Sk8man

Hey John - You may regret getting rid of those Syclops come derby time

The Hong King version is virtually identical to the original Pfleuger's and is basically a less expensively manufactured version ....sort of a generation 2 two without any improvements also known as a "copycat" They work as well a s the originals despite the "purists" claims that nothing compares. The Bladerunners came about when the originals and Hong Kongs were no longer available and Great Lakes Lures makes a very good replica. They work too. These spoons in the right hands are laker killers for sure.Some of my Geneva buddies know exactly what I'm talking about

That is really great... all the way around... stuff like that helps restore faith in the general public and it is great also that steelie was able to tip you off

Sodus Point and Bay .....aways but straight shot down 104. There other places closer but you can't beat the variety. You can get your bait and info at the bait shop near bay Bridge at the south end of the bay.

And I thought leaving my hand auger on the ground in back of my parked truck in the past while I BS'd with a guy in the dark and then drove off without it was bad....That is awful and I sure hope you get your stuff back....best of luck with it and ....despite what is on the evening news there are good people on this earth.

WTG Dave. Looks kinda like the old days to me

Many congrats John. Life will never be the same but ....in a good way

It is helpful but you should also be aware that although it holds for Jann's these size designations may not hold for other manufacturers. There is little standardization in labeling across manufacturers so a #1 from one manufacturer may be a # 8 from another. Its really pretty crazy.....

While ice fishing the other end of Keuka a couple days ago I was checked out by DEC and he said it was still open water on the Branchport arm but it has been brutally cold the last couple nights....on the other hand it has been very windy as well....

Good point John. I think you and Nick could make a great team if it ever went that way and I know I would confidently recommend either or both of you to anyone as you are both very skilled fishermen.

Just a little "preprocess" commentary - It is important to do it outside or in some outdoor well ventilated building, wearing gloves when handling it and a good quality respirator mask while heating it. Lead fumes can really mess you up as well as directly handling the lead itself. I know there will be folks who may say it is BS they have been doing it for years but it is something that can mess you up bad in a variety of ways without it being evident for some time. It is best to undercoat the jigs with a primer of some type before painting to avoid it flaking off

FroggToggs makes a variety of them at various price ranges. I love mine which are the upper grade ones and I don't remember what I paid for them but I think somewhere in the $100 or so.

You'll notice here that with some of the shorter leader lengths folks are keeping them pretty much close to their rod length unless using slide divers. Unless you are real comfortable (and competent) at handlining fish and especially if you fish solo very much, and perhaps have never experienced handlining an unruly king it is a good rule of thumb to follow. Although I use fluoro leaders generally from 12 - 20 lb test and high quality solid ring swivels for various things (depending on where fishing and the circumstances) but mono seems a better choice for running leaders from dipsys on wire as there is a bit of stretch to it and fluoro is less "forgiving" when large or aggressive kings are in the mix. On the Finger Lakes 30 lb mono is fine (in case of hang ups etc.) but during late season Lake O fishing kings I switch to 40 lb. Big Game mono and tie my flies with 50 lb Big game as a little shock absorption protection (never had one break yet but have had 40 lb fluoro on commercially tied flies break). Mono tends to be a little softer than fluoro and not as stiff or brittle in colder weather and depending on knot I suspect maay have a little better breaking strength at the knot when cold.

Yeah and even Jim's gill plates are turning color now

Wondering if the board possibly hit a submerged object that didn't catch your line and bounced into the air?