Sk8man

I've been using it for a few weeks now on 2 downrigger rods. I was able to get just about 280yds on the 47H's. It work great as an anti flea line. The only downside to itthat I've found if the incredible stretch. I have to keep re tightening my downrigger rods because of it. At first I thought it had messed up in the release and was sliding but I was able to stretch the line greatly with my hands and I've never seen line stretch that much. All and all I like it but jst be aware ofthat factor. Les

I think Ray K is right on the mark...it is probably a weight distribution problem and it happens with outboards as well. I think it can be too much weight in the back relative to the front and can also occur with too much difference in weight on one side or the other as well. It probably causes some bow lifting (maybe gradual and unnoticed) or less surface area contact with the water where the guiding chines go on a diagonal path.

Happy Birthday Ray! Makes ya wonder if the plumber crack gets wrinkles on it at your age

At this point I'm kinda chuckling to myself as I read our responses to this interesting question...we all have our little favorite distances and habits that seem to work for us (or we probably wouldn't be as attached to them as we are). It also occurs to me that we are are a rather curious (and perhaps "superstitious") breed because we think our own systems are perhaps the last word in fishing (myself included) . It is entirely possible that another factor is at work here in terms of the distance between the lure and us and that it resembles a "random event". Kings are thought to hit lures for a couple of reasons a) a feeding response, and b) out of aggression/territoriality. At the point they are "homed in" on their imprinted ancestral spawning area the feeding response is considered to be significantly reduced if not entirely gone and the urge to reproduce takes over and along with it territoriality and aggressive defense of it...this is what happens in the streams....but it also happens before they arrive while still in the lake looking for their "home base" It is no accident that bright colored or shiny objects become their targets....anything that stands out in their environment is a potential"rival", "intruder" or "foreign object" to be attacked and both males and females respond to it. The feeding response on the other hand is often thought to be increased in that period immediately prior to spawning and while the kings are still largely "silver" and out in the lake roaming. My hunch is that a) they are in an active "looking" state and anything that is in close proximity to them and presents itself as a vulnerable, wounded, or solitary "target" that might have been separated from the baitfish school (and the action of it suggests this to them) it will be aggressively (and sometimes "savagely") hit and consumed, and b) if our lure happens to be that target operating at 8, 15, 20, 25, or 50 ft. from our boat and these conditions apply we will be on the other end of a King salmon. Many of the latest patterns and colors of lures don't resemble anything even remotely looking like their natural food but they do look foreign to the environment perhaps triggering the aggressive response while looking for food. If something about the action and appearance of the lure on the line looks suspicious or "off" somehow they look but "don't touch" and move on to something appearing more vulnerable or "right" to them. That's my theory of it all and I know that it won't fit all my fellow fishermen's belief systems but I'm throwing it out there especially for "newbies" to think about as they pursue these great creatures.

I had my Marathons for 11 1/2 seasons

Great job Matt! As a vet I thank you for doing it and hopefully nobody would have a problem with your calling attention to it on this site because there are a number of vets on here. Les P.S. I whole heartedly agree with your statement above too.

dre you have a PM Les

Good going! Glad things worked out for you.

Isn't it something that they don't even do their homework on these reels before releasing them for sale. I had a Convector right out of the box that the drag didn't engage....my buddy had trouble with his Clarion out of the box too.

For many years (after losing my good net on Seneca) I've filled the handle with styrofoam beads and peanuts and then hot glue the handle tip on....

Great results! What was the wind like out there this morning This afternoon the Canandaigua Lady seemed to struggle a bit leaving the dock at the north end here with a full load of passengers That wind was gusting pretty good this afternoon....

You might want to check out the NYS regs as far as the use of any baitfish not coming from a given water being used in. I think you need a receipt from bait dealer less than 10 days old stating they are virus free) and I believe anything used frozen or dried like the alewives or herring has to be commercially packaged.

Good going John....nothing like some action to keep the ladies from getting bored