chinook

Rob, thanks for mentioning about the use of split shot with the use of spoons. I told Jeremy on the other thread, that it was rather late when I posted and simply forgot mentioning that. That is the beauty of this site. When one of us falls short, someone is always there to cover the overlooked details. Thanks again for bringing it to Mike's attention- Duane

Jax, Thanks for mentioning about the use of split shot with the spoons. Under the trolling for Salmon tropic, I made mention about the use of some lightweight spoons such as Evil Eyes, which should have a shot attached. Simply overlooked it for it was rather late when posted. Mike-One other suggestion is to attach a barrel swivel then use a premium flouro such as Seaquar app 8-10 # test of a length of app 7'. The barrel swivel not only will collect some debris but the Seaquar is less visible on some of the days when fishing gin clear waters. Which leads me to say that if trolling the shore lines be aware of any stained waters and runoffs. Plus if using a surface temp, keep an eye for any slight temp breaks.These are the area to target-H.T.H.-Duane

Mike, first and foremost, be very cautious of the days you pick to fish the big lake from a 12' boat. Just trying to stress safety first is all. Having said that, being limited for space, the use of a mast is out of the question- I.M.O.. Which means you need to use in line planer boards. The Church and Offshore are two very good brands to look at. As far as fishing for browns in spring, try using the Rap's in J-9 or 11's in Perch, GFR, blue/silver to name a few. Also the Thundersticks, or Rattling Rogues. As far as spoons, the black/silver #2 Evil Eyes, Flutter Devils, along with some of the new Dream Weaver Super Slims are a few to consider-

Enjoy what we have as many come from out of state. RED- Red, just to remind you, that I'm sure you are well aware of however. Those of us who travel to your state bring in outside resources to support the local communities. No one to my knowledge does it free gratis. Maybe some view that as not such a good thing, since it seems to come up quite often. Between the charters, hotels, restaurants, tackle shops, grocery stores etc-I would venture a guess that we who do travel, spend some much needed $'s to patronize those entities. Being a business man myself, I would think that those businesses would welcome the travel dollars. I can also assure you that many travel to Pa. to deer hunt, black bear, along with steelheading in Lake Erie. I'm sure that those local businesses welcome them, esp during these economic tough times. This isn't about out of state VS instate. As stated IF the funds were going for conservation, I'm sure that most on here would pay many times over what they currently are. I know I would. But the $100,000 question is, is it going to be used for that? If things operate the same as in Pa, I have my druthers. -Duane

Capt. Paul, thanks for the heads up on that. I just ordered a few of the 11" off their site, along with some other must haves. I just can't let the wife see that bill. Would you happen to have any pics from the salmon you have done? I have heard very good reports on your work ( which is evidenced above) and would like to see a salmon mount, if you have one available. I take a number of new people thru the years to the Oak, and have taken targets that they want mounted to the local taxidermist at Kendall. You probably know who I mean. Which leads me to ask, do you have a drop off or even receive fish for mounting while you're at the Oak?-Thanks, Duane

Capt. Paul, nice fish and beautiful mount as well. You did a good job on it. I'm plannnig on attending the LOTSA event this weekend. Will you have on hand any of the 11" double pearl fishscale flashers from Siggs? Would like to purcahse a couple if so. Thanks-Duane

Rod, they claim Sanibel is one of the top 5 shelling beaches in the world. Been going there for many years now. Took the 2 daughters there thru the years and they still like to go back. If you have never tried the bronzed or blackened grouper, you need to. That is always high on my priority list when we head to Florida.

Rod, thanks for sharing the pics. The smile on Justin's face says it all. Just out of curiosity, did you happen to keep and try any of the groupers that you caught? When we go to Sanibel Island, I make it a point to go to a steak and seafood restaurant that serves bronzed grouper. I rank it right up there with walleye - Duane

I always said that I would pay what it takes to fish L.O. esp. being from out of state. And will continue to do so no matter what the fees are. But looking at the proposal of a possible 75% increase for non-resident, I can see some that may not or simply can't unless they allow the 3 rod per person

Have to agree. I must have got a good probe when it comes to the battery life on the FishHawk 840. As Time Out mentioned, we as well got what I consider a fair amount of hours out of the batteries. But we as mentioned, always unplugged the 9v, turned it over, (although not really necessary when unplugging, but do so out of habit ) and always left the cap somewhat loose to air dry after daily use. I am however planning on getting the X4 probe before the season starts, and hoping that the erratic readings are a thing of the past- Duane

Lager, welcome to the site. I'm from Franklin Pa. and fish the Oak on a regular basis. There's a bunch of good people on this site who are more than willing to give out info.- Duane

Dave, the best piece of advice I will give, is what I tell everyone just starting out. Think safety first. To many at times, take these bodies of water for granted. They can be very fun filled, but they can also turn awful ugly rather quickly. Absolutely all the fish in the lake is not worth someone losing their life over. I cut my teeth on both lakes Erie and Ontario in a 16' open bow over 30 years ago. Back when I was both younger and dumber. But I will say that learning experience garnered me the utmost respect for these large bodies of water. So the worst mistake any of us can make is to not use our simple common sense at times. As many have said, thank you for your service to our country. You are welcome on my boat anytime-Duane

Rod, Sorry to hear you can't make it. Was looking forward to meeting you and some of the others. Anyways, I'm planning on attending ( already have 3 spots held) as long as we don't get hammered with snow like we did the other day. It close to a 4 hour trip for me. -Duane

Matt, my bad. I simply didn't scroll over far enough. Irregardless, I would like a couple of them along with other flashers-

Matt, could you plan on taking some of the 11" Double pearl fish scale flashers to the show. I don't see them listed any longer. -Duane

Raider, do you happen to know of the boat that goes by the name of Nightcrawler? They walleye fish in Erie out towards your way in Ohio. It is a green Monarch open bow. I have known them now for a while and they also fish out of the Oak at times. Just curious if you have run into them.

