Speedy

Thanks..You are the best.

Thanks...Good advice. Never used bead chains. Don't they have a fin shaped weight in the middle. What size? Speedy

Thanks LongLine, I used to own/started Stowe Mountain Sports in Stowe, VT 30 years ago, sold a lot of fishing equipment; before new design braid, Flouorcarbon and Windows 10, was invented. LOL. Never too old to learn. BUT when I look at the many videos on YouTube 100% of the fishermen swear by the braid and flouro combo as the greatest invention since sliced bread. I understand the stated advantages of the braid, but there is also negative ones too, including costs and sea fleas sticking to it. Also the problem of attaching the braided line to a much thinner leader with a special knot (several types) that may get stuck in the top eyelet of the rod, or connection- break or just a pain. How bad is just using a good quality mono and tie on the lure? I have made a collection of many lures, spoons,etc and try to match the hatch with color,size, profile,etc. BUT. Oct 31 was our last day for trout and salmon in VT (except Champlain). Some guy was just leaving a spot on the Clyde River,noted for salmon and handed me his bait. Night crawlers. I smiled and tied on a simple bait-holder hook, size 8. I caught 2 salmon in 5 minutes using a half of a worm. They are just fish, and all fish eat worms. Are we "Over-thinking" all this special tackle, lines, leaders, etc. I have 15 nice lake here in the North-East Kingdom area of Vermont, some are over 300 ft. deep and ice cold. Lake Champlain has the most Salmon and Lakers but is a 2 1/2 hour tow for me one way. That's 5 hours of daylight not fishing, so I am trying to Fish Smarter. LOL Thank you and all the guys for the advice. "Ya Got to Hook em to Cook em". Speedy (78 years old and still having fun)

Thanks for the tips on Fluorcarbon. Might have been new/OLD stock via internet warehouses. Also I did notice that the line felt a little lumpy/slight different feel in smoothness when drawn between my fingers. I pulled off at least 10 yards to test and all the same. Figured that was just the way this new stuff should feel. Cut off that first couple yards and went on to spool the line on my spinning reels thru damp cloth and measured off and attached several leaders for my down-rigger /braided lines. Not casting with the braid, only on my bait-caster/line metered reels. I used several yards of Backing, then the Braid, then the fluro Leader. Manufacture's ads claim braid is stronger and thinner and doesn't stretch. 20 lb test is 20 lbs test, and isn't a little stretch Ok...to reduce the shock of a hard hit? When the rod is sitting in the down-rigger and gets a release there is always a few seconds before you can grab that rod and crank right? Rookie here so please explain. I have a 19 ft Sea Nymph set up with four down-riggers (two electric two manual), two Lowrance units (7 & 5) and a Fish Hawk, and no first mate, just my wife. So we are learning. Don't want to end up like a circus and kill the fun out of fishing for her,while spending too much time re-trying several lines all day. Started with just the two electric but added sliders (so 4 lines). I might try an experiment by removing the braid off two reels and spooling one with 100% Fluorcarbon and the other with 100% mono and test the results. Don't know if I don't ask. Thanks Speedy

Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention that my spinning reel was filled with 100% Fluor. on a 8ft. graphite Salmon rod I use for steel head fishing. The breaks were either inches above the split shot or down above the hook. My gut feeling is the temperature. Mono is more flexible and has more stretch than the Fluor. I'll bet it got stiff in lower temps. Air and water were in the 30s. Didn't stretch but snapped. Still thinking I might be safer to strip off all the braid with Fluro. leaders off my boats bait casters and refill with just good mono and not worry about loosing dozens of lures. Jury still out. Speedy

Thanks guys, but that really doesn't answer my basic question. Is the NEW Fluorcarbon really that much better than mono or is it a lot of advertising hype. Sorry to say it wasn't fish breaking my line, but little split shot snags. Got down to using zero weights, just the salmon eggs on a S.S hook and still snapped off when bouncing on the bottom. Again the comparative cost of the braid plus 100% Fluorcarbon compared to a good brand mono and the performance of the combo is questioned. Hate to loose several new lures with several lines out of the boat, plus the special care of using special knots to connect the two. I don't have any real experience to lean on, so I respect you Captains who have done this for many years advise. I have all my 8 bait casters all spooled up with braid and Flor. leaders but now a little Gun Shy. Thanks, Tight Lines Speedy

