Reel Doc

Sorry to be slow, but back to work Monaday afternoon, not by choice. We got out of Deans Sunday by 10 am, a little better than the first trip, and cruised south of Sheldrake. For some reason the GPS would not start up for about an hour, so we were guessing speed. About noon Spencer brought in this Laker, her belly had her looking like a Jersey ready to drop twins, (ask Chowder, he'll understand). Even though he loves to eat fish, Spencer was not so sure about putting this egg laden female on the table, so we snapped a photo and let her go. She is our first downrigger fish as I spent part of Saturday installing the 2 used manual Cannons I picked up. Took a blue dolphin NK spoon, (thank you Billy V, BassPro has glow frog too), set at 100 feet. Hit Kidder's landing for lunch by 1, then tubed the rest of the afternoon. I was geeked up that if we could get out early Monday we might get more than 1 fish. Bad idea!! The family was up and we launched by 8:30, (a little better), but the South breeze had put some chop on the water. My wife and 2 kids were green, the GPS again would not start to read anything, so it was going all wrong...we quit after about an hour. With school back in session, wee may be taking a couple weeks until we hit it again, but bit by bit we may be getting a little smarter. I was happy to know we could run two riggers and 2 Dipseys and not have four lines wound up in a ball! Greg

Thanks guys. And by the way, those are size 13's on the crocs. I have some with the Mets logo on them which explains why I do not have them on in the picture. Greg

Finally rigged and ready for our first fishing trip on Cayuga Sunday. With 3 kids getting launched out of Deans by 10 was an accomplishment. We ran just 2 Dipsey rigs with green/white flies between Sheldrake and the power plant. My wife was primary pilot, with steering help from the kids, so after about an hour she was hitting a fairly consistent 2.3-2.4. Other issues included losing a rig to a weed pod, but when all was said and done, my oldest son kept us skunk-free by pulling in this 22 inch Laker. Nothing special for most, but for our maiden voyage, Priceless!! As you can tell by the photo, I have the biggest grin. Can't wait to expand on the learning curve and spend more time on the water. Big Thank You's to all who have contributed to my questions along the way, I'm sure to have more. Very special thanks to Chowder and Sponge for going beyond the call of duty with their willingness to help. Greg

As a newcomer to trolling could you let me know in more detail what rigs you were using? Thanks, Greg

You are not being biased now are you?

Good to hear the report. My boat's kicker will be installed and ready by Tuesday, so we're hoping to get out for the first time this week. Is there something about the area betweeen Deans cove and Sheldrake that keeps the fish away in the summer? I never see boats trolling that section. Greg

Perch Predator...how big are the Cayuga lake perch? Are they good to eat this time of year, or better when the chill hits?

Beautiful rainbow. Does Cayuga lake grow them like that or do I need to launch on the West side of Seneca County? You have me wishing I pulled the trigger on the boat purchase a few months ago...the kicker is being installed this week. Greg

Hooked up is down your way, I'm 4 miles north of Dean's Cove. Greg [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

You had an awesome night. I need to call RAS and have them hurry up with that kicker. The fish are feeding hard in all the lakes. Greg [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Thanks, So you like the "Cat Scratch Fever" Man! Greg

The boat was listed as having no electronics, but when we had it surveyed, a GPS unit and a Humminbird 200 DX Fishfinder suddenly appeared. I have yet to work the plot setup for the GPS. Will that give me accurate speed? The fishfinder lists a temp and mph, but I'm not getting mph readings. No manuals came with this stuff, so the Internet is helping piece it together. The fishfinder has a second transducer, just a small round cylinder, so I'm worried it is only a temp sensor, but I was going to contact Humminbird this week to try and figure it out. It definitely shows fish, Friday we cruised to Sheldrake for dinner and at low speed it lighted up with fish in the 60-110 fot range. Greg

Thanks for the input. I have some LJ Magnum Dipseys, Diawa rod/LC reel combos with 30 lb wire, flies and flashers. What about the Flashers, with the lake water so clear is it best to keep them at lower movement, or like so many other variables, each day wants a little different presentation. Hooked up, what do you mean by a 7 strand set? The boat is getting a kicker installed this week, so we may actually be ready to wet some line next weekend. Greg

As directed by some of you fine fisherman, I've assembled the makings of Dipsey rigs, and now await the install of a kicker for the boat. My questions about the Dipseys are 1. What strength leader should be used between Dipsey and Flasher? 2. How to set the Dipsey...I know typical depths are 70-110, is there some science to what number to set the Dipsey at? 3.Chowder, you adjusted the trigger on the Dipsey so it would not prematurely pop...is that all based on feel, or is there a certain line pull you vcan do by hand to test it. I really do not want to keep accidently setting off the Dipsey like you showed me a few weeks ago. Thanks in advance for the help.

I'm looking to add a 9.9 hp kicker to the 2002 24' Wellcraft Walkaround we just acquired. Any of you have experience with someone who has good knowhow on installation? Would like to stay with an Evinrude/Johnson as the main powerplant is an Evinrude. Somewhere in the Rochester to Syracuse corridor would be great as I'm in Seneca Falls.

Thanks for the starting points. What is the deal with the fleas? Will copper line combat them better?

I'm in the process of buying a 2002 Wellcraft 24' Walkaround with a 200 HP Evinrude motor. It has no electronics beyond a VHF radio. We plan to use it for fishing the Fingerlakes; Cayuga lake will be its home, with occasional trips to Lake Ontario. What electronics would you recommend. Also, downrigger/rod reel combos. I've been a shore/jon boat fisherman for years in smaller ponds and Long Island sound, so boat fishing the deep lakes is a new twist. I expect there may be a steep learning curve that hopefully you all can assist with. Thanks for your input Greg