chowder

There are 'issues' w/ the 19 strand, check the archives. I use the 30lb camo AFW from Atomik . Also, keep the dipsy on the rod at all times (much less accidental kinking) - Use a velcro strap to secure diver to the rod handle & wind the leader around the reel & secure the leader w/ a hair zingie. Kills two birds w/ 1 stone (no kinks & less time getting the dipsies in/out of the water. Actually, I don't use my reg dipsy rigs much any more. Most of the time I use my wire slide divers w/ 20' 30# FC leader. Wire is all on the reel spool (I still secure the diver the same way). Just watch when you spool out the wire slide diver rig- sometimes she catches at the little swivel, so you gotta watch for that snafu! -Andy

I'll give you my program from yesterday.We started at 8:20 am & quit at noon (bite was steady through out). We did a North troll past AES/Atwaters 250-400 FOW and North troll past Sheldrake 140-370 and turned to cut across lake back towards the plant thru 400. Riggers at 40-50' and 60-80' running spoons w/ cheater spoons. Mag wire dipsies out 180-275 on 1.5. running Mtn Dew spinnies & Echips, w/ matching pattern flies. Gps speed from 2.6-3.2. We went 10/12 on keepers w/ mostly lakers ( also probably 5 salmon (most were just legal and released using a C&R style net). I have a couple observations about what you are doing; 1- I think you want to get an accurate assessment of exactly where you are running the dipsies (tell us what size they are and what kind of line,etc.) 2- If you are gonna run flashers off the riggers, you want to shorten up the leads and run at least one of them deeper. BUT, I would suggest running spoons on your riggers, figure 40 down and 60' back, 60' down and 40' back,etc. I was only using 8lb weights yesterday & they were fine for working down 60-70 (You are not on Ontario w/ a wicked current & trying to get down 120+). 3- A 6' dipsy leader is the bare minimum & often w/ lakers they like it longer (but I was only running 6' yesterday, so...) 4- I think your fly leaders are a tad short, try 21" as a standard length. Your boat is fine and it sounds like you got the right stuff, but the devil with this kind of fishing is in the details. Get back to us on what you have for dipsies,line ,etc and just keep asking questions and keeping track of what you have tried and what you haven't, you will get there! -Andy P.S. Spoon color; play the law of averages & let the fish do the talking; lately I've been running mostly 'naturals' as my main spoons. That is to say spoons like glow frogs,gator,green alewife,etc and then I run small colored spoons up on the cheaters, like boy/girl,chicken wing,nascar,etc. Also you should be able to catch fish ALL DAY ON CAYUGA, (I rarely get over there till 8 or later-sometimes I do best at high noon!)

Hats off to Ken,Vic, and Joe and it was good to see all the rest of you guys and gals at the weigh in. We had agreat time on the water! What more can you ask for other than a round of applause for Split who once again organized a fun, fish filled day . Thanks again Scott! -Andy

Mike, no such luck on the Zs! I'll be up at 3:00am, but it's the day off for my guy who usually feeds the cows.

I might have a line in the water tomorrow morning by 8:45 (if I'm lucky)

I put 200lbs in, gonna probably put in another 50.

Mark, I'll be in my 16', running a low profile, so look out! -Andy

Up till Tues (7/20) I was doing good on steelies & browns & terrible on mature kings out of Port Bay. Steel @60 down over 100-300FOW. Browns in tight pods 50-100 down over 60-120. On Tues there was a lot of warm water down all the way to 80' from shore out to 500 FOW. 0-steelies,0-browns, found a bunch of juevy kings to 20-25" in a a break of 56 deg water out at 200fow. I'm hoping to have my probe back working below 75' asap & will be back up after the weekend. -Andy

I use the the 7' Talora Med. fast action (it's actually listed by Shimano as a rigger rod) w/ a Twili. My 12 year old can handle mature Kings w/ this rod. Remember; the longer the rod, the less leverage you have on the fish!-Andy

What Gambler said + what are you running for a leader? Your leader is the only 'give' in a copper line and if it's not long enough fish can tear themselves off.

Eskimo 'Steelie' Joe, wow, now that's a name & a half! Nice pics Vic.

Thanks Rob, Hank and I were talking about it today and he said the same thing. I've actually got a Depth Raider w/ Moor brand cable, but the same thing happened last year w/ DR cable on an older Cannon rigger. Hank said he has heard that some guys put a damp cloth over the antennae when they are having problems picking up the signal.

