Sk8man

I would think that if you were to have a piece of aluminum with an exact fit width wise (i.e. against the side wall edge wise and 1/4 to 3/8ths thick) and running a couple feet long it should distribute the weight of the downrigger and weight pretty good. I think the key to it may be leaving absolutely no "play" (an exact fit) width wise on the gunwale. If there is any "wiggle room" left between the edge of the reinforcer and the gunwale sides it wouldn't distribute the weight right to the sides of the boat lessening the strain on that spot....just my guess. Also you may consider some sort of "bracing" underneath the reinforcer against the side wall itself.....That 16 lb weight combined with the boom length (if you are using long booms) creates a lot of torque to overcome. I know the current trend is to use real heavy downrigger weights but I would try going to say a 12 lb weight and test it out to see whether it will do the job in that application.

Those fish say it all....you put together as good plan and got things together in a hurry and came up with good results - WTG. Funny how sometimes it pays to just "wing it" in terms of preparation.....some of my best times have come that way yet when I dot all the "i's" and cross all the "t's" (like this year ) things don't usually go as planned. I think next year I'll try flying by the seat of my pants rather than trying to cover all the bases....

I think one of the greatest things about the Seneca Lake Trout Derby is that is truly a family event where you can mix campsite memories with fishing adventures and those family bonds can (and do) last forever. It has been a tradition for my son and I for many years since he was very young and we had to quit early so he could play at the campground with his new found buddies while now we stay at a motel instead of enduring the rigors of the sleeping bags and wet tents.....and after 3 hard days of fishing having to break camp while totally burned out and the multiple trips back and forth to home with the one tow vehicle but the good memories are still alive for both of us and he now has his own kids. The main thing is that those previous years spent together doing stuff we love formed an inseparable bond between us and it is vitally important to us both at this point in our lives. Never too late to get kids into it....and best of all it gets them away from most of the video games and TV (make them turn in their phones until you leave camp)

WTG Dave.....you're off to a great start for king season !

Very nice....not always the easiest lake to pull up those good looking bows. WTG

Did you pass Joe? Just kidding....

I feel especially lucky this year despite not landing in the standings....despite a couple 10 pounder lakers and smaller fish as well. Two of my long term (more than 30 plus years) fishing buddies scored big time this year. Admiral Byrd (Bob Boerjan) and Gary Hoppy. To hear the excitement in both their voices (separately) while discussing things has been a plus for me as these results have been a long time coming for these two very competent fishermen. This derby was was exceptional in terms of the sizes of the fish for Seneca Lake or any of the Finger Lakes for that matter. Some of the fish that barely missed placing in the standings at all would have won some of the past derbies. Catching any trout over 12 pounds on Seneca or the other Finger Lakes is a major accomplishment and catching two 13 pound plus lakers and others over 11 pounds is exceptional and not something attributable to "luck". Gary Hoppy's 15 pound plus laker is the culmination of many years of paying his dues, putting in the time, attention to detail and proof to me that "Old School" (e.g. Seth Green rig fishing) is still very much alive and well in the Finger Lakes and that all the newest and fanciest equipment isn't always (if at all) the most relevant variable or absolutely necessary for success because with both of these guys cases it was very much "experience and knowledge" that separated them from the 'luck" variable. Apparently Bob was shy about posting a pic of himself or Liney with their fish so I'll do it (also his boat mentioned above) . For those of you who know Gary (from Ovid NY area) here is a pic his wife took of him at the awards ceremony and another with me ( I must have been desperate for attention ). By the way the separation of the overall winner (15 lb plus Brown Trout) and Gary's Laker was just ounces making a $3,000 difference in the prize money and it is another reminder of why it can be important to weigh fish immediately too. By the way, I had always thought that the Lie Detector (Polygraph) test that is mentioned on the entry form was just BS to scare potential wannabe cheaters but Gary confirmed that he was actually given a polygraph test and so was the overall winner and that very specific questions were asked regarding the integrity of the catch and the process of catching it.... I was kinda surprised because as many derbies as I have fished I have never actually known someone who was given the test. Certainly adds to the integrity of the derby regardless of one's perception of the validity of a polygraph.

Best of luck to each of you LOU folks out there this weekend. It should be a lot of fun....tight lines everyone and stay safe.

Congrats on the win! At least you know you are right on track with what you're doing....

Those two fish probably would be "money fish" if caught tomorrow WTG

Thanks Ed. Guess I'll have to evaluate at the north end tomorrow AM and decide whether it is stillfishing, jigging. pulling copper or trolling....I'm prepared to do any of it but the debris can take the fun out of things real fast. A friend said he saw a telephone pole upright in the water out there yesterday.

Kuba - What I've always done to secure the trolling motor is to place a long shaft padlock through the holes on the butterfly screws after tightening them down good(lining them up first)....assuming you have the type with the holes....

Anyone out there for a report on the water conditions at Sampson or north end?

I've been tangled up with lawn and house stuff pre derby and now sitting here now wondering how all this debris and muddy water is going to impact the trolling tomorrow. I had 4 pages of notes and 98 percent of it relating to trolling...now I'm wondering if I will be stillfishing or jigging...could have saved some time and paper At this point I'm just hoping that everyone makes it through the derby safely north and south. I heard there are even telephone poles out there as well as the tree limbs i saw myself yesterday. All of us need to use caution and good sense while out there. Best of luck to you Joe and to all your southern comrades most of whom are probably hunkered down at Sampson right now trying to stay dry. I don't have to wish the northern guys luck because they are at "home" at this end of the lake.... Les

Looks like a wet tough derby coming up....can't believe all this rain....good luck John!

Hey Ray ...great pics of your feet in a couple of the pics....surprised you didn't paint them with matching lure paint might have served as an"attractor"

That is a virtual treasure chest....if I didn't already have so many and in duplicate I'd buy the whole bunch....i know they may be "old school" but they work....