chinook

Gambler, it is about the possible invasion of the Asian carp into the Great lakes system. The head of the US Fisheries is explaining about the potential impact and decimation they would have on the ecosystem. If they happen to get into the G.l's. a total collapse is very possible. Pretty scary viewing and thought. May want to hold off on any new purchases. He claims that there is an electric barrier currently, as a last line of defense. But the actual sale of the carp themselves is only prohibited in the province of Ontario.

Is this the future of the Great Lakes fishery? Pretty scary and its impact it could possibly have.

Good job. Thanks for sharing. Totally agree about passing on the legacy. Anyone who shares this passion with friends and especially family, is tops in my book. Have a great winter yourself ( if that is possible) -Duane

Rod, Looking forward to your pics when completed. For I considered putting radar on my boat as well. J. B. Bill gave some good info, as others did as well, but glad to see you went with radar greater than the 16N.M.- I talked to several charter capts, and they felt as do I, that at that range it is to marginal. Best of luck with the arch and radar-Duane

Bump

Whats the chances that Rhys Davis or some other company picks this up and runs with it? I realize that there is Fish On and the Familiar Bite, but was always partial to the Rhys Davis I guess-

Red, I've always stored my boat inside. Even at that I always put some kind of rodent deterrent in it. Some say moth balls, others say bounce laundry sheets, or other methods. May want to consider that.

Stan, Ok for whatever reason I thought you were targeting browns. Now if you are targeting lakers that is another story. Esp. if the surface temp is that warm. I would use your riggers, mag spoons ( with fixed slider if you are allowed to get an extra line in the water) or a flasher rig-cow bells at least off one of them if not of both. Then I'd use your divers, with spoons or e-chip as well. Fish the marks-then if some decent marks are at 100' or so ( I don't know the lake obviously) then you may want to try your copper straight out the back as well. We normally don't target lakers due to the salmon around, but when the fishing is tough, and just looking to put something in the boat, we slow our troll down from our normal salmon speeds.Hope this helps-Duane

Chowder- As far as larger weights, some are simply making their own, or I use to get mine at Capt. Cove at the Oak. Narby's use to have them as well I believe. Really nothing to be confused about. The old school of thought was that it was taboo to spin out dodgers. No longer true. Point being- the dodgers are more speed tolerant than some think. Yes there may be days when spinning them out won't provide the strikes desired, but there are also many days where the opposite is true. Again, if you are using down speed and temp, chances are your thumper will be compatible with your entire spread as well. Again simply watch rod tip for a thumping action. It is not that hard to notice what one considers the proper action for that particular rod. As far as letting it out for proper action, I'm targeting a certain temp range in the app. location with both weight amount and length out behind the boat. It does come will trial and error, but having read some of your past posts, I'm sure that you wil pick it up very quickly. Best of luck with it-Duane

Stan, did you post that you will be fishing a lake of only 44' depth of water? If so, have to agree with Matt that my approach on that lake would be to use cores or flat lines off in liners for greater spread as well as divers and riggers, depending on amount of people fishing and rods allowed. Not to say the copper won't take fish but with your purchase of 600' you could in theory tap bootom in app. 125' of water. In the great lakes fishing for browns a good starting point in summer is to find where the thermocline intersects with the bottom. This is usually within a mile or two of shoreline. At this time of year- out in your neck of the woods, can't speak for that. As mentioned also regarding copper, you need to be careful with it's application. I usually run it straight down the chute. I also use a float with it, in the event that a side diver or rigger takes a shot, the cooper then can be let out for geater clearance out the back of the boat. Don't want to say that you wasted your money on it, but personally depending on the depths of lakes you normally fish, I would have purchased a 300' first, if you are targeting browns- since the browns are somewhat more tolerant of temps to begin with.-Duane

Chowder I can only tell you what has worked for me. First off, at the end of the wire, I use a coast lock swivel. I then tie on a piece of 30# mono app 6' in length off the welded ring. leaving the swivel to hang. Off the opening of the swivel itself I will hang either a 12 or 16 oz. lead weight depending on where preferred temps are at. On the mono I will usually use a Luhr Jensen Silver Glo dodger with a green krinkle or hypnotist fly. Then slowly let out thumbing it to obtain desired depths. A real rough guesstimate for a 1# weight would be app. 100' down with 250 out on your L.C. Obviously this is rough due to variables. Then simply watch rod tip for proper thumping action to obtain the right down speed. I used this setup for many years before I broke down and bought a down speed indicator.-Best of luck-Duane

As I mentioned above, looks like the Oak to me. -Duane

Chrome, those pics look like they were taken at the Oak, between the Yacht club to above the bridge at Capt Cove? -

