J.D.

I've had a Depth Raider since they first came out. New one will set you back $450. Watch the classifieds on all the Great Lakes fishing boards, used ones come up for a few hundred. They work fine for down speed and temp.

VMC 9650

Anything you want is right here, this is his direct e-bay store. Fast shipping and always a few extras https://www.ebay.com/str/Mad-River-Custom-Fishing-Tackle?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

Am I correct in the assumption that the first 3 or 4 lots are "The Illuminator" plastic spoon blanks, not brass?

Been there, done that.... ( more than once). I keep telling my fishing partner, it's supposed to be fun, no more rough water. I officially retired this week and will only be fishing when 2 foot or less... now I have plenty of days to choose from. Thanks for the report.

Monday morning - Port of Rochester boat ramps closed.

Too cold to mow right now..... found this https://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/647175-tr-200g-handle-upgrade/

Give Andy at Tuna's Reel Troubles a call. I had 2 older Diawa reels I changed over to wire and he helped me find the correct power handles for my reels. He may be able to provide you with the correct part number for your application http://www.tunasreeltroubles.com/

Check here.... https://www.ebay.com/str/Mad-River-Custom-Fishing-Tackle/HOLOGRAPHIC-FISHING-LURE-TAPES/_i.html?_storecat=1513951619

Oldie but goodie.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5jdHa6hCLE

Using braid with longer fluorocarbon leaders will be fine. Once the water warms up and the fleas appear, the braid will load up with fleas and be unusable. Adding approx. 150 ft. of #30 lb. Big Game mono to the braid will help with fleas during summer months. I have gone a different route, spooling all my reels with #30lb. mono, then changing leaders to meet the season and conditions. #15 flouro. for browns, #20lb. for kings, no leader for flashers, dodgers, meat rigs.

I replaces my vinyl flooring in 2017. Here's a link to my old post. https://www.lakeontariounited.com/fishing-hunting/topic/62636-my-old-boat/?tab=comments#comment-461005

The copper just floats on the cable, the antenna wire is secured to the rigger boom with wire ties.

1/2 or 3/4 inch diameter would be fine as long as the stop bead goes through. I had a piece of 3/4 x 3 1/2" laying around so that's what I used