ReelPower

Start simple and check all aspects of fuel delivery, as fuel starvation is the most logical choice. A carb issue would probably affect the idle. I double the advice to examine the check-valve at the fuel tank outlet. Sounds like your buddy has examined other possible fuel flow issues. This is an often-overlooked source of fuel starvation. A little crap can wedge in there and prevent the check ball from opening properly. I had the same problem...it was the check valve. Simple and cheap fix. Vroooom!

Kudos to Big Jon's service dept. - replacement reels on the way. Still want to convert to electric eventually if it will work on the hardtop.

Thanks guys I'll give 'em another call...tried to order new reels through their website...it wouldn't work. Tried to contact a person as instructed by website, no one picked up. Guess the shop was out fishing late on a Friday afternoon.

I run Big Jon manual planer reels and pulleys off my hardtop rail. The plastic reels have broken at the handle (after one season). Does anyone rune the electric Big Jon Reels off a hardtop rail? Do the electric reels fit? Should I bother? Any insight into my dilemma is appreciated. Thanks in advance. Jarrett

I have a 21' trophy (8'6" beam) that I run four cannons off. Two custom boom easi-trolls off the back and two unitrolls off the sides about 3 foot from the transom. Key to the ability to manuever the riggers is the cannon swivel bases. I can also kick the transom riggers out or in a little to net easier. With the right rod holder set up, I can run four riggers and four dipsys or four riggers and four board lines no problemo. The transom riggers are mounted on the opposite sides of the transom w/extra long arms (swim platform). I extend the side-mounted unitrolls out 2/3 of max. extension and have no problems with tangles. Shark cannonballs keep the spread running accurately. Rough conditions haven't been a big problem for the four downrigger spread. Either I can fish or its too dangerous. I fish deep off the side mounted unitrolls (15 lb. sharks & probe) and shallower off the back two easitroll riggers (12 lb. sharks). This gets the back riggers "out" a little bit and keeps the spread from tangling. Go for four! Use the swivel bases and get some hydronamic downrigger balls/fish. Jarrett

Fishing Report Your Name / Boat Name: Reel Power ============== TRIP OVERVIEW ============== Date(s):May 13 - 16 Time on Water: p.m. on 13th, all day 14-15, a.m. on 16th Weather/Temp: Everything but sunny and warm Wind Speed/Direction: Every which way Waves: 7 footers to dead calm Surface Temp: 44-49 Location: Niagara Bar & nearby - Canadian Side LAT/LONG (GPS Cords): =============== FISHING RESULTS =============== Total Hits: 8 Total Boated: 4 Species Breakdown: 3 kings, 1 steelie Hot Lure: none Trolling Speed: 2.6 was best Down Speed: same Boat Depth: 40 - 230 Lure Depth: 28-140 ==================== SUMMARY & FURTHER DETAILS ==================== OK the candaian board is pretty lifeless so here's my report from Port Dalhousie. It was a lot of work for picky fish. Day one - blown off the lake by easterlies, tried in front of Port D, nice screen no bites. Day two - Niagara Bar all day. Slight rollers from the east, then calm, then decent chop from the west. What kings were firing were up in the water column for us. A 10 lb. off a dipsy/spoon at 150. Lost a nice one on a silver blue spin doc/dipsy at 175. Took a 24 lb. four colors of leadcore off boards w/ a reefrunner chart./blue. Lost another mature on the same rig. Missed a hit on a dip/spoon. Couldn't buy a rigger fish no matter where we parked 'em. Temps were decent, 46 - 49. Day three - Niagara Bar in the a.m. We had three matures on, lost all three. Same leadcore set up took a hit, a rigger hit at 28 ft. and i think a dippy hit too. Spent the p.m. trolling around Jordan's, Port D. and the Welland. Nada. Temps cooled off to 44-46. Day four, a.m. only. Hit a 17 lb. king on a rigger NK spoon at 90. Took a steelie off the 28 ft. rigger. Temps still cool and water clear. Fishing was tough. We fished deep with riggers and dips but it just wasn't happening for us. Seemed like the fish came up after the big blow on Thursday then went deep and scattered out to deeper water. Small smelt were on the menu by stomach content, about 3-4 inches long. Didn't get a magnum sized spoon to fire, only the smaller sizes in white/silver combinations. Didn't see all that much bait on the finder. Intermitent schools of smelt on bottom for the most part, it seemed. Port D. is as nice as ever. Great place to dock. The charters boys were having consistency in their catches but nothing crazy good. The amatuers like us seemed to be struggling. The Sunday bite was good further offshore where we weren't, 230 -300 fow down 120 to 145.

