skipper19

No perfect science to any copper wire reaching a "specific" depth. Rule of thumb is about 20 feet down at 100 feet out average, with a flasher fly rig. All variables are going to influence that with speed, current, turns, and lb test of copper. Guess 60 for 300 it's gonna be somewhere between 57 and 66 Guess 80 for a 400 it's gonna be 77 to 86. A 500 around 100 feet give or take about 8% SWAG estimate. Etc. Etc. The flasher can also be a small spin doctor or an 11 inch paddle and the depth it achieves is different. The more resistance due to speed or surface exposure of the attractor against the flow of water over it, the higher it would ride on the column of water you are in at the time. Current plays with it too. That's why it is a guess. 20 feet every 100 feet out give or take about 8%..but that sounds too scientific even for me, so I say just 20 feet every 100 feet for 30 to 45 lb copper. If it catches fish, keep using it in the same water at the same speed...60 lb. is a different kind of thing. Mark

800 feet is in the eastern basin, more in front of Oswego and little sodus. Nothing much over 600 under 30 lines on west end.

Yes sir! That's how it's done! You went offshore to find productive water and you found hungry fish too! WTG! Nice job guys! Mark

I find virtually no difference either in depth performance or strength when it comes to 32 over 45 lb. As yet the 32 lb has survived vicious strikes from kings and drag settings are the same on both setups. When it comes to capacity on a particular reel, it will spool on 200 feet more copper in 32 lb than 45 lb. on any given reel with the same backing used. Some folks like to use an Albright knot for connection to leader or backing and 32 wins again with a much smaller finished knot for passing guides. I, on the other hand, do not use knot connection on the copper and use the hollow core smooth transition connection with both 32 and 45 lb copper and have had no failures on either test. I do like the 32lb as a result. Mark

Thanks Les! Very nice explanation! Yes the water looks visibly different and you find "stuff" floating around in the temp breaks. That feathering is very good when the air is just a slight breeze without a lot of wind. If the surface is rough, say more than a foot of waves it becomes increasingly difficult to see the changes. Like Les pointed out, the angle your lines travel right or left in current can often give you subtle indication of a current and temp break. Most notably is the one I mentioned, when as you are trolling north in lake ontario from south shore, you are crossing 90 degrees on the current that runs consistent in the lake. The Niagara flow will be west to east and depending on the temp of the lake in general it will be either far from shore in the middle latitudes as in late summer or nearer shore as in spring and can be influenced greatly in position based in the wind coming from the north and east. That's one of the reasons everyone likes the wind to be west south west. The flow is more consistent if the wind is blowing the same direction as the flow from the Niagara on the west end of the lake especially. Lots of variables to consider. Don't get too hung up on a lot of it, but in the past couple years it hasn't been an easy task to find fish every day. I will say that most of us on here will agree that fishing has been tough for everyone on more occasion than say 3 or 4 years ago. A cycle that occurs from time to time, and I believe in my opinion, we are in one of the down cycles on consistent fishing in lake O for salmon. It's still great fishing in any respect. Just tougher to box out. Some days you still can when in the right place! Mark

Sure enough can be a frustrating experience when the fish seem very scarce. It Even happens and becomes more of a head scratcher when in the day before, that same water you boxed out in, is dead. In that case you have a choice to pick up and run or troll to a different location. On limited time, I would burn some gas and head to different water. Also, if there is anyone on your list of buds out there fishing, give them a call and see the results of their location and maybe take a good tip. If they are fishing the same latitude as you and not doing any better you can assume that going deeper water will be the best move. It's a big lake, lots of water to cover, and it feels like you are an ant looking for a piece of sugar in a sand pile. Having a couple friends in the area spread out helps to cover some of that hunting. If the network of friends is not out there, I will not waste a lot of time in a latitude that is dead. Almost all the time if you go north toward deeper water you will find a temp break that can mean the difference between an empty box or a limit of salmon or steelhead. Quite often you will not find any boats out there, and make you feel like maybe I shouldn't have come out here to find fish, but alot of times folks will just head in and not take the time and gas to run out there. The way the current has been ripping back west along the inside water, it will be quite inconsistent for nutrients, and many times the bait is just not there because of it. I like to find the edge of the Niagara flow in that case, and you most likely will find at least steelhead, and some 2 year old salmon there this time of year. Major kings are going to show up inshore, out of temp a lot in the next few weeks, and early morning is the best time to get them. Nothing really consistent with them, but don't run over them to get to the deep water before at least checking it out for a couple of hours in the morning. Then decide if it's better to run out, or troll out if you have the time. Mark

Actually after looking at reviews on Jasper engines...maybe not. I saw their add today in a publication and saw your dilemma, but yeah, check out mercury cause of the warranty and better quality no doubt! Mark

Check jasper engines, they do all sorts of marine engine now. Even outboard power heads. http://www.jasperengines.com/marine-products.php

It's like the proving grounds for your extreme off road rock crawler! ..or takin yer date fer a nice ride in yer 1 ton pickup truck!..still have trouble gittin my neck ta turn back left...:rolleyes:

Pm stan (his name and screen name)here. He hasn't been on too much but he still answers a pm. He lives in northern California and probably can help you on your quest. Back in the late 70s I fly fished the Truckee River. Don't know much about it now though. Long ride from Vegas. I was in Reno and it was very close. Beautiful lake!

Mag or regs..no matter. Just be sure to keep you spread simple. They are very sporty and will tangle your stuff in a flash! I even had a couple 9 and 10 lbrs jumping several times clear out of the water with copper and big spinnys. Multiple hookup when in the school too.