LongLine

Start with: “Honey, you’ve done something different with your hair. I really like it. Grr… very sexy†Then: “Honey, after all these years of marriage, you’re absolutely right that it pays to shop around. I finally got this & saved a bundle. (At this point rip open the box being sure to destroy the box – remember timing is crucial) New ones go for a fortune over at XYZ Boating Supply. I got this one for a song & a dance and a really big savings. It’s practically brand new & has a great warranty. I didn’t even have to pay shipping on it. (Lie - add that you got it on e-bay and that you didn’t have sales tax.) I even got bonus purchase points on the credit card that we can put towards that “XYZ thingy†you’ve always wanted…Did pretty good for us didn’t I? Golly, you sure were right. I’m sorry I ever doubted you.†Then proceed out to the boat & begin installation. Then if that doesn’t work, stick you head out of the doghouse and: “Please, pretty please can I keep it? I promise we won’t go to McDonald’s on Mother’s Day again…I’ll try to remember to put the seat down…Please can I keep it?…It was on the shelf calling my name, how can anyone resist that?...Please?…The guys will laugh at me if I don’t have one this year...They probably won’t take it back anyways because it’s electronic & the box is ripped… Please…I won’t hog the TV watching any football for 3 months…Please?...the clerk didn’t give me a receipt…aw come on...Mike's wife let him have one...I thought you loved me...†Then, after your black-eye heals and your arm is out of the sling….....

I assume you're inquiring about the Great lakes surrounding Michigan. In the New York waters of Lake Ontario & Lake Erie, each sportsfishing angler is allowed to run two lines, with or without rods. Each line is limited to 5 baits/lures. Each line is also limited to a total of 15 hook points. (a single NYS treble hook has 3 points) This is a carry over from years gone by. Sportsfishermen, especially open water trollers, don't fish without rods, which is only one of many reasons we're trying to get the NYS law changed. Others include economics, exploitation, fish dispersal (Please see Lake Ontario forum - 3 rod rule thread)

We've been having a discussion on a couple other boards concerning changing the current "2 line" overall NYS rule to a 3-Rod Rule for the open waters of Lake Ontario somewhat similar to the Michigan rules. There's an online petition supporting it at: http://www.petitiononline.com/3rrolo/petition.html Please take a moment to visit & sign if you are in favor of it. Thanx, Tom B. (LongLine)

Apparently what you have works thus is not too much stress on the mounts. (Unless it twists squeaks or the glass bows when you’re under way) The mounts are a fulcrum and the board is the lever. Currently you have the force from two of the riggers pulling somewhat downward on one on end of the lever (aft of the fulcrum) and the force from the other two directly on top of the fulcrum. Moving two riggers towards the bow moves their forces to the other side of the lever (bow side of the fulcrum) hence forces will tend to balance the lever or cancel each other out. However a board that is not straight across will become unwieldy to handle & stow upon removal. If you want more room around the riggers and angling them won’t do the trick then I’d go with a track system. One thing to think about though is how you net the fish you catch. Do you get them off the back or off the side? I would not advise mounting riggers in the way of netting fish.

You could make a "u" shapped board and use aluminum angle supports under it. The added stress from the forward riggers will tend to force the front of the board downward, not upward. Whether the force on the mounts will totally cancel the forces from the inside two is a subject for mathematical debate. If I wanted more room for the inside riggers, I think I'd actually move them inward and remount them at an angle. Who says riggers must be mounted perpendicular or parrallel to the transom?

Jim - Did you have a chance to get out? Did it work better on the slower rigger?

On non-coated cable I use two Black's. One above the ball & one as a stacker. On coated I use a black's above the probe & a double pinch-pad as a stacker.

So if you're going down to 100 Ft, do you go down all at once or in stages? Obviously, I'm suggesting your go down in stages, but don't blow the motor/brake with constant stop/starts. Bigger, stronger, faster is great on the way up provided the boom can take it...sucks on the way down though.

Does this happen with any particular type of lure more than another? I.e spoon, flasher, plug? Does rate of desent have anything to do with it? I.e. lowering ball fast vs slow?

Problem with VHF during derby time is that when one guy says he's catching fish at 35 down over 50 FOW, a crowd may form in that area. The other day, I heard a guy on the radio tell his charter buddy that he was cathing them at 15 over 25 off the Genny. As I was in 25 FOW and there was no one else within eye-shot, I realized he was out to the 25 line (latitude) which is over 300 FOW. Love codes. "Oh what a tangled web we weave..."

