Turfwrench

The big smiles tell the story!!! Love it when kids have a great time. Congrats.

I also did a lot of research and had my eyes on the CP300. I do like the 3 year warranty. From what I read they are pretty good units. Let me know what you think of it. I plan on having one before the boat comes out this spring.

Welcome Turf/Bill. Where is Attica?

Attica is half way between Lapeer and Imlay City. Thanks for the welcome. Spend my time at Pt. Huron, Pt. Sanilac, and of course Sag Bay. Pt. Huron is the closest to me and did real well there this fall but really like Sanilac. Can't wait till spring!!

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. Although I may have to differ on the green, was not nearly as productive for me as the blacks were.

Jason,

I use the thinnest rubber bands I can get, half hitch it to the line. Pull tight then snap band in two. I use the miniature wooden clothes pin that I drilled a hole in then hang off a shower curtain hook. Seems the mini pins are a lot weaker so will release easy. Then I stick one end of the rubber in the pin. I have found that a short clip to the line allows for a quick release whereas if you use a longer rubber band it will give you more of a tattletale if it doesn't release it. I also use this style off my big board. Seems to work the best for me.

Yea, I remember reading that thread Frank. It is amazing just how much stuff we can put in the water at one time. Running my big boards I like to limit the lines to 4 on each side, good surf conditions. Most of the time I will only run my outside riggers, as they are on swivel mounts I can easily move them out of the way. Obviously the big disadvantage running the big board is the distance I put them out. With a lot of boat traffic I try to keep it shorter for increased turning. Seems there is always someone traveling out of sync with the pack that causes a need for quick turning. With the driggers, quick turns are no problem and I can get back on a school in a hurry. I also run the small 4 lb balls when fishing them in the 20' or less range with rubber band release. So if I get a small hanger on I can usually see the rod bounce.

Quite curious. Spent a lot of time on the bay this season and always observe the other boats near and afar. One thing I have noticed is only an occasional angler utilizes downriggers in the bay. Big boards and in-line planers seem to be the norm.

I most always have the riggers set when trolling especially with small spoons, or shallow runners that I like and want to get down to the fish. Sometimes I run a three way rig off the rigger set up with a diver and a spoon then run the ball down say 10 foot and let the lure dive deeper. I have had great success running them as a compliment to running the big boards.

How about your pros and cons??

Great topic for sure.

Being a stout salmon and lake trout fisher for many years I have developed my own personal preference. Though not without faults it has been quite successful.

I like to keep my drags firm but not too tight. I like to be able to pressure the fish early and get it working towards the boat. Once the fish is near I will loosen the drag a touch. (I use all Diawa 27H reels so it is real easy

to just sligtly move the drag star) I feel that once close to the boat that

all fish get that extra wind and dive away. It is then I do bow down and let them run. Keeping lighter steady pressure on the fish fish with a looser drag seems to help keep the hooks in the fish and not pulling out. I like to try to keep the fish off the surface (like Frank suggest) until you are ready to dip it. The fish is reeled in as close as needed to net then the rod is elevated to bring it into the net.

As far as the skimmers, well we just haul them in. They just don't have the energy or strength to put up a battle to be concerned about.

Nice looking whites there Dan. Were you in your new found friends "lucky spot" again Wouldn't mind getting a few of them myself but it is a 3 hr drive away. Looks to be quite a few guys on tawas cam this morn.

I have 2 never used that I am willing to sell. Asking $100 for the pair. Approx 25 miles east of your location.