Fishtails

Has anyone used and/or no where to get Silverlake prism trolling spoons? It seems like the company has gone out of business?? I've found 8 spoons so far and they are awesome, I'd like to find some more. Any leads ????

It's actually a very common rule in sport fishing tournaments Brian. Most sport fish tournaments implement such a rule, especially since many sportfish tournaments don't require observers. Only diff. is that it's most always more than 50 yards. I've seen the rule to be as much as 500 yards, but that would not be realistic on an inland lake. It's not meant to be an exact science, and your not expected to get out the yard stick. Not every rule has to be policed. Your expected to obied by them without having to have someone watch your every move.

Given a choice, I'd prefer no communication as a general rule. Realistically, With today's technology, people will find a way to communicate if they want to. Regardless of weather your buddies in the other division are telling you where they found fish ...you still have to be catch the fish!. This thread started on the principle of rules we'd like to see added or changed. Besides the ones already discussed, how do you feel about the following additions: ONLY IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY confirmed by tournament control, may a vessel entered in the tournament be involved in handing off, or receiving anything from another vessel whether or not that vessel is entered in the tournament. Boats shall not be permitted within 50 yards of another vessel. ALSO...how about a prize for juniors? I know few juniors fish, but maybe if we had a junior class that would change? I don't see anything in the rules on age restrictions except for the observer. Something simple to get them involved?

Not to stray from the current subject on the Pro Am, but I looked up the rules from the Marlin Tournament I was in. I know we didn't have an observer, but only being a guest team member I didn't read the rules. Here is how they handle Bill fish tourneys.....which are much more lucrative (entry fee was $4000 per team). Just thought it may help my earlier post sound less bazaar RELEASE RULES All teams must provide their own digital still or video camera to verify releases. The camera must show the correct time and date on each photo or video. To score an official release, the fish must be at leader and an identifiable photo must be taken of the fish, showing the control-number code, time and date. When you know you are going to release the fish, you must call tournament control and ask for the control-number code. The control-number code will be between 1 and 5. Then have your designated photographer or any other crew member hold up the number with his/her fingers or number card next to the fish as the photo is taken. The photo must identify the species, number code, time and date. After the release photo is taken, the official time, species, control number and angler name must be written on the catch-report affidavit. Each registered angler and boat captain must then sign the catch-report affidavit. At the end of the day’s fishing, the camera, catch-report affidavit and all photos or video footage taken must be brought to the weigh station for verification of official release points. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of that day’s catch. Catch-Report Affidavit All catches must be recorded on the catch-report-affidavit sheets provided. The official time, species, control-number code and angler name must be written on the catch-report affidavit. Each registered angler and boat captain must then sign the catch-report affidavit. The catch-report-affidavit sheets must be turned in at the weigh station each day whether you catch a fish or not. • In the event of a tie, the team reaching the highest score first wins. • All winners may be asked to take and pass a polygraph examination.

Yt...one last thought for you. If the wife is going fishing with you, I'd highly suggest you go reef fishing while your in Grand Cayman. Reason is, the winter is the windy season in the Caribbean and the chances of you getting out beyond the reef in anything less than 4-5 ft seas is very unlikely. Your much more likely to hit anything from 5 to 10 that time of year. Flat seas in the winter are pretty few and far between. On the flip side, the reef in Cayman (at least along the whole southern shoreline) acts as a protective barrier, and the ocean breaks at the reef edge, not at the shoreline. In other words, on the island side of the reef, it's ALWAYS fishable. At it's worst you get a one to two foot chop. You can see what I mean in the picture below. The red dot in the water is me fishing a coral head behind the house I stayed in that held loads of fish. I'd snorkel around and drop a buoy on the areas that held fish.....then I'd wade out and fish the area with conch we'd pick up off the bottom. You can see how the waves break at the reef edge out beyond where I'm fishing. A half day drift trip reef fishing will be non stop fun for you and the wife. You'll see sea turtles and stuff while your out fishing too!! Have fun and let us know how the fishing was!

UpGragy & Just Fishin make a really great point. All things weighted, your safest option may be to book through the cruise line. The most amazing thing about Grand Cayman is that "The Wall" is only like about a mile or so off shore. It drops off to around 3000+ ft, yet your close enough that you could almost swim to shore if ya had to. I enjoyed this thread. It was fun going down memory lane. I dug up some pictures and did some reflecting. I'll share a couple fishing pics from our tourney fishing in Grand Caymam. Here is our second place (Big fish catagory) Tuna....I'm in the back next to the fish Here's my first Dolphin of the tourney This is the boat we fished out of.....46 ft Hatteras A wahoo Let us know how the trip goes

