chinook

Hey Nick, I can almost assure you that I'm probably one of the most unselfish individuals that you would ever meet.Not saying this to gloat- but I won't say how much I've donated to different pen rearing projects across the southern shore of Lake Ontario. Let alone the monies I put into various youth sports of my local area, being not only team sponsor, team manager, League VP, plus setting on the board of directors, and lastly tournament director this year for 4 out of the 5 tourneys that we held this year. So I say this, to say that making the suggestion that the boat gets 10% is not being selfish I.M.O. one bit. As a matter of fact, when I take a new crew and explain my suggested prize payout structure most figured it ( 10%) would be higher than that, due to various aspects. Such as tackle usage, wear and tear plus possible loss of. Many make the comment that they simply couldn't fish had the mode of transportation( boat) not been available to them. As far as splitting it evenly, if that is the case, who pays the taxes on the winnings? At even split as you suggest, the guy who takes 20K splits it evenly, then takes a bath come tax time. That is why I suggest 70%- 10-10-10- This is just my opinion, but for someone who provides all the means for others to derby fish, and hit with a derby fish that could win thousands, a small % is not to much to ask I feel.

Rod, have to admit that I laughed when reading your follow up. I'm pretty much the same as you esp. when I see we have a large target hooked up. I have a good friend who has fished with me many years and still wants to net from the tail instead of head first. Takes a number of attempts before it is boated on occasion. I'll let him net the smaller silvers, but like you, when we are into a big guy. I'll take the responsibility of netting please. Which leads me to mention, and it was broached upon on another thread. When we are hooked into a major, that at the time I feel is going to be a possible money fish, we at least totally clear one side of the boat. Starting with the longest junk lines and working in. And if need be, starting on the second side as well. It requires a little more work and yes you may not hook into a double up, but I believe this increases one's odds in putting that target in the boat. As Clarke mentioned about working and weaving around the rigger cables as an example. These lines as well are pulled in due time, if need be. Best king we ever boated ( 38-9) dang near spooled us. Actually had to turn, give chase, to retrieve line. Again, team effort to land that king. Rod- need to convey a short story about netting- a couple years ago during the L.O.C. we were fishing off the flats at the Oak. Hooked into a real decent king and let the young one ( 12) on board fight this king. Hoping to put in on the board for youth. Needless to say this king was pushing 30#. So I went to net the king, king totally in the net, brought it up hand over hand, with bag below handle, etc. At that point, the dang hoop literally pulled out of the handle( yes it was pinned in place to begin) rivets gave way- and the hoop along with the king, slowly floated on top of the water for about 10 seconds before slowly starting to sink. I know that king would have taken top honors that year for the youth, for it ( the youth winner) was around 24 I believe. And literally seeing that king up close and personal, I know the app. weight of the " one that got away" Sad feeling at the time esp. for the boy. But now, looking back is kind of funny. So I feel your pain. But that is what makes this fishing, the challenge of various aspects such as this. But don't you just relish every minute of it? Nothing better- well maybe not quite Irregardless, be safe as well and to all- as mentioned. If you're at the Oak, give me a call sometime. -Duane- HeavenBound- P.S...Gene- keep the faith and fish with confidence. It will happen to you. Remember the time back probably 20 years ago, spring ESLO, a guy won the derby out of a 14' flat lining a J-11 Rapala. So you never know. This was in the days of Cash Bash, Kidney fund, boat and trailer package etc. Needless to say he moved up in boat size.

Rod, I do remember the very story you are talking about. But this was an entirely different happening all together. Not to many years ago, as you probably remember, there were a number of DQ's there for a few days, for whatever reason. The event I speak of never made it to that stage of even being DQ'd. The station didn't even enter it. However -speaking of winnings and such- this is how I set it up on my boat with all knowing up front what is expected. We take turns at the rod, not so much as landing a target but once a solid hook up occurs and if you drop it after a solid minute, that was your turn. To bad. So sad. Better luck next time. Any target landed no matter the size counts as your turn.Even the skippys. This keeps one individual from dominating the rods. It is in fact a team effort as stated by Clarke, couldn't agree more. Thus is why the payout structure is this on the H.B. Based on a 3 man crew- Anything under $500.00 the person landing the target takes 100% Anything over that amount- the person landing the target takes 70%-Boat 10% and the remaining 2 crew members get 10% as well. This has worked extremely well over the years and all know up front so there is no hard feelings of "after the fact" Let's face it here, we are fishing for some serious cash. Friendships have been ruined by not having a plan in place. This I have found is about as fair a plan I've implimented along the way. Rod, best of luck to you in the L.O.C. Hope to see your name near the top of the leader board. ( under mine of course)

Nope- Hope to be wrong though.

