TyeeTanic

I don't know if mono works as well as fluoro, as I only use fluoro. I use 30# test and have had no break offs. In fact, I snagged bottom one time trolling and one of my swivel hoops (steel) bent open before the 30# test broke off. 30# test fluoro is easier to find and cheaper than 50# test, so that's one reason to use it.

Not an expert, but I heard you could get interference on the same frequency. It will show up as a bunch of diaganol white lines across your screen - like when your TV wasn't tuned into the channel properly.

I always target a range of depths, especially when I start out in the mornings and need to hone in on where the fish are. I run 4 dipseys and 2 mono's on weights off the planer boards. I would be nervous about putting one down the chute as when the dipseys pop a lot of line goes out and anything down the chute could get tangled. I usually have my monos on planer boards in the 20 - 40 foot depth, two dipseys at 40 - 60 feet and two at 60 - 90 feet. If all the bite is in one place, we operate everything within a 30 foot depth within the strike zone.

Some guys are still fishing, not many though ... everyone is looking north to the deer and snow. Anyhow, it is difficult to have a good day, as winds and weather will likely scatter fish. Offshore (300 fow +) is probably a good place to get consistent fish, but I would not take on the risk of going that far with the water being so cold. Would take much to end up seeing St. Peter. Personally, I would stick close to river mouths and you will likely pick up steelies. Watch out for the winds, they are forecasted to pick up badly tomorrow. Mark

LOL! That's one way to get a buck!

Green glow frog Spin Doctor and Diver, with a green atomik fly.

Pescado, I'll try and answer your questions: 1.What size reel should i be looking at? How much line should it hold? Should i buy four of the same? Should they have line counters? You will want 2 rods for the riggers and 2 wire dipsey rods. Yes, I would take 2 wire dipsey over stacking rods on the down riggers ANY day. Most salmon are caught on the wire dipseys. It would be insane not to include them in a 4 rod spread. You will want to get 20 to 30 lb mono (flea flicker or big game) on the riggers, you will want about 600 feet or more on each reel. For the dispey wire rods you will want 7 strand, 30# wire, 1000 ft on the reel, and these reels must have line counters. Which one's you get depends on how much you want to spend. I have Oukuma Convector's (30D for the wire setup). They are very good value for the money and a good reel. There's definitely better like the Tekota's, but they are about 3 times more expensive! 2.What type of rods? again should they be all the same? For the riggers an 7 ft rod is good, medium to heavy action. For the wire dipseys you want 10 ft rods. This will allow the dipsey rod to reach over your rigger if a fish hits and the line centers without tangling into your rigger line. Make again is up to how much you want to spend. I have Rapala RSC's which are great value for money. I use a standard rod for my mono line and roller guide rods for my wire setup (cannot use normal line guides with wire). If you have big money to spend, go for the Telora's - a beautiful rod, very well built. 3.What type of line? Should i have a mix of mono,lead core,braided? Don't use braid - the fleas will kill your day. As mentioned above start with 20 lb flea flicker or 30 lb big game mono on the rigger rods. 30# 7 strand wire for the wire dipsey rods. 4.What would be a good selection of lures to begin with? Get 4" lures. Start with Northern King. Monkey Puke, Hawg Wilde, Watermelon, Gator, Purple Thunder, NGK patterns with green, Something blue/silver. Also get some flies - you will want greens, purples, reds, blues. You will need dipsey divers - get black if you can No 1 size. You will also need fluoro leaders, around 6 to 10 feet of it on each rod - use 30 # to start. 5.What speed should i be trolling at? I know this changes due to conditions but just a starting point will help. Good speed is 2.5 - 3.0 mph. Sometimes they want slightly faster, no more than 3.5 mph, and sometimes slower 2.0 mph, but I always try and aim at the range I mentioned first. 6.What size of cannon balls? I think the heaveier your rigger can handle the better, to limit blow back. 7.Any info pertaining to fishing Bluffer's is welcome I fish West side of the lake. 8.Where's the fish? (just kidding) All over! No joke, the trick is getting them to bite!

PD how did you hook up the trolling motor? Where's it mounted? How do you steer? I have a 29 ft Rinker Cruiser, and am using the main engine, but the hours are racking up, so I want to add a kicker, but can't figure out how to make it work without spending a fortune.

Dipsy divers are the staple food of trolling. This is #1 and then you chose your secondary choices. I fish my dipseys from 30ft - 100ft. I fish with up to 4 WIRE dipseys at any one time. Mark

I think I just wet my pants ...

What about Sturgeon! Haha - we all want to catch one of those someday!

These are all the issues I've read about on fishing forums, in order of priority: - sail boaters abusing right of way - power boaters crossing stern over rigs - invasive species - gas prices - boat ramp prices and congestion - stocking plans

Only if the first mate is a 24C cup, blonde, blue eyes, wears only swim suits - and I'm not talking about a fat version of Hulk Hogan.

Man, I feel sorry brother. This sucks. If there's any silver lining here, at least it's at the end of the season and not during the middle of it. But still sucks big time. I hope you catch who did this.

Two methods that have worked for me: 1) boil the eggs until they are essentially like thick/firm jelly. You can then hook through them with a tiny hook (12 or 14). The eggs will ooze a bit, which attracts fish, but you will need to replace them every four or five casts. 2) put a single egg in a row bag and use a tiny hook (no 14).

Agreed, the only difference is I do take river water with me in a 2L coke bottle. Mix a TBL spoon each of iodized salt and white sugar into about a quart cold and stir till disolved. Then eggs go in for about 2 hours or so. Strain and dry with paper towel and back in the fridge for 24 hrs. For the other posts trying to get super balls here, I don't know if I'd want them super hard. You would want the eggs naturally soft as I think this improves your success for fish bites.

OK. Let me know if you got the latest PM about my decision.

For that budget $100 for a combo will be tight to get anything decent. Your best bet for a dipsey wire rod: Eagle Claw Roller Guide, 8.5 ft - around $30 or $40 Oukuma Convector 30D Reel - around $70 or $80 Torpedo 7 strand, 30# test wire, 1000 ft - around $30 - this will fit perfectly on the above reel, no backing needed. You will then need a good Fluoro leader - suggest Seagar AbrazX 30#. You will need good quality snap, ball bearing swivels - torpedo snap swivels.

Thanks for the PM. For some reason my reply is stuck in my outbox, so not sure if it got to you. Do they have a focal adjustment for both eyes (basically one directly on one of the eye viewers and the overall focus in the center)? Or does it only have the overall center focus? I'm looking for a pair that has these to sharpen the focus.

Where are you based? Anything wrong with them? I am interested.

No. If you are using a clean setup (no flasher) then use 10 feet leaders. Say between the dipsy diver and spoon, or I use a 6 oz drop weight attached to my main line, then 10 feet fluoro to the spoon. If you use a flasher (SD or paddle), then cut this to about 5-6 feet fluoro to the spoons. You should then also use fluoro from the dipsey to the flasher and about 5-6 feet again.

Kuba, If you want fish - go to 300 - 350 feet of water, that is the Blue Zone. Check weather first please, safety first!!! The fish in close are in spawn mode. They stop eating, their stomaches shrink. It is difiicult to get them to bite. The blue zone has the younger fish (1 and 2 years olds, and lots for steelhead). They are all busy feeding. Out there blue, green, red, purple all work - some colors do better than others on some days. Also make sure your setup is okay. Are you using fluorocarbon leaders? You should and they should be around 10 feet long.

That's definitely not a lot. It's a very good start. You will end up with lots, but no which half dozen to a dozen are your key patterns. You need to start using those flies. Most of the salmon I took this year came on flies.