LongLine

Years ago I started out using Spinning reels off the rigg'rs - Mitchell's. I soon found out that I had to unwind the line as I lowered the rigg'r. If free spooled or loosened the drag to let line out, the line twisted real bad. Other than that, fighting the fish with rod in right hand, high speed ratio, they worked pretty well. Definitely use a deep spool with a lot of line and keep an eye on your drag assembly. Years ago they (drags) weren't nearly as good as the level winds (of years ago). Tom B. (LongLine)

I don't fish the fingers but fly solo on Big-O most of the time. The secret to flying solo out there, believe it or not, is boat control, regardless of what gear you have. Myself, I occasionally use boards on my 18 ft'r, tied to my canvas frame. But I put them both out before I send a line out as they will steer/pull the boat until the boat is "balanced." I've tried in-lines but find they are a pain to unclip, with the other still out and trying to bring a fish in. As to rods, I find the 8 1/2 ft Heartlands, medium action, to be a great all around rod. If sport, feeling the fish, etc are what's really important to you then I'd suggest you invest in riggers and use somewhat light line. There's a very popular section on the Finger Lakes down a little farther. I'd suggest you go back a few pages and check out the reports from last spring/early summer. There's a lot of good info there on the lakes you fish. Tom B. (LongLine)

Welcome to the site. You'll probably find most of us have just as much money in gear as we do in the boats. (some even more) If I were you, I'd start out simple. Just for a reference, on these cold winter nights, go back thru the report section and you'll see what worked when for a lot of guys last year. Looks like you've got a good start. For lure starters, in that area (Genny) I'd get some spoons about 3 1/2" long. NK's (28's), Dreamweavers (aka DW's), Stingers. Colors I like are green, black, purple & glows. Speeds vary & need to be determined by experiment daily. 2-3 mph down speed. Last year towards the high end worked best for me. If fishing early in the morning try the shallower areas then move out deeper by mid morning. These fish (salmon) scatter & sometimes takes a lot of searching to find. Browns don't move nearly as much as the Kings do. There are also a lot of Lakers in the area that generally hug the bottom. Definitely fish the bait when you find it. Troll thru it, around it, above it & below it. Generally on the outside works best for me.(deeper side) As to time of year, a lot of guys try to get out late March & go thru Sept. But any time you can get out is a good time to go. Just make sure you keep an eye on the weather. H.I.H. Good luck. Tom B. (LongLine)

All you have to do is secure the rear of the boat before you get your trailer (make sure cleats are sturdy) and let it idle in forward for a few seconds. Most of the loose stuff will get thrown away from the retrieve area. My comment to DEC is basically to let it be done in tie-down area and not required at the ramp. It'll make a mess of the ramp itself and we'll have to wait that much longer for the guy in front of us. Tom B. (LongLine)

I don't see that it's a big deal, other than Americans don't like being told what to do. I always pull seaweed off my trailer lights/tongue and remove the drain plug when I leave the launch. I also store boat with drain plug out so nothing collects in it. I know sometimes seaweed collects on the axle but I'm thinking I can get a window washing brush or something to knock that off. One question that I have is how close to the launch ramp does it have to be done. I certainly don't want to have to wait to pull out and just sit in the water longer while the guy in front of me drains/clean right there on the ramp. I mean can it be done in the tie down area? You know 100-200 ft from the ramp? Hopefully on an up-hill area. Tom B. (LongLine)

You should always use a swivel someplace in the line with a spoon on Lake O. Currents may cause it to spin and twist up your line. As to rings, if you use a well rounded snap then not necessary. If you use an elongated snap then yes add them. Tom B. (LongLine)

I run 15 Lb co-poly P-Line on rigger spoons, sometimes with 10 Lb leader. Tom B. (LongLine)

Thanx Conelius. I blew the question about what's most important when you see a lighthouse. duh...should have thought about that right-a-way joke between the lighthouse keeper and the aircraft carrier... Tom B. (LongLine)

Sk8- Short answer - yes - take the internet course now. (It's cold, boat is covered with snow & shoveling the driveway is not great entertainment.) The long answer: This bill was signed into law: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S1639A-2013 Other sections state that internet-based training will be ok if approved by NYS; Rental places have to provide on the spot training; effective on May 1st after signed into law. There is another bill currently referred to Dept of Parks & Recreation that would require a two year "education period" but that has not been passed yet. Tom B. (LongLine)

After you pass the test, close the site and give it a few minutes. Go back to it as a "returning user" and log in. Go to "my account" and it will list the certificates that you've earned at the lower left, under the calendar. There's a "print" icon with each certificate. Tom B. (LongLine)

You can print out your certificate on BoatsUS. (It's not for the under 18 crowd nor for PWC) Tom B. (LongLine)

I think Cornelius posted it way back, (rollmops) http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/NewYork.asp BTW - Use firefox as your browser. There are issues with explorer. (they provide a link to it in their instructions) Tom B. (LongLine)

OD - This is what I use. I've tried small grinders but usually make a mess when I do. FT - Yes it's a NK28. I've never caught anything on an NBK - treble or siwash. Tom B. (LongLine)

So I just finished the BoatUS on-line course. (passed...yay!) Even learned a couple things that I had never thought about. For example: if you smell or have smoke coming out of your doghouse and open the lid real quick - you could trigger a massive flame/flareup as the lid could suck air into it real quick. Now that I think about it...duh...that makes perfect sense. The course got me thinking about it so I'd say that yes, it's worth the time to take one of the courses. What the heck, beats shoveling the driveway. Tom B. (LongLine)

I agree with you. Did some research and even though the CG doesn't specify which, they do specify performance characteristics. (Big time on life jackets.) They also randomly test boats by going out & buying new ones and see what it takes to sink them. I think all the foam sites I saw said closed cell should be used for floatation. A few said that all foam will eventually absorb moisture but it takes much more time to soak the closed cell. Tom B. (LongLine)

Welcome to the site. Be sure to let us know how they do it out there. Tom B. (LongLine)

Well you got one vote for Mustad, one for VMC & one for Owner....so obviously I' going to say that Gammy's are the only way to go. I use a 3/0 Siwash on NK 28 size spoons. Tom B. (LongLine)

Happy New Year. It's going to be better than the last. Tom B. (LongLine)

After 50+ years of filing my fingers & getting poked with the barb, try this for a hook sharpening holder: Simply cut some slots in a piece of scrap wood with a small hand saw, a little over ¼†deep. Also holds trebles. When one slot gets a little sloppy, move to next. Tom B. (LongLine)

Welcome to the site. Sodus still is a great place to fish out of. Tom B. (LongLine)