Sk8man

I chose my 18 ft Whaler for the same reasons John mentioned I can stand on the gunwales without the boat tipping even slightly (and I'm 200 pounds ). Specific hull design is an important consideration depending on the use you're going to give the boat. I think the fact that there are a lot of Thompson's still around may say something about their sea worthiness.

Thanks Mike By the way while your boat is out of commission you are always welcome in mine.

Good observations John. You know earlier in the season I was thinking maybe the fish I'm marking are not trout (maybe smallies etc.) but this is the second time that in being persistent in "messing" with them (back and forth up and down with the riggers, letting out line, taking it in, and going crossways, rocking the boat etc.) that I have caught a rainbow so I know at least some of the marks are bows but they sure are particular. One of the complicating factors here in assessing what is going on is the two year back to back virus/bacterial infections leading to die offs. There certainly seems to be adequate amounts of bait here but not like I've seen in years past where clouds of it go from over a hundred feet up to the surface.

Had things to do in Am left the north end launch at noon trolled the west side south with 2 riggers with sliders and a 200 copper with spoon, then added 4 oz wt to copper still nothing. A lot of fish and bait pods marked 40-70 ft down from 78 ft of water through 141 ft. wouldn't touch the offerings. Changed out the copper for 6 color leadcore then with weight and trolled right through fish and bait - no takers. Switched out spoons on riggers many times... nothing still marking fish spread out but no takers. Also marked very graphically what I initially thought was the thermocline but once I checked my lines it was clear it was the fleas...they were so thick thy even attached to my downrigger cables and the sea flee line on the downrigger rods (a first on them). The fleas are not the usual type they are very dark green resembling "moss" but they are more stubborn to get off than the usual types. In some places there were "bands" of them on the display and when I brought up my lines the fleas were intermittently distributed on the lines in bands as well. Once I reached Menteth I trolled back north and replaced the leadcore with a wire rig and flasher/fly combo followed by a spin doc combo....still nothing despite going back and forth through fish and "messing" with them trying to get them to bite. finally as I reached the Water Plant while right out iin the middle I was pulling in the wire and the 55 ft downrigger fired and started taking line and then a rainbow jumped once and then headed down. I got him in and he was a decent 4 lb bow...realized I left my camera in the vehicle but he came on the Great Lakes 44 with orange tape again. He was released unharmed after a few minutes reviving him. It turned out that it was good that I left the camera behind in the vehicle because I got a good shot of a blue heron on the way out of the launch.

Hey Jason $4.00 per pound is really incredible....out on the Cape the cheapest I've ever seen it even off season is $6.99 per pound. i do knowthat some locals there get theirs right at the Wellfleet pier from lobster men and fishermen and clammers and it is less expensive that way but I'm not sure how much cheaper.

Hey Jason how about me "field testing" a few lobsters and scallops ? You are a lucky dude all the way around

You picked a better evening Dave

ihgard - Here are pics of the "gizmo" I am talking about and the finished product and components. I use beads on the wires because I do a lot of cold weather fishing/trolling and it helps to feel the wires when your hands are cold and helps prevent dropping the leaders overboard

Nice going Dave. Was it pretty windy out there today? The water looked pretty good in the pics.....it was very windy and is in now Canandaigua anyway