Don Supon

My opinion is that you'll want a 15hp kicker for that boat because of its size and weight. Steering will be very sluggish if you set-up as described. Not much problem in flat waters, but much different with wind and waves. Stay out of traffic if you try to steer in that manner. You'll need to steer the kicker somehow if you want to have good boat control. There are many ways to do this by connecting both motors and it is not very expensive. Search the site to get opinions/information on kicker motor connecting to main motor options as much has been posted already. Throttle control for the kicker is critical also, and must be considered. An auto-pilot is the best, but MOST expensive way. Thousands of dollars! They can control the main motor or the kicker motor, and give very precise control, including fishing manuvers and patterns programmed in. A kicker motor auto-pilot will be ruined if used to control a main motor, so make sure you get the right model if selecting this method.

You're really going to see the difference when you use manual and electric in combination. It won't take long for you to decide to switch to all electric. Manual are dinosaurs; they limit the ball weight, decrease number of lure changes and trolling depth, increase blow-back with use of lighter weights, and the list goes on and on. A young stud, low on funds, might convince himself that manual are adequate for him, but electric makes the fishing more enjoyable and that alone should/will make it more productive. The Walker brand and the cost to upgrade are other topics. You'll have to decide them without my input. Hope you meant the upgrade is to change to an electric model, not to convert the manual one to an electric one. I wouldn't convert. New boat, new rigger- you're hooked. I forsee you spending a lot of cash in the future, just like the rest of us. Don't react to every new product as a must have. Continue to ask questions and evaluate before deciding to buy. Cash is hard to come by, but easy to spend-fishing catches fishermen mostly. No one has all of the answers.

Longline, you are right about that. And I'm glad it happened that way.

The Fed dollars we are to receive in this state must be dedicated to WILDLIFE for us to receive them. Cuomo's proposed budjet could allow the funds to be placed into the general funds. If the legislature words the budjet properly, our state gets the funds and they are dedicated to wildlife. But I still see a possible senerio where NYS recieves federal dollars ($5 million) dedicated to wildlife, but NYS does not continue its own funding. We need to urge our state reps to maintain the state funding AND word the budget so the Federal funding is received and is in addition to that funding (the intent of the Federal funding). We could also urge them to eliminate the DEC's responsibility for chemical containment and place that responsibility with a different/seperate department. Then the DEC could spend more of it's time and funds for the maintanence, protection, and development of what we buy our licenses to participate in. I'm surprised and dissapointed that the fishing and hunting organizations have not banded together and started a petition drive to collect signatures from outdoorsmen in support of this concept and then forward that petition to the legislature for consideration. I'm urging leadership to get together, decide what to petition for, and to quickly implement this or some other similar idea.

I use a Garmin BlueChart Data Card in my Humminbird. It covers Lake Ontario to Montral (includes Lake Erie to at least Erie, Pa.). My usage is for depth and structure mainly, not so much for navigation port to port, although it could be used that way. Zoom in when you get near your destination and navigate right to the docking area. My usage is for fishing and I can zoom into an area to see detailed depths and track my location at the same time. Just another option.

Dave's right. Point the handle tip at the sky above you beore you try to lift the fish into the boat, after you have the fish in the net. Beckman nets have a thicker wall in the handle than others and you don't have to worry about bending or crimping of the handle if you keep the net in a holder and it is affected by wind when running from place to place. The time I forgot and left it extended during a 30+ MPH run caused the holder to break free, but no damage to the handle. The handle, when extended, is about 12 feet long. That's a lot of wind resistence, but a good reach-out to the fish.

My kicker stays on all the time. I winterize it the same as the main motor in late fall by changing the lower unit oil, cleaning/replacing the plugs, and fogging the engine. Mine is not used in the winter, so it's ready to go for springtime trolling. My winter fishing is rare, but when I go it's river fishing. That means main motor and electric trolling motor. Drift fishing! The main gets lowered completely at the end of trip to drain water from cooling system (on land after loading on trailer) and is run dry for 3-5 seconds to get out last few drips. In garage, storage with motor all the way down. Had a problem once with a 50 Merc because it was storred outdoors with the motor in a tilted position. Had a freeze problem because I didn't cover the underwater exhaust port (EVERYTHING else was covered). Snow/rain got in there over the winter because motor left in tilted-up position. The thaw/freeze cycle resulted in cracked gears (not housing) which became obvious during first spring outing.

77 total points= 42-35

Beckman nets, but not cheap. The extension is strong and gives a l-o-n-g reach.

Mine is velcro mounted also, and comes with 18' cord. After a full season, had to top with about 1 oz. fluid. Installation was done by a professional, but with enough time it would be a fairly easy self-install. Component placement determinations were my reason for not self-installing. As far as battery power, I have a seperate battery to power this unit alone. The Honda 9.9 alternator keeps it fully charged. Was concerned that the main battery might have a problem running all the riggers and electronics as well as the auto-pilot and power trim and have enough to restart the main motor after a full day of trolling. Didn't want to chance it, but think all would work from main battery alone. Wouldn't attemp it with an older main battery though.