I run my coppers out to the side, the chute gets busy when you get into the fish and even though the board lines wind up in the chute w/ a fish on they aren't in the way for every rigger or diver hit. I'm very happy w/ my Auroralite boards -they really pull. I use Otters in the winter on the Fingers w/ my 16' but they just don't pull as good. http://www.auroralitestackle.com/planerboards.html I've got the 'Original' size and they are all you will ever need!

Oh shoot Ray, I saw a real big one just today when I was up at the Bay, but I didn't have your number handy, sorry! -Andy

Mine does get on plane pretty good. I put a smaller 4 blade prop on it and it goes right to work, + a lot cheaper than tabs. I put the sandbags in today after talking w/ MuskyBob, who did the same thing last year and I can tell you that it all ready looks better just sitting in the water.-Andy

O.k, I'm gonna try to get over there for this despite many complications. My plan(if you can call it that) is to bring the 16' over and even though I'll probably be too late to do much damage, I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the weigh in. -Andy

For better or worse I have a fair amount of experience w/ 'reman' components, from inexpensive electrical stuff to very expensive engines and hydrostatic transmissions and all I can say is that the overall quality (if you can call it that) of most of this stuff has declined substantially over the past 15 years or so. Whenever we have the chance I try very hard to get our local and very skilled Ag mechanic to rebuild our components himself. Then we know what we have. Although most of my commercial experience is in Ag equipment, my fishing/boating hobby has steered me to believe there are few differences between marine and Ag rebuilders. You are close to an excellent marine mechanic (Hank at L&M, right in Port Bay) - be wise and consult someone who really knows what he is doing instead of being 'penny wise and dollar foolish'. -Andy

Bob, I might have to come over and 'inspect' your rig -Andy

Hey Bob, it's a whole lot better thinking about you out in 6 footers than in a dressing gown! Here's to you for showing us all how to get back on track and live life to the fullest P.S. What's the bluegrass schedule looking like?-Andy

Mike, I wish I had a picture of me, Ray K, MuskyBob, and Schools Out (Nick) trying to get Ray's boat up on plane last year at Olcott, now that baby needed some tabs allright! I'm going to eventually get Hank at L&M to put a Tab system in it , but I'm trying to ride out the year in 'low rent' style. See you on the water sometime!-Andy P.S. How did the big steering/AP project come out?

Greg's program is spot on. I'd be happy to take a run in your ride & see if I can get you 'dialed in' on Cayuga w/ your own stuff, or you can take a spin w/ me sometime. Take Greg's advice, and get set up w/ a pair of wire dipsy diver combos b4 you put too much more time in, they have a bit of a learning curve but it's time very well worth spending. Simplest solution is to get a pair assembled by A-TOM-MIK. http://www.atommiktrollingflies.com/dip ... _combo.htm I'd go w/ the Daiwa combo unless you just hit the in the ground...-Andy

I ran into this last year and I thought I had the problem solved but, IT'S BACK! I've been fishing Ontario lately (fished the FLX spring/early summer) and now that I'm consistently running my probe rigger below 70' I'm seeing 'skinned' off coating and now I can't get readings below 90' due to lost signal ( bare wire). I've used electrical tape b4 to deal w/ minor scoring down by the probe but these are sections 2-3" long. This problem either occurs starting at this point in the season- or only when my probe rigger is used a lot below 70' down. Has any body successfully 'doctored' up their cable with this kind of extensive skinning on it? What did you use and how long did the 'fix' last? Long term it seems like an X4 is the solution (budget constraints make this option unfeasible at the present time) -Andy

Sounds like a heck of a great father & son adventure. A story to tell & retell, and a far more valuable experience than finishing in the money. Congratulations on achieving one of life's most coveted moments! -Andy

Hey mjb 377, Just use a 'Slide Diver'. Slide Divers allow you to have a leader as long as you want.When it trips it 'slides' back to a bead that is just in front of a short (2') leader that goes to your flasher or spoon. I have several sets of these for different purposes and use them instead of regular dipsy divers. http://www.slidediver.com/cart/home.php Also, for any of you guys that are interested in running a long leader behind short lead cores to make them more versatile, you may want to consider 'Snap weight'. http://www.offshoretackle.com/weights.htm They are easy to remove from the line (I usually attach them to the backing). When you have a fish on , or to change out , you just remove the snap weight and continiue on w/ the business at hand- much simpler than trying to wind a long leader around your hand (don't even try the hand wrapping trick w/ a Chinook!) -Andy

Sounds like a great time! I think we're in the same boat- trying to figure out what's up with the matures! -Andy