If it happens with the release above the probe, I can only think of two ways for line to wrap around the cable: 1) It’s happening above water & you’re not seeing it. That has happened to me if my release is not free spinning on the cable. The probe rotates out of water, especially with swiveling the rigger forward /backward. The release and line can wrap around the cable. 2) Do you put the boat in neutral with the probe down & line attached, such that the cable goes vertical? The line could settle lower than the probe, in the water, while the cable is trying to untwist itself hence spin the probe. Again, with the release not free spinning.

Did it work?

No fool proof system that I know of. Things to keep an eye on: 1. What & where did you catch last week? 2. Check reports for the area for the week before trip 3. Check weather/temp charts 4. Monitor temps on the way out 5. Slow down & watch graph about a mile before you get to where you think the fish might be. If you see stuff on graph, send probe down & confirm temps. If all's looking good, set up your program. If not go deeper. Tom B. (LongLine)

Thanx Frank. Did that. Definitely overcharging. Found out how to check the stator & it's shot. Good thing I got my income tax back.

Any outboard electrical charging experts out there? The voltmeter on my fishfinder says I’m charging at 16.5 to 17 volts. Last year it read a solid 13.5-14 volts. It’s a 1984, 75Hp Evinrude. I installed a fully charged dual purpose 650 battery this year. I can’t find in the manual what it should be charging at. I did a continuity check with ohmmeter on rectifier and it seems to check out okay. I.e. resistance in one direction only – all leads to ground. Although resistance wasn’t infinite. Possible it’s breaking down and smart to replace it anyways? Any ideas? Tom B. (LongLine)

You can buy plastic tubes & storage box for flies: Horizontal storage box http://www.siggsrigs.com/tubes.html Vertical storage box http://www.atommiktrollingflies.com/flybox.htm I bought a Siggs. Made up some labels on the computer (large font so I don't have to put on reading glasses) & attached them on side of tube with 2 inch wide clear tape. Also I drilled two small holes in each cap, just in case I put the flies away wet.

I'd still put it up front. The helmsman is watching where he's going (into/with the current, etc) and has other engine stuff to watch. Fishing partners are usually watching the rods, etc. How about mounting it on top of the dash between the seats, straight back, so it can be seen from the helm & from the back. The helmsman can always relay the message to anyone in the back to adjust speed & they'll be able to see it to verify the adjustment. With your statement that the board provides some security or something to lean against during netting, I personally wouldn't want it where it could possibly get in my way i.e. bump it, or in harms way i.e. splashing from waves at high speed etc. Up front, it's always out of the elements.

Mine's in the dash so the helmsman can always see it. However the Sub-T has a large enough display that it can be seen from the back.. One drawback to mounting it in the rear is if a 2nd or 3rd fisherman is standing back there, they'll probably block the helmsman's view.

If you can keep a flatfish underwater at more than 1.8 mph then more power to you...or else you need your probe calibrated. I find the silver and pearl colors to be good for Browns at about 0.8-1.2 mph.

Lake Ontario; off Rochester; shallow :D:D:D:D:D Few weeks later, went deep for the "big ones": :o:o:o:o:o

Off the side every time. I learned this the "hard way" by having one dig for the bottom with a slightly tight drag. He took my rod right into the lower unit. Gaffs are illegal in NYS.

Frank, Nail polish is basically a fast drying lacquer. It’s more water resistant than the superglues. Along with rod eyelets, I’ve also used it on trolling fly thread that I tie. I used to use it on wooden rapalas where the wire (front & rear) enters the plug, just to prevent the plug from getting waterlogged. The brush in the cap is a good applicator. When you’re in the drug store also pick up some toe-nail clippers and disposable nail files. They work great on cutting fishing line and for touching up hooks. Just tell the clerk you can’t afford a manicure...or that it's for your better half. Tom B. (LongLine)

I use a flashlight called "Illuminator." It's a wind up LED & just as bright as a camera flash. (At least I can't look at it) About $17. No batteries, no bulbs to buy. Easy to find, just do an internet search.

King for brutte strength & speed, however a 15 Lb Atlantic (which are extremely rare) will put anything in freshwater to shame.

For anyone that is by the size of Big-O fish, rest assured that not all of them look like the above or like this Every once in a while (maybe every 30th or 40th) we catch Some guys call them shakers but I’ve been told some have given them a first name ..........“Mich†...er..."Mitch" (just playing...gosh those are good meds...come on spring)