Sunday, May 10th, 2026

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Sunday, May 10th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Bill Hilts Jr.

Crazy Eyes team wins New York’s Sunset Bay Shootout on Lake Erie

It was the 13th annual Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout on July 15 and a record number of competing teams topped out at 160 squads, all vying for $425,000 in cash and prizes. In the end it was the winning trio of Wes Bartoo, of Fredonia, and his “Crazy Eyes” team, made up of his 15-year-old son Wyatt and Will Baker, of Brocton, who boated away with a check for $20,000 by virtue of a six-fish tournament limit weighing 35.27 pounds of ‘eyes.

Crazy Eyes team wins New York’s Sunset Bay Shootout on Lake Erie Read More »

Lake Erie delivers in 39th Southtowns walleye tournament in New York

The 39th Annual Southtowns Walleye Association of Western New York’s annual contest was held June 10-18, a traditional kickoff event for the walleye fishing season on Lake Erie.
After nine days of intense fishing, it was the husband-and-wife team of Wayne and Ann Marie Doan of Hamburg that boated away with the big fish, a 12.56-pound walleye while trolling out of their 254 Larson Cabrio named “Trickster3” north of Seneca Shoal in 45 feet of water off Buffalo.

Lake Erie delivers in 39th Southtowns walleye tournament in New York Read More »

Day on the water with Capt. Anthony Ellis teaches tricks of the trade to gain an advantage

I love fishing with different charter captains. It’s an opportunity to share some time on the water and learn a bit of intimate knowledge on how they approach fishing.
I was a guest with Capt. Anthony Ellis of Redemption Sportfishing, running a 31-foot Aqua Sport out of his home port of Olcott. I knew Anthony but had never fished with him before. It turned out to be quite an educational lesson.

Day on the water with Capt. Anthony Ellis teaches tricks of the trade to gain an advantage Read More »

Niagara, Orleans tournaments in New York showcase Lake Ontario

Two different styles of fishing tournaments helped to christen the month of June on Lake Ontario, forcing teams to enact unique strategies and fishing tactics to earn a victory during a time when the body of water is undergoing a transition of sorts.
On June 2-3, the Niagara County ports of Wilson and Olcott in New York took center stage for the Skip Hartman Memorial Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament.

Niagara, Orleans tournaments in New York showcase Lake Ontario Read More »

Beauty is in the eye of the angler

“I want to catch a sheepshead, Grandpa,” said 9-year-old Parker Costello of Lockport, N.Y. 
Yes, catching a sheepshead was on his bucket list and he had tried three different times last year with no luck. He tried in the Genesee River, the Upper Niagara River, and the Lower Niagara River and it just didn’t work out for him. All three areas hold decent populations of freshwater drum, but Parker’s quest fell short.

Beauty is in the eye of the angler Read More »

Catching Dreams Charters continues to expand opportunities for kids with cancer

Fishing continues to be one of the world’s great recreational pastimes. Since the formation of Catching Dreams Charters Inc. in 2015, after being recognized as an important therapy for pediatric cancer patients, the 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization continues to expand its reach across the Empire State and beyond.

Catching Dreams Charters continues to expand opportunities for kids with cancer Read More »

Familiar New York tournament anglers highlight another record day with giant 9-pound smallmouth

You’ve heard the age-old adage that lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same spot. But for Tom Russell and his fishing partner Eric Sullivan, both of Albion, N.Y., it appears that lightning did strike twice – many times over!
It was Russell and Sullivan who tag teamed on an opening day bass tournament win on Cayuga Lake on June 15, 2022 – a new opening day for bass anglers across the state. Russell’s record smallmouth bass was part of a personal-best five fish bag with his cousin, Sullivan. This year, the duo believes they caught the same smallmouth as part of a record day, now weighing 9 pounds, .4 ounce.

Familiar New York tournament anglers highlight another record day with giant 9-pound smallmouth Read More »

New York’s Erie Canal is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered

One minute. 
That’s how long it takes for me to drive from my house to the Erie Canal. It has become a favorite fishing spot for my grandson, Parker Costello, of Lockport, N.Y. Because of that interest, we have discovered many hidden gems that have uncovered some great fishing spots along the way. There will be more to come as we peal back the onion of opportunity.

New York’s Erie Canal is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered Read More »

Restoration of the rare northern sunfish progressing in New York

Restoration efforts are underway to help protect and expand northern sunfish, flying under the radar of other more prominent efforts to benefit classier species like Atlantic salmon and lake sturgeon. 
However, the sunfish family could very well be more influential than most other species of fish due to their ease of catching. Kids love catching fish, and one of the first catches for many is that of a sunfish, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and other colorful cooperators.

Restoration of the rare northern sunfish progressing in New York Read More »

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