Jay, first want to say that I'm glad you made it back safe. Second, I don't blame you for being frustrated and p@$%ed about the lack of response. I was in your situation about 10 years ago having fished up til the quitting time of 8:00 when the other 2 boats I was fishing with decided to call it a night. I wanted to fish an extra 15 minutes, but when I went to put the hammer down the boat went no where for the coupler went out. Long story short, a boat docked up the Oak, heard my distress call, undocked, ran the 3 miles offshore, towed me back in, and absolutely refused payment. Then just a few years ago, during the fall L.O.C., during a hot bite day, I had the opportunity to return the favor, not once but twice in the same day. I literally pulled all lines and made that the priority. One was with a vessel within 100 yards of going directly into the breakwall. Point, being, yes there are those who for some reason turn a deaf ear to those in trouble. Always have and always will be. But then there are others who are just the opposite and know what the real priorities are when out fishing the big open bodies of water. So to the readers and posters of this great site, if someone calls in distress, don't assume that someone else will handle it. Don't be part of the problem, be the part of the solution-Duane

Gene, have to agree with Bill. I have always stored my boats inside during the winter months. Yes you may pay more for it, but as he mentions just the peace of mind is worth it. I never liked the idea also about the melting and refreezing that takes place let alone the effects of sun, driving freezing rain and other winter elements. To me it is a very small insurance policy for a rather large investment. In as much that I decided this year in lieu of towing it home and storing, the boat is being stored inside up at the Oak. Pricing was very fair compared to what I would have had in it towing it home. So I.M.O. I'd store it inside, letting those know you may want access around the first of April-Duane

Landing craft, yes it is titled in N.Y. It is located in Geneva N.Y. Towing weight is close to 4,000 Thanks for the interest- Duane Musky, I made mention to him, but think he has his eye on something else. But thanks for bringing it ti my attention.

T.T.T. Price reduced again - 2002 -21' Sport Hornet by Keystone New Hot Water Heater, New Tires, New Bearing Buddies, New Queen Size Bed, Gas & Electric Refrigerator, Microwave Oven, Full Bath, Air Con., Excellent Condition!! Many extras!! $5200.00 or BO. This is $1.300.00 less, than when first posted. Call Bill at 315-719-4514

ECARTER, don't misinterpret what some are saying about running J's at the river mouth. J's can take targets thru the year starting in spring thru summer as well. When some, myself included, say to run J's at the river mouth, again these kings are hitting out of aggression. They need to be pulled at a rate that provides an errartic action to them. So after one try don't give up. As mentioned, they do dive on their own. I have found the number given to be close. In relatively shallow water 2 off riggers set accordingly and 2 flat lining.A little deeper, you could try one off a diver. So don't limit yourself to just one technique. However the depth of water and boat traffic as well could at times-Duane

Tom, try this site-Duane http://www.pennyanboats.com

Ray, have to agree with 35 and Tim. I know that you are a good fisherman, and take your share of targets. But I mentioned before that if I was limited to just one rig from mid Aug on, it would be a cut bait rig. Wish I had time to talk to you the time you were heading up the Oak, and I hollared hello. Would have given you a proven bait rig. Pearl fish scale 11'' Coyote, pulling a bait rig with a glow frog head. As Tim mentioned, you have to commit to it. I won't run anything around it when dredging for the kings buried in the mud. Won't put a second rig within 20' such as if I'm fishing in 100' off the flats, rigger set at 103' for blowback, if that rod fires, I'll send the second one down if set at 80' Again as Tim mentioned, I prefer a slower presentation as well when pulling meat. His speeds as mentioned are real close to where I target. Lastly, I run leads off the ball starting @ 20' early morning and then stretch them out a little further as the day progresses. One other good early morning flasher is that of the White Lightning. But day in and day out that Coyote Pearl fish scale is tops in my book. So much that a small circle of us call it "Old Reliable" It has proven itself. Year in and year out.

Capt. Carl, I have to make a trip to the Oak possibly this coming weekend. Going to put the boat to rest at a local marina for winter storage this year. What is the latest at the Oak? Always valued your opinion, and was just deciding on whether to make this a fishing inclusive trip or one to just to tie up some loose ends and put the HeavenBound to rest for the year-Thanks for any info- Duane

Matthew, no problem. Glad to hear that you have tried it and found out it works to put a few extra targets in the boat I.M.O.- Again. slime is not only free, but I feel probably the best scent one can use. Best of luck the remainder of the season-Duane

Matthew, glad to see that others are now trying this. I concur as such, and have posted here and on other sites for many years about using this trick. Best scent out there is the very slime from a day's catch. I always carry my flashers that I use on a particular day, inside my cooler amongst of the catch.I've put some of my friends unto this, and they are now sold on it as well.- Duane

Guys. good point about the back up plan. When I had the smaller boat, we would in fact troll Oak Orchard on a blow off day,at this time of year. As a matter of fact, under the random tips page on the attheOak site, I listed as such. The secret to river trolling is a SLOW presentation. 2 riggers set app. 4-6 feet down and 2 flat lines. One can actually troll the Oak from the break wall on up thru the bridges on ward towards the dam until it starts to shallow out. Another week or 2 would probably see better runs, but as the guys mentioned, there are other options in lieu of actual L.O. fishing.-Duane

Coming from Philly, if it hits 20, you will be S.O.L. I cut my teeth on the great lakes in a 16'. I know all to well about travel distance and being limited in boat size. Hope the weather turns in your favor-Duane