Edd

that looming sail right next to the boat forcing me to get upand put some clothes on then they just wave like they discovered land after 100 days at sea and go somewhere.

I think I would give 'em a shot of nature. Why put anythiing on?

Edd

Boy!....I just love it when non-Scientist types do diligent research of all the scientific facts available on their particular subject, which by the way we as taxpayers have paid millions in free grants to have compiled, only to walk away while grumbling "I never believe this scientific crap anyways." Well then non-believers, such as I, join my side. The magical word today is phosphorescence. What a beautiful word. It works better at 150 feet than it does at 2 feet, but, it ALWAYS works.

If I'm fishing the column less than 20 feet, my magical word is CONTRAST.

I'm one who also believes that the strike is created by several things, not any single thing. I have never read anywhere that certain fish are angered by any certain colors. With that in mind I'm not so sure that color is important as far as pigment is concerned, more that a particular color is contrasted against a fish's surroundings at whatever depth that may be. Consider a black bodied lure (a great color out here) by the fish that is looking down from about 50 feet. He'll see nothing most likely, but consider the same black lure from a fish looking UP from a depth of 20 feet into clear blue skies with a slight breeze. Now that will draw some attention.

Something I don't think I've seen written about is fright! For instance, if you're fishing a red lure at 15 feet, it will appear grayish if seen from a depth of 20 feet. If the contrast is enough, the fish may want a closer looksee. He's likely to swim very fast before the food gets away. When he gets to 15 feet instantly, the sudden bright red color may spook him into retreat instead of enticing him into a strike.

Just a couple of things I consider when I redesign/re-event off-the-shelf tackle.

Edd

Out here in Cali, (I guess cause our fish are sissy's), I don't run anything off the ball. That is, unless I need to run a ball troll, or I need to bump the bottom. It's just easier to use the weight retrievers if I use a Scotty stacking clip above the ball for the main rod. Plus......this allows me to keep the ball 'IN THE WATER' even while I'm changing baits. Safer in rough water. If I want to stack, I add a plastic line stopper at the desired depth, and use a Shuttle Hawk. I seldom troll at depths greater than 120 feet OTW. The Shuttle Hawk has some problems getting deeper than about 100 feet.

I have an idea for the Chamberlain release that would allow me the same setup for my weight retrievers.

Thanks,

Edd

Thanks Erin......guess I'll try the Chamberlains this year.

Edd

I use an LCX 28c DF that I added the LBS-1 broadband to. It's great as a GPS and a Sonar. Excellant bottom locking and outstanding target seperation. It does have a serious problem that effects VHF radio operation. If I (you) could wait, I would hold off for one of the new HDS units from Lowrance. I'll add, that there is NO problems with the VHF if you don't add the broadband sounder to the LCX. It's a great FF in it's own.

If your interested in the problems, PM me and I'll shoot you the link.

Edd

No chime-in for the Roemers? I have always used Scotty's and never had problems. But this past weekend I fished with a friend who used the Roemer releases and I was quite intrigued. Anybody using these?

Edd

I have a question along the same lines. How do your local law types treat 'direction or travel', if you have any East of the Colorado? In the West here, we have many lakes where the legal direction is counter-clockwise. The lake patrols and Sheriffs boats don't bother the fishing boats when it comes to direction.

Edd

Yea.......I guess I deserved that. I think we really use that radio to find out the hot color, or let the idiots know I'm draggin' a stick 200 feet behind the boat.

Save the hailer for the skiers and lice.

Edd

I believe, and I haven't seen it mentioned yet, if there is ANY chance the other vessel doesn't understand your intentions, you should hail them on the VHF. Before anyone chastises me.....I do realize that not everyone has a $99 VHF radio. Just thought I'd offer a West Coast solution.

Edd

OK here it is direct from Joshua at Maxima America (714-850-5966).

Whatever you buy on the leader spool is exactly the same as what is on any other size spool of the same product. Fact is it's much easier to carry a leader spool into the field as opposed to a bulk filler spool.

He also said there are some companies that state their leader material is different than the line. But with Maxima....same-ole....same-ole.

Edd

OK you guys, after spending 4 hours on line looking for answers and coming up empty, I decided it's your turn.

What is, or is there any difference, between 'LEADER' material and line? ie; what is the difference between Maxima Fluorocarbon 12# leader material, and Maxima Fluorocarbon 12# line? I already know the obvious things such as price and quantity, but if you can offer any other differences please state them.

Oh yea.......is there any proof?

Edd

Have any of you tried the "Shuttle Hawk" ? It's a California thing. You can take a look here: http://www.shastatackle.com/webstore/ca ... N=32115644

These work sweet out here.