Hi YC. I'm terribly jealous, I really love the Caribbean and It's killing me that we have no plans to go this winter . Anyway, I've fished both areas. I had an opportunity to fish a 3 day Marlin tourney with some locals I met while on a 10 day vacation in Cayman 4 years ago. I learned alot from the locals, and we came in second place for the biggest fish. No Marlins though, the two big fish were Tuna. I do know of a captain I would highly recommend, but tracking down his contact info would be a semi challenge. It really comes down to your time on the Islands. Normally, your only in port from 5-10 hours. In Cayman, you have to take a shuttle boat to the island from the ship. Depending on the amount of tours in that day, you can eat up a little time there and it's unpredictable. You want to leave plenty of time to get back to the ship!! Cayman roads can get very congested. Reef fishing is a great option too....If you have limited time. The reef fishing can be really fun, cause you'll catch fish after fish and you may catch 20 or 30 different exotic species. I enjoyed that as much as the deep water trolling (maybe more). They just won't be as big. Odds are, If you go trolling you'll catch Wahoo, Dolphin, Barracuda and Tuna, with an outside shot at a Sail or Marlin. Cozumel is good too, and you dock in port so your timing on the island is more predictable. I only reef fished there, so I don't know much. If I can be of help, give me a shout and I'll do whatever I can. BTW....I agree that Stingray City is cool, and pretty harmless. If you go to Rum Point, you'll see a fleet of boats off the horizon & that will be Stingray City. Have a GREAT time!!!!! Rod

Boy...nobody would do that for you In Pa. Everyone here gets paid in advance.

That a yo-zuri Mark?

Awesome......thank you Bill!!!! I feel so much better just knowing.

Thanks again Bill. When I dropped it off, he said they would winterize both motors and then build a frame for it and tarp it. I'm guessing it's done, but it wasn't covered as of 4 weeks ago when I called. I suppose I'm just having a little separation anxiety . I just would have expected some sort of bill by now. My business is not that different from Don's. I have peoples furniture for months, and I don't like it when customers keep calling me. I don't want to be one of "those" customers. RR...that's what he said. He'd do the work in the spring. When the fish start biting....he'll start hearing from me

Very nice boat....cograts!!

Wow....your closer than Clark. I didn't realize that Billy. That would be GREAT! It's a 24 ft Searay, I'll post a picture so you'll know what it looks like. I called Cook's once and couldn't get much out of Don. It's there for the winter, then they have a whole list of things to do in the spring, most importantly an engine coupler on the starboard motor. I dropped it off about 9-10 weeks ago and haven't gotten a bill or a phione call?? Thanks and I really appriciate the offer Billy. It's tuff being down here in Pa.

Clarke.......I still have not heard from Cook's on LE yet. I take it no news is good news? I'm reluctant to call...I don't want to be a pest. I have a lot of work I want them to do, but It would be nice to know she's covered for the winter. If you get over there, can ya check if the boat is covered for me ? I'm guessing it's done, but If not I might want to take a run up and put my cover on and see how all is going.

Storm Warning.....do you have the spooncaddy? How ya like it? I really like mine, but It's not without it's flaws. I love to have all the spoons in sight, without flipping through the cards. Downside for me was they don't hold enough spoons.... My solution was two Spoon caddys for all my favorite spoons, and a special mate for the repeates/extras and ones I don't use much.

Your lawrance will have a basic map. The chip will be more detailed. You will not need it to navigate, but It's better to have it if your going to fish the area more than once or twice. If you don't fish the region very often, just get a paper chart.

Here is a different spoon box that I have, and I like it cause it's clear and you can see all your spoons. It's called a mega spoon caddy. I have a few couple of them. http://maxedoutenterprises.com/_wsn/page2.html

Thanks for the help Blue Knight. I just checked...they don't have the color marked on the pack, just numbers. I know one is a kevorkian, one a white/pearl and a white/green w/black splatter. I went with spoon colors that worked best for me last year. I'll be picking up more this winter. Do you ever tape them at all? They should be great in the spring, eh?

Blue Knight, I just got an order in of Apex lures. I know they use them out west alot, so I figured I'd throw some in the mix. Pro troll makes an e chip lure that's similar. It seems like you can run them clean or with a flasher...correct? You say keep the leader as it comes length wise, do you change it over to floro? Same single hook, or do you change hooks? Thanks

I'm sure there will be a silver lining in this somewhere. Tim...thanks for keeping us informed. I read a few pages on this topic last week on SalmonCrazy, but I had to stop.....some of those guys just get my blood boiling. The fishing won't suck...we are just a little spoiled cause it's been so good. I had a buddy here from the west coast this past summer and from what he says, the west coast Salmon fishing has gone down hill BAD! His father runs a Salmon charter out west, he says one fish a day is average. I took him out on lake O for two days and he was floored! Our first hit of the day was a triple and he almost crapped himself....It was great!! We may have to band together and really preach C&R....I know my boat will. Here is a pic of west cost Bruce with one of his first lake O kings from that day....the grin says it all!!

Not the news I was hoping for . Sounds like some dismal times ahead on the Chinook front. Hope it's not as bad as it sounds....or we end up with a good wild hatch. Thanks for keeping us posted Tim.

I learned the hard way....those bags won't hold up. I should have posted like you did this past spring, but didn't and bought two of the same bags you purchased. One is torn almost in half....it only lasted about 4 or 5 trips.

Any more updates on the egg collection??

Oops...hope I didn't disrespect him by spelling his name wrong...haste makes waste Sorry! Thank you & Rest in peace johnny!!