Thanks for the report...us out of state dudes really appreciate it. I'm starting a three day fish west of the Bar so I hope the East wind blows 'em my way. Also hope it lays down, eh? Its never windy in Port Dalhousie, right?

Triploids shoudn't count.

Heading up to St. Catherines/Port Dalhousie this Thursday-Sunday. My order of green label whole alewives is not in hand. Does anyone know where I can buy whole alewives any where near my destination or on the way? I'm coming up from Cleveland.

Heading up next Thursday to Port D...gonna fish the Canuck side of the bar for the first time...THANKS for the great report and pics. Can't wait!

I'll be up in Port Dalhousie in a week, fishing for Kingers. I've fished the immediate area before, doing well in front of the port, at the Welland Canal and over by Jordan's Harbor. I plan on fishing the Bar, eh? I've never fished the American side or the Canadian side. I've checked out the depth charts and the Canadian side seems to have more structure over there. Are there any general tips or advice I should keep in mind when fishing the Bar and especially the Canadian side of the Bar where I'll be setting up? Thanks in advance. I have a full range of options for trolling - riggers, boards, leadcore & dipsys.

WOW. That is a fine rig. Its the perfect rig, IMO. Does the drydeck increase grip or just protect the floor? My Trophy 2160 is awfully jealous. Jarrett

I bought a very nice aluminum custom made rocket launcher for my Trophy 2160 this winter. The price was unbeatable and the quality very good. Well packed for shipping. The gentleman is Greg Byerly. He can be contacted through his ebay store: Byerly's Custom Fabrication. He's in North Carolina and can fab aluminum to your specs. Guys like stainless but the aluminum is cheaper and lighter. I saved about $300 versus stainless and got a custom job. Jarrett

IMO, the Keep America Fishing link's email response is very well written. The policy statement paper of this executive level committee does not seem to recognize sport fishers as a group at the table. BTW the prez has very little legal authority to dapple in Great Lake's fisheries' policy. This is more smoke than fire. Same goes for State coastal waters, to a lesser segree. Check out the committee's "authority" section in its working policy paper. Not a single citation to actual law.

Capt'n Vince I see your points. I did go through the threads, all 15 pages. I still believe in wise use of natural resources for energy production but the scale of the Mexico bay proposal is WAY out of line. Here on Erie the canucks have been drilling for and producing natural gas in the big pond for decades. It is a vast resevoir. Their rigs are spread out. Ohio refuses to allow drilling on Lake Erie despite the track record of safety and the huge supply. I'm not opposed to a few drilling rigs, or a few turbines. However, blocking access to thousands of acres for a mega-farm is not a good plan, I agree. Good luck fighting the private interests pulling the levers behind the scenes. I do not want the giant scale of the proposal to go forward, either. Good luck in the first King of the Lake tourney to all the Captains on this thread. I'll be up to Dalhouise after the wakes settle down.

Legacy I agree with the nuclear option as being WAY better than wind. I can also see why the turbines should be located closer to the ultimate consumer of electricity, i.e. downstate. That would tick me off too. Moderators who are personally attacking me as ignorant and desiring of a turbine in my front yard...that's weird. I didn't start this post or attack anyone. I expected other opinions but geez you guys aren't you the ones supposed to keep people from personally attacking other members? I would like a small turbine in my yard to generate my home's electricity. If only I could sell back to the grid in Ohio. We're facing the same proposed wind turbine projects down here on Erie. I guess one big difference is that most of the power would be consumed locally. Sorry to tee off any republicans. I just meant that I was being "pro energy". Nothing more. I'm and independent if that makes any difference.

