Syracuse.com - Capt. Tony Buffa gives tips for opening day of walleye season on Oneida Lake

[HuntingNY-News]

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You can't go wrong with a bucktail jig tipped with a worm, he said. He also said there's a strong possibility of good bite fishing from shore at night for those anglers casting stickbaits.

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<p>Capt. Tony Buffa, who’s been guiding on Oneida Lake for several decades, expects a typical opening day for walleye anglers Saturday, noting that “we’ve just gone through a typical Central New York winter.</p>

<p>“In addition, the spawning of the walleye this year in the lake’s tributaries was more on schedule and concentrated, as opposed to waves like last year,” he said.</p>

<p>Buffa added, though, that it’s been a colder than normal April that most likely resulted in many fish remaining in tributaries longer. They won’t be spread around the lake as much as they were last year at this time. “I would spend my efforts this weekend on areas around the lake (where tributaries empty in), such as Chittenango Creek, Maple Bay, and the mouths of Scriba and Fish creeks,” he said.</p>

<p>His bait of choice? Buffa said you can’t go wrong with a bucktail jig tipped with a worm. Colors that work well include black and blue, brown and white and perch patterns.</p>

<p>He said some anglers will be trolling and most likely will be productive in 8-15 feet of water using Rapalas, Smithwicks and Junior Thundersticks.</p>

<p>He gave hope for boat-less anglers, noting that a lot of walleye will still be feeding along the shore at night and will susceptible to anglers casting stickbaits. “You can expect a full week of night-time shoreline casting activity this year,” he said, adding “a little wind will go a long way in helping the bite.” </p>

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog