mr 580

Slide divers can slide on either braid or mono. I am currently using 40lb Maxima mono leader on my slides. In the past I have also used 30 and 40lb Berkeley Big Game mono which has flea resistance. I find the heavier pound test doesn’t need to be changed out as frequently as the 30lb. Easier on your hands than grabbing wire.

You might want to look at type of diver and leader length as a means to make netting easier. By using a slide diver you might be able to shorten lead length enough to make your 10 footers handle easier. If you did decide to go with a shorter diver rod, an 8 foot diver specific rod would be best choice. Diver rods take a beating especially with wire so having a heavy enough rod is important. There are some reasonably priced diver rods available.

Chowder and Sk8man are giving you good info. The Daiwa 47 Great Lakes have a balky drag unless they have had drags up graded to carbon fiber and are a 5 color tops reel. For a 10 color the Penn 330 is an old time traditional choice. The Penn GTi American made reels are workhorses. One way to use a bit smaller reel is to use Tuff Line Micro Lead as it has a thinner sheath with a smaller diameter than other lead core manufacturers. A snap weight that will work on leadcore without damaging it is the Michigan Stinger Dive Bomb so you can attach weight midway on leadcore as you deploy.

Get a dedicated dipsey rod setup with braid or wire to run off the side. IMO a dipsey or slide diver running off the side and away from the boat is much more effective than running straight off the back. Fishing solo you also have to be aware of which rods have to be cleared to land fish and prevent tangles. You’ll likely have to limit your cheaters on riggers when you add a third rod. Another option would be an in line board with a lead core or short copper again putting out a wider spread vs packing more rods behind the boat.

Larry is planning to be at Niagara Fishing Show in January and that would be a good time to chat with him as he is pretty busy chasing musky in the fall. Larry also does back country South American trips for world class fish that are of the “bucket list” variety. Pretty remote trips definitely one of a kind. Good guy to touch base with.

Finding and getting eyes hasn’t been an issue all season. If the weather cooperates and you can get out plenty of fish around. Seems like the later you go the fewer days that it is fishable. With a flexible schedule fine, but planning a week or two in advance you’re likely to be disappointed. Also some the launch’s pull their docks around the 1st of October making access a bit tougher for bigger boats. Most of the walleye guys have their freezers full so tend to see more guys chasing perch this time of year.

Second what “chasen” is saying. If you bring eye up to stop when boat is on ramp the rear of the boat will drop as you pull up ramp and get to level ground which creates that gap in the strap. You have to tighten strap on ramp once boat is on rear bunks or in the lot when you tie down. Steeper ramps make this issue worse. Helps if you don’t drop trailer in as far also. Not a bad idea to check your winch and tie downs after a few miles as boat will move/settle on trailer when brakes are applied.

Believe you have two problems with your setup both of which are safety issues. 1. With a capacity of 3400lbs you are likely overloaded when everything in the boat is added up-boat, motors, fuel, tackle, life jackets, coolers, rod holders, down riggers and electronics. The GAWR of 4474 is trailer load capacity plus the trailer weight so if you weigh trailer you should not go over that. With 4 load range C tires your tires should more than cover the GAWR. 2. Not enough tongue weight which can cause sway which can cause you to loose control. Not an uncommon issue with a trolling boat as many add on’s go on the rear of the boat like kickers and downriggers which move load balance to rear lessening tongue weight. There is some adjustment on boat trailers to correct tongue weight. With problem 1 overload you either remove weight or replace trailer. Seems like somebody put this boat on an under sized trailer at some point so replacing trailer the likely fix. Looks like you travel on Thruway and expressways so you really need a properly sized trailer. Maybe you can find a reasonably priced trailer this fall.

Tongue weight is not enough-should be 10 to 15 percent of total weight of trailer and load. Load center needs to move forward by moving post forward, shifting axle back or taking weight off rear of boat. Definite safety issue. Best bet would be to weigh trailer to determine what you need for tongue weight and make sure trailer is not overloaded. Hitch height looks Ok but likely will change when load center comes forward. Tongue should be level or tilted up slightly.

Lake Trout have been suspending in with the walleyes and coming out of warm water on small spoons and plugs the last few weeks in Dunkirk. I don't normally target the lakers but got a client one down 75 over 100 on a small Moonshine spoon on Thursday. Took about 3 minutes to grab one from the time I set the rigger. Don't think you will have any trouble catching all you want. From what I've seen I'd keep some lures up higher at or slightly above thermocline. The few I've kept had smelt in them. I have been surprised to see lakers actively feeding up in 70 degree water. Several pics as proof. PS the lamprey didn't go back in one piece..