Misty IV

Anyone headed to the Hamburg Cabelas this weekend for Capt. Ernie's downrigger seminar? I'll be there Saturday for the 11am session.

I have a 6hp kicker on my 22' Islander and it pushes the boat along nicely. When it gets too windy, I have to switch over to the main engine.

The best news is that Shark has severed their ties with Sea Pearls, who was making the Sharks for them lat year. This year they're going back to making them in Canada by hand again and the resulting quality will be much higher.

That's great news! I have to buy 2 more this year. Will the average price per unit be remaining about the same, do you know?

Thanks, musky! I'm sure the water is lovely. LOL. I heard there isn't any ice on the lake yet. True?

Many of the gas stations around me in SE Pennsylvania are now supplying fuel with 10% ethanol. It's getting harder and harder to find straight 100% gasoline. I have noticed in recent months, my Expedition has started losing gas mileage and it's started running poorly every so often. I've been told it's all because of the ethanol in the gas and the older engines weren't designed to run on the stuff. Last year, the boat ran pretty well, but I also changed out the fuel/water seperating filter 2x to stay ahead of the game. I always filled-up in either Port Ontario or Pulaski. Will be interesting this year if more and more stations have strictly these blended fuels for us.

I'm going to try out quite a few of them this season. Now, I just need another tackle box!

I am continually anticipating the day I take the cover off the boat and start loading all the equipment & gear back on her. Otherwise, work M-F, spend time with my girlfriend and her kids, play with the puppy, spend time with my 3 y/o niece, go to fishing seminars, and a few odds and ends here and there. I have friends who hunt, but it was never something I got into. Ah, is it spring yet?

Great. Thanks. I didn't want to spend the extra $$$ if I didn't have to.

While we're on the topic of rods for copper setups, I have a question. Aside from the visual differences, are there any benefits to using a roller guide rod to a standard guide rod? I know the rollers are more money, but is the added expense going to get me anything? Will the standard guides hold up to the copper being pulled across them over and over? I'm adding a copper setup to my arsenal this year. Already have a reel, just need a rod. Thanks for everyone's input.

My Top 10 list would be:

1. Friendly and knowledgable staff

2. Large selection of spoons from numerous manufacturers

3. Large selection of flashers, dodgers

4. Downrigger replacement & repair parts

5. All aspects of fishing line from mono to copper

6. Assortment of Great Lakes specific fishing rods & reels

7. Ability to renew my fishing license

8. Miscellaneous marine lubricants (motor oil, gear lube)

9. Equipment for being outdoors (sunscreen, hats, raingear, etc)

10. Gear for taking the kids bass or perch fishing when the lake is too rough to go out (worms, bobbers, floats, etc)

Basically, I like a One Stop Shop. Having the ability to run in and get everything you need for a day on the water and not have to run around to multiple places is key for me.

Chad & Clarke, thanks for the warm welcomes!

Clarke, I remember you from the GLA site, also. Yes, Quakertown is just a bit north of me. I pass the exit on the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike when I'm driving up to the lake. I've never been west to the Niagara area. Furthest I've ventured is around Nine Mile to Oswego. I caught my largest king ever just west of the plant a few years ago in the fall. Hopefully have the opportunity to meet you one day.

I was at a seminar last weekend and learned that an ideal voltage around your boat for kings is 0.65 volts. A typical volt meter can give you readings and allow you to adjust as needed. The black boxes are an excellent way to fine-tune your output.

I spoke with Pete Lahosky last weekend before his seminar at Cabelas and asked about copper and the Daiwa 47 reels, because they are what I have on all my rigger rods. He said I wouldn't get a lot of copper on the 47's. The spools just aren't large enough. He suggested the Okuma Convector CV55L or the Penn 345GTI. The CV55L will hold 400' of copper with the required backing, while the 345GTI will hold 600' if spooled properly.

Thanks, Bill. Yeah, I know. I was at Pete Lahosky's seminar last weekend and he mentioned this site, so figured I better join. Glad to be here!

Hello everyone. My name is Tag and I just joined the forum today. I am registered on the GLA website under Misty IV, as well. I launch my Starcraft Islander 221 out of the Little Salmon River at the Mexico Point State Launch. I have been fishing on Lake Ontario since I was a kid (some 37+ years ago) and always look forward to my weekend trips to the lake. A lot of the great people I met on the GLA website are also registered on here, and I look forward to making new friends and learning more.