Sk8man

Just a couple of considerations before the expected responses: Do you intend to trailer the boat? Will you be chartering on Lake O or just the Fingers? Sounds as though you are preliminarily shaping your possible decision (maybe unconssciously) about the Prolines. You have an opportunity for a "blank canvas" here and the advice you receive may be largely related to "personal preference" Maybe list the pros and cons of the different selections or recommendations on paper for later review and let the data speak to you having an open mind. Since it will be a charter vessel try to put youself in the customers position (comforts, ease of enjoying themselves) This may be a different concern from that of how to set up and fish from the boat. Look at whatever boat you consider in terms of whether you'll have to get NEW equipment vs. being able to rig your current stuff on it (or some of it). Having to equip a new charter boat with new stuff could nearly double your initial expenses and severely cut into your budget for the boat itself Thoroughly check out reviews on forums for your top choices e.g. hulltruth etc.

IF the dipsy rod holder and the riggers are positioned right it shouldn't be a frequent problem; especially if you set the diver to the closest rigger at 2 and keep the depth of that rigger and the diver separated. (and not running a J-plug on both)

Looks as though I have to call to get my boat out of storage Sweet!

Nice going Rollie. Practicing up for the derby?

In a perfect world you are dealing with an initial deployment situation....but when you have say 6 or 8 rods out already and have just brought a fish in one one and have hopefully avoided tangles on the way in the scenario may change greatly as you don't want to have to bring everything in the re-create your original deployment situation. Much of the time you have a changing situation all the way around (wind direction, trolling speed changes, turns, current changes etc. so a "one size fits all" approach or piece of advice may end up being an illusion and may not fit the circumstances. it is no accident that some of us are running coppers that were originally longer than 300 ft or so. The above advice is great advice for those particular circumstances but you will have to re-evaluate the re-deployment situation constantly when deploying your setups depending on what you already have out or are intending to deploy in combination and make adjustments as needed. Sometimes it involves letting the boards out way away from things while deploying something or placing the downriggers deeper etc. I know the most frequent disasters I have witnessed when on other boats has involved the combination of leadcores and coppers getting into each other and what a mess it is when it happens.

If you have a Fishawk TD you should be able to tell within 5 ft or so where you are running

Brian - My wife makes some great ones - Coat the fillets in milk, roll them in McCormicks Fish Fry seafood fry mix (Wegmans or Walmart) sprinkle Old Bay seasoning then fry them in Olive Oil regular not virgin). Absolutely the best I've ever had and I think I've had them a milion ways by now

That looks like a pretty smart way to "bundle" things; especially for trout folks just starting out....nice way to start out without a lot of cash expenditure....cool! Those are good deals right there.

x2 and locating both can be a good answer to the riddle

You mentioned that it is about 15 years old.Carefully check over the electrical wire to and from the rigger to see if there are any cracks in the insulation or possible shorts. The original wire that came with the older riggers was subject to hardening of the outer insulation so that it cracked from weathering or sunlight exposure. The new cable setups are not inexpensive but they are well made and can make a difference if moistureis getting into the wiring. If it is plugged into an outlet plug in the working downrigger and see if it happens there also may be bad connection or ground of the plug. If connected directly to the battery check connections for corrosion or possible wire fraying. If you have an inline fuse try a brand new fuse in it and check for corrosion in the fuse holder. Sometimes the plastic or rubber plug that goes into the downrigger may disengage becoming unsealed and moisture enters the cavity to the internals and the board so having a look inside to check the basics such as whether the wires look like they are firmly attached and aren't corroded isa good idea. Boards and motors can and do go bad sometimes but I'd check these other things first before jumping to that conclusion.

Just the pier itself near the boat tour thing ....unless you can walk on water

Nothing like the yellow gold Kevin

X2 - Just eliminate any curly Q 's or kinks and you should be good. I've had SS wire on one of my Seth Green rigs for over 30 years looks and acts just like new It should be noted that it is 60 lb wire which is much more forgiving than 30 lb which tends to curly que much more easily.

They do in some the Finger Lakes Paul and I think the ones that may be a proiblem could be different than the usuals on Lake O and even the rigger wire can be affected which makes me think some of them may be a different variety and/or more dense concentrations.

As of this date I haven't received my diaries back with their summaries from DEC and they often mention things about upcoming stocking efforts. I'll communicate anything substantial( if there) when I get the reports back.

West of there over near the tour boat etc.. You'll see it once you get over that way Aaron.