Reel Doc

Canandaigua lake makes a good looking laker. Nice photo. Greg

This is a duckhunters delight or perfect for pond fishing. We always loaded it in the back of a pickup and headed out with it. It's been sitting in the office basement for a few years now, but it is fully seaworthy. Complete with oars, 2 seat cushions, and a 10 pound anchor all shown. First $300 gets it all.

Nick, what tackle do you use for weight and to attach, and, when reeling in, do you need to detach the weight, or will it slide down somehow? Thanks, Greg PS Schools out for you, but in for me.

Good looking fish. Why is it the browns rock on the lakes in the Spring, then really seem to disappear? Where do they go? Greg

You fellas a great at answering questions and creating more When adding weight, how do you know how much weight/line to let out to get to a desired depth? In Cayuga, we'll probably be looking to get to 15-40 feet down which I believe is sometimes deeper? than your looking to get to in Ontario. Also, on the rubberbands, how thick a band to hold the line but catch a nibbler? Thanks for all the answers, Greg

What brands/sizes of crankbaits are preferred for this time of year and again come Spring? Also, do you tie on to leaders, or can you get away with attaching to a swivel? Thanks, Greg

Thanks Andy, that site spells it out really well. What do all of you use to vary depth? The site talks about minidivers on some lines. Are there other ways to drop a mono line? I'm guessing with copper the line itself will drop to desired depth. And one other thought, is it best to use one line type with a multiple planer setup, or can you use both mono and copper? Thanks, Greg

I think I've got the picture now. What do you use for releases, homemade or a certain brand? Also, Cayuga lake where I'll be starting this has fleas bad at times. If we use 30# flea flicker, how long of a light leader would you suggest for those spooky Browns? Thanks for spelling this planer setup out for me, Greg

The answer to 1, you mean twist the planer board line correct? So when in 2., you reset the inner line do you let out fishing line only, and if so, how to put the line you caught a fish on back in play...do you let out more planer line? Also, what is your opinion on type of line to use at first, mono, copper, or lead core, or no difference since if I screw it up it tangles either way. Thanks, Greg

I'm trying to visualize multiple lines off a planer, so if you can help me out on a hypothetical: Let's say I run 3 lines off 1 board, these are my questions: 1. Do you place a knot or some sort of stop to keep the clothespins/attachments from all stacking together? 2. A fish hits the middle line. To reset, do you let out line from the inner line then add the middle line on the inside, or do you need to pull the inner line and start over setting both? 3. Where is the best place to place each of the 3 rods on the boat while trolling, on side holders, on top with a rocket set, or some of both. If anyone has photos or knows of a site that shows this multiple line presentation, I would really appreciate it as I just do not have a picture in my mind of the attachments and handling the multiple lines without a tangle. Thanks, Greg

In using mono line do you think it is less apt to tip off fish versus copper or lead core? Also, are fleas a problem on the big lake? We are starting out in Cayuga lake targeting landlocks, rainbows, and come springtime browns, but my goal is to develop confidence with our rigging to "graduate" and give Ontario a try next year. Thanks, Greg

Just starrting up the last month fishing with the family off a 24 ft Wellcraft Walkaround. Right now run 2 Dipseys and 2 downriggers, but would like to expand to fishing off planers. Can you advise on rod reel and line type I should buy? What releases are best, and how can we run several lines off 1 board and not have a tangle when a fish is on? Thanks, Greg

Thanks Sean. Can I run crankbaits behind a dipsey or as a cheater off the ball, or is it time to get more lines in the water off a planer? Thanks, Greg

As always, thanks to all of you for the input along the way. Moving forward, do we need to change anything as the days get shorter and cooler? Someone posted recently about typically using a 1.5 trolling speed. Is it best to slow it down, or as most of you have commented, keep changing until you find what the fish like on a given day. Thanks, Greg FYI: My son who caught the salmon wanted to fillet it, which he did with some assistance, and cook it...we broiled it after basting in lemon/garlic marinade. Good stuff, and I like the idea of gaining some long term fishing partners.

Went for an evening trip out of Taughannock. Had the lines wet by 5. My daughter was admittedly tired after cranking in the laker from 270 back on a Dipsey, and my oldest son was amped about his first landlocked. He even had Dad hold the rod once the fish was boatside so he could net it to boot. The only downer was just before heading in for a lakeside weenie roast, we let my wife trade the wheel for a reel that happened to have a big laker attached. She brought it from 280 back to less than 40 and it tossed the hook. Every hit was on a fly, spoons could not trigger a thing. Needless to say, the family voted for future evening trips. I still cannot get any takers for a crack of dawn troll. Greg

Is 1.5 mph your topwater speed? Greg

Welcome to the club. We just started up with a boat for the first time in August. My crew is my wife and 3 kids ages 6-11. This site is heaven-sent, as there is loads of knowledge here, and when put to use properly, will help you catch fish. My early learning curve from everyone is that accurate boat speed is key number 1. Let the posters know what you have for a boat, tackle, etc, and you'll get some good direction. We had a poor day out yesterday, (if you can call sunny/70's poor), I think because it was midday, but my kids still have a blast cranking in rigs and downriggers and riding along on the bow. If you're like me, you could fish all day, but the family has me on a 2-3 hour time limit. I'm hoping that will get longer if we start to produce more, but if your son wants to quit for the day, definitely do it...there are more days to fish, but you don't want to sour him on the sport. Good luck. Greg

Nice work and nice pics. I can keep my kids interest in going out when all of you submit photos to let them know there are fish out there. Now, if I could only convince them to get out on the water at daybreak Greg

Looks like your gang had a great time. We went out yesterday from Taughannock, (that bridge is a tight squeeze, was it high tide?), from 10-1:30. My wife was ready to throw the fishfinder overboard as we kept marking loads of fish but no takes. I'm guessing the high bright sun and lots of boat traffic worked against us as we were working flies and spoons between 80-110 and higher spoons at 40-60. We avoided the shutout at the end when a fingerling rainbow grabbed a spoon 10 feet behind the boat as I was picking up. My boys really wanted tto catch a rainbow to seee what it looks like with the colors, so Dad delivered, sort of. After the spawn does a little feeding push go for the next few weeks? I'm thinking midday is beautiful for a boat ride when its sunny, but like any othe fishing, just not productive. Greg

Thanks for the input. We'll see how the weather cooperates and decide from there. I'm being told even with the fishing derby Cayuga may not be that congested, so we'll see what the kids want to do. If I go Seneca way am I better to launch out of Sampson or go farther South out of Lodi? Thanks, Greg

With the tournament on Cayuga this weekend, I'm wondering about giving Seneca a try for the first time. Were the fish after spoons or flies? Thanks, Greg

Thanks, We'll give it a try next time out. Looks like you might be changing over to hunting on land rather than sea! I've got to work on the bow aim soon as well. Greg

We just started last month with a 2002 Wellcraft Walkaround that came with a GPS unit. I typically turn it on when we launch, but it takes over an hour before it has acquired enough satellites to track. We have only run on Cayuga lake launching Deans Cove and staying between Sheldrake and Union Springs. Anyone have an idea why it takes so long to get going? It currently is my only source for boat speed, so guessing the troll is not very good for a beginner. Thanks, Greg

Oh my. As a newcomer to trolling, your adventure is the nightmare I'm hoping to avoid. Greg

Thanks Dan. If you come across Trums, let him know Greg and Doreen are alive and well. Also ask him if his yard ever recovered from the graduation bash we had there back in May of '88!