CaptLevi

Hitman,

That is about the same lineup as me. I have just started to pull copper in the end of "05" and increased to 2 set-ups last season. Both 30#. I am planning on adding 2 45#rigs this spring. I have a question for you and all who are copper savvy: Have you ever noticed a lot of screaming rips on copper that just seem to come unbuttoned within the first minute or less? I have this occuring from time to time and am looking for an input for a fix.

Thanks

Mountain Dew Spinney with a Rapture Fly Hitman NO-SEE-UM.

That's true. I don't intend to start earlier though. I try to cater more towards family and corporate groups than meat hunters. Most folks can't or don't want to get themselves and their kids up too early. Our normal departure is 6am, (5:30 mid-summer if customer is willing)Catching some fish and having a lot of fun and relaxation is what I try to sell. Plus we get plenty of nice catches as it is.

Then there is the safety issue. Every facet of chartering becomes a little more dangerous in the dark.(especially with part time fishing folks who are tired).

I do occasionally get out early if my group asks in advance and they have what I feel is enough charter fishing savvy to warrant it.

I run a bunch of doubles and prefer to start my afternoon trips later than most (3 -4 pm depending on season) so my customers can enjoy the sunset over the lake and be on the water for the hot twilight bite. By the time the fish and boat cleanin is done, it's usually well past 11 pm. I'm old and need my rest man!

Well.....I'd like to say that I reel down first. But usually I'm too excited and grab the pole and go like crazy!

You are absolutely correct Priority1. Although not completely IMO. Leadcore has different characteristics than mono or other lines and presents your baits a little different than them as well. It works like a rope in the water. On turns your outside lines go faster than with other lines and slower on the inside, actually sinking. Close your eyes and picture a wounded baitfish trying to evade a predator. When you see them attemping to swim they kind of veer a curve, not just make a darting evasive turn like normal. Leadcore imparts this type of action to baits, and I think I have caught many a fish due to these subtle changes.

Believe me when I say if I didn't have faith in this, I would just use snap weights and drop weights to achieve the same depths and distance from the boat.

While not always being nessessary to box a bunch of fish, leadcore is a regular part of my arsenal and I would feel a little shorthanded not running it in open water.

Yeah Caz, I've listened to 'em whine a bit! Think of poor Hitman's guests with the 20 color! OUCH!!!

We do three things to help out:

1. We use Shimano Tekota 800's for the increase of line retrieval per crank (no they don't endorse me)
   
2. We bring the board to the boat for 'em if they want (after the first time they want for sure)
   
3. We will always suggest they put the rod in a center holder for the less avid angler, just offer it to others
   

I've watched young and old give it their all to bring in big 'ol Kings on 15 colors. They never forget that fish for sure!

Also Offshore Tackle sells lighted strobes that can be attached to your flag on your inlines. They flash a real visible red and the batteries are replaceable watch type. I personally have not run lead core in the dark. Only time I run boards in the dark is stucture trolling for walleye. For salmon in the dark I try to cut back to three riggers and one dipsey per side. Safer and much less chance of tangles.

The line closest to the boat should be the line that sinks the most. Starting from the inside boards I usually run a copper (300'), then 15 color, 12.5 color, full core, etc.

This helps avoid tangles when fighting fish and when reseting lines. Also you usually have more backer on the smaller cores which helps when putting them farther from the boat.

I carry two of each: copper(300'), 15 color, 12.5 color, 10 color(full core), 7.5 color, 5 color(half core), and 2.5 color, and 8 high lines.

That covers just about any board application I need, and definately all I want to worry about choosing from!

12' can be a haul back and forth across the deck when their snappin'! But I still run for 'em. Just can't seem to help myself. Usually I find I say"THERE WE GO!!":eek: Sometimes it surprises the passengers a bit...... I like my first mates to be the same way. I think if we were bored at our task the customers wouldn't enjoy the trip as much either.

I had a guy workin the back once, he's 70, about 6' 9" and 275 lbs.of gruff old irishman. He's jumpin for rods and hollerin..."FISHON!"...at the top of his lungs every rip! Thought a couple customers were gonna poop their britches from fright!..........:rotflmao:

How deep is really deep? Ifish down to 150' or 175'. It's amazing how ya can't get bit on riggers up in the top 70' sometimes but the lead core will light em up! Lead core is by far my most productive set ups we run 3 or 4 per side whenever conditions allow.

What are you going to cover it with?

Oh Boy! Could be a bunch of us charters in deep doo if the levels don't rise soon!

They all work for me. Sometimes one brand will outshine the other, and I do find that some are better than others in certain colors, but all catch fish just fine.

But if I had to pick just one it would be Michigan Stinger NBK MAG. A day in - day out producer.

Mark Romanack's precise trolling covers snap weights and depths acheived with different weight/speed/line.

Many on-line stores as well as sport shops carry it. It comes in a great lakes trolling issue too.

I have 4 Penn 310 GTI's for sale. New in 2006. Used less than one month.(about 25 trips) I got a deal so I decided to go with all 320's for my non LC's. These reels are tougher than nails and have a very smooth drag.

Cost new was over $85 each. Will sell for $60 each or best offer.

Great Post Caz!

Well the gills seem to have stunted out in my pond. Anyone know how to killem of without endangering the rest of the wildlife that drinks there?

Well I have 4 of them for sale too! All new last season. I want $60 each or make an offer. They were used about 25 trips each.

That is one heck of a buy! You could get that easy on EBAY. I sold one there two weeks ago for $45. Why are you selling them? They are a very durable reel. With the drag upgrade they should be killer for anything we have in our waters for sure! Excellent for riggers and board lines!

Anyone looking for a good reel buy should buy this right away!

Well now ya made me blush. But I didn't invent the idea for sure. Got it partly from Shades and then saw another setup online at another forum. Just seems to work for me so I thought I would share it.

BTW I still have the walkers attached to my cable line in case I run low on rubber bands!

That looks like fun! Too bad I won't be anywhere near N.Y.

I have about 400 lbs. of lead I'd trade for some pancakes.

How do I make the exchange?

I'll take a couple Dave. Hopin to win a trip so someone else can do the work while I swill a brew!

Well the ice went out on my pond so I caught a slew of gills out there this morning.

I've used the Walkers for years on my personal boat and on my charter. they work well. I think I increased hook ups with the rubber band set-up since changing over on Sportboat.