Sk8man

Just a thought on the rod breaking.....I don't know whether you had the graphite Ugly stick or not but I've had a couple of graphite rods break unexpectedly in the past and the only thing I could figure was that they were very brittle in the cold temp or may have had hairline cracks (undetected) from banging around in the boat or vehicle...either way it sucked

FLX - I was at the Chamber launch at the north end on Thursday just checking things out and the water level was pretty high then.....here's what it looked like (and the wooden part of the dock is buckled up)

Yes I didn't mean eating it right now

Heck of a nice eye! Some great eating right there....WTG

Nice going Johnny....looks like that one girl had an air hose hooked up to her belly

There are different ways of doing it but you want it to "roll" regardless... some folks do place a stiff wire in it and bend it, but many merely tighten the line going through it "cinching it" until it achieves the desired effect.

How did you make out selling the boat? It was a great rig for someone.

Thanks Kev. I sure remember Spence.....incredible fisherman here on Seneca and in Alaska. The great thing about the way this thread turned out is that so many great knowledgeable people contributed to it with "specifics" and solid questions. It is a learning experience for everyone and a "win win": for all and especially to newcomers to the site or to fishing. Thanks to all who contributed. Les

Good points. There were times when I shouldn't have been out there too Great job on the boat renovation . Best of luck out there this season.

One of the best investments I've ever made was in having a dodger made for the bow of my previous 13 ft. Whaler. It kept the huge Lake O waves totally out of my boat even in rough conditions that I couldn't have gone out in otherwise. It could be flipped up or down depending on conditions and my kids used to play with army men and read etc in it while fishing with me. Here is an old pic of it from the 80's with my son and his campground friend. The canvas was done by John Mann in 1979 and I still had it 22 years later when I sold the boat. Might be something to consider adding to yours as well to keep you dry from waves and possibly break up the wind and push it up over the cabin area....just a thought P.S. I even had one made for my current boat

Good one Sonam...thanks I have it too and had forgotten to mention that one. Another is the Sporttsman's Connection Western New York Fishing Map Guide (www.sportsman'sconnection.com/) (also in places lke Dick's and Walmart etc.).

Sean's comments are "priceless" and there is no substitute for direct "hands on" experience (in other facets of life as well as fishing). I sure wasn't meaning to suggest that books and videos etc. are "replacements" or even close to being as important as actual experience.....just additional ways to achieve some understanding some of the aspects of this specific fishery for those folks new to it or that don't live around here. Bob - I knew it was your copy because it had all the question marks in pen after every "big word" P.S. Finger Lakes veterans Sean and Ray have given some important kernals of wisdom here which you probably won't find in any video orbook Thanks guys.