AllenW

I know a lot of people love the Blacks releases, but I've always preferred the pinch pad type myself. I use the large Scotty releases with the long tether. you can absolutely load the crap out of those releases without getting false releases and with the long tether, shakers are clearly telegraphed to the rod tip, even with a fully loaded rod, so you're not dragging them around.

Tim

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

I fish with Chamberlain's and like them better than the Offshore releases but I might have to try Blacks. Even when tightened down the Chamberlain's tend to release over 3 mph on GPS.

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

another one to throw in the mix is the blacks release.also able to load that one up.

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

Owners are the answer they don't let go The problem with Steelhead is slack in the line they will charge the boat wrap the line around themselves and often shake the hook out. We had one a couple years ago that went nuts at the net and ran about half way thru the run I felt the hook let go and was bummed except a few seconds later I got a huge jolt on the rod and it felt like a much larger fish was on. When we got it back to the boat we were dragging it sideways as the line had wrapped around the fish and when it spit the hook it grabbed him in the middle of the back. When I am in Steelhead mode I consider 50% making it to the net a darn good day.

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

Sounds like the MUP rig (Magnum Up) is what you want to run -- or maybe the SMUP (Super Magnum Up) . Basically a regular size spoon on the main rigger line and a bigger spoon of the same pattern (mag/smag) on the fixed slider 10' above.

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

I would suggest Isle Royale for some dandy lakers. When I lived in the Keewenaw we used to run over every spring around Memorial Day for several days. The lakers were usually right up on the reefs and not uncommon to catch 20+lbs just highlining. The largest our group caught was 32lbs.

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

algoma n kewaunee r also good not sure about the lakers but lots a kings and bunches over 20 this year. as stated will c what next year will bring.

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

algoma n kewaunee r also good not sure about the lakers but lots a kings and bunches over 20 this year. as stated will c what next year will bring.

Isn't Stannard Rock on Superior?? That's where I would go for a laker trip of a lifetime!

Good Luck!

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

Isn't Stannard Rock on Superior?? That's where I would go for a laker trip of a lifetime!

Good Luck!

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

The Hewes craft proV has been around for a while but the extended transom version is new for 2013

The hard top just came out in 2012

there is quite a few hard tops around to look at but not many extended transoms yet

I had one on order but had to switch the production slot out for a different model I had sold that was not on order

I highly recommend a 150 or lighter motor on this boat any thing bigger get the trim tabs

all aluminum boats with 4 stroke motors could use trim tabs but with the bigger motors or added weight of kickers aft begs for trim tabs no matter what brand boat it might be

I know Al is performance orientated most people would not ever notice the difference

A calumet marine we know small changes can make big differences in results

RIP

my old buddy COHO Harry He is greatly missed fishing buddy (last picture)

check out a couple cool shot performance you tube videos of ours

IMG]http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q22/hondacat522/fishing2010/dadsolderpictures1289.jpg

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

Hi Al

Frank Here

We had a sportsman in the yard when you where here wish I would have known the sea runners where too big

we sell a lot of 18sportsmans people just can not believe they are only 18' boats

guys love them for both small lakes and rivers and on nice days big water

a 18 with a 75 or 90 Honda really keeps the price way down as well

Happy shopping Al

Frank calumet marine

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

Hewscraft is another similar style boat. Great Lakes dealers include Calumet Marine (south shore of Lake Michigan and a site sponsor) and a place in International Falls. Everyone that I know of that has bought one from Frank at Calumet is extremely happy.

Alumaweld and Woodrigde boats are also the heavy duty welded aluminum hull designs from the Pacific Northwest.

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

Decisions, decisions! WOW both of those rigs look really sweet! No matter what, i think you're gonna be a happy fisherman!

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