Don Supon

Although confused at first, I now understand how to navigate through the site. You've made it much better-thanks

Good move.

A Wilson/Olcott launch will be productive. Mid-March or so when the lake hits the magic 40 degree. My advice is to monitor water temps wherever outflow enters the lake. 12 Mile creek and East beyond Olcott are good areas. Stickbaits longlined behing planer boards inside and just outside of a mudline will do good. My preference is to troll in 8-10 FOW at 2.3 or less and make several passes in areas where there is a warmer temp than usual. Hope this works for you. Perhaps we will see each other on the water.

When I stripped mine I used a 3000psi pressure washer adjusted to needlepoint to do the job. Worked good but took a lot of time- no effort. Just offering a possibility.

I run 30lb Flea Flicker for the main line with a 20lb floro leader attached by a barrel swivel. I've not had any problems with this set, but check the floro for abrasions after each fish and replace if any weakness is present. Pay attention to knots. Also, remember to set the reel drag for the 20 lb leader not the 30 lb main line. Not sure if Vanish is true floro line. There is a difference between floro leader and floro line. Leader is more expensive, but i believe it works better than floro line and has more abrasion resistion. It seems to be a little stiffer also.

Years ago I had my 16' aluminum boat repainted (mid 90's). I stripped off all old paint first and then had a cousin (who does car painting on the side) do the painting for me. I did all floor replacement and flotation foam work myself before the painting. Bare aluminum has to be etched first, using a chemical etcher. If your boat paint is in fair shape, you might bypass stripping/etching and just paint over the old paint. He spray painted my boat with Emron Automotive paint which is very hard and held up exceptionally well. Traded that boat in in 2006. About 15 years ago the paint ran around $200 gal (needed 2). Don't remember the cost for etcher. From your photo, assume the boat could be painted on the trailer, but what about the bottom (hull)? I'd paint the whole thing or nothing. I don't think this is a DIY project unless you have spray painting equipment and experience with it. You'll need to repair any scratches or dents first, and fix any leaking rivets before painting. Could you do this properly? Good luck

Thanks for the replies. I think I understand, now, how to deploy.

Is there a way to deploy a 2nd dipsey outside of the 1st dipsey without tangles? Always assumed you had to bring in the closer one first- is that right? Or could I run a mag on the inside (1 setting) and deploy a a smaller size (3 setting) with more line out behind the mag and not cause a tangle while letting it out? Also, when running in-line boards off the same side, is there a way to get over other lines to get to the outside without tangles when lures are the same? Make any difference when dropbacks are different? Could I safely deploy a copper setup over the top of another when using inline planers? How? Lot of questions, but I need input as I hope to try these techniques in the spring. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I used them last year and never had any problems. Recommended.

The TR1-Gold has no display, but many programable features. Such as: circles (variable distances) steps (L/R, variable), Zig-zag (L/R, variable), auto-turns (L/R, variable degrees), turns (turn to a direction and release button), MOB (R/L), and all/most can be done in reverse also. I believe it also capable of navigating to a pre-selected waypoint. The throttle control lets you increase/decrease rpm's in small increments by pressing a button once or holding it down and quickly make fast adjustments either way. There is an idle/resume button to press for fighting fish and returning to pre-determined course and speed. My operation as described in previous post, is monitored with speed/temp probe, GPS, and fish-finder. I use it only for trolling (kicker motor), the GPS for running with the main motor.

I'm not aware that the TR1 comes with a readout. I have the TR1 Gold, and don't know anything about the Gladiator. I'm assuming both are made by Garmin. For me, I watch my GPS (with chip) to watch position and heading. Speed is monitored by watching my FishHawk for lure speed and surface speed. Many fishfinders give you the surface speed. So will a GPS. The TR1 is adjusted to give me corrections I want based upon what info I get from all the other units.

Whatever you decide to purchase, expect to pay $3000 up for new units.

A-1 Bait (Ron Hutchenson) on Graur Road in Niagara Falls is a bait wholesaler who has bait available at his home. Call 716-870-2170 for information.

