chinook35

The problem I encountered with the Convectors was line leakage when the rods were loaded in the riggers . Unless the drag was reefed down to lock ,the line would creep out a click or 2 at a time . Okuma replaced the drag washers with the Catalina washers and they have been great since .

Okuma has always had issues with their drags . I bought Convectors ( CV ) when they first came out and the drags were terrible . Okuma took them back and upgraded the drags . They are great now ,but it took a lot of time and effort to get them that way .I have 12 convectors (all upgraded by Okuma for free ) and will go with another brand as they die .

Glad you got the link to work . Fishing has been slow and it looks to get worse .

http://www.syrscuse.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2014/12/scientist_puzzled_abouy_whats_killing_steelhead_in_the_salmon_river_and_other_la.

The Gov is finding out what fishers have known for years . The NWS and NOAA are full of s--- . http://www.nydailynews.com/newyork/cuomo-pushes-enhanced-weather-system-new-york-article-1.2028068

That's right

40 + years of fishing on Lake O has taught me " What you see is what you get " NOAA is a guide and is right only some of the time . I add 1' to their forecast wave height IE: 1 to 3 becomes 2 to 4 .

A long as they don't enforce the exercise area (impact area) so the can play with their M60's or 240's or whatever they have . That would put a definite crimp on the fishing grounds .

Here is a report of a body found on Brennan's beach . http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/08/body_found_on_brennans_beach_on_lake_ontario_near_pulaski.html#incart_m-rpt-2

There are so many Ugly Stick variations . The rods I use are BWD110170 . They are 7' 2 piece ,medium action and rated for 10-25 lb. test line . They have longer grips than the regular casting rods . I find these rods easier to rig and handle than 8'6" rods ( I still have about a dozen long rods sitting in my cellar , I started out with the long rods ) . I also have and use a few 8' rods that I like .But the 7 footers have won me over . I liked the Penn Power Sticks ,but they are discontinued .

I now own 6 of the 7' 2 piece ugly sticks and have never looked back . I love them .

I'm not at all sure how the NOAA bouys measure wave height (amplitude) or distance between wave crests (frequency) . But , as an angler who has fished Lake O since the 70's , I have learned (the hard way ) to adjust the NOAA wave height predictions . If the forcast calls for 1 to 3 , I assume 2 to 4 . This had worked for years and the previous post about wave measurement makes perfect sense . If the wave crest is measured from surface to vcrest , that explains why wave height is generally double predictions . It works for me . I will continue to adjust accordingly . Somedays I feel like dealing with 2 to 4 ,some days not so much . lol .

LOL Check out http// www.oswegoharborfest.com and you will see why you can't launch at Wright's Landing . Better head for Fair Haven or Mexico Point .

I have had issues with wave forecasts since the early 70's . I have seen NOAA wave forecasts of 1-3 Ft. ,only to get to the lake and find 4-6 Footers . On the flip side I have seen it go the other way and found flat water with high wave forecasts . I hve come to the conclusion that what you see is what you get .

I have owned a Speed N Temp since they first came out . Great unit when they work . I found that the speed wheel must move FREELY . If it is bound up in any way it Won't work . If the pin is tight or the aluminum guard is hitting it or just some seaweed around the pin it won't work . Make sure it spins freeely when you use your finger . It should spin for a couple of seconds on it's own . Also , put vasoline on the o rings that seal the battery compartment . Get water in there and it's history .Good luck , hope this helps .

Now I see the confusion about different opinions about the length of the course . There are different courses available . I took the " boating skills and seamanship " course . It was at least 7 weeks long , maybe longer , I took it over 10 years ago . It was very comprehensive and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their skills and enjoy the sport all the more . I agree , that a 1 hour or even an 8 hour course will do little to improve anyones skills and knowledge . Check out the CG website and see the courses available .http://cgaux.org/boatinged/

When my son and i took the course ,it seems to me that it was 2 hours a night ,once a week ,over 7 weeks . The cost in cluded a text book , which I still have and referencefrom time to time .

In all seriuosness , My intention was not to start a war . I belive that basic instruction on safe boat handling is long overdue .I know that some people will ignore the rules ,even if they take the course and know them . But there are way too many people om Lake O ,that have no clue and this is what i think the course will address . Save lives ? maybe , not so sure about that one ,other than teaching people what the bouy system means . Every year , the news reports of guys going out in 19 ft. boats in 5-6 foot waves . The coast guard risks their lives to either save the lucky or recover the bodies of the not so lucky . Mandatory life jackets in the cold water months save lives period . All you have to do is stick your hand in that 40 degree water in April and just imagine your whole body in that . You have a very few precious moments to get out before you become paralyzed . If the gasp reflex hits you when your head goes under , the jacket WILL save your life . I satnd by my position that the course should be mandatory for all boaters in NY .