Off the divers I run an 8" Spin Doc or Pro Troll, but as Blue Knight made mention, off the deep rigger ( usually deeper than 80) I run an 11" Coyote-pearl fish scale or 11" Hot Spot-White Lightning with meat. But again as B.K. said, it is going to be hard to find the cut bait, and I didn't have the same success with the Familiar Bite. So may need to look into the fly or Hoochie, behind the Coyote and Hot Spot as well.

Eric, again many thanks for the anticipated package. Looking forward to it. I tried several times calling you back while you were in Florida. Hope you had a great time. I may be heading back down for a few days here next week. Taking the parents back to Sanibel Island for the month of February. -Take care and keep in touch-Duane

Raider, Greg is correct with his response. I always plan long term like you, taking a week in July and a week or 2 in Aug thru Labor day. However, if I were to be limited to just 1 week between the 2 months, personally. I'd take the week in July. ( I usually target early to mid July) Several reasons are, there are many times fishing that month that one never has to leave 150 FOW and catch kings, browns, and other silvers. Whereas the later in July and into early Aug it seems that the fishery is usually further offshore ( there are exceptions obviously, wind direction and down temps among others) Another, take it for what you feel it is worth, " Usually" the fleas are not quite as bad either, making it much nicer fishing esp. when running added lines ( sliders and cheaters) to the rigger lines. Also, on a side note- you could fish in the Summer LOC which ends on July 19th. Whereas later in the month you are fishing after that derby and before the Orleans Co.- Just something to think about. Having said that, days on the calendar are just that. One year to the next can change due to events beyond one's control. A lengthy winter like we had not to many years ago can put a wrinkle into the best laid plans. But using past experience as a guide, you are targeting the right time in general. Hope this helps-Duane

For those asking about snapping the extra snap weight to a CORE line-I can only tell you what has worked for me and some of the captains at the Oak. IF -you are trying to achieve extra depth, why would you add the weight to the backing behind the core line itself? That means you would have to leave out that much more backing to achieve your desired depth from the point of entry, once the additional weight hits the water. Doing it the way it is listed at the Oak site-snapping the weight at the leader where it meets the core, now is gaining you that additional depth up front without having to let out a greater length behind the boat. Usually when I'm adding extra weight to a core line it is from 1-3 ounces, ( there have been exceptions as mentioned on the Oak site however) to achieve the depth to desired temp zone. Again, I can just tell you what has worked for me. I've taken a lot of targets using the method described on the attheoak random tips , for I'm one of the the authors there as described. Boat name use to be the 3C's. Now,will it effect the so called "rise and fall" action of the core, maybe? I'm not convinced it does however. All I know is that it works the way as mentioned. For those who think it would impact the action-you can still get the rise and fall action with the weight by simply trolling in a means of not straight line trolling. Outside line speeds up thus in theory rising and inside line slowing, thus falling. As far as being a thumper type rig, it is not. First I usually fish a clean spoon on the core, thus not using a dodger which the thumper requires. Also, the length of leader of a thumper is much shorter than that of a core setup, let alone the amount of weight being used. Lastly, I use a wire line for my thumper rigs, compared to the lead sheath core line. So there is a lot of difference between the 2 rigs.

Capt. Jeremy, thanks for the phone # and your opinion of their service.Outside of the remote issue I mentioned about, I nothing but good things to say about the unit itself -Duane

Hank,Tim- thanks for your followups. It was just on the next to the last day when the unit starting acting up. I didn't want to wait til the first of spring to send the remote back if I was looking at a long turn around time. We tried to talk the tech support and have them troubleshoot it the day it happened. But the cell reception at the Oak wasn't the greatest that day and then just put it on the back burner since we were just about finished for the year. I'll have to get around and give them a call. Thanks again guys-Duane

Tim, Hank, have you ever had to deal with the Simrad tech support and or service? Reason I ask, at the end of last season, my Simrad 14 started acting up, in that at times the remote control cable it seemed would give off a humming sound and then not activate. But when I would shut the unit off and turn it back on, it would run for app a few minutes then act up again. Just wonder what I'm getting into and how the turn around time is on their service? Thanks-Duane

Erin, you don't need to apologize for a thing. Those of us who have been with this site from day one know your heart and concerns regarding the very fishery we all care about. Having said that, and being from out of state myself, I feel the very same sentiment as you stated, so thanks for saving me the time to type. As far as what us out of staters leave behind, let me say this just one time, which I never wanted to mention in the first place. I am probably one of the biggest donors to the the Oak Pen Rearing projects. In that I have always felt we need to put something back into the the fishery itself. I don't say that to gloat, but I as well as Erin, Rod, Eric, and many others are simply getting tired of some of these off the wall comments by a select few. -Duane

As Rod, mentioned thanks for sharing the pics. Especially the ones with the kids. Sorry to read about Marky. Anytime I read about someone losing the battle with cancer it hits pretty close. Lost a best friend not to many years ago due to it. I'm sure he enjoyed the day you showed him. Again, thanks for the pics.