Gill-T

The problem is not the material, the problem is the short section of line between hooks on a tournament tie. A short section of stiff line will have no stretch. When pulled over the jaw line over the teeth.....el brake-o. I am using the old school single treble, stacked with beads + 40 lb Seaguar fluoro and have never had a break-off. The beads probably offer a level of protection on the initial strike and turn because I don't notice any wear or nicks on the leader above the hook. Hook-up ratio has not been effected. Save your fingers, money in hooks, and your sanity by going with a single treble tied with an improved cinch-knot.

Sneaky duck, for perch try an emerald shiner tail section on a small ice fishing jig. Tingle it-pause-tingle-pause.....near bottom. Bites are barely detectable so you really need to concentrate on what you are doing.

I have a mast on each side mounted mid-ship. Having the added height of the masts will allow your otters to perform much better.

OMG what a deal!!!!!

Dreamweaver action flies make GREAT Coho and Steelhead flies when trimmed down to 3". Because they are thin-cut flies, the bead color is important as they tend to show thru more. I like orange glow beads stacked with just a smaller treble and fished behind a 6" orange crush SD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K45YcVyAATw Looks like pike on pike crime to me.

I believe the pike you are holding got bit by another pike. Pike have been known to kill themselves by trying to swallow a pike of equal size. Very aggressive toward like-kind.

That's hunting Ray. Good to have some back up "brown-down" areas for mental well being. One can go crazy chasing trophy deer year after year.

length and beef

Basics you will need.... 1). Start with two downriggers mounted just inside the corners of the transom (to keep them from bumping the dock), with swivel bases that allow you to swing the rigger. Cannon, Scotty, Big Jon Brutes are all good choices. Pick a rigger rated capable of handling a 20lb downrigger weight. Look at the 15Lb torpedo weights A-Tom-mik sells on their site. Blacks make an easy release. 2). Look at Ugly Stick dipsy and downrigger rods (Cheap and bullet proof) 3). Look at Diawa Saltists for rigger reels (size 30) and look at the Shimano Tekota line-counters for dipsy reels. 4). 30lb Big Game green mono for rigger reels. 30lb stainless trolling wire for the dipsy set-ups 5). Start with two dipsy ratcheting rod holders for the dipsy rods 6). Invest in a speed and temp unit. Fish Hawk, Moor Subtroll and Depth Raider-both need coated downrigger cable. 7). Spin Doctor an fly set-ups, and some spoons. . Quality ball bearing swivels with coast lock or duolock clasp configuration rated for at least 30lbs. Just some basics that will keep you plenty busy in year one. Ask questions about boat set-ups, baits etc. and you will get a response on this site. Head down to the dock and look at how some of the charters have their boats set-up. Become an observer in local tournaments to learn from the best.

Got one Saturday. With lowering light levels in the evening and the scope dialed up.....easy to see sticks near target, but difficult to see the ones close to the barrel out of focus.