Sk8man

Still have room on the other side of my window for one

Might want to contact John Mann at Sodus Point (Sodus Bay Canvas). He is a pretty incredible craftsman and probably has seen about every possible sscenario

It is a multi-salmonid tournament first of all despite the National Lake Trout designation. In the past the derby brought in people (and revenue to localities) on a lower level but much as the Lake O tournaments. Some of us have fished it for over 50 years and have had our families and kids involved while they were growing up. For many years we camped at Sampson State Park and met a lot of like minded folks from all over the place so it was a neat social experience as well. At one point there were over 2500 participants and the prize money was much less than the $10,000 now possible for first place now. The fishing conditions have changed radically from the old days largely due to the clarity of the water and invasives problems making the fishing more challenging....but that is what it is all about for many of us....the challenge. It isn't about catching the MOST trout....it is about catching the largest trout and that is a real challenge. In short, the derby is challenging but FUN! (and there are a lot of side benefits to it)

Going to miss ya there Kev.....but on the other hand....one less dangerous competitor to worry about.....kinda cold I know but this is the derby bud

Hopefully that isn't a bad omen....

Nice going Steve...a real beauty. Still some hope for the derby

Great looking rig Mark. Best of luck with it and the fishing this season.

Very true, and true in general about fishing...have to be flexible and open to changing circumstances.

There can be the problem of carrying around small fish when the release is too tight and often by the time you realize it (especially in rough water conditions etc.) it is too late for the fish if needed to release. If the release is set to about 3 lbs or so smaller fish can struggle and release it much of the time. Using the (about $10 digital luggage scale e.g. Walmart) can allow you to fine tune things to your preference rather than guessing. I tighten the release tighter than that when running attractors.

When you are having that kind of fun with family it is better than winning the grand prize in any tournament.

man....what a story! Congrats on the fish Chad and "surviving" the rodent issues

If using Blacks or similar get a digital luggage weighing scale attach it to the release and crank the release down to about 3 lbs.... that should help

Good advice

They will work with recessed gunwale rod holders but the length of the metal tubes needs to match up with the length and orientation of the recessed holder tubes so that they remain above the gunwale in the right orientation. Might want to measure the length of metal tube downpipe on the riggers. Just a suggestion Some recessed holders are at an angle and not at 90 degrees too.

Hi Stan, I was there yesterday....launched at Dean's. Water level was just right. We trolled south on west side to about across from the power plant. That area was free of debris until across from power plant when it started to get some intermittent debris a few pieces of wood some scum on top, and some weeds on the boards and riggers. It was mainly an east wind until the afternoon so I'm not sure where it was coming from. The water was fine all along the west side from Deans until we reached that point though. We were after landlocks and browns but only caught lakers on jointed black and silver Rapala on board 7 colors leadcore and 4 color, and then doubled on rigger set at 32 foot one fish on cheater with Elmer Hinckley #87 silver and and a #666 silver on the main one about 7-8 lbs. (pic). fun having the two on one line Caught total 7 lakers -, all released fine. They really slammed those Hinckley spoons and lost a couple big ones on the boards (sunk the boards when they hit) A lot of bait 60-98 ft water.....huge amount right at Sheldrake Point.. Most fish came over 50-68 ft water.