Finders Keepers

Anyone get out on the ice for some perch or pike on Sodus or Port Bay lately? I'm looking to head to one or the other this Saturday AM and was wondering where they're hitting the hardest.... I have to get a line in the water.....

Just turned 30 a couple months back. It's amazing how fast the years fly by when the summer's are packed with fishin'!! Been on the big pond ever since I could walk...

Yeah, I would have to agree with Billy V, it depends on the fishin' situation: -Spring Brown fishing = Quiet time -Summer Kings = A good mix: Dave Matthews, Rusted Root, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, etc. - whatever the kings will bite to! -Fall Combat = Metal & Hard Rock (Metallica, Disturbed, Motley Crue, etc.) One summer we were out in the middle of the lake and hadn't done anything all morning. Drum Trip by Rusted Root starts to play and a rod pops and starts screamin'. After that, nothing. So just for giggles we play drum trip again...Fish on! :shock: It worked like 5 or 6 times! It didn't seem to matter how long in between each play of the song, or where we were located, it seemed to trigger a hit. True story. Hasn't happened since. :evil:

That Berkley wire looks pretty good. I wonder how kink resistant it really is? Anyone have any experience with this versus the McMaster? The Berkley is more expensive, that's for sure. I also wonder if the coating would be better or worse for the fleas? :roll: What do you guys think? I think I am still leaning towards the McMaster and putting the $$ saved towards the Tekotas!

Hey Chris, I am also new to the wire rods, however I was able to get some experience this past summer. From what I have heard and learned so far, the 7 strand braided seems to be a favorite wire to use with little troubles, and for rods, I have heard that you can use the Heartlands, but you need to keep an eye on the eyelets for wear and replace as necessary. You will also have to replace the tips on the rods with "twilly" tips. I went with the Blue Diamond rods right off the bat which are made for wire line to avoid the eyelet issue. Either way, they definately produced when we ran them last year!

Thanx for the info! Although I cannot guarantee the 40+ lb'er won't end up on Finders Keepers this fall! We run 11' Heartland downrigger rods, so the Blue Diamonds should be no problem, and we have stainless rod holders bolted to our rigger board (my dad used to be a system admin for a stainless manufacturing company). I am hoping to get the Dekotas if I can swing the $300+ for them this spring. Maybe I can get my dad to pitch in half. I just can't wait to get back out on the big pond!!

Same here, have used the same scents with out any noticable difference in # fish caught. As with most things, find what works and stick with it. $0.02 in the jar.

Hank: Yeah, looks like winter is getting ready to set-in. Saturday could be a bit nippy, especially if it rains! Highs in the low 20's next week are going to feel mighty cold!!

Sounds good, I'll probaboy be in touch later this week. I can also go out saturday afternoon too if you'll be back (I have the whole free), but Sunday I have to work. Monday is a possibility too - I have the day off for MLK Day!

Hank, I may take you up on the small boat this Saturday AM, do you have any interest in going? My friend went out in Sodus on Sunday and knabbed around (30) 1 lb+ perch in between the islands - 20 ft depths were the ticket. I am thinking just off the points in Port Bay should produce quite well or just off the mouth on the drop-off. Let me know if you would like to go! we'll have to see what the weather does...

Alright, well that presents a new scenario into the equation. :? Well, I guess I will have to see what works best. I am a fan of running 50lb fluoro leaders with dodger/fly combos, so coupling it with the dipsies is a viable option! I also agree with the idea that "less gear = less breakage". I think I will end up trying one of each and see which performs better/feels better. -> Good experiment for this summer!! Thank you for the great input on the topic! It is great to get different tactics to try!

Boy, with all this warm weather and rain it has made me feel llike bullhead fishin'!! Quick question regarding wire dispy snubbers: Do you prefer 8" or 12" snubbers and why? I picked up a set of 8" snubbers and then saw 12" ones at Bass Pro. Which is better to have on when that 40+ lb'er grabs my silver prism dodger/hammer fly combo this coming summer in late august? Only a few more months to go!

I am looking to replace my rigger cables this spring and was wondering what everyone would recommend? I remember seeing a new kind of cable a year or two ago that was supposed to have smaller swing back, but I don't recall where I saw it or what it was. I also wonder, assuming it has a smaller diameter, if the fleas could become a problem on smaller diameter wire. Well, if this currnet weather pattern continues we will be on the water as soon as the channels are clear!!

1 pair of icefishing socks w/ a pouch in the toe-section for a warming pad $75 in giftcards for Bass Pro, which equalled: -(2) Dipsy Divers -(1) 8" Green Snubber -(3) Flies -(4) Stinger Spoons -(1) Pack Ladderbacks -(2) NK Superglo Spoons -(1) Night Stalker LED Light -(2) Jr. T-sticks Madflash Stickbaits -(1) Rapala X-Rap Stickbait (Ok, so I went over the $75 by a little! ) $25 Giftcard for Dicks Del Mar Windmaster wristwatch that can also measure winds up to 130 mph. So when the waves are breaking over the bow, at least I will be able to tell how strong the winds are pushing those waves!! Have a great holiday everyone and see ya on the water in a few months!!

Thank you for the info fellas!! I think I have a handle on setting them up now. Maybe if this weather pattern holds through the next couple months we may have an early spring!!

Ok, looks like I will be getting the Tekota's (600LC) for reels to match my blue diamond rods. Now my next set of questions: 1. How much wire should I put on each reel? 2. I have heard people using a "backing". What is it, what should I use, and how does one make a backing? 3. What knot should I use to tie the wire? 4. How often does the wire need to be replaced? Thank you in advance for your responses! I can't wait to get these set up and in the water this spring!!

I recently snagged a new pair of Okuma blue diamond 10' wire rods and now I'm looking to match them with some reels and wire. Just wondering what everyone's suggestions are for reels and wire. Before "the incident" and all our discussions got wiped out, there was a post with info on wire that cost $.03/ft. I would like to get that website/link again. Thanx! Only 3.5-4 months to go.... Tim. "Finders Keepers"