AllenW

Is this what you mean? Scotty 1173 Powergrip Plus Line Release w/ 48" Leader & Cable Snap Do they seem to work better than the Cannon offshore ones? I had the feeling there was no simple answer for this, appears I might have to pick up one each of the Chamberlains, Blacks and Scotty's and make a fishing trip out of it. Al

As I think of this I might add Northern and Musky fishing to the mix, seems the Chamberlain will work for great lakes trout and salmon, but might release if I try trolling larger baits at +3mph I have a idea to try trolling for these fish running the downriggers at 15-30 foot using suspended hardbaits, any suggestions for this? Would the blacks hold? Maybe I need both? Al

Ok, thanks, make it which one of the three is preferred?

I have been using the Cannon offshore release and wandering the forum I found a thread on people using the chamberland release, I also see the Big Jon release mentioned. I like the idea of being able to load the rod up more and not have it release. Both look a bit similar and I was wondering is one preferred over the other? I fish Superior mostly for Trout and Salmon, using spoons for the most part on the riggers. TIA Al

Any suggested size/style for reg and magnum spoons? tia Al

Well, hoping to get three in the boat and then I can run 2 small, 2 reg and 2 mag and see what happens, figure it can't hurt much. Just wondering, how long do you guys give a spoon color before changing? Was thinking maybe half hour, especially if the finder shows fish. Lot bigger learning curve to this great lakes fishing than I thought. Al

I was thinking two separate lines maybe with planer boards, but that would work too, probably easier thanks. Al

Thanks all, probably just the musky fisherman in me, but if possible I'd like to run a bigger bait along with normal sized one for that just in case big fish. I was thinking 5" to 6" would be nice, not sure if they'll get any results, but can't hurt to try. Northport seems to still have a super mag at 5.25" I'll give them a try. Al

Just curious, does anybody use larger than the mag 4.75" spoons and if so, where do you find them. Do they work when trying for larger trout/salmon? tia al

Thanks much, at least now I have a few places to start once I get to the island, then depending on weather I can spread out my search if needed. Al

Can I ask where did you launch from and anywhere particular on the island, it's pretty big to just start at one end.. Thanks. Al

Thanks, grateful for all the help. Having spread this question over two other web sites, I’m coming up with enough suggestions to keep me going well past this summer. Add contacts to see before I go, and even a few people to go with and I think I have a pretty good basic idea of places to go now. Just have to learn how to catch them now. Thanks all for this and any other information coming. Hopefully this summer I’ll be able to post that fish of a lifetime, or at least a great trip with good people. Al

Just curious, people go out that far in 20 foot boats, looks like a 30 mile boat ride and if it gets to be rough water, that might be a bit much. ?? Maybe I'm over cautious but I could see having the weather channel on all the time. Al

Yes, and someday I will, but not with a new boat and not till I get more comfortable with big waters. Kinda like to at least see the shoreline for now. Al

I have been fishing from Duluth to Silver Bay on lake Superior and having decent success, but fish over 10# are few and far between, I've been reading and watching a few video's that tell me Lake Michigan might be a better choice for that fish of a lifetime, or just Lakers over 10#'s. And maybe that 20+# King I'd like to catch on a lighter (15# test) spinning rod. Not trying to get anybodies honey hole, but just a place to start at, perferibly on the west side of the lake as I'm coming from MN. I'll be running a Larson 2020 FX DC boat if that makes any difference. TIA Al

Maybe add a Weldcraft 202 Rebel to that look-see list please. tia Al

I am looking at a 20 foot ET Sea Runner soft top, and I have found dealers but no boat to look at now. So I am looking for somebody who has one that the wife and I could just take a look at. I'm pretty much sold on the boat, but am concerned with the bow area and the wife is just concerned and wants to take a look-see Anybody perchance have one I could look at and lives with in 300-400 miles of Mpls, MN?? TIA Al

I would go with the tabs anyway, they have worked well on my 185 Alumacraft Tourney Sport. But there isn't hardly any difference in weight between the Yamaha in line 4 150 and 200 Hp motors, the V-6 is a bit heavier though. Thanks Frank. Boat looks like fun Al

Still looking at either the Hewescraft 20' ProV or the 20' Weldcraft 202 Rebel. Hoping to see either soon and that will help but if you own or fished in either I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have, also maybe options you had to have or found you didn't need. TIA Al

I wish that too, but sometimes you have to take what information you have and think it over, and that's what happened with the sea runner, damn nice boat though. I will look at the sportsman, thanks I think I like the ProV better as it has the extended transom, access and room in the bow is a concern though, the sea runner was pretty poor for access with that lip. I was paying so much attention to the sea runner I don't remember much about the Pro you had in the shop. You know if there will be one at the Milwaukee sports show in January? Haven't given up on ya Frank, just have to find the right boat. Al

Has anybody even seen a 202 Weldcraft Rebel? I'm wondering if there's room up front for a bowmount trolling motor and pedestal, and access to get up front, is it reasonably easy? tia al

Looked at the Sea Runner at Franks, and he was great to deal with, unfortunately the SR is to big and looking at smaller Hewescraft boats now also. Hard to judge without seeing them though. Al

Ya I hope so, wife says I only get one retirement boat upgrade so to make it count.. Rebel seems to be the choice so far, but I haven't seen one yet and I would like to add a bow mount Terrova to it, hoping there's room for a pedestal and me up front. Hard to decide on a boat you can't see easily. Al

The last few years I have been fishing Trout and Salmon in Superior with a 185 Alumacraft Tournament Sport, while a nice boat imho it seems a bit small for the great lakes. I drove to Chicago and looked at a 22 foot Sea Runner and decided that was to big, plus it won't fit in my driveway. I am now looking at a Weldcraft 202 Rebel, unfortunately there isn't a dealer near Mpls either, and it was suggested I look at the Thunderjet Luxor Offshore boats also, another one with no dealer close. Perchance does anybody have or have been in either of these boats? I am trying to fish both the great lakes for trout and such and still fish for walleyes, crappies, etc in the smaller lakes of MN/Wisc. I can see a Rebel at the Milwaukee sports show in January but would like some personal opinions if possible. TIA Al

I picked up 4 of the 320GTI used from a friend and when I went through them I added drag washers from Smooth Drag and the reels have worked very well, none of that stickiness they seemed to of had before. New drag washers can indeed make a old reel work smooth again. Al