Sk8man

Much of the answer to your question will vary from year to year depending many seasonal factors such as the winter we had, how much available sunlight we've had, wind driven currents and how they distribute. I've always looked at the Spring conditions as being a "guesstimation" game at best. For starters though it is good to consider water stratiification factors as basics - instead of stratifying or layering vertically it is often layered horizontally in the Spring before the thermocline forms. The water warms first in the shallows to any degree vertically beneath the surface and also at the very surface where the water isn't subject to extreme currents but here the wind plays a major role in mixing things up in place or transferring pools of warmer water acrossed the surface horizontally. Where the warmer pools meet with significantly colder water thermal breaks are established and they can often act as barriers or cordons for fish sometimes broken down by species and seemingly "trapping" within or at the outside edge the barrier so it is wise to exploit this by trolling along these thermal breaks weaving in and out of them. This is also true of "scum lines" where debris is trapped by the wind and thermal conditions that are set up. These may be near shore or in bands out further so it is often fruitful to patrol around and if permitted (actual debris isn't problematic) weave through the edges of them.. This is especially effective for early season browns. Another thing to exploit with browns is their sensitivity to water temp.Often just a few degrees of warmer water (especially early in the season) such as that found around stream mouths or warm water discharges of power plants etc.and in the extreme shallows cruising for food e.g. around docks or structure especially in bays on Lake O or shorelines of the Finger Lakes. Often they are found in the early morning hours or in the evening as they seem somewhat nocturnal and avoid bright light most of the time (e.g. they go deeper as the day moves on when it is sunny) regardless of water temperature. Lakers also look to the shallows in the early Spring but rather than temperature differences it seems to me it is more related to bait searching and bait availability because they are still usually scrounging the bottom areas and especially near where there are significant drop-offs or bottom structure as well as in the shallows. They are real "opportunists" and have a real varied diet and from time to time even scrounge up dead bait. Usually the warmer temps produce this time of year but often that is where the bait is or nearby and usually if you can locate the bait pods that form in the Spring the trout and salmon are found nearby regardless of specific water temperature but fish also range great distances looking for bait especially the salmon so you may find them in the middle of nowhere out there too. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact amount of temperature change that gives rise to horizontal stratification it can be as little as a couple degrees sometimes and larger amounts other times. In my opinion looking for specific optimal temperature preferences vertically at this time of year is like peeing in the wind....not productive. Looking for bait and thermal bars and breaks can be a lot more useful of your time and exploring the surface areas "prospecting" and running close in the points or structure with toplines, and or boards and working them in and out and varying your trolling speed ranges especially near river mouths. Others on here may have quite different ideas about it but this is my take on it based on my own experiences both on Lake O and the Finger Lakes.

I wish that were the case (and I was secretly getting into them) Good one!

My son and I tried for the eyes again last night (unsuccessfully only caught bass) fishing from shore (luckily) on a Friday night and right from the time we started (9 PM) experiencing "party central" both on shore all over the lake and more notably on the water. I don't have a problem with responsible partying but there were numerous boats fishing with few lights lit some anchored and several "recreational" boats running full tilt in the complete darkness (with no lights at all)with the male and female occupants hooping and hollering and swearing at the top of their lungs and popping beer tops for hours and others running back and forth in and out to their cottages with more booze etc. and people shooting off fireworks. The wind was still so you could hear everything out there (conversations etc.) so it wasn't a matter of me "assuming" what was going on. I'd be the last one to get down on folks for partying but that situation is so freaking dangerous it is absurd. My son who lives right near the lake itself said it is a weekly occurance there on weekends. Just an FYI for anyone intending to fish at night for walleyes or crappies on the weekends.

Another fine example of the worth of this website and the fishermen willing to help someone out....in the old days before this you'd be stuck calling around all over before realizing you were screwed. A little social cooperation goes a long way these days and is good to see.

I believe the model 47's were originally black but when they age they take on a grey cast to them.

I keep an extra bilge pump with a length of flexible hose on it with alligator type clips attached (so I can hook it to either battery in an emergency or to help someone else out) but I've never had a drop of water in my boat thus far ever so maybe its main function is psychological at this point

While you are there and if you have time check out the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and take the ferry to Nantuckett

I'm not sure what size/brand motor you have (HP) but first of all I'd check to see which props the manufacturer of your motor recommends because if you get the wrong one it could create a problem with your motor (e.g. wrong size or pitch and possible over revving at top end).. The information may be in your operators manual if you have it. If not contact a marina that sells that particular brand of motor. If all else fails consider attaching a trolling plate to the anti cavitation plate on the motor (most bolt on). You wiould be able to get pretty much whatever trolling speed you need with that. You definitely want to have a correctly matched propeller no matter what you decide.

DON'T snip off the weights. The modification calls for cutting a section out of the white foam in the shape of one weight (on top of it) and placing both weights stacked together together.The screw will retain both weights in the modified slot if carefully done. Note: I tried the modification but didn't like the way the boards rode so scrapped the it and returned to the standard setup and adjusted my rod placement upward and it helped

5/0's are hard to beat