Today was opening day here in Vermont for Trout and Salmon (other than Champlain). Understanding this time of year the run-off can be extra strong. I have had success fishing the Salmon River/Pulaski,NY using good brand mono filament, catching steel heads, in really fast water. Someone please explain the real "Why" use braid, (not because it is a personal favorite) but some facts. I understand using a leader to make the presentation less visible. I'm told that the new 100% Fluorcarbon line is thinner and stronger than thicker test versions of mono. If it is that much better than why not just use 100% Fluorcarbon. Or 100% good brand mono. Today I snapped off at least 10 rigs, for the first time using 10lb Seaguar 100% Fluorcarbon. Cold fingers in the 34 degree rain, tying on new rigs made me think of better days. LOL This was on spinning outfits, but I have braid/fluor on my trolling bait casting reels and wonder why? Thanks for your advice. Speedy

Henry, I was the guy looking for a replacement trailer last year. Still using the old one, now with new wheels/tires/lights/paint job/chains/winch. Have a Good Christmas, Speedy

Well you guys are the greatest! I found and ordered a couple of the Scotty #1172 large size Power grips with 30" leader and a couple #1179 Scotty Stacker set up with 30" leader. Hopefully I won't have to belly dance over the size reaching for the cable. Also got a few Ball/weight retriever cord systems for added ease. I'll keep a Black set up on my manual riggers and get some practice when the lakes are smooth and in day light. Again Bass Pro Shops, Fisherman's Warehouse,, Sportsman Warehouse, Fish USA, Tackle Direct and Kast King didn't have these part numbers. Most didn't even stock them ever. Found them at Fish307 in Mass. Can't wait till Spring. LOL Thanks again Speedy

Thanks for your advice. I fully respect all the hundreds of years experience in this group. I'm not going to throw anything out. I might try a sample of the easier to use type and get some experience on my own. I understand what you guys are saying about a tighter and more adjustable/dependable grip. No Kings over here in NE Kingdom Vermont, only Land Locked and Lakers. But someday coming over to your ponds. I have four down riggers set up on the boat right now. I still have to learn about using the Fish Hawk and Sliders, and planer boards, lead cores and coppers...all by myself. I'll get it! Tight Lines Speedy

Good advice. I know Scotty is made in Canada. But most of the time I when I go to a fishing tackle web sight I get a girl tel-a-marketer or some guy who hasn't a clue about trolling. OR they only stock one or two of the brand,then out of stock and back order. Bass Pro Shops, Sportsman Warehouse ,Cabelas to name a few. My local marina is 99% pontoon boat, sail boat oriented, zero tackle...only Walmart. Who do you get your goodies from? Speedy

J.D. Thanks..BINGO! I thought it must have something to do with extra line slack from the loops. After thinking about some of the other YouTube videos about releases, they always instructed to start cranking in the slack first, then lift up the rod tip high to set the hook. Or...just use a different release that will usually set the hook at first strike. I owe you lunch. Speedy

Thanks guys... I understand the two techniques of wrapping/forming a loop with 6 or 7 layers,then place it in the clip. But why multiple wraps? Has any of you guys tried just one loop? Just wondering what the 7 wrapping loops does...give slack? The boat also came with two brand new Roeme releases, still in the bags, Their instructions say use one loop. Never used. I guess I'm an "Old School" guy, remembering Dad said "Don't touch the wood stove"..Why? I learned. I also have a 16ft. Aluma-Craft and thinking about taking one of the manual Canon down riggers off the Sea Nymph and installing it on the smaller boat for smaller lakes, but still 100ft. + deep. Thinking if I should re-do all down riggers with a different style that might be easier to use, but still be successful for trolling for Salmon and Lakers. Thanks again for helping a life-long stream fisherman now learning about boats and trolling. Speedy