Then just do it! You gave all the reasons that make it OK to eat them. You also indicate that your eating size choice would not be the mounting sized fish, but a younger, less mature representative. The contaminated sediment has long been silted over, and no longer represents a sizeable threat at the bottom of the food chain and higher. The overly cautious consumption recommendations allow for one meal a month, so don't worry about an occasional meal unless you are eating the oldest of the species.

Auto-pilots are made to control either kicker or main motors. You need to get one specific for your purpose and motor. I own a Garmin TR1 Gold for my 9.9 kicker and I love it (unit is for motors up to 15 hp, different unit for larger motors). Fittings are specific for different brands of motors. Mine is a hydraulic unit, but the steering pump is not powerful enough to work the 135 hp main motor. I have to make sure the kicker is not connected to the main motor during use (I keep them connected while running so the kicker is not bouncing from side to side) or I'll burn out the pump. It has many trolling patterns programmed in (straight, zig-zag, steps, circles, MOB), all of which compensate for wind and wave distortions to stay on course. A press of a button changes the desired pattern and a different button press increases/decreases throttle speed. Trolling Solutions.com is where I purchased mine because of price. Others will prefer different brands and hopefully will give you their opinions. Bottom line is you need to decide what motor you will control and how you want to control it. No matter what you choose, it's going to be expensive!

My guess is that an automotive stereo will be fine at trolling speeds, but what of the pounding from waves while running? My suspicion is that the jarring will damage an automotive unit eventually. Assuming the radio will not get wet from spray because of its location at the helm, I wouldn't have any other concerns. That's my opinion and why I have a marine unit in my boat. Anyone else?

Duct tape (or clear packing tape) might get you through until it can be replaced. Tape both inside and outside.

Water in the cilinders? Possibly coming from the ethanol fuel. If you don't use a fuel additive, check the bottom of your fuel tank for water

You should get a lake map, either paper (West Marine) or map chip for a GPS. A launch at Fort Niagara and a 5 mile ride will get you past the Red Can where the drop-off is. 50' at the can, near the top of the drop. When it falls off, it's almost a cliff. Sometimes the fish are right on the top edge, but usually just beyond the drop-off in 100+ FOW. You'll have to go another 8 miles to get 400 FOW (almost to Canadian border). There is no 500' depths at this end. Many start at the drop and go west. In about 1 mile you will be in Canadian waters so be licensed. Those that troll East follow the drop and keep in 100-250 FOW. Boats seem to concentrate along the drop from the Red Can and 5 miles East. Spring kings can be found near the river outflow all the way out as this cold water often becomes a barrier for the fish migration. If you launch at Wilson (Tuscarora State Park) or Olcott, the ride out to 100 FOW is very quick- about 1 mile or so. Wilson fishermen frequently fish "out front" or head west to the same waters as Red Can East trollers use. Olcott fishermen do a lot "out front" and to the East. Spring fishing frequently is in shallower water because of temps. At the Fort, don't ignore the area near the Green Can (1 mile out). 30-35 FOW holds many lakers which can be drift fished with bait or jigs or botton trolled with downriggers and assorted laker lures. Trolling the shoreline with stickbaits and spoons with long drop-backs (100 or +) catches lots of browns and cohos and can be lots of fun on light tackle. I prefer Wilson for this and troll West and East about 2 miles either direction. Olcott is similar. Side planers are great for doing this (in-line or planer boards), try to keep the lures in as shallow water as you can, particularly just inside a mud line if one exists. Warm water pockets deserve extra attention if you have a temp senser. Mid March is a good starting time to do this, but it might be good right now if you want to try. Your 16' boat is great for inshore trips, but iffy way out at the drop and beyond. Out deep, pick little or no wind days with waves under 2'. I don't venture out there in my 18' Lund when waves exceed 2' and I'm confident the boat could handle much worse. Why gamble your life for fish?

I'm interested. [email protected]

That sounds as if it will workl. A stronger connector would involve (if you have access) bolts thru the gunnell with a backer plate underneath the fiberglass. Add lock-tite to the bolt threads before tighening down.

Have seen this as a post many times and don't know what it means. Please explain.

That depends on many factors. Stored indoors for the winter on a trickle charger and topped off after each trip out, I replaced mine after 5 years because they storred less charge. I had noticed that they were discharging more and more and didn't want to chance it, but they were still workable. Cheap batteries die fast. Two years the time I tried one. Never again! IMO pay close attention to them after 3 years of proper storage and use; hand cranking on the water of a large main motor is not going to be fun. (jumper cables and a spare are easier)

My experience with this topic: Kwikfish lures (fished on the bottom) will snag up if the hook is turned down more often than when it is turned up. No difference for spoons. Direction of the hook usually results in hookups in top of mouth when turned up and lower jaw when turned down.

I also favor the Beckman King Salmon net. Beside the reasons already posted, I particularly appreciate the strength of the handle (including the extension). I've had some handles kink or break while running at fast speeds and the handles extended. With the Beckman extended, I had the net holder break free once without damaging the handle (I have to remember to lower the extension). And I'm pretty sure they are made in America.

Thanks Tim.

Thanks for the reply.

Is there a general rule of thumb? For example: 100 ft total (down 20-back 80).