Sk8man

There is a total avoidance of the real underlying issues on the part of government and a vast majority of the citizens of our country. We have virtually eliminated access to mental health services in this country because of the money involved. Mental health professionals and the medical profession are running scared because we live in a society with way to many lawyers and lawsuits are the name of the game these days. At the very heart of the thing is the disintegration of the family unit, absence of involved fathers as effective male role models and disciplinarians , one parent (or grand parents) trying to raise youths, the blame game between parents and teachers and school administrators, a growing total lack of respect for parents, or teachers,and authority figures by much of today's youth, and the rampant portrayal of violence on TV, the movies, reality shows, and especially video games accessed by youth (unmonitored)- you name it....we are viewing ourselves as a "violent culture" and this becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Adding to this is the underlying message being given in many different ways that bring the sports mentality into everyday life....there are only "winners" and "losers" so perpetrators of crimes become "winners" and the victims are viewed as "losers". People defending themselves or their property are put on the defensive to explain their actions rather than the focus being on the offending person, and the legal system that allows serious repeat offenders to go free or with a slap on the wrist and they continue to offend and up the anty while the system appears sound asleep. Guns in and of themselves aren't the problem...illegal trafficing and illegal possession and use are problems...and they aren't being effectively dealt with by anyone.

I hope you recover your stuff Hans. It is puzzling that they didn't touch the other stuff though and as much as I hate to say it it sounds like somebody who fishes and is adding them to their own stuff rather than selling or they would have taken everything...especially if it was drug money related motive etc. I'd keep an eye out around there....

If Tom doesn't have the right ones check here at Scott's Bait and Tackle in the Penn Reel Department http://store.scottsbt.com/Default.aspx

I think when all is said and done it does boil down to preference....it is a matter of what knot you have confidence in and good results with over time.

I prefer the Willis now (since my buddy Admiral Byrd suggested I try it last year) and it works great. I do add a touch of glue to the knot as a precaution but that's me...it has never broken or been a problem and it goes through the tip and eyes of my rods with ease. It takes a little doing to get the mono threaded through and butted up against the lead inner core but I don't worry about the knot at all.

The Willis knot is the one I was suggesting I had forgotten the name of it.... Tx Tim.

It is also possible to go deeper than the 50 ft or so if you add in line weights (sinkers) to the leadcore and depending on speed less leadcore can be used as well with weight to get down but it is harder to tell where your lure is running.

It is possible if the swivel is very tiny (# 8 or10 Spro power swivel for example) if it goes through the rod tip and eyes but the problem is tying the leadcore side of it because the knot itself won't go through most eyes, it is almost impossible to get the leadcore through the eyelet of the barrel to tie it) and most barrel swivels won't either if you go bigger sort of a catch 22....IF you are only going to use a short leader say about 6 inches shorter than your rod length you can use a larger barrel as long as you aren't expecting it to come through the tip...it is still pretty clumsy as far as the knot though...lead core is notthe most fun stuff to tie. Another thing with barrels isthat often the little ones will clear the tip and eyes and then hang up on the level wind guide...for reels like the Penns,and older Diawa's for example you can widen the aperture of the line guide to make it work but with some of the newer reels with narrower and reinforced apertures it is not possible (or advisable).

I use 27 lb test leadcore with 30 lb Big Game mono for backing and it works fine. I use a17 -20 lb fluoro leader of various lengths but use 10 or12 lb in the Spring prior to the flea fest. It is the one thing I don't use a Spro barrel swivel for in between. I thread the mono up through a 2 1/2 to 3 inch section of the the sheathing of the leadcore (lead removed from the section first) and tie a half hitch knot in it to prevent it from slipping back through.

The downrigger rod should work OK but depending on how much leadcore you intend to use (say 10 colors = 300ft plus backing) you will need some capacity on the REEL All you need is 18 or 27 lb leadcore not the heavier type which takes up more space but doesn't give you any significant sinking ability.

Hope you recover your stuff....it is a real violation ...last year I had a $200 camera taken off my boat while I was getting my vehicle/trailer in the parking lot (fishing solo)...pretty brazen...just wish I could have seen who it was they would have been swimming for sure....

You mentioned that you live fairly nearby so Tim's point is well taken too. The silvers are better eating if you plan to keep fish and are usually readily available in the shallows in the Spring and when the water temps and wind are favorable later on sometimes as well. The matures that are coming into the creek to spawn in the Fall are already starting to "decompose" and although kings are fighters regardless they won't be as much fun at that stage as a rule as the non-spawners that seem to have a lot more"zip" to them. Pier fishing (from shore with light tackle)) for them may be a little different in that they aren't working against the weight of the boat. You may also encounter some big browns that come in close to shore after the eggs etc if the water flow is right for it.

For trolling the wall area Mark (Skipper 19) is right on target...and it won't cost you an arm and a leg for equipment. Do make sure you have VERY sturdy rod holders though as they are essential.