J.D.

The area just behind the hand grip where the gunnel gets a bit wider may be your only choice. The options below would allow you to remove the fishing equipment easily and return back to a family boat in just a few minutes. One option would be to install flush mount rod holders in the wide area and then use a gimbal mount downrigger base in the holder. Flush mount rod holder Downrigger base will fit in rod holder The next option would be to use a 90 degree straight rod holder, and mount a board across the back something like this one. 90 degree ,"flat" rod holder Devise a board that fits into the rod holders, high enough to clear the motor cover. Third option would be fabricating your own custom shaped mounting plates to fit that wider area. Perhaps a 6 inch section of track could be cut and shaped to fit there. you could add a riser mount in the track with a board across to hold riggers and rod holders. 6 inch track Downrigger riser fits in track I hope this gives you a few ideas. Good luck!

be advised....Japanese hook sizes are a bit different than US sizes...

If something bad happened on the lake this time of year, is help available? Does the Coast Guard or sheriff's dept. keep a boat ready for rescue, or are we on our own? I try to hit the lake by mid March, but have been uneasy about heading out this early.

I made one last year with a coat hanger and a 1lb. lead weight. It worked like a charm. Kinda looks like this, but my weight is where the jig is

The most important upgrade to my boat will happen in April. Six years ago, my little nephew joined LOU under the handle " Fishing's Finest", hoping to become a better fisherman. I've had him out with me a number of times learning about our fishery, and he loves it. For the last four years he's been in Europe, North Africa, off the coast of Iran with the amphibious assault ships, Japan, and is presently South of the DMZ in South Korea training the SC marines. He is a Lance Corporal, USMC. He returns to civilian life on April 2, 2021. The change from teenager to grown man has been astounding. This year we will switch up roles, he will learn how to handle the boat and trailer, pick the programs, and set the lines, and I'll sit back and reel in the fish...... I can't wait to get my fishing partner back! First King.... then Now...

I started using the tubing years ago,But switched to the fly heads for the last 2 seasons. I drill the hole in the fly head larger before I tie them up, able to change leaders just like the tubing. Either way works well.

I suggest you look for an upholstery shop near your location. They could open up your cushions and add new foam / padding, and make new straps to match. In Rochester, I suggest Howard's Fabric and Foam on W. Ridge Rd.

BOATLIFT, An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDOrzF7B2Kg

I've never seen a spoon with that pattern. I run a lot of Apex for kings sizes 4.5 and 5.0, they make a pattern called "popcorn" that's a good producer.

We caught a deformed brown a few years back, we nick named him "Leroy" He was a very slow swimmer...

The smiles say it all....

Watch this short video. Assume the left side is the US shore, the right side is Canada. The red water is warm, the blue water is ice cold Note 2 things: Multiple upwellings on both ends (the shorelines), and how stable things stay in the middle (the blue zone offshore) I hope this helps... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIkJ4xu9Ego

I also use this on my rig. Great ,easy to use setup.

I would give it a try. Back in the mid 90s' I bought a bag of frozen cleaned smelt from the local supermarket, split one down the middle, and jammed it in a Rhys Davis meat head. Ran it clean off the rigger in early August.... largest king of my career @ 34 lbs. Lots of options out there. ( I still use the smelt)