Sk8man

There is a point where the leadcore will "bow out" with added length (in addition to increases and decreases in trolling speed) and I'm not sure you will gain as much as you think but I'm not sure exactly where that point of "no return on your investment" occurs

I think Pap is right on the money if you're going to do it yourself. Those new plugs for the Opti aren't cheap (about $20 each but well worth the investment).

Small to medium spoons in bright colors (hot pink, red, orange etc.) trolled quite fast (2.8-3.2) and usually out deep where you said and down 35-75 ft or so for starters. Sometimes they will take small sticks on the bottom main line with a small active spoon cheated above it ( I've had better luck with sliders unfixed). Have to look for them because they love to roam.

Welcome to LOU John. I used to really nail the smallies on a plain brass Mepps when I was about your age and also a CP Swing spinner (don't know if they make them anymore). I think the charter will really open your eyes to the wonderful world of salmon fishing.....we all look forward to it and the excitement will be starting up anytime soon. Best of luck with your fishing adventures. Les

Good luck with things Bob.

Definitely a major reason for living here in NYS but it is is also something to really think about when we local yokels complain about traveling an hour or so to get to the launch. Where else can you have world class fishing on your doorstep? Can't take anything for granted....we are truly lucky. My hat is off to those of you who travel such distances because it says a lot for your love of the sport and perseverance. Best of luck to all of you this season.

Rippin'Line and Missdemeanor did a great job of hitting on the main concerns and problems (ie. too much lure action, no the right action or not enough) and monitoring SPEED. Another factor is know your lures. Experiment to see exactly how your lures run and whether they might need to be tuned (as in flutter spoons). Sometime even slight bends in the spoon can make all the difference in the world. Notice how the spoon responds as you let out line...is it doing what you want? Sometimes I decide to use a different one and take if off if it doesn't look the way I want it to (back and forth motion in rhythm). There are times when you may actually want to use spoons that "roll" at higher speed (especially smaller flutter spoons at higher speed for rainbows and Atlantics). Varying your speed is important...don't just troll along at the same speed... throw it in idle once in a while then speed up, gradually speed up and then back down....do "s" turns while changing speeds. I constantly play with boat speed untiI connect with a particular setup (s) (good way to stay in shape too ) . The specific speed recommendations are fine as GENERAL indicators but they are not gospel....don't be afraid to run faster or slower than those (e.g. 3.2 vs. 2.3)...every boat and equipment setup is different as are things like current specific lures etc....many things to think about and monitor but attention to detail often separates a good day from a skunk. AND...sometimes they don't want spoons!

Take a look at the Boston Whaler Outrage if you can find one...safest boat on the water....and going offshore is not a problem

That is great news Sean. I know all about leaving stuff in the vehicle last time out it was my screw in 8 rod rack. Good thing I was solo I had them all over the floor of the boat.

I'll bet those currents were really ocillating a bit back when I hung up my 2 Seth Green rigs with 15 leaders each on the cables of the barge and had to cut the wire on each with wire cutters....bye bye 30 Suttons, 30 bead chains, swivels and wire connectors and 2 36 oz sinkers and 200 ft of 60 lb ss wire in exactly 500 ft of water....a rather unfortunate day of fishing

Sean thanks for the tip bud.

Great to hear things are happening there Sean and that those damned lampreys haven't done as much damage as they want to

Ryno23 is right it will be all over after 9-10AM because of the boat traffic and idiots but if you go anyway go early and jig for lakers (1 oz. white bucktail jig with 4 inch ZOOM "white pearl" plastic "tubes" or ZOOM Salty Super Flukes or Swimmin Super Fluke in White Ice and White Pearl in about 120 ft right on an angle from the "Bluff Point" toward Marlena Point (Southwest of the bluff across the lake) Drift or anchor up near any you spot on your fish finder. They were suspended off bottom about 10-20 ft. the last time I was out. make sure your jig hook is very sharp. Good luck if you go.

Guess I'm at a bit of a disadvantage with my bright white whaler.....should I spray paint it green or something?

Thanks Chuck great report. A lot of good points to think about too. I think next time out it will be rig fishing for me. It is still my favorite Finger Lakes fishing method and most of the time I can avoid the laker crowd by setting high with small spoons for the rainbows and browns and trolling faster. I may mess with jigging too though as it is also a lot of fun. Those were good lakers you got so you sure dialed them in... Thanks also for the heads up on the weed mats they can be hard to avoid with the rigs

A lot of those big browns can be in the bay itself at Sodus they often are spotted near or under a friends dock near Bonnecastle....BIG ones.