Valinote

That's great news! Thanks for the update!! -Steve D

Anyone know what's going on with NDBC 4512 Buoy that's usually northeast of Rochester? They pulled it last fall for winter storage but it's still offline. Usually they recommission it in the spring. It was my best live source of wave height on the lake...8-[ -Steve D

Thank you for the detailed report, Phil. Glad to hear the girls are still at it!

Yea, I forgot about the braided line. That's probably the best solution. Very slippery! -Steve D Sent from my BND-L34 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I hose off the tow lines with silicone spray every month or so to facilitate the releases sliding down. Instead of dacron, some people use 200lb mono for tow lines which is more slippery. It also has the added benefit of acting as a shock absorber too. Raising the pulleys higher would be the more difficult but obvious option. Tight lines...8-] -Steve D

Thanks for the update, Phil. I told Werner I'd meet him there...8-] -Steve D

The fleas have been so thick the past couple days that my downriggers have been shutting off on the way up. 50 pound test doesn't help and beating the lines on the water while reeling in is just a waster of energy. I spent more time yesterday cleaning lines than fishing and ultimately wound up running only 2 rods. Would really like to hear how the charter guys are fishing through this mess...8-[ -Steve D

Tom Allen Fly Leader Video

If the thru-hull is mounted forward (closer to the bow) like on my Baha you might not be able to see your downrigger balls all the time on the fishfinder at shallower depths. It's more pronounced on 200khz than on 50khz (based on the beam width). Of course with the transom mount you can see them at all depths because you can angle the ducer back a little bit to compensate for any blowback. Personally I like the less cluttered look of not having the balls on the screen because it makes it easier to see fish when you're looking at the fishfinder while working in the back of the boat. Just something to consider before you get the holecutter out...8-] -Steve D

Well at least no one's getting sexually harassed...YET! Oprah uber alles!! -Steve D

Don't worry guys, when President Oprah takes office in 2020 she'll fix everything... Steve D

You've probably already checked this, but look for carbon tracking and/or oxidation in the distributor cap. After 2 years of having the same symptoms and being convinced by others that I had water in my gas, a new distributor cap resolved all my problems. Even my idle improved. Just my experience...8-] -Steve D

My port engine suffers the same sporadic loss of rpm every couple trips with the added symptom that it might backfire once or twice. Been happening on and off since last season and doesn't seem to matter if the engines are hot or cold. I was going to have Scott take a look at it but with the 5 mph limit in the bay...well it'll have to wait till the water goes down. I hate to say it, but it would be a lot easier to diagnose the problem if the motor would just die and not start! -Steve D

Good job, Mike! Your dad looks pretty happy. Hopefully the weather holds for tomorrow and we can get the Wounded Warriors a fish or 2 or 3...8-] -Steve D