Sk8man

Nice going! Healthy looking specimens too. Would look even better n the grill

:lol:

A few things are noteworthy from this interesting video. Many of those fish spotted the line (way too heavy and should have been either light fluoro or mono for the part that showed and there was way too much bait on the hook (should have just enough to cover the hook and especially the point and the hook was quite big for them. Whoever was on the other end didn't even feel 60 percent or more of the bites. I was a bit surprised that the perch didn't totally scatter when old Esox showed up Cool video.

Probably 10 -12 ft difference but depending on speed for each too

The Spro #8 swivel goes through fine. I think you do need to shop around online for any deals I have seen them vary considerably in price. Luckily the last one was one of three my buddy purchased and he only needed two so I bought that one from him and he got a deal because he bought the three. I think either reel the Sealine 57 or the Seagate 60 are great reels though.

Something I haven't seen mentioned on here is if you need to run a shorter copper or leadcore deep use it on a rigger (e.g. extended boom out to the side). Just keep other riggers short and above it.

Sweet looking fish Stan. Congrats to your son. Man....I am always amazed at the quality of the natural light levels out west. Around here you have to boost up the lighting most of the time in photos....really beautiful out there.

Cornelis -If you want a real good one reasonably priced I'd check with John Mann Sodus Bay Canvas 315 871 6400. His pricing is fair and he does great work.

To me it isn't an "either or" situation they both have their place in the arsenal so I use both.

As far as Keuka goes right off the breakwall at the launch ramp at Branchport is always a possibility using either the cleos or other similar casting spoons as well as things shaped like Daredevle spoons....anything that is kinda "floppy" in the water at slow retrieval rates. Possibly the pier at Watkins using the same and any places where there is a drop off nearby along the shoreline. Too much pressure and lack of results to recommend Sampson. Taugannock is nice because you can cast into deep water from shore in a variety of spots for lakers and occasionally catch a brown or landlock. Also if you can get some egg sacks (used with barrel sinker and on bottom) they work pretty well there too.

Western New York Fishing Map Guide (Sportsman's Connection) www.scmaps.com/

Isn't that the truth... and the more vertical the lines the heavier the fleas accumulate. When you have trouble getting your downrigger wire to come through you know it's a problem

Either a twilli tip on the rod for wire or a good quality roller tip. The reason I say "good quality" is that if it is a cheap one with the sides made from aluminum the wire can cut through the sides despite the roller itself OK being made from hardened stainless. Although it is primarily a personal preference I much prefer wire over braid although I use both because of the fleas but also because I think it cuts through the water better. On the possible downside is the potential for kinking of the wire but it can be solved by cutting that section out and with a 1,000 feet it is usually no big deal with small amounts. If I were a little more anal I would mention that it might throw your line counter off slightly but I don't trust them completely in the first place Braid is easier than wire f you are using boards for the dipseys.

Great to hear he is making progress

You shouldn't run the leadcore DIRECTLY in a release as it can snap the strand of lead inside the sheathing but it can be run that way if you use a carefully selected rubber band of the right strength such that it will break easily with a fish (have to experiment before using though to get the right tension). Bands can be "weakened" by leaving them in the sun by the way. It should be noted that running it this way may defeat some of the "stealth" properties of the approach though as the heavier leadcore will be "dragging" through the upper portion of the water rather than being horizontal underneath and it could affect lure action as well?

One of the things that may be relevant is WHERE you intend to fish.... I notice you are at the south end of Cayuga Lake. If you are using the rig on the Fingers you may wish to go a bit lighter than for Lake O (e.g. 10-12 lb fluoro) If you fish Lake O the the 10-12 for Spring browns and then 15- 20 for the rest of the time when the larger kings may come into play. As far as the boards go it is a good idea to replace the plastic pins right from the start especially if you use braid as it can wear through them. You can find the metal pins either on the Blood Run site or at the Calumet Marine website. I initially tried the recommended modifications to the TX 44s but in my case it didn't seem to help much so I run them standard and tighten down the release as much as I can (CAREFULLY) and place the line at the point furthest inside so it won't release until I bring them in manually to release them.

The Magda 45DX's aren't bad for that purpose. As mentioned the Penn 209's and 309's aren't any speed demons and the drags on the 209's have always been a little sketchy for me but their higher end salt water reels and the GTI's aren't bad if you also get them with power handles especially. I have a 310GTI and a 320 GTI and they are good all around reels. The problem of the level wind on the 209 and 309"s can be solved by opening up the opening in the level wind mechanism (CAREFULLY) with something like a screwdriver so that swivels etc. fit through.

Sealine 57LC's nice reels and adaptable to many tasks.