feet to 550 feet of water for any newcomers. I believe this area will become very consistent, next week as well.

Remember to go over your rig for all safety equipment which includes fresh flares, working VHF marine radio, and a fully charged cell phone. There are certain basics for a solid offshore fishing trip plan including an AM start, staying with the fleet, weather updates, plenty of fuel and an adequate crew to handle the action. This zone is shared by both up bound and down bound freighter lanes so always be aware of shipping traffic. Go to www.Boatnerd.com for updated vessel locations and vessel names.

Orleans County waters are now a double banded red hot fishing area. Have fun, be safe and please cull your catch, keeping larger adult fish and just the fish you wish to enjoy on the table.

Captain John Oravec, captjohnoravec.com
Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd., Lyndonville, NY 14098
Boat/Mobile: 585-590-2045

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec of Tight Lines Charters, August 14, 2018.

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Lake Ontario King Salmon are on the bite near Orleans County, Lake Ontario, NY.

It is the “high season” off the Oak for Lake Ontario salmonid sportfishing and the fleet is crushing quality silver fish in many areas!

Fishermen, Fisherwomen and especially Fisherkids are seeing ACTION from 200-550 ft of water, running spoon programs 45 to 75 ft down.

The big northeast winds early Thursday rolled cold water onto the ledges raising the thermocline to 30 ft inside of the 100 ft hump. Capt. Mike Grager and son Jason made a great read, hitting a 14#+ football brown which is leading the Albion Rotary Derby in the Brown Trout division!

A couple tips from CJO: upcoming #1 strategy this week is to try and fan out setting up off Johnson Creek or Shadigee westbound or the “Little Flats” to Bald Eagle Harbor to the east. There is a river of good fishing water flowing past Orleans County. The fleet is here because yes, fish concentrations are wonderful, but also, Orleans County merchants offer services like lodging, tackle, dining, marina support and boat ramps for the complete fishing trip package, not to mention a savvy fleet of charter boats.

See you out there!

Captain John Oravec
www.captjohnoravec.com

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec of Tight Lines Charters, August 21, 2018.

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the "Troutman 2".

**Giant Brown Trout caught off the 50′ Ledge by Cleveland Angler “Big Pat”**

Long days + heavy catches + loads of high quality silver fish = the “High Season” for anglers that are visiting and fishing the Trout and Salmon Grounds of Orleans County! Longtime known as “Home of the King”, the ongoing migration offers all year classes of Chinook plus a “mambo” brown trout ledge fishery.

Right now, mature Kings…15 to 22 pound average (yes, the Sharks!), are staging along 20 miles off the Orleans County coast. Search the 45 to 100 foot drop offs. Take advantage of boat launch access at Bald Eagle, Golden Hill and of course the “Oak”, public as well at the East Lake Breeze ramp.

Tactically, try mixing a flasher, fly rig or flasher – cut bait set up on wire Dipsies, keeping spoons on the riggers for big Browns. Try bright glow, chartreuse, frog patterns that local merchants like Narby’s carry along with the fresh herring, aka “meat”.

The offshore at 250 -500 feet is again a consistent band for medium Kings, coho and steelhead. Please try to release steelhead for breeding. Everything is hitting 40 to 70 down. A Long Island boat, Total Chaos, reported big coho over 600 ft.

The LOC Derby is underway so make sure to support and enter. Follow minimum weigh-in sizes, release a few and have fun.

Now go get ’em!

Captain John Oravec
captjohnoravec.com

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Orleans County, NY – HOME OF THE KING!!! – Lake Ontario Fishing Report, July 30, 2018 –

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Ready at the Ready! King Salmon are everywhere when you fish Lake Ontario in the right place off Orleans County, NY!

This week’s fishing report is from Capt. John Oravec of Tightlines Charters.

**Ready at the Ready! King Salmon are everywhere when you fish Lake Ontario in the right place…Orleans County, NY.**

As Sonny and Cher once sang: “And the Beat Goes On!” There is a steady traffic of fishing boats. I counted over 50 on the weekend rigged for Salmon action and getting it! Boats from Vermont, Ohio, New Jersey, Michigan, Indiana, Connecticut, Maine and Pennsylvania.

The stable wind pattern has created a broad pattern of fishing depths which will let you catch fish anywhere from 160 to 350 feet of water – AKA the mid “28 line”. The salmon and now “bonus steelhead” are lying 60 to 80 feet down. Remember that when to trolling in deep water currents, wily trollers add extra cable footage to consistently reach feeding fish. Please remember to release the steelhead and smaller salmon! Those immature fish are the future fish population!

Watch the changing weather systems mid-week and bring rain gear to be sure. Also, be ready, pull your lines and boogie to home port at any sign of thunderstorm activity. Be safe.

I saw many charters heading in early Sunday, limited out, their boats full of happy “salmon whooped” anglers. My boys from Columbus are already set on coming back in 2019.

If you are still considering a fishing visit this year, go to www.OrleansCountyTourism.com for all your trip planning info. See you on the water in Orleans County – Home of the King!!!

Capt. John Oravec, www.captjohnoravec.com, Tight Lines Charters, 1857 Countyline Rd. Lyndonville, NY, 14098; Phone (boat/mobile): 585-590-2045.

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan, the “Troutman 2.” Capt. Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In-Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely, The Team at Orleans County Tourism; www.OrleansCountyTourism.com, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411; 1-800-724-0314

King Salmon Move Near Shore RIGHT NOW! Lake Ontario, Orleans County, NY – July 24, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

It's Spoon Time!

Lake Ontario Fishing News from Tightline’s Charters – July 24, 2018.

By Capt. John Oravec

**It’s Spoon Time! See more photos – http://captjohnoravec.com/photos.htm**

The Lake Ontario waters off Point Breeze – simply put – are teaming with big king salmon after a big nor’easter storm caused the inside water to roll over. A classic upwelling, the salmon are feeding closer to the shoreline and near the surface!

I heard from a duo hailing from New Jersey and West Virginia that they had super action in close, plus one of the biggest salmon yet for 2018 – a 40″ 27 plus pounder!

Another group of trollers plowed thru fog only to find lots of schoolie kings and scrappy steelhead 30 to 40 feet down over 400 feet depths. Hot lure wise the consensus is spoons! Spoons! Spoons! Try to simplify a lure spread with a couple downriggers and a trailing 10 color leadcore or 250 ft. copper Flatline. The water is very clear, less can catch more.

Your local tackle shops have the prime baits and accessories to repair all the breakage during salmon wars like this! Be careful when running offshore. Have plenty of fuel, safety gear and stay in sight of the boat fleet.

Go get ’em!

Capt. John Oravec, www.captjohnoravec.com, Tight Lines Charters, 1857 Countyline Rd., Lyndonville, NY, 14098; Phone: boat/mobile 585-590-2045

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2.” Captain Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In-Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely, The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Notes from Orleans County Tourism:

By Capt. John Oravec, Tight Lines Charters

A couple updates: