Gill-T

I run a 2 lb er off transom with a saltwater deep drop rod when using big cowbells for lakers. Also have a couple of Ugly Stick one-piece bigwater rods that I will run the lighter 1 lb or 1.5 lb weights for smaller bladed cowbells like Moonshine's or dodgers. Some use a dodger on a thumper off the back. I don't like have a long line off the back for my rigger fish to get into so if I want to run multiple bottom lines I use the lighter rigs and send them out off my otter boats using Aftco Roller releases. The two pound weight rig is fished with wire, the lighter rigs utilize 30lb braid.

Great meeting last night. Good information given. Out of this meeting and the highlights I have a much better feeling that the DEC have their "eye-on-the-ball". Much more information on the lakes coming in and being studied. The tone of the meeting was less of the Atlantic Salmon/Lake Trout programs and more of the status of Kings and alewife. Issues at Altmar with water supply and quality food pellets seem to be addressed. Everyone was gracious and took time to meet with people after the meeting. Most importantly it would appear that they are listening to our concerns and addressing some of the important issue facing lake management. Birds are singing this morning and warm weather is in the forecast....its all good.

September off the pier heads is the "right time" to do it. You don't have to worry about hitting floating objects when you can start right out of the pier heads. When I used to have a slip in Youngstown I tried a couple of times off the Niagara drop. An interesting phenomena happens at night. Those of you who have gotten into the "rearing grounds" of shaker kings off the drop know how many year 1 kings are attracted to the Niagara flow. There are times when you have to pick up and leave the area because there are too many little fish taking your baits. At night your fishfinder will light-up with shaker kings that line up at the 50' band of water. This 50' phenomena was shown in the Bergstedt radio tagging study on Lake Huron. You will also see the bigger fish pattern similar to walleye movements at night.....they move inshore and higher (feeding time!). Those poor alewives never see it coming. For the stress involved with potentially hitting an object on the run in, I choose to not fish at night anymore.

Sticks on one side, spoons on the other. Run thru productive water with sticks, turn around and show them something different with spoons on the way back thru.

YEE HAW!!! Lake Trout on a 20 color!! (sorry I couldn't resist).

I put some of the product in my hands at the LOTSA show. It is MUCH more user friendly than copper. Very supple. I think guys will like the product. If I was starting off new in the copper game I would probably use it.

IF you are going to do it.....go all out. The sound of wire hum under the water is so loud having one rigger with wire and another with braid will defeat the purpose.

There was a clown on this site bragging about the perch he caught using goldfish as bait. He could not understand why all of the fuss. Here ya go clown. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/discarded-goldfish-are-taking-over-hamilton-s-harbour-1.3394203

The gulf side has struggled since fall with red tide flare-ups. Fishing reports have been slow. I checked out a few jetties this weekend and nobody was catching ANYTHING. Get a guide to take you offshore on some wrecks and I think you will have fillets to eat.

I am on year 5 with Sears Marine batteries. They are really heavy but fairly compact for tight places.

I flew over Erie today. Almost no ice on the lake. There is still 42 degree water off shore along most of the South shore over deep water. The shoreline needs warm rain to get it kicking. Otherwise the Gina Plant. My guess is earliest might be March 20th?

I use them for 1 or 1.5 colors out the back when trolling shoreline and I have one for a dedicated wire reel for bottom bouncing with a heavy 2 lb weight for Lakers. I don't have much use for a 2:1 gear ratio otherwise.

I guess the old eyes don't work as good as they used to. Too much staring at fish finder screens.

Brian, do you know if there will be a Niagara County meeting this year?

I know what QDMA is. My statement was from a PETA person's perspective. They will see passing on young deer and not filling your tag as a good thing.

Lots of things at play that the DEC considers. Lobbyists from the automobile insurance agencies, QDMA members that want antler restrictions, out-of-state and in-state hunters that don't want antler restrictions. I have heard rumblings that the tree-huggers that bring lawsuits are pro- QDMA.....huh? QDMA means small deer are spared and less tags filled means less deer shot. License sales are dropping in NY......being inclusive to the majority "will of the people" is in the DEC's best interest. Personally, I have hunted other states....I will take more opportunity over quality anytime. More state land, more deer, more tags means more opportunity. I have never had a problem seeing deer in NY woods.....trophys are another story. Rack size is approx. 90% genetic......can't do anything about that. If you want to see bigger/older deer then reach out to neighboring land owners and try to come to an gentleman's agreement to let the young ones walk.