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If you are running braid backer of 30 lb, likely fits about 75 yds...here is what I do... wrap spool in duct tape, I use 50LB braid and put a handful of wraps (maybe 20ft), albright braid to wire, reel a few times of wire, one thin wrap of duct over wire where it hits spool as a sort of breaker are if I ever got into the spool that deep, then the rest of my 1000' wire. It's close enough to full that I don't worry I can fit another 50 yds of braid. I have been out 800' on a fish a couple times but with the sizes of kings now, hard to believe a risk being spooled if you know what you are doing..... unless maybe into mid 30lb fish. Just me as I rather not have that wire on the brim of the spool edge and get loose/wrapped in spool gears on the water.... speaking from experience By the way, for a mid-price between a Tekota/Fathom/Saltiga vs low end reels, they are a huge step up over a coldwater/convector etc.... if you own 15-20 outfits, saves a few bucks from the top line reels and they are more than sufficient in the 4+ years running them. And I also fish squall 20's with 65lb braid for 40-50 lb stripers in late fall in the Chesapeake Bay as well... 20's more than handle those size fish if that tells you anything about the drag and durability.

Are you guys seeing bait in Oswego?

4 man limits of kings in a few hours for the last month out of Oswego pretty much.....We were one of 2 boats fishing BTs to the west of Oswego on Saturday.

The Kings showed up in Mexico mid-late April and I haven't touched my brown trout gear since then. Usually we are fishing BT in Mexico until mid-late May and catching some kings mixed in, but never specifically targeting them this early.

I tried to do the salmon school this year but it was booked solid before I got to it. My dipsey leads are 12 feet.

Agree completely that kings send browns to the back of the line after stealing their lunch money. However, I wasn't aware that the king bite was so good out of Oswego, which is a traditional hotspot for BT. I did know that Matt and Brian both found numbers but no size...with the exception of one, of course lol. A 5 degree drop in temperature the day after stocking in 2020 would certainly be enough to decimate that year class. As for cormorants - isn't it more the norm than not these days? While I don't fish browns much, any decline in hallmarks of a healthy fishery gives me pause.

I made that same mistake last week,,,,( don't rot in dead water) says one of captain Pete's ten commandments,,,(or when in doubt troll out)

We fished them Saturday out of Oswego - had a 9.48 which was the biggest - my son thought it was over 10 when it hit the net - scaled it quick and it wasn't so he was bummed - already had visions of another youth LOC trophy for his trophy shelf in his room but it wasn't to be. It seems like early April there were some better fish around on the east end - we also grabbed two around 7-8 pounds the rest all 3-4 pounders. Landed around 18 BTs on Saturday. Agree with what Rick said and I think a lot of folks are fishing kings - why wouldn't you at this point. Its easy fishing right now and for us on the east end a rare spring time treat.

Some good advice above. I second the salmon school. Ive done the last two and picked up some good info each time. How long are your leaders on your dipseys? I ran 6 foot leads for a season and they didnt catch fish for me. I switched to very long leaders and it has made a world of difference.

2 small lampreys on a dozen kings out of Sandy on Saturday.

Don’t get discouraged. I’ve been fishing Lady O since the late 70’s We all have great days and not so great days Capt Dan Keating said something that I’ve always felt was a deal maker “ salmon fishing is more like hunting than fishing , you’re got to find them to catch them “ they are here today gone tomorrow . 90 % of the water is a desert. When you find fish work them. Don’t leave fish to find fish

Keep a journal Write down weather conditions, what is working.Write down everything. all the details and you'll find fish are creatures of habit

You were in too shallow, south winds have the fish out deeper now. We were catching browns and kings in 180 fow yesterday in Mexico.

Fished Mexico bay Saturday. 20 - 30’- fow , not a single hit. Nothing on spoons, nothing on sticks. I did hear reports of fish in 90’ down 20 to 30.

Your speed is good, start running flasher flies/spin doc flies on your divers. You will start to see your catch rate go up as most days the wire divers are a huge fish catcher. Run spoons on your riggers and then throw a couple of free sliders on each rigger line. That way each rigger covers multiple depths and the free sliders will get you into the steelhead and coho. My buddy and I usually run 4 rods. 1 diver on either side and two riggers each with a free slider. So we have 6 lures in the water and can dial the program from there. As for anything else, pay attention to the troll direction, current swings, and break lines. Here is a hot tip - as a small boat guy - when the pack runs out deep as starts "pounding them" just stay between 90 and 150 FOW and find fish on your own. I cannot tell you the amount of times guys look at the fleet and just assume there are fish there. In my experience (unless water conditions are way out of wack) you can do just as well staying between 100-150 and it will give you FAR less water to focus on.

I think I've seen 3 lampreys out of the 60+ fish I landed in Mexico this year.

Full disclosure, I have not fished for browns since March. Three trips, easy fishing and big fish in Niagara County. With the leading king in the low 20’s, everyone was trying for the money fish, especially with that brown leader on the board early. Still lots of browns being reported in the Niagara

I have had 5 lampreys in 4 trips so far this season. Not the numbers you guys are seeing out East.

Fixed

east wind on the first day screwed up the brown water for a portion of the derby beyond that having kings all over the lake defiantly drew people away from the browns. i did find a class of bigger browns a couple weeks before the derby and had multiple fish that would have been eligible as well so there are big browns out there they just benefitted from the conditions this year. With only 1 week and it being spring weather and conditions can really drive results.

Agree 100% - Salmon school is a great event - I was fortunate enough to be an instructor in 2023 along with Vince and Russell - there are also a lot of great free seminars at the LOTSA show - smaller rooms for the free seminars and a great chance to really ask a bunch of questions there as well. Develop a network of fisherman who are out there and share info - what works what didn't. Location is so important when it comes to being on active fish. Having access to latest info on the water always helps from a starting point. Bottom line - you have limited time to put it all together when out on the water - every day is different and over time you will start to "get it" and become more consistent day to day.