Finders Keepers

Do you fellas recommend using knots or crimps? My dad seems to think a crimp would be better due to less strain on the wire initially, but all I have heard and seen are people using knots. Is it because a crimp can become loose and eventually slip apart?

I'm actually initially more worried about making it up the swamp this weekend for bullheading! There's nothing more relaxing than listening to the spring peepers in the still of the night while throwing bullhead in the boat.... that's when I think about and form my best arsenals for the open waters on the lake!!

Yeah, we're hoping to get out of Port Bay, maybe not from the south end launch by my parents, but I would think the north end should open up enough. If it's not open though, we may trailer over to Sodus. One way or another we'll try to get the boat wet this weekend!

We'll be putting the boat/tackle together on Saturday, bullheading up the swamp Sat pm, and going out on our shake-down run on Sunday.

Once July hits, we switch our 20lb 50' fluoro leaders over to 50lb fluoro leaders (~25 ft leaders). We solely use Seaguar fluoro and it never wears out for the most part all season unless it rubs on something and gets frayed or nicked. It is the same fluoro that we use for retying our flies.

Ok, now that I have the Tekotas and the wire, what is the best way to spool the wire and how do you initially attach the wire to the spool - is it safe to use a crimp or simply bend the wire around the little knob and use tape? Once attached I plan on using the weight method in the lake to re-spool the wire nice and tight.

:?: Anyone interested in taking a class on fishing techniques used on Lake Ontario, including spring brown trolling w/ planer boards, downrigging with sliders/cheaters, wire dipsy rods, etc.?? I have the unique opportunity to offer such a class. I teach in the North Rose - Wolcott school district and they have an adult ed program that let's us teach courses of interest within the community (although you don't have to live within the community to attend!). So I am thinking about offering a course on salmon & trout fishing. Courses usually cost $25-$50 depending upon the number of hours the course spans, and it can be one day or one day a week for several weeks. It would be taught at the NR-W High School in Wolcott (halfway between Sodus and Fair Haven) and would be strictly a demo class, with the opportunity not only to see what I have learned and use, but also to share what others know and meet more of us on the board. If it were a one-day course, I might even be able to bring the Finders Keepers vessel over to the school to do some simulations! So I am pitching the idea to all of you to see if I can spark interest and get the course listed. Let me know the following: 1) If you are interested in attending such a course 2) Whether you prefer one day or several days and the duration in hours (if you have a preference) 3) What you would be willing to pay for such a course Just a thought/idea, so let me know what you all think!! I look forward to hearing your responses!!

We use 30lb flea-flicker as the main line and use 20lb fluoro leaders. Last year my dad and I had a contest to see who's set-up would catch more fish. He was using 6 lb spider wire and I used the set-up listed above. With the same lure on both rods, fished on both sides of the boat, my set-up out fished his 4 to 1!! From what I have heard, fish cannot see fluoro line regardless of the test. My line looked like rope compared to his, yet I caught more fish. So that's what we will be using this coming weekend!! Hey Al, give me a shout! You're more than welcome to hop aboard our vessel and I'll show you our salmon & trout slayers.

Let's see.... 2 of each at about $4 a piece = $48 more I'll have to save up for when they become available!! :roll:

Not yet anyway - just wait until one of those seals hops a ride in the bilge of one of the vessels that keep introducing new species to our lovely lake!! :evil:

well, I climbed the ice mounds still on the pier and threw cleos at 'em for an hour or so with no luck. Didn't see anything or have any hits. :? But it was nice to get some casts in, breathe the lake air, and do another rain dance to help the ice melt!! Quite a few ice anglers still on the big ice cube going for perch. This time of year I don't trust the ice enough to venture out there - I'll wait a few more days until it melts and then tool around the bay in the boat for the perch. Hank - I think I passed you on my way out to the point. Looks like you have quite the job cleaning out the channel this year - it filled in pretty high and full! Are you looking to have it open by next weekend? I agree with screamer - you guys do a great job with the channel!! Thank you and keep up the great work!! I am hoping to get out for a PM shake-down trip this coming Saturday. See you all on the water!!!

Heading out to my parents to start getting the boat ready and I'll probably sling some cleos up at the pier for a bit if the access road is clear of ice. I'll post later today how I make out! I've got to get a line wet!!!!

I went yesterday and needless to say, I didn't make my "under $100" mark :roll: If you head there and get any Berkley products, make sure to grab a couple rebate forms for $5 back - you can redeem up to 2 of them.

Bass Pro has 1000' spools of the 30lb for $43/ea. I picked up 2 today and now I am ready to hammer the silvers!!

Thanks fellas!! Looks like it'll cost a bit more than the McMaster, but what's new, right? :roll: I assume I want the "Malin 7 Performed Seven Strand SS Leader Wire". Now, would you recommend the "Bright" or the "Coffee" colored wire and do you prefer 30# or 40# wire?? I think I am leaning towards the 40#, but need opinions - especially on color!

Just got an email back from McMaster and they can no longer do sections of that wire over 500'. :evil: :evil: Sooo, anyone know where I can score 1000' wire sections??

We use a mix of rods from 7' to 10'. I prefer the shorter rods for spring fishing myself.

Yeah, that's the stuff - 40 cents per foot. I'll email them again and see if they can do 1000 sections or if that is a thing of the past.

I just looked into the McMaster wire and they only offer sections up to 500' in length. I shot them an email and they said for a 1000', I would receive 2 500' sections. Has anyone ordered from them before and is it possible to get 1000' sections? If not, anyone know where I can get 1000' sections? Thanx!

I'm heading there today after work. I am sure I will come outta there with a bag 'O goodies!! The flier they sent out had some decent deals in there - I am sure it will be a madhouse there tonight!! Good thing I'm a teacher & get out of work earlier than most!!

What forecast are you looking at?? I see 40's & 50's right through next week with a little rain from time to time. Trust my forecast, I'm a certified meteorologist. To get any snow, the current models will have to change quite a bit!

Yeah, I'm hoping to get back out of there with a receipt under $100, but I think it will be tough!!

I just scored a pair of Tekota 600LC's (as suggested by many of you) to match with my Blue Diamond rods and now all I need is the wire to complete my salmon slayers! That'll have to wait a bit though, since I will be hitting up Bass Pro's sale this weekend to top off the arsenal for this coming season. First day of spring and I've got the itch REEEAAL BAD!! I'll be doing my rain dance over the next few days!!

I've got a few for ya: #1: While casting scum frogs in Port Bay I caught a 1lb bullfrog!! :shock: Too bad I don't like froglegs! #2: Caught the largest sunfish I have ever seen a couple summers back - wouldn't fit in my hand. I know that doesn't sound odd, but it came on an NK spoon down 70' over 80 fow on the riggers!!! :shock: #3: While spring trolling for browns with stickbaits, I've had several times when a seagull nailed one and got hooked! :?

Anyone know how to rip that song as an MP3 or have an MP3 of that song and is willing to share it?? I would love to add it to my boat collection to listen to when reelin' in this year's LOC winner!!