YodaMage

Big Game 20# clear is not seeing anywhere near the action 17# clear XL (or XT for that matter) are.

I have a Uniden 525 I bought reconditioned for $80 and have no complaints.

P.S.-Starting to see a big difference in hits between the two rods running 17# Trilene XL > two rods running Big Game.

Started out at 150fow trolled out to 300, nothing. Trolled back in to 190fow and had a small Steelie on a green and white NK. Quiet for a while, then hit 3 quick ones including a Steelie just under 12# all on a white and green #2 J&L and all between 175fow and 160fow. Had something come through and pop both releases (running 6ft apart, but cranked down pretty tight), then just as I got those back down in the water I hooked a King which I figure to have been in the high teen to 20 range, but which spit the hook next to the boat after having tired me out over about 25 minutes. Finished out with one last small Steelie. Finished out 5 for 8 in about 4.5 hours of trolling about. Was running a little faster today, in the 3.2 to 3.5 MPH range, all fish were between 50 to 70 down. I'm off the water until the 12th.

I run anywhere from 10 to 50 feet back depending on what I am running (if I am pulling down anything that wants to dive, then short), weather (I run longer if there is allot of chop or if lake is glass), depth (deeper tends to mean shorter), etc..

Never formally posted here so I will now. Name is Chris. Spent about 20 years on the lake, most every weekend on my dad's boat (Ontario Flasher) out of Braddock mostly though we worked Sodus to Oak Orchard. For those of you who still have any J&L lures in the box, I spent many a teen year making them out in the garage (Dad is the 'L'). Also knew Roemer of rigger release fame who worked with the old man at the big yellow box. Been gone for last 10 years, but this year got the itch and bought an 18 foot Trophy WA ("The Wet Spot", green canvas and green lettering). I am out in Grand Island and wanted to be able to easily be portable since I straddle both lakes. Most of the time will be out of Wilson though I'm occasionally out of Oak or Rochester and occasionally out of Lewiston in the river mouth or out on the eastern end of Erie. If you see me, give me a holler.

So I didn't get out til 11AM due to a long night yesterday. Started out at 200 fow and through out a full random spread of gear: Dodger and Fly, Spoons, a Fast Trac on a dipsey, etc.. Ran about due north out of Wilson to 325 fow, then back SE right at the Microwave tower east of Olcott. No marks and nothing going.....until 3PM. After a couple of NE, SE zig zags I finally hit a Steelie on a White and Green NK, 55 down over 195fow. Now I'm on to them! So I pull all the gear and stack spoons tight from 70 to 50 down. Went 5 for 7 over the next 2.5 hours, but only running north and south and always between 195 and 225 fow dead north of the water tower. Still never saw more than a handful of marks all day. Hottest lure after the switch was a pink and white #1 J&L that I hit three in a row on, including one at 30 down while trying to get it back in the water and hanging over the side hooking up the third release. (After that I spread wider from 30 to 80, but most action was at 70) Bet I'll have another of same color combo by tomorrow morning All fish were Steelies from 5 to 12 lbs. Size of fish was consistent with depth with a 10# and 12# at 70 and 75 and 5->6 pounders up at 30->40 fow and a 8# at 55fow. I tossed out an array of spoons but every fish and release was on a spoon that was white. Nothing chrome even got a sniff. Secondary color seemed best at pink or purple with green only getting one pass. Hope this helps, I'll be back out Monday.

I am considering a weekend plan of: Friday- I think I am going to drop in at Silver Creek about 9AM and work the Hill in Erie for some Lakers and Eyes. Saturday- Drop in at Newfane around 8AM and play around looking for marks from the dumping grounds out to about 250 fow and see what I can find. Sunday-Drop in around 8AM in Wilson, See how marks look between 130 and 200, gotta pull out by 2 though and head home, short day. Monday- Go back to either Wilson or Newfane, depending on which looked better previously.

I think you have the right guy, dad (Larry) did about 35 years over at the box, 59 I believe. He still talks to Suess about once a week, I'm not sure about the other guys. (Bucky is gone, I believe Roemer is as well). He is well though Mom's health has been up and down last 3 years or so which has kept him off the water. I'll mention the name to him when I talk to him next and look you up the next time I'm out east...we talked about splitting the difference and running out of Bald Eagle or Oak Orchard next time.

Hey all. New to the forum. I just bought a Trophy 1802 to get back in the game. I am in Grand Island but and will split time between Erie and Ontario between the the Niagara mouth down to Sodus depending on what is to be found. For those of you old timers, I grew up on the lake on my old man's boat "Ontario Flasher" (some may even have some of his lures still in the box, god knows I have about 1000 )which was out of Braddock. Anyway, I figured Fathers Day was a good day to look to christen my boat on Ontario and take Dad out after almost 8 years away. Anyway, started at 110 fow in front of Russell, marked a few schools of bait. Ran 2 on on a rigger at 60 and 50, 2 more on another rigger at 30 and 40, and two on top. Bounced speed around from 1.5 to 2.5 and worked out to 170fow working neast. Nothing and stopped marking anything. Dropped one rigger to set lines to 85 + 75. Trolled back south in front of I Bay to 90 fow, then pulled them up and headed into 60 fow. Continued west through Webster running lines at 50/40/30/30 with two on top. Nothing, marked nothing. Gave up and pulled riggers them headed into 25 fow looking for bass. Ran 4 wide on top and trolled back to I-bay mouth roaming between 25 and 16 fow. Marked quite a bit of bait and random little stuff but no hits... Surface temp was consistent range of 61 to 65 everywhere though there was a distinct scum line at 120 fow. Oh well...June and July always were tough months...especially when you aren't closely following the lake. This week weather looks miserable so I might have to stay down here in river and grab some bass and maybe a pike or two. Glad to be back though, even if I lost my butt at the pump for no action!