Gill-T

I replaced the handles after the first time I used them.....6 years ago. Reels still working as leadcore reels. The handle replacements were stainless T-handles....and I think Okuma might of actually referred me to Tuna back then. I will also add the line counters on convectors are CRAP.

Olcottfishing.com All the links you need are at the top of the page. Click on surface currents icon. Click on the Temp transects option for lake O summer-time conditions or the surface temps option for springtime fishing conditions.

I would be concerned with the stresses the dipsy would exact on the lead core over time. Go to bloodruntackle.com and you can pull accurate depths achieved by the various delivery methods ie. copper,wire line,lead core. Most fishing this time of year is at depths 60' or deeper. Even a full-core of lead is only going to get you down 40' trolling into current. With a mag sized dipsy on wire line or braid, you can get down to 115' levels.

I have the ugly stick dipsy rods with roller tip which cuts them off. For fireline braid divers you can use the surface tension of the surface water to pull them off by using a whip-up-down motion with the rod. For braid downrigger cable I just run it thru my fingers. For 30lb mono rigger line you can use whip technique as well.

You don't generally run a dippy off lead core. This time of year just put out your dipsy. Save lead core for spring.

Put me on the list for next year Rod. Thanks for keeping this great venue alive.

Experience, knowledge, information, fishing reports, species to target, weather, water temps, time of year .......all these things to factor so you will not get one answer. That is the attraction of Lake O.....the learning part. Just when you think you have her figured out, she will throw you a curve ball. If you are new to the game, pay attention to this site, become an observer for tournaments, take some charters..........and enjoy the ride.

Adam, I am using 30 lb green big game mono for leader. As stated the hits are violent and have had lesser mono break at the hit. When you see underwater footage of steelhead hitting the trailing bait off a flasher, it is like they are a little spooked by paddle and charge in with a fast swipe-and-run maneuver. As steelhead go deeper in the summer try blues for colors.

Looks like the warm water pushed out and east with the shore tore open with cold water inside. Head deeper.

65 degree water is no problem to a brown. Most don't fish shallow enough for summer browns. I would find where the thermocline meets the bottom.....then use that as your outside border and fish water shallower to that point of reference. Don't be afraid to put something right on the bottom.

Some of the biggest steelhead I have caught have come on a flasher and spoon. I run longer leads...like 4' to the spoon. Usually a small thin spoon with a treble. Smaller sized R&R spoons, DW SS, or Smaller sized northport nailers. The strikes are always violent!!!

Fished this afternoon early evening. The lake is Fu$ked up from storms last night. Super warm water on inside. You have to get out beyond 220' to get into good temps and to get out of the trash/weeds/floating crap line near 200' There are WICKED currents down there now. The down current runs from a SE to a NW direction. Spent most of the day untangling dipsys, copper and rigger lines from the crazy currents and debris. The good news is there is a good graph waiting for you with some nice kings around. Head out past the trash line to 300 FOW and troll back into the current in a SE direction to keep all your line straight out the back. Temps are 52 degrees down 100' right now. Flasher fly bite. Bait is showing 80' down to 140' on the graph with most hooks in the 100-120' region.

I don't think anyone is going to be able to predict the weather this weekend. When I look at the radar loop one instance there is nothing....then a few hours later there are flare-ups popping up all over the great lakes. Picked up boat last night and you could see large anvil clouds forming over the lake just east of Olcott. Any of these flare-ups could cause problems.

IT LIVES!!!!!!

Out of Oswego, you could use either the "c" or "d" page depending how you leave port east or west. These are "general" readings so don't get too crazy with specifics. The thermocline will occur somewhere within the yellow color which should give you a starting point where to put your riggers. Depends also what species you are targeting. You want browns or steelhead, fish the yellow band and higher. Kings and lakers, fish yellow level and lower into the green band.