Alright call me a republican on this one: based upon the image: (A) In the picture we have power that is not coal based (no mercury, eh?): (B) The space used in the lake(s) is rather minimal in relation to the lake's total surface area; © Fish and bait like structure and current breaks, eh?; (D) If you troll yer rig into the turbine post you are: (1) not paying attention; (2) drunk; or (3) rather sight impaired. So long as I can troll on by or stay close (think gulf of mexico oil rigs) I am happy coal fired power plants have competition. BTW the pacific salmon are as unnatural in Lake Ontario as a wind turbine. Bash me, I know there are good reasons to support no intrusion whatsoever but we all use electricity. Jarrett

I used the Red Label this season for river steelies. It works well...a little more stretch and a little less abrasion resistant than the Grand Max I usually use. I was happy with it and my wallet was ecstatic.

OK spoon puller here. I've got some limited experience running flasher/flies, but none running meat in the big lake. My only meat experience is brining and wrapping herring strips on flatfish to backtroll in AK. I have a few questions: (1) What is your preferred method to preserve/prepare Alewives? The cost of purchasing bait seems way high in light of how many of the little buggers are out there. (2) Bait heads vs. whole rigged alewives - how do I rig/fish both and is there a preference most folks have one way or the other? (3) Tipping flies with strips - does it kill the action/affect the spin? Good idea? Thanks for any help! I'm clueless as to preferred speeds, flashers v. dodgers with meat, etc. Jarrett

I just purchased four of the standard (narrow) mounts after MUCH research. I have not fished 'em yet but heard very good first-hand reports before purchasing. What swayed me was the design...rotational vs. fixed (Big jon). The locking mechanism is very positve, easily adjustable too. The quality is top notch and the holders look pretty bombproof. Pricing was competetive. Good warranty as well. Made in USA (PA). Hope that helps.

Name: Jarrett Northup Location: Ohio Home Port: Eastlake, Ohio Boat Name/Type: "Reel Power" (named by three year old if ya need to know) I fish for: Eyes, Steelies, Salmon, Trout, Smallies, Muskies, Cats, Etc. ================== Well it was time to take a break down here in the man-cave from preparing for next season's Salmon trips. Can't wait for a rod to go off this Spring off the Welland Canal or in front of Jordan's Harbor. Been a couple seasons since fishing the Scotty tournaments up there. In Summer its chrome shark hunting off Olcott. Did alright this past Augus7-9th. Great mixed bag. I've got a couple real young boys so two trips are probably all that I can muster this year. This site rocks and you NY chaps are very helpful. Shoot me a pm if you are coming to Erie (Cleveland Area) for eyes or river steelies and want some info. Look for my Blue/White/Grey1989 Bayliner Trophy 2160 w/planer reels/pulleys on the hardtop and four cannon manuals off the back. Got 'er last year and have thrown $ at the lovely craft ever since. Just picked up a bunch of fun salmon gear and can't wait ot try it out: fishhawk probe, 12 lb. shark cannonballs, black's releases, craig & titelock rodholders for dipseys and boards respectively and some larger Okuma and Daiwa Sealine GL 47 LC reels and rods to tackle kingers without looking like a crappie or misplaced walleye fisherman. Did I say I can't wait to get back? The power pro is zipping through my fingers and onto the reels. Y'all have a great fishery...BIG salmonids. I've fished and guided trout and salmon from Chile to AK and Ontario is one of the best fisheries in the world. Can't wait to get my boys up there. See y'all in the St. Catherines/Port Dal. area May 13-16. Tight Lines, Jarrett

Dang KGone we were camped right next to you. Noticed the front end damage to your vehicle as we were heading to the dock Sunday morning. Glad the responsible driver stopped and took responsibility. Sounds like the fishing was about the same for both of us. I wish I could go back in a couple weeks. Jarrett