Thanks again. I had a feeling it was just a little of "What we are used to" and not 100% proven fact". 2 cycle verses 4 cycle... New products keep popping up. I'm an old dog (78) and trying to get used to my 19 ft Sea Nymph, 90 hp, Merc,, 2 Cannon electrics, two Cannon manuals, two Lowrence finders, Fish Hawk, 24 volt Minnkota with I-Pilot. I'm not going to throw the Blacks overboard, but I really would like to see if the Scotty or others are easier to work with for guys just starting out. I don't have an experienced First Mate/semi-pro fisherman, just my wife. Also I'm in the North-East Kingdom, Vermont Lakes, and have to deal with jet skis, sail boats, and not have miles of open water like the Great Lakes. Just looking for suggestions as to releases (Christmas gift time... LOL ). Just trying to keep things as simple as possible. I can do the 4/5/7 wraps but why? Thanks for helping an old dog. Speedy

Thanks for the reply. I understand everyone has their favorite for one reason or another. I'm curious as to why the multiple wraps? Why not just one loop? Does it give extra slack? Is there a solid reason for the many wraps or just a "Thing to do because".... I really don't know, so thanks again for any help. Speedy

My boat came equipped with "Black" down rigger releases, from the past owner. I know there are several other makes of releases made. Due to our Spring/Summer floods and extreme rain seasons,I haven't had a lot of time using them. I had an experienced trolling fisherman use them once on my boat, and he said the Blacks require a 6-7 wrap/loop made and then insert that into the clip. With my old eyes/cold fingers/early dawn poor light, is this the BEST type and system. I see other brands with a single pinch required and to move the line further back in the clip for a stronger grip. Open to any ideas and stores, before I change anything on my 5 down riggers. Thanks, Speedy

I have a brand new 80 lb thrust 24 volt Minnkotta as my trolling motor. I need a electric start, electric trim 40 hp to get me across the large/medium size lakes with wind. So the 9.9 as the primary doesn't cut it. But thanks and ask around for one. Thanks, Tight Lines, Speedy

Well my AZ 9.9 Evinrude worked great out on those small, calm AZ lakes. AZ like many states have a size limit of 10 hp or less, thus my 9.9 fits. But Vermont's larger bodies of water has got me re-thinking my equipment. I think I might be better off with a 30 to 40 hp engine as my primary. Anybody have a good used 30- 40 hp tiller style or know of one for sale. Anyone interested in my 9.9 Evinrude for trolling? I called most of the marinas and zero results..."we can order you one".. LOL Thanks Speedy Cell/text: (520) 449-9999 or new email address: deaconnevins@gmail.com

That's great. I hope he is right. Next time I will bag and freeze them and get them over to Game and Fish. Didn't check the DNA but just compared to the color photos on their flyer. I'm still fishing either way. Thanks, Speedy

No...Actually the first one had two Alewives in his mouth and still took my lure. That's when I changed my second line to a Alewives looking lure and got the second one in minutes. I was told that the N.E. Kingdom lake were free of Alewives and lamprey eels. I doubled checked VT Game & Fish color chart hoping they were smelt or anything else. Nope. They are in the in-land locked lake.

So far only the Vermont bottom end. Don't have a Canadian license. Up there is the deep water, down in VT mostly 25-27 ft average. But I found a couple holes. LOL Got-em.

After towing my 16 ft. AlumaCraft 3,000 miles from AZ it finally got wet in Vermont waters. Understanding that the Salmon run was in April here in the N.E Kingdom I gave it a shake down run and picked up two Salmon. Both 18", 2+ lbs. . 30ft. out the back, 25+ down, Ivan's lures. Was a little surprised to see that the first one had two Alewifes in it's mouth/throat and still took my lure. I didn't think they were in lakes other than Champlain. So I changed the second line to a Crazy Ivan's #069 Purple Alewife and got the second one in minutes. Good clear day, lake like glass. Speedy