There are so many reefs in that area it's unbelieveable. In the spring the amount of boats in there is amazing as well. Has anyone consistantly put eyes in the boat on any one or two reefs in particular? Or is the open water NE of the reefs still the way to go when trolling? Paul

This is a good question for freebyrd or ETT. i hope they see it. I dont fish that area enough to give you an honest answer. good luck and good fishin.
Den

my best luck when fishing the actual reefs themselves is throwing blades or jigs. Now if you slip off the reefs and fish north of them or inside of them in the "beach" area that is trolling water. Just too many boats and too much fluctuation in depth for ever having luck trolling on the reefs, but this is just what we have found im sure others have had success

Crib

Amanda Too,
I don't spend much time drifting/jigging/blading on the reefs anymore. I am usually trolling North and/or East of the Reef complex - and anywhere from A, B, C cans on the North on down to D and E cans on the East.

It seems to me that the rock fish are often better at one particular reef than another on any given day. Most popular are certainly Niagara and Crib, but they also get the most pressure. Others to look at are Round Reef, Toussaint Reef, and definitely don't overlook Cone Reef.

Cone and Niagara would be the two I would pick if I were limited to choose two because they also have some fairly deep water close by.

Won't be too long now...
Steve

Thanks for the info. I'll hail you in a few weeks on the water. I'll be putting in around the end of March or early April. What type of bottom paint do you have? I want to paint this year and want to know what is the best ablative bottom paint for freshwater. Thanks Paul aboard Amanda Too

Paul,
I'm not 100% sure on the bottom paint - I think it is called "VC Offshore" - I think there is a number in there somewhere. I'm not sure - but if ablative is the kind of paint that flakes off during the season, that might be an OK choice if you leave the boat in all season, but my understanding is for that type of paint, if you trailer or have the boat out of the water much it loses its effectiveness when it dries out. The stuff I have on there seems to do a great job and I know lots of other people that use the same stuff and are happy with it.

I'd recommend calling South Shore Marine and talking to them about your needs and see what they recommend. Boat service / conditioning is their main business and they have LOTS of happy customers. Their prices may be a bit higher than some others, but in my experience they will do a good job and if anything isn't PERFECT, they will fix it. Call and talk to Tom Mack, Trey Hardy, or Steve Noftz. 419 433 5798

I hope to be on the water March 20/21 weekend if I dont Jinx things and bring Gale Force winds.

I like the area 1/2 mile due east of what the chart calls round reef for jig fishing (but honestly it's hard to make yourself work the reefs when you know what's lurkin out over open water). There's 2 little gravel bars there with a slot between them that is a very good prespawn/spawn spot.

I went looking for you about 2 minutes after you left, last night.

Talk to you soon.

I like the area 1/2 mile due east of what the chart calls round reef for jig fishing (but honestly it's hard to make yourself work the reefs when you know what's lurkin out over open water). There's 2 little gravel bars there with a slot between them that is a very good prespawn/spawn spot.

Talk to you soon.

I did well on Locust Point last spring.