Shade

We also traveled from the Oak to the smoke stacks. We stayed inside 150' with a NW - SE troll from Stacks to Microwave with all green. We ran dipsys back 125 1nd 150, 5 color and 10 color LC and copper 300 straight out the gut. Riggers where at 45, 50 and 60. As the sun rose we changed to yellow and orange. All in all we went 11 of 17 and tossed 3 smallies back. We ended with 6 Bows (2 in 10lb range)and 2 Ho's. Screen full of bait we even hooked a couple of 6" Alwifes. Shade

The open division was also implemented to eliminate the Observer and the manditory 2 day fishing. You can fish one or both days in the open and you are not compelled to have an observer on you boat. I believe if the word gets out you will see more participants in the open each year. I think the fishing time frames and weigh ins will be addressed for both the AM and Open divisions before next year. As for the scoring there was some small talk going around about eliminating the 10 pts. but I do not see it becoming a major concern. It depends on your strategy like RR said. I saw boats go for the box with minimum legal fish, get 9 for 90 points and have 37lbs of weight to total 127 and teams a team filled a box with 9 for 90 points and 89lbs weight for a 179 total. The second strategy changes because now you need weight so you target Kings. Top Gun did it in the Orleans, he was behind after day one headed out to 600' landed some nice Kings and Bows and won by 4 points. You can have fun in the pro/am but you still need to do your homework no matter what division you fish in. Just one thing that surprised me was the drop in participants from 87 in Niagara and 50 in the Orleans, only 14 Amaturs. Is this normal? Shade

Pro Division: Top Gun - great comback, congradulations AM Division: Fish Nuts - great job ...Cograts Howie

I have the opportunity to again fish in a Pro team in Oswego and I think this is a great idea and I am sure my Captain Bob from Salmon Bound will enter as well. As far as Pros and Ams copeting in the Bracket I think it should be seperate if enough Ams enter. The pros have an advantage as far as the number of rods as well as longer fishing time. I believe it will be easier to keep it seperate. Have a deadline date for entering entry to see if there is enough interest for 2 divisions. If not but there are AM teams willing to compete against the Pros in this Bracket Tournament, who is to argue. It is their money. Shade

Paul, I was just a little concerned that maybe something happened. I heard of the Banana curse after we purchased a boat named BANANAS. If we run into bad luck we will go through the procedure and change her name. Not glad you did not catch fish but glad that was the problem. I tried to call your cell several times during the pro/am but no answer thats why I asked the question on LOU. Howie

Congrats gents. Does anyone know what happened to Free Spirit? Thats not like him to score a zero. Shade

Rod, The ride I was on lost their Canvas top, all was left was the frame. Howie

Rod, Once again thank you for the invite to fish with you prior to the Pro/Am it was a pleasure. It was my misfortune not to fish Friday due to some resposibilities at home. The team I observed also went to the bar and I happened to look behind us as they were setting up and it looked like the Normandy Invasion with all the boats heading our way. Out of the 75+ boats that were in the Pro/Am 35 fished the bar which did not help the east wind swells that we delt with. I must say if some of you gents have the opportunity to be an Observer believe me it is an experience to watch fellow fishermen have the same situations you do like tangled lines, debating on what lure to use and where to put it, posioning to get the pole faster than your teammate, loosing fish and the dissapoinment that follows. The only dissapointment was a couple of the Pro's being very unPROfessional when it comes to courtisy . All- in- all it was a learning experience and I got to meet some great fishermen. One more thing Rod, Ray is right, your cuddy looked the same to me on Thursday. Shade

If you are going to run dipsy's in LO than either run 50# Braid (until fleas arrive) or Steel. Shade

What time and where? Shade

I believe last year a post was set up and channel 68 was the LOU channel. Shade

My family and I would like to thank you. Not only are you guys great fishermen but great people as well. Chad and others have put a great site together with caring, experienced and classy fishermen. Thank you Howie Nola and family

Congrats Hans, Just posted my Grand Baby...Born Three Days Later Shade (Howie)...

I would like to introduce our first Grand Baby to all you LOU members. This is Hannah Nola born 5/28/09 @ 5:12PM...weight - 8lbs5ozs - 21 1/2" tall. Howie Nola

Happy B-Day Rick..... I agree with Ray but he forgot one thing....EAR HAIRS....Get yourself a good pair of tweezers for those pesty wire like EAR HAIRS. At 30 your will be growing hair from every port in your body and right behind that come the GRAYS... Welocome to our world...Have a great day Howie....

I have run 2 divers off one side but not with Planner Board. I set my inside diver on 2 and my outside on 3 or 31/2. Never tried running on a Planner, seems to me that would be a lot of tention on a release. I am curious to see if anyone runs them myself. I also have run copper off Planner and Lead Core. Copper would get you deeper than a dipsy anyway with same amount of line out but less resistance. My thoughts....could be wrong Shade

Ray, First time I got to read your adventure and I thank you as well as my fishing partners. Everytime we just go out to fish we have a great time. We seem to get our lines out in record time, miss very few rips and just have fun. HOWEVER...Each time we fish in a derby or contest some how Murphy jumps on board with his LAW and it becomes a disaster. It's like 4 guys first time ever driving a boat, setting out lines and trying to land a fish. See, we thought we were the only ones who trip over our feet during crunch time. ONCE AGAIN................Thanks L.O.U.S.E.R.S. Shade

Chris, Thanks for your comments. Like I said previous I have a Fish Hawk on my Thompson and when the probe broke last year the supplier told me that they did not make this model any longer. With out doing my homework I went a purchased the Cannon and I am sorry. I am sure there are boats out there that like the unit but I have had nothing but issues with it. I have yet to go out and have it stay running for more that an hour at a time, so I decided to cut my losses and this time look into a unit that is reliable and I came accross the X4. I thought I would get some professional opinions from you Charter Captains. My only concern is has a transducer but so did my old one it I never had issues until the probe quit working. I have looked into all the other units out ther and I am leaning toward the Fish Hawk and GLOutdoors is giving me a great deal on it as well. Once again thanks maverick and say HI to your Dad. Howie

Thanks for your opinions. I have a fish hawk which is on my Thompson and we have a larger boat so I purchased the Cannon that i am very disapointed in. I came accross the X4 and I liked my Fish Hawk and I did not want to take it off the Thompson. I am using the Thompson for Erie fishing. Everyone has their favorite equipment and I hope my question did not cause bad feeling gentlemen. Fish safe.................Have fun Shade

email sent Howie

You may want to go more NW towards Wilson and run to 220' down 50 - 70, at least thats where they where last week end about 1 mile east of Wilson in 90 - 220 fow. Black/red, blacks/white worked well both NK28 and DW SS and SD/Green flies. Good luck Shade

I have a Fish Hawk on my 21' Thompson and I did not know you could use the newer model probe. Thanks for the info. I like the idea of seeing both the top water speed/Temp along with the speed/temp at the ball. You can view the speed on GPS to the Probe. Thanks, Howie

Anybody seen or heard of this unit? I understand it reads top water speed and temp as well as speed and temp at the ball. We are upgrading all our electronics, just wondering if anyone has any feed back on this unit? Howie

www.johnssportinggoods.com Shade