J.D.

Have a buddy with a 16 Sea Nmmph, 40hp Mercury.. added a trim unit like this one to his rig... It worked very well http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat350012_TGP&id=0000925011020a&navCount=4&podId=0000925&parentId=cat350012&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

information at this link: http://www.lakemichiganangler.com/tips/pdf/dipsey_diver.pdf

I have a Minn Kota power drive on my 17 footer... 55lb. thrust, 12 volt is all you will need. I have the long shaft ( 54"). I love sitting in the back of the boat in rough water instead of the bow. The auto pilot keeps you running in a straight line so you're fishing instead of steering the motor all day. Mine is 6 years old and still works like the day I bought it http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98449____SearchResults

Looking for a small canoe or kayak, used or very used, dents and dings -OK as long as it floats.. Thanks, Ron 585-247-4553

Sea Hawk Raft, model #400.....brand new - in the box. 4 person, 528 lb. cap. 118" long x 53" wide $40 takes it home. Here's a link with more info: http://backstore.stores.yahoo.net/newseah400in.html Please call Ron @ 585-247-4553

salmonite, I have 2 Cannon retro -ease cannon ball retrievers new in the package...... you can have both for $15...

2- Ugly Stick 8'-3" light rigger rods with Tidewater 30LCI line counter reels $40 ea. 2- Cabelas'a Depth Master 7'-6" trolling rods with Cabelas'a Depth Master D30 line counter reels $40 ea. Call Sam @ 585-429-7244

I use the Walker clincher set up as shown in Sponge's photo, and a Blacks release above it just like Longline has shown, and remove the DR probe after each trip..... readings with 200 feet of cable out with no problems.. Jim S.

After a few lively debates with some fellow fisherman, it seems like none of us can agree exactly what the best temps. are to target for each species of fish while setting up your spread. Hoping some long time trollers can help by listing their target down temps. Thanks, Jim S. My List: Kings 48-55 browns 55-60 steelhead 55-65 lakers 40-50

I agree with Ray..... been stacking riggers since day one and on some days, it's the hot ticket.. My go to stack is a spoon 30' back on the bottom with a flasher/fly or Evil Eye high speed dodger/squid 10' above and 10' back. Some times I run 2 dodgers with a 000 on bottom and a 0 on top like a giant mupp rig. Just my $.02

Freeman, I had this very conversation with the owner of Northern King lures last year at their spring factory sale. LongLine's post on speed is spot on. Many spoon blanks are sold during the sale, treble AND single hooks are available from NK to "build your own" spoons. I run all single hooks in the sizes they recommend, and get my share of fish. NK mags...4/0 single siwash hook NK 28.... 3/0 single siwash hook Run 2/0 hooks on the smaller / lighter spoons I hope this helps.... Jim S.

I had my 620 on a RAM mount before I "re-configured" my dash...... any thing you want here....... http://www.ram-mount.com/marineelectronics.htm

I believe this is the best deal on the web............ http://www.hodgesmarine.com/SI-TEX-MARINE-VHF-RADIO-p/sitmariner.htm

I have a slightly used 13lb. pancake weight laying around.... take a look at Fishinman's post below, buy Tom's weight first, and if you would like to have a pair, I will sell mine for for the same price. Note: PM Tom First !!..... no one gets mine until his sells !!

still blocked off as of Friday

Neil, I believe all the units listed above have multiple steering screens.

nice basic unit for the price.... http://www.hodgesmarine.com/FURUNO-GP32-GPS-p/furgp32.htm or this one....... http://www.hodgesmarine.com/GARMIN-GPS-152-GPS-p/gar010-00227-10.htm

Tom, My post for today is almost the same as yours... on the water at 7:30, Russell to Braddocks and back, 7-35 FOW, 1 - 6lb. brown early off the bluffs west of Russell... lots of green water, but 44 degree temps. everywhere. was hoping to see some bait out @ 35, ....nothing. Pulled boards and riggers. Note: the brown was full of bait.. all less than 2" long... Out again Friday morning, will run to I bay / Webster area ..gonna' run some C-5's and baby rapalas.... Jim S.

another vote for Furuno 620....... best unit I've ever owned...

Ray, here's the link to the weather station at Olcott Harbor... real time data you can check before you head North... Jim S http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=OLCN6

I have 2 Traxtech downrigger swivel bases, part # SB-45 41/2" tall, 2 years old. Would like to trade straight up for the same bases in the 3" size, part # SB-3. Here's a link to the web site http://www.pursuitsports.com/store/downrigger_mounts.htm Thanks, Jim S.

For those headed out this weekend: I stopped by the launch ramps on Lake Ave. after breakfast on Friday and found construction starting for ramp repair. The North ramp was being sand bagged and pumped out for new concrete, the center ramp was blocked by a pay loader and a sand pile ( which may be moved later ). The South ramp was still clear and usable.

Posting a few items for a fishin' buddy... 1 Daiwa Black Widow rod, 8' 6" medium action 2 Shimano Triton rods, 8' heavy action 4 Daiwa Great Lakes System Eliminator rods, 8' 6" medium action 1 Tidewater 30L Reel spooled with new Trilene Big Game, 30lb. test line 2 Downrigger weights, 10lb. round with fins. Rods and reels are $15 each Downrigger balls are $25 for the pair $120 takes it all...... you pick up or pay shipping.. Questions or offers ?? e- mail Todd [email protected]

I second Steve's Custom Canvas.... Did a cover for me in 1992.... some of the best work I've ever seen.

Keep an eye on wind direction early in the week. A light West / North West wind can push some of the warm water from Russell Station and to some extent, the warmer water blowing out of the Greece ponds to the East and trap it along the Charlotte beach area between the West pier and Russell. A bit of sun on that shallow sandy bottom will bring the temp. up a bit. We've had some very good early season mornings along the beach in 5-15 ft. depths. Look for a color line, or water with a bit of "green" color. Lots of guys anchor up in the warm water discharge from Russell Station and cast small spoons and minnow baits. Chartruse Rebel fast tracks and fire tiger Storm thunder sticks in small sizes were good last year early. I'll be running my rig in the driveway by noon today and should be running out of Rochester by next Friday...weather permitting... looking forward to you post next Wednesday...GOOD LUCK !!