Howie I got your call but my cell battery went dead. Responded on the radio but I guess you didn't copy. We set up in the 350 fow zone like you recommended but couldn't buy a fish until heading back in...popped a nice king in 98 fow...it tangles the rigger flasher fly slider combo then waited until I had to try to cut the mess off the mainline at the rod tip before bolting WITH THE SLIDER SPOON'S 1/0 TREBLE BURIED IN MY LEFT INDEX FINGER TIP. Ouch. Fortunately my bud slacked off even though he didn't know my predicament and I was able to grab the spoon body and snap the 20lb fluro leader. That was our only fish on Friday. Sat. was good but we sure paid our dues to get 'em. We saw your boat in the harbor but your were not dockside there when we were. We spent most of out time on the lake. When you were running in on Friday we were powering out to 270 fow for a look-see. My buddy says Hey isn't that the yellow banana boat you were talking about...you are hard to miss. Is you boat an Invader or a Sea Ray or some other manufacturer? It looks like a nice ride for Ontario. We enjoyed Olcott...pleasant place to dock. We camped at Harbor which was OK for how long we were actually in camp. Are there any other campgrounds around with a little more space to spread out? Thanks for helping a Clevelander out...we did hit one nice king in the 350 zone Sat. Love them Brown Trout fillets. Let me know if you are ever down to Erie for Eyes or river steelhead...I'll try to help ya' out. Jarrett

Fishing Report Your Name / Boat Name:Reel Power ============== TRIP OVERVIEW Tough for kingers, nice mixed species bag kept things interesting ============== Date(s): 8/7-8/9 Time on Water: Friday evening dawn to dusk Sat. and Sun. morning Weather/Temp: Pleasant, showers, mixed light seas to dead calm, a storm as we pulled out Sun. Wind Speed/Direction: mixed Waves: 0-2 Surface Temp: 68.5-71.9 Location: 77fow to 420 fow North Esat and West of Olcott LAT/LONG (GPS Cords): =============== FISHING RESULTS =============== Total Hits: 15 Total Boated:12 Species Breakdown: 4 adult kings, two fattie brownies, three coho, two steelhead, one atlantic Hot Lure: Large glow spoons - Moonshine Trolling Speed: 2.7 was good for us Down Speed: Wish I knew Boat Depth: best fishing 95 to 130 fow, cooler water west of harbor, took one king in 350 fow. Lure Depth: about 50-70 for the kings, blowback in the rigger lines was steep (I need heavier weights for this game). ==================== SUMMARY & FURTHER DETAILS First time out of Olcott. Seemed like most boats were struggling. Patterned the kings Sat. evening, thought we'd be right in 'em Sun. morning. Nope. Cool mixed bag of fish with coho and steelie crashing bait on the surface this morning. A dipsey set at three and 50 feet back kept us alert. One coho chased a school of baitfish right into the bow of the boat, using it like a corral. Decent size to the kings: 15,17,19 & 22. Three hens with fairly well developed eggs. Besides large glow moonshine spoons NGK and NBK were firing, as well as some other greenish black/silver veteran. Great facilities at Olcott...we'll be back. If anyone had a good program working out of Olcott this weekend I'd like to hear what was up. We couldn't get the flashers and flies to fire on kings...only got the atlantic and a couple knock-offs. KGone sorry I missed your call. Dead battery. Hope you did great. ====================

Howie I'll track your bananna boat down on the dock or hail you on the water. Thanks for the tips...I was wondering what people were referring to when discussing the "barn" and "microwave"! We'll be staying at the Harborside camp grounds. I drive an older model silver landcruiser with Ohio plates. We'll probably arrive after you are on the water...I'm guessing about 2:30 or so by the time we're under power. I'll give you a shout on 68 and keep yer # handy. Kgone maybe we'll see you at the campground when you roll in. I couldn't afford the new x4 probe for my Fishawk (old probe didn't come with boat at purchase) so help with down temps would be very much appreciated. We are planning on running four riggers with sliders on the transom riggers and two braided dipsey lines. I plan an assortment of spinnys/flies and spoons. Sounds like green, purples and gators are the current coice. Should I keep the rigger spread relatively tight to imitate a school or space it out to cover H20? If you run dips, what is a good starter length for kingers? Now less than three days to splash. Yeah!