Ray, best of luck to you as well filling up the board with the Oak kings As I mentioned though, just leave me the 35#'er- Be safe -Duane

Thanks Scott, I'm just letting all know what happened in this regard. Best of luck in the LOC-Duane

I have to go with Rabbit on this as well. Clark I just simply wanted the cutoff moved back and you come up with this As far as passing off the rod, I question what Scott said on that however. Reason being I know for a fact 2 years ago there was a decent king landed and weighed in, which would have ended up in the top 5 for the entire derby. Weigh station will remian unnamed. The weigh station master asked the father on three different occasions who caught the king? Response was- not exactly but close" The kid fought it, got tired so I brought it in and landed it. Again was asked who landed it and same response, the third time asked-same response-so the weigh station master said not a valid king for passing off the rod. This is 1000% true. So what is the deal here?

Scott, I can assure you that I do understand the rules and play by them to a tee. Have since the early days of E.S.L.O. I simply don't agree with the cutoff time. Nothing wrong with constructive criticism ( such as Mark bringing to light about Rec boat names) and trying to point out an area that needs addressed I.M.O. and by many others. Duane-HeavenBound

Capt. Carl, I know what you mean with Sharon and such. I'm only saying what their hours are and such. I see they hired Dennis from the old Capt. Cove. I think that she is somewhat frustrated ( as usual) in that she has had the place up for sale, breaking her leg over the winter, but mostly as she always has said and I can verify, trying to find good help that wants to work. But Dennis is a good addition to that establishment. Sorry I missed you on Sunday. We went to the Village Inn on Saturday evening after the severe weather statement came thru. Talked to your customers that were going out with you on Sunday. Told them they were going with an excellent Capt. and that you would show them a good time. Told them to convey my saying Hi. Sent you a PM on Monday. I have the radio set on scan for the most part. Must be why I missed you calling. I may make a trip up on Sunday, but have an extended stay planned for the 22nd thru the 1st. Most defiantly will get over to see you at some point. Saw your pics on the Oak site. Good job and nice going. Be talking at you soon-Duane- HeavenBound P.S. Dave I do believe you are correct in your weights on this.

I realize that most of the weigh stations are private businesses. But I learned a long time ago that being in business, you have to spend money to make money. Meaning, what if they had to pay someone to stick around an extra hour? How much do you think they ( the business owners) are missing out on by not staying open that 1 hour? Lost sales of tackle, ice etc. Many of us fish till dark and are not off the water until close to 9, thus possibly having to buy a few needed supplies. Sorry I don't buy that reason. My father told me years ago, that one has to make the hay while the sun is shining. For many of these local weigh stations, the sun shines most brightly during the 2 1/2 weeks of the Fall L.O.C. Not like we are talking around the clock service here. Narby's at the Oak does in fact stay open til 9:00 but the cutoff is still at 8:00. Let's do this then. Don't start the weigh in's at 9:00 a.m but back it off until 10a.m.- then move the cutoff at 9:00p.m. Thus the stations are open the same amount of time. Or name 1 weigh station at each port (such as Narby's at the Oak) who has the authority to stay open until 9:00. Doesn't seem that hard to accommodate this request from the very people who support this derby and fishery. Dave Chilson has done a phenomenal job with this derby and is trying to maintain the highest of standards in this format. Just think it could be brought to a little higher with this request.

Dave, you're right. The weigh stations close at 8:00 I.M.O. for the fall L.O.C. I believe it's to early as well.Would like to see it go to 9:00 Many big kings are taken after the cutoff. I've suggested on a number of occasions, that this is the one area that I would like to see changed. I can see it for the spring but for the fall, its to early. Which leads me to ask, hypothetically you catch and boat a big king at 8:15 P.M. It is not eligible from what I understand for the derby. No carry overs. But You can go out on a full moon at 12:01 a.m and land a big king and this is- for its' the next day. So from 8:00 p.m to midnight those targets are out. Not complaining- just making a suggestion on how to enhance this derby. Been fishing it since the early days of ESLO. At one time there was the carryover. Just would like to see it come back or extend it 1 hour. Thats all.

You can run the core off the side with the in-liner. No problem. If you haven't already, I run a splice of heavier mono app. 40# test between the braided line and the core itself. This helps the pinch pads off the Church to grab better. If you are pinching to the briad instead, you may need to wrap the braid once around the end of the pad as to where you are pinching it twice. To keep from slipping. Then simply run your copper down the shoot. As far as setting the core over the dipseys, simply let it out straight behind the boat, apply board then let it swing out over the diver. You'll be fine-

In '99 we boated the 20th place king. Weighed in at 38-9. That year I believe there were 11 that topped 40. The year before a 37# took top honors. What a difference a year makes.

