Sk8man

Congratulations Bill .....the guy has to be a "happy camper" with that boat.

The Gulp stuff has to be kept sealed real good in the package because if it dries out it is hard as a rock but the stuff works.

If you haven't actually purchased the braid and put it on I'd suggest 30 lb SS wire too but the 50 lb Power Pro will work too if that's what you already have but during the height of flea season it will be somewhat of a pain clearing the fleas. The 50 lb Power Pro is still pretty small diameter allowing the fleas to attach but the most important feature is it's "woven" texture that allows the fleas to collect more easily. If so It is helpful though to frequently check your lines and use it as an opportunity to change lures and unless you happen to troll through an area of high flea concentration of fleas the lines shouldn't be too clogged to clear quickly. It helps also to have a high gear ratio reel with a power handle to make this a bit easier. Large kings put up a great fight and they can be a "handful" sometimes but they aren't Marlin, Blue fin tuna or sailfish either....you don't need line the length of 6 football fields to contain them if you are using your rod, drag, and the boat properly to get them to the net. You should be able to use 300 yds. of braid (or wire) with plenty of Big Game mono as backing and never get "spooled".

It will be ice there for a while yet unless we get a real warm spell with rain etc. This year the whole lake froze up.

I'm with Gambler. I've had my Cannon (adjustable boom and swivel bases)10A's since the early 1980's and aside for new power cords on them....that is it...never a problem with them.

Well on the plus side is the fact that unlike many of us you were able to get out there after them. As far as the lamprey scars it sounds a lot like the situation on Seneca some years back before they achieved some control of the lampreys. Browns are particularly vulnerable as are lakers because of their bottom oriented habits. It sure is disturbing to see beautiful fish with those nasty SOB' s attached or scarred all to hell though. It is all the more important to keep the pressure on DEC and be as supportive (vocal) of their efforts as we can regarding the lampracide treatments as there are some vocal environmental groups who either don't know anything about fishing or don't really care about it ...they are just paranoid of any chemicals introduced into the lake. Thinking back on those days when Seneca was really a "mess" we were all pretty "demoralized" but DEC really came through in the long run and things are much improved now over that period of time.....so we need to keep in mind that the changes are not real quick but the improvement is worth the wait so don't give up hope.

Thanks Nick ....much appreciated.

Nice job Nick! It sure makes me wish I was out there right now and despite living here near Canandaigua Lake.... Seneca is still "home" for me.....I hope this year is the best ever for you and the other "southenders" and my other Seneca "homies" at the north end Tight lines bud! Les

Around here they are caught suspended at night through the ice with lanterns next to the hole out deep with 2-4 lb test on light jigging poles with #12 gold hooks and spikes. If you put a couple or three spikes on you will catch them on just the spikes as their teeth get caught on them (the spikes) and it saves time getting back down after them without having to unhook them. Sometimes huge lakers will be in the mix so bring extra rigs They light up a flasher like a Christmas tree! We used to get tons of them with dip nets on Seneca and Canandaigua Lake tribs (among others) but they are pretty much history now....

They also work on lakers and pike.....I used to have pretty good luck with the dark blue and silver. They hold up well because they are metal instead of plastic etc. and dig down a little deeper.....careful real shallow

Go get em Kevin....one of my good buds said to me the other day........"Kevin is my idol",,,,,he does it all.... panfish,eyes, bass, pike, crappies, deer and birds....you name it! He didn't get any argument from me

Dick - You might also want to look at the Shakespeare Ugly stick 8' 3 '' downrigger rods...very durable and versatile.