Sk8man

I bought the regular resident one for 2014 a couple weeks ago for the usual $29.

Steering a boat isn't rocket science....but it takes focused attention..... people can't be looking at their Iphones and texting or rummaging through the cooler to get a drink and steer properly at the same time. Many times we get used to our own particular "systems" and ways of doing things and then either forget or fail to communicate important details to others who take over steering for us and then expect them to know these little basic "ins and outs" such as using a specific compass heading, staying with a landmark, cutting across waves at an angle, or watching the angles and positions of the lines and then we get pissed at the people for not doing what we want them to do. Most of the time the responsibility (and blame) resides with US. It is often because we are so "into" our fishing game and anxious to get started etc. that we don't take the necessary time to go over what to do and the reasons for doing it a certain way. Its probably 50 percent of the reason my wife doesn't fish with me anymore

Bondouley I want you to know for sure I wasn't being critical of you in any way whatsoever.....I thought later that I should have said that at the outset....I just wanted to let folks new to the trolling scene know not to expect several kings every time out there....I too enjoy your posts and those of the other folks out there that take the time and effort to share information and opinions...... I think that this website is a real credit to our sport. Les

I "second" Chris' comment. I look forward to your reports as well and find them entertaining as well as informative I also find it encouraging as in the pic above that young people are getting involved in our sport (vs. staring at the computer, Iphone or TV screen all day). For the past decade or so hunting and fishing has not seen many newcomers in the way of younger people and that will be the future of the sport. I think the exposure gained on the YT is a great start for some lucky dudes... Keep up the good work Rick! Les

I think some of the reasons for the growth of the Lakers is related to the fact that they can live 6 to 7 times longer than browns or Pacific salmon (30 yrs or so) and the "slot limit" protects them to a degree, they can feed in the shallows and compete with other large fish without the fear of being eaten as well as the fact that they have a very diversified diet and are not truly dependent on alewives. I have found sunfish, perch, small bass and various crustaceans in their stomach contents over the years suggesting to me that they are very "adaptive".

It is pretty wierd....the total shutdown of the lake.,.. but John is right never give up! We get used to the big time action ofthe kings but fishing has always been an"up and down" proposition. I can remember back in the mid to late 1970's when it took about 8 or9 hours to catch a legal trout on Seneca before the stocking efforts increased and that was all the time...It taught those of us who stayed with it patience as well as made us really delve deep into our bag of tricks to deliver....anyone that thinks they have this stuff "all figured out" is delusional... but trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together is part of the fun.....

Tim....you weren't alone on that I don't think very many were caught (like in years past anyway) all along the south shore from the posts here at least. It will be interesting to know what turns up at the hatchery this year too in the way of matures in comparison to the past couple years.

It might have been my pink Barbie Zebco with the king on the other end?

and the eyes are the second thing to go Rick

But wasn't it SEPTEMBER? (says August above) Man... I know what you mean... in the past the action was good sometimes well into October....unreal...and really good fish too...things in general seem early to me this year...we have some leaves on the ground around here and some of the trees are turning a couple weeks early...crazy...

Rick - You might want to edit the dates (says August 5th and 6th). Tough going out there and if you weren't able to do it it wasn't "doable"....tough to figure this total shutoff on the lake.... Les

Amen!

Around this time of the season the game plan changes...rather than looking for hungry fish according to temps and depths and thermocline orientation and rigid guidelines for setups it is mainly a matter of locating the fish and trying to irritate or provoke them enough to strike at the lures and attractors. Many times the attractors themselves get nailed because of the aggressiveness. Rather than mimicing wounded or"vulnerable" bait the terminal tackle often needs to be as bright as possible, run in ways that evoke the aggression (frequent speed changes and even "start and stop stuff" and placed "in their face" and often up close to the ball. The kings may also be found in water that you'd never think they'd be in ( e.g. 20ft in 70 degree water). When you look around now there are signs that Fall appears to be coming early this year (leaves on the ground and colors turning in places) so things may be a little ahead in terms of the spawning ritual as well. I know this was off topic a bit but it is something to keep in mind in addition to the specifics of setups - especially for folks new to the trolling scene.

Usually a couple lines run way back with light leaders, very small spoons or sticks various colors often run on diagonals from the shore outward. There have been some very big ones in here but lately haven't been catching any at all.