Sk8man

Ben said it exactly X4....you probably won't need any others

I've been thinking....maybe Mike has "rigger" mortis

Good one Mike

I was actually there for Mikes probe loss experience unless he's had another (I sure hope not as I never want to see that look on his face again) Hopefully the 90 lb test wire I used on my "safety strap" will hold up better than the 60 stuff seems to....hate to lose one of my bikinibottom weights though. Don, That is the breakaway cable that runs from the probe to the weight and is attached to your existing downrigger terminus so that if for example you snag up on bottom the theory is that you'd lose the weight but not the probe when the 60 lb cable snaps because it is much below the breaking strength of the normal downrigger cable (usually 150-200 lb test). The problem as in Mike's case above is that one of the cable terminations let go and everything was lost. That is why the connection I made rests ABOVE the cable terminations with the hope that it saves the probe....still no guarantee,

Like many folks out there I am always concerned about the possibility of losing my X4D probe; especially after seeing fishing companions lose theirs unexpectedly on Lake O. Although there may not be a "foolproof" way in a severe hangup etc. I implemented something on my own set of downriggers and thought that if it is useful OR possibly to get folks thinking about potentially better ways for their own particular situation I'd post it to get people thinking. I know that there are all sorts of terminal connections, different downrigger models, and different releases being used and my downriggers are Mag 10A "old school" riggers with an old school terminal connection with the older model of the Blacks release, but if it is of value here it is: I have plenty of the newer model Blacks releases that have their own swivel set-up including those for outriggers etc. but I purposely use the older ones because I have faith in them. I made a short section of 90 lb 7 strand stainess wire and attached it to the downrigger cable sandwiched between the connection of my (OLD model) Blacks release that is already held securely in place on the 150 lb test downrigger cable with a crimp sleeve. The breakaway wire on the Fishawk is (allegedly) 60 lb test. I hook both swivels to the top of the probe. The previous loss that I observed (luckily I wasn't the one operating the downrigger on that boat) just dropped off while it was suspended on the rigger with weight, probe etc. deep sixing and wasn't hung up on bottom or anything. My thought is that if the main terminal on the rigger above the probe goes south barring a major hangup you lose everything so I made up this potential solution which still depends heavily on the integrity of the crimp on the Blacks. I have not tried it nor do I intend to but at least it currently adds a bit of peace of mind to the situation.

Best of luck to you no m atter how this goes down

Might want to think about installing a plastic transducer mounting plate using one or more existing screw holes and then you can shift around the transducers and experiment to find the optimal placement for each without additional holes in the transom hull

A main consideration is what you do BEFORE placing them back in the water after bringing them in. Folks often forget about the hot floor of the boat, struggles to net them, bringing in after real long fight on long set-ups, and placing hands or fingers in the gill areas while holding them up vertically for pics and then wonder why they didn't make it. They require care at each step along the way at this time of the year especially and if these things are unrecognized or ignored it leads to poor release results regardless of the method used.

Good fish no matter what the weight and i'm sure there are folks out there that have never actually caught one that are amazed by it too

It is kinda funny how big they seem when you catch them especially during derbies etc. More than once during the ESLO derbies we've rushed one in that looked "thirtyiish" only to find that it was mid twenties. Once they get up to size in terms of length the main difference becomes the thickness of the back and to a degree their gut and you really need to see a bunch of them before you can improve your "guesstimations". Only real way is weighing them on a certified scale

Nice going John. Good luck this weekend if you are fishing it. Thanks for the encouraging report NIck.

As with WD40 IF it does work it is only briefly at best and both substances are a terrible idea for the wtaer and environment.

Off to good start!

The launch at Severne Point is on the west side of the lake off Rt#14 about 8-10 miles north of Watkins Glen