Dirt,  maybe copy and save the the file, then open with excel. When I click on it, the file opens right up. Someone with more computer knowledge will be along to help out ,I'm sure.

I hope you can open this Excel  spread sheet.  Just plug in the variables.

reel_fill_calculator.xls

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

I get mine here....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2D-FLAT-FISHING-LURE-EYES-BEST-IN-VALUE-SHIPS-FROM-USA/181678659671?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=690922152387&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

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...

12 hours ago, John E Powell said:

I have wire tied to spro swivel, tied to 15-25’ 30lb big game, tied to ball bearing swivel, tied to 4-5’ fluorocarbon leader.

Diver is installed to slide on big game. Clear bead installed on big game and rests against ball bearing swivel (on lure end) and prevents diver sliding last 5’ to fish.

I prefer how the slide diver release holds, and operates, on mono compared to braid.

The tiny Spro swivel at the end of the wire winds right through guides and levelwind.

X2... excellent setup..

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.

Don't get stuck on just 1 brand. Each manufacturers baits have subtle differences in movement. Some have a tight side to side wiggle, others more of a rolling side to side wobble. I've had days when only one "brand" of bait would fire when others in the same color and length would not.  

Bay Rat, Rapala, Bomber, Smithwick, Storm, Rebel all have a place in my tackle box.

Old guy tip:

Use a Sharpie permanent marker to write the maximum diving depth of the bait on the underside of the lip.

BOATLIFT, An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDOrzF7B2Kg

13 hours ago, codybuehler said:

I was wondering what all of you were up to just inside of us. We were playing around in the 185-220’. Saw the same current issues. All of our bites were headed west, in a wide range of depths. 45-80’ down on the riggers, 10 color lead cores and 212’ on the dipseys. Had to fight the speed headed back East.

 

Ended up 6 for 12. I assume all kings. Couldn’t land a good hook set on the bigger fish on the dipsey. Took some drag and slipped the hook.

 

 

This silver streak did most of the work for us today. Can’t find a replacement anywhere. I think it’s Peppermint Patty? The rest were green and blacks.

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.

13 hours ago, codybuehler said:

 

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

Save your gas Wally, The wind will shift and they'll be here before you know it.

Jim S.

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

Bay Bridge Sport Shop has fisherman's apartments, dock, fuel, tackle

https://baybridgesportshop.com/rooms

My favorite spread is "I can't Believe it's Not Salmon" ......   made from mechanically separated lake trout parts...

More options from the tackle menu on the left side of the page

https://www.michiganangler.com/Flashers.htm

On 7/9/2018 at 9:54 PM, TrophySeeker said:

Or this. Don't worry about what is there. Run 8awg red and black (or yellow) to the battery. Fuse at the battery at 30 or 40 amp. Wire all your accessories to the new panel, and fuse accordingly.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Lake Ontario United mobile app
 

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)

Loop the line back through the bead. it holds in place but still can be adjusted.

Watch the "Tangled Tackle" meat rig video on you tube..

X2

Send a PM to L&M ( Hank) he's a moderator on this site and  a top notch marine mechanic... he'll have an answer for you

Flashers are plastic, dodgers are metal. They have different actions and give off different sonic vibrations. I have days when a dodger will take fish when flashers won't, usually as my deepest rod. Run your favorite fly, plastic squid or hoochie behind them same as a flasher.  Most summer mornings, I have one of each in the water to start and let the fish tell me what they prefer. Dodger on the deep rigger, flasher on a wire diver.

Just my $.02