1 oz. weights are fine for shallow drifting (20' or less). If winds are blowing from N and slowing the drift, or S and increasing it, heavier is needed. The more your weights drag on the bottom, the more you will use. But in shallow conditions, you need to get your bait away from the boat. Winds on Lake Erie effect the clarity significantly. River typically is poor quality until Erie gets some ice cover. For stained conditions, egg skein works best because of the scent. With clear conditions, Kwik-fish turn on or use live bait. The clarity is poor now and winds expected to blow for the rest of the week. Whitecaps on the lake at the bar. I'm dying to get started myself, but plan on waiting until ice forms or whenever there are calm wind conditions. Fishing is possible right now, if you have low expectations, but you'd have to fish the drifts that are wind protected only. Water levels are extremely low and launching is tough. I recommend a launch from Lewiston because that launch appears the best and because you might have other launchers for assistance if you need it. The other two launches are quite lonely and Lewiston is maintained daily, with sand available for traction. Because you have a long travel distance, suggest you wait for late January. And it would be wise to get an Ontario fishing license also. Being stopped is unlikely, especially during the winter, but......

Riggers produce a lot of torque and require a solid (strong) mounted-to location, especially if you want to run the heavier weights. Make that your first priority. Others have given you many options to consider, and I particularly like the concept of a hinged board if the board option is taken. There will be a time on the water when access to the stern will be critical. The one thing not yet mentioned for consideration is equipment placement for ease of entry and egress to the boat when it is at dockside. Don't forget to factor this in also, as I am sure you don't want someone to damage the equipment trying to enter or get off of the boat. Riggers and rod holders are the first things peolpe use to help them get in because they are right there for the handhold. And where are the rods going to be? Think it out well and test it out fully before you make anything permanent (or live with gazillions of holes when you get finished fine-tuning everything).

Days are starting to legthen, hooray. Hopefully, for the benefit of all plants and creatures, we don't have a repeat of last year's low precipitation amounts. I hope it snows steady from now til the end of March. Lets get the lake levels back up and the ground water table raised. When spring and summer arrive, I hope there is sufficient rainfal to avoid all the problems experienced last year.

Just a thought, Ducks. Ever consider having some almost triangular plates made-up for you that could be bolted to the sides just under the top rail? Make the top of that plate large enough to accomodate the base plates of the rod holders you choose to use. If it is 6 inches square, you would be able to mount anything, and if made from aluminum or stainless would look good and hold up to weather. Any metal fabricator could make them for you. Another option might be to use something similar and create a 6 in. wide gunnell of wood or metal along each side for 1/2 the boat length on each side. This would be strong enough and allow you to place the holders wherever and could even support riggers. The bolt holes would be well above the water line and cause minimal damage to the boat. $200 should do it. Or trade the boat in and get a LUND.

Awesome reproduction! I'll definately want to use you when I catch MY trophy fish.

No problems if running only one unit. To use both at same time, check the operating frequencies and hope they are different. Side by side a bad idea. Maximum seperation is advized when running two units.

In the spring, we'll all have to be especially careful at the launch ramps and going through the channels to the lake. It might be a good idea to keep a spare prop in the boat until the levels come back up. If dredging is going to happen, this is the right time. Rolmops has an opinion I agree with. The trib low levels should impact the stream spawning, but the lake impact won't be noticed for 2-3 years. Consecutive low levels could ruin it for stream fishermen. But Mother Nature will find a way to adapt. Hopefully there will be a gradual shift in spawning locations to areas that become more conducive to spawning because of the drop in water levels. I'm keeping my boat and will do whatever it takes to adapt likewise. Humans will never outsmart Mother Nature.

Rapala Deluxe Cordless filet knife. Has 2 blades and extra battery. Charger.

Rebuild / replace it.

I'm going to Negril on the western tip last week of January. Charter report from there is that "winter fishing" is mostly wahoo and tuna with an occasional marlin. Haven't made any arrangements yet, planning to gather information when I arrive on the 23rd. Hope we both do well!

Gimbal mounts will work. And your distribution of the equipment a plus. I agree with Daiwa reels. Line counters a must for the dipsey rods.

Doesn't look like anyone has what you are looking for based on all the looks and no responses. Heartlands are good rods and when I was looking to purchase them, I found a good price on the Wilderness rods. These rods are similar to Heartlands and I've used them this past season. No issues and handled up to 30 lb kings. Found them from a dealer on ebay. Just a suggestion.