Tight lines,

Edd

A bare lead weight can react with the stainless steel wire and create a problem voltage right in your fishing zone which repels fish. Bare lead down-rigger weights usually produce a harmful charge. Impurities that are present in the lead can cause the problem.

While this is so true, I'd like to give you a little West Coast tip.

I like using the large super heavy snubbers. This not only absorbs shock if you hit a big rock, it makes the weight completely separate from the DR cable. No continuity between the two.

Edd

I can't help you with that plate, but, I used this one http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0000915012282a.shtml on my Merc 50 4s, and I couldn't be happier. It gets me down to about .5 mph GPS without any loss of top speed. My son thinks it has a bit more top end, and well, kids KNOW top end.

Edd

First off, is anyone using the Broadband Sonar-1 by Lowrance? This 'black box' add-on has me intrigued, but before I spend $600 I need to do some research and get a bit of feedback.

The video is pretty kewl and the Tech who developed it makes it sound better.

So if any of my Nothern Fishing Brothers are using this, I sure would appreciate some knowledge.

Thanks,

Edd

OK.....I understand that MOST who use the Black Box, use it while trolling with down riggers, but it also can be used for drifting or still fishing. I have a question pertaining to use of the 'Transom Kit' for when you are NOT using DR's. Mind you this is about my houseboat and not my smaller fishing boat. My houseboat is built with a mild steel frame on SS pontoons and it's too difficult to put it on the hard in order to mount something that would normally be below the water line. My simple questions are:

1. Can I simply connect the Black Box to the SS pontoon?

2. Would it be better to fashion a portable device (such as a PVC pipe) with the cable and simply lower this into the water and plug into the Black Box when it is time to fish?

Any advice for a California fisherman?

Edd

You can get whatever you want from Cabela's or Fisherman's Warehouse on-line catalogs. It's not 'if' you can get what you want, it's 'when' will you get what you want. But all that stuff is still available.

Edd

.....Now I still dont understand why the folks around here dont use it....just blows me away.

Well Dog, I fish out West, mainly 'cause I live out here, and we quit using that 'POP' gear because there is TOO much drag. We may take the same set of long flashers and attach them to the rigger weight and call it a 'Ball Troll', but after the hook-up we only fight the fish. They do work. I used them for many years b-4 purchasing my first pair of riggers. It is a real treat to fight only the fish, and, you don't experience as many LDR's.

It's like anything else......if it keeps a working, keep using it.

Edd

Mark,

We may not be identical but we are certainly cut from the same rug

Edd

I use two Okuma level winds and 4 Saratoga level winds with line counters.

Edd

Uh-Oh.....looks like I may have a 'cousin' out there I wasn't aware of.

Looks like my boat name matches something you have. I hope this won't be a problem. That's a pic of the back window of my Jeep.

Edd

A couple of things from my military past.......I was offered a $10K re-up bonus as a spotter, and when I tried to sign up for the base flying club, they just laughed. I asked if I couldn't get a restricted license to fly only during the day. The instructors told me I could never land a plane because my degree of color-blindness creates a negative depth perception scenario. CRASH!

My entire wardrobe consists of blue slacks and gray slacks. Dress and sport shirts are either blue, gray, white or black. Same with socks. I can't make a mistake. Oh....and my grungies......well, it depends on my mood.

I have an extremely deep tackle supply because when fish are hitting a specific color and style, I go buy 3 or 4 so I have them. I have figured out that it is best for me to keep the back of the package inside a 2 x 3 inch zip baggie with the lure. Seems to work OK.

Glad to find out there are more than me out there.

Edd

Something I use lots of out West in the inland lakes is ProCure bait scents, but I don't see you Ontario fishers ever mentioning such stuff. Does it not work in your area, or what? The new super gels, and UV gels stay on the dodgers and baits longer and seem to catch lots of fish over naked baits. Is availability a problem? Here is their link. www.pro-cure.com

Edd

Thanks a million Jerry, that's what I call response. I am really glad I found this site, and I'll be more than happy to share West Coast fishing with you all.

Edd

Not to be rude, but I'd like to 'hitch-hike' on this thread. I have two Scotty's, 1106 electric, and never had a major problem. I do however, have an annoyance with the weight deployment lever. It is not easy to select any certain speed and always seems jerky.

I have been thinking about changing to 2 Digi-Troll IV Cannons, but have heard bad things about the 'Bottom Tracking' feature. This feature is one thing that attracted me to the Digi's and I'm wondering if anyone can share whether it is or it isn't an issue. $2400 is a large investment for me, so I'd like to have as much info as I can get. I also like the Pos-ion control and the jigging capability.

Thanks in advance,

Edd