carhartt123

When we used to take charters the expectation was never to set or choose the spread. In my eyes it didn't make sense to take part in those activities the experience of the captain in those areas got us on the fish, and gear in the water much faster then we ever could accomplish. When it came to getting hits and running to the rod hooking a big salmon nothing really compares to the excitement involved with that (as everyone here already knows). Not to mention 4 or 5 buddies laughing and busting balls about a small fish or missing a fish. I completely understand the captain protecting their investment and now that I own my own boat I know what goes into it. That being said when we took a charter we wanted to be involved as much as we could be. Some captians allowed more then others but I don't remember a time that we were not accommodated as much as possible. There were trips in the beginning that guys with us just couldn't get with the program and were rough on the gear. Usually a Bill Dance bass hook set on the wire dipsey rod. We made sure to make up for the lost gear at the end of the trip and those guys quickly were weeded out of the group going on the trips. Toward the end of our charter days the captians we went with were great about explaining how to set a spread, what to look for on the electronics etc... Sent from my SM-G950U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Over the years I have been on many charters,out with friends and now have my own boat. Everyone handled things a little differently. Usually there was not an issue with the rigger rods. The biggest issue I saw with someone that was not experienced with salmon trolling is with the dipsey rods. The rod would get pulled, reeled down and then slammed home like we were out bass fishing. Good bye salmon, good bye flasher, fly, and dipsey. Like most guys said just ask. Like yourself we always wanted to do the work and as each day went on and the captain got comfortable with us as a group the amount of things we did increased. Sent from my SM-G950U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I am someone that has a longer drive and a limited amount of time that I can commit to trolling Lake O. The one piece of equipment I would wish for would be an entry level speed probe. I dont really care about the depth or temperature I believe I can find fish regardless of that information but the speed is much harder to dial in without the probe. The $500 to $700 entry point is a tough pill to swallow. I know I can find used from $200 to $300 but then am I a few hundred in and just buying someone else's issues. I would rather buy tackle. Just a thought. Sent from my SM-G950U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

They remind me of ice fishing jigs. Sent from my SM-G950U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Gambler I'm not sure where you are located but yesterday I was at the cabelas in Hamburg Pa and they had one in the barging bin for $40. Good luck Sent from my SM-G950U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Adk as a fellow weekend guy I agree it is a big pill to swallow. I haven't made the leap to order one of the systems yet I'm still trying to get all the other basics in order first. For a type of fishing I only get to do a few times a year if I'm lucky I sure spend a lot of time thinking about it. Maybe it's a good thing I live a few hours away. Sent from my SM-G950U using Lake Ontario United mobile app