Would like to see it happen but I don't think a 40#'er is in the near future, at least for this year. I always use the Orleans Co. Derby as a barometer to gage the king size. For usually the matures are returning home at that time, and this provides a decent outlook as to what to expect. I know a 37 was taken out East but in general, I see a mid 30's winning it this year. Slightly over last years weight. Current Orleans stands @ 28-12. So I'm going with a 34-8 king taking top honors. Irregardless of what takes it, The boys from Michigan would give thier eye tooth for a 30, that we sometimes take for granted. Lake Ontario reigns supreme. The real "Home of the King "

James, you have a P.M.- Duane

Dapper Dan, beautiful king. Good job. I told you guys the best fix for the biting fly solution, is to take the new guy or mother in law along and tell her to not wear socks. Nothing better they like than fresh meat.

Ray, I always thought the Old Timer stayed at the North Of the Ridge. Could be wrong though. Dave, I won't be at Lakeside for an extended stay until the 22nd. I have 2 sites reserved. A-17-A-20. If you're around, stop in sometime. I may make a 1 day trip this Sunday. Putting on a 1 day tourney for my 15-16 year old girl All Stars on Saturday. Then probably heading to the Oak early Sunday morning. Had a really good day last Sunday as posted on the LOTSA site. There were some matures in the closer waters. As I'm sure there will be this weekend. Have to be patient, esp after the boat traffic thins out. 300' copper with a Silver Streak Black Nancy- was hot. Had a freight train hit this rod and dang near hanked it out of the HeavenBound on impact. Sad part about it was the greenhorn grabbed the rod, and after a few mishandles, ( hit the star drag backing it off almost creating back lash, let alone literally pointing the tip at the target ) he managed to dump it. Most savage strike we've had this year. Told him he could tell his friends about the big one that got away. Straightened out one of the hook's on the treble, while heading to our friends of the North.

Have to say that I've used the site as well. As all have mentioned, been very pleased. Having said that however, being a business man myself, I'm a firm believer in that whenever or wherever possible, I patronize the local shops first and foremost. Usually fishing out of the Oak, that would be Capt.s Cove, Narby's or Lake Breeze Marina. You may pay a little more for a particular item, but the service, loyalty and other benefits often outweigh an extra buck or 2. Point being, don't forget to buy local if possible. Most of these places can order what you may need. Capt. Scott is a great guy. Talked to him on different occasions. But my first phone call is usually to any of the local shops .

Billy, as Y.T. mentioned good report- Yankee, I don't think it really matters whether one fishes out East or West. I can assure you that most of the western basin guys have seen many days when the fleas are downright thick and nasty. I made mention that this year, the Oak was loaded by the third week of July. Having to check the rigger rods every 15 minutes or the rod would be loaded with over a foot section. The worse I've seen since their invasion, at that time of year. As mentioned as well, I believe hopefully that off the Oak we have seen the peak for this year. Irregardless of where one fishes, any connection, terminal tackle, use of pinned cheaters, sliders, even probe connections let alone wired swivels to dipseys, etc, there will be somewhat of a buildup. The very fact that the stainless rigger cables on occasion have a tendency to "load" bares testament to how bad the fleas can be on a particular day out of any one port. They are a pain in the @$% at times. Are there ways to reduce the hassle of having to deal with them? Absolutely. Hate to say it, but they are here to stay. Year after year. Figure from July on. That is why I have 2 sets of rigger rods loaded with the appropriate mono # test for any particular day. Sure is nice to fish from April thru June without having to worry about them though.

Diesel- Billy's suggestion ( as always) is a good one in general. But I made a post here just on Monday that having fished out of the Oak this past Sunday, the fleas seem to be on the downward side( at least out of that port) . This was also confirmed by Capt. Paul -Free Spirit- Having said that, we are in fact backing off to 20#. I like Stren. Never had a prolem with it. Best of luck to all in the L.O.C. Be safe-Duane - HeavenBound

Thanks guys. Knew I could count on you-Duane

Hey east end gang, bringing this back to the top. Since I haven't fished out east for years, I really didn't want to comment on this one. But so far this gentleman has had no responses. Can someone help him out with his questions here? Thanks -Heavenbound

One started to develop west of the Oak on Sunday but dissipated before it actually touched down. On the back of the USA Today news section on Monday it had a tid bit info snippet on waterspouts. I believe it stated the base winds could reach 50-100 M.P.H. and their forward progress is usually around 11-20. I have a friend who fishes Lake Erie on a regular basis. 2 years ago they witnessed 16 in one day. He has a photo that is most impressive. It shows a spout, then a freighter then another spout behind the freighter as well. He said that on that particular day, they had a spout touch down within 200 yards of their boat.

Paul. I'm like John, in that I'm committed to this weekend doing another project. Or I'd be there. Is your date right for the next one? The 5th is actually on a Friday after Labor day.-Duane-HeavenBound

Ray, I like your line of thinking But that is what makes it interesting. Someone made mention of a 37# being taken out East? That is a really decent king. Fished out of the Oak on Sunday, and watched a waterspout start to develop. It dissipated however before it touched down on water.