New fishing ap for IPhones from Mark Romanack

March 26th, 2013 by Captain Jim

If you love to troll and have ever used the “Trollers Bible” from Mark Romanack, in booklet form, then his new ap soon to be availabe for IPhones is just what you are looking for.  It will be available in different price ranges depending on what lures you use and easily updated as your acquire more baits. Check it out at www.thenextbite.tv/Precision_Trolling. Deep water trolle… Read More

Ice on Lake Erie near Buffalo NY is almost gone

March 25th, 2013 by Captain Jim

Here on the eastern end of Lake Erie near Buffalo NY, we are shackled with a unique practice of the installation of an ice boom to keep Lake Erie ice from clogging up the power plants near Niagara Falls. The ice boom not only keeps ice from ruining the impeller blades of the huge turbines but it also delays the lake from warming up early in the spring delaying fishing for a mon… Read More

First day of Spring?

March 20th, 2013 by Captain Jim

What a difference a year makes in weather here in Western New York. Last year for the first day of spring, we enjoyed an 82 degree day and boaters were out on Lake Erie earlier then I can ever remember. Today being the first day of spring we are experiencing temps in the high 20’s and the threat of a few inches of snow. My brand new Lund 2075 with a Mercury Verado 250 Pro, is s… Read More

New plastic blades for walleye fishing make for some great catches.

March 19th, 2013 by Captain Jim

People are always looking to build a better mousetrap when sometimes the old trap only needs a tweak to be better. Such is the case for Professional Walleye Fisherman Keith Eshbaugh when it comes to making a better spinner blade. The very talented Pa. angler has taken the much loved and always used Colorado blade and created one out of plastic to make for a different look for s… Read More

whether you are young or old, smallmouth fishing on Lake Erie is the best anywhere.

March 7th, 2013 by Captain Jim

Another great picture of one of my customers with a big Lake Erie smallmouth caught close to Buffalo New York. The trophy season begins in a little less then 2 months, May 4th to be exact. I am as excited as I have ever been and find some tackle box to work on while i wait for the days to pass…. Read More

They all swim in Lake Erie and the Niagara River

March 3rd, 2013 by Captain Jim

Here I am getting ready to release a tiger musky for a client and even though I don’t look happy, I really am but without my sunglasses on I am a big squinter!  The tiger musky or norlunge, as they are also called is a hybrid or cross between a musky and a northern pike. They are unable to reproduce much a like mule but are a truly beautiful fish and can fight like all get o… Read More

Preparing for fishing on Lake Erie still makes me feel like a kid.

February 26th, 2013 by Captain Jim

I must admit that even after all these years of fishing, that I still get just as excited as I did when I was 6 years old as I prepare for fishing charters on Lake Erie today. It brings back memories of looking into my Dads tackle box and trying to con him out of a flatfish or even a nearly empty spool of line just so I could have more “stuff” in my old metal tackle box.( which… Read More

Musky fishing on the Upper Niagara River

February 22nd, 2013 by Captain Jim

Even though this isn’t a monster musky my customer was very happy. He and his grandson wanted to catch a Lake Erie, Niagara River musky for a long time and their dreams came true. Fishing around these parts is amazing…. Read More

So you want to be a Charter Captain or fishing guide?

February 20th, 2013 by Captain Jim

I am living the dream of not only working for myself but doing something that I still cant believe I get paid to do…go fishing! I grew up on the water and loved every minute of it, so when the opportunity came to make a living at it, I was thrilled. The dream however, please excuse the pun, does come with some snags. Business plans, taxes, advertising, web site maintenance an… Read More

Col. Shawn Prickett and Captin Jim Hanley

February 19th, 2013 by Captain Jim

One of the perks of my job as a fishing guide on Lake Erie near Buffalo New York is meeting some amazing people. I had the honor of fishing with Col. Shawn Prickett and is wife Tonya and 2 kids a couple of years back. Col. Prickett has served multiple tours in Iraq as well as Afghanistan and was the commander of the helicopter pilots that flew the Navy SEALS for the bin laden… Read More