Sk8man

Laker of a lifetime from the Fingers ...probably pushing close to 40 inches at that weight....

Thanks Mortigan. I'll check Dobbs out. Tom's no longer sells any gas or has any pumps out front

If you are going to be using on Chinooks I'd recommend the 2X version (more durable but same design) Here it is:

http://www.basspro.com/Eagle-Claw-Lazer-Sharp-2X-Treble-Hooks/product/1676/

Probably make larger sizes for salt water use I would suspect

Other than those minor things perfect conditions!

Great boat...on the downside....now you don't have any excuses for not catching them

Good luck with it Pete.

I'm not familiar with that particular unit but I think usually on the Lowrance units you go to the MENU screen and use the PAGES/arrows screens to find the area that the contrast setting would be under . Look at pages 63 and 64 here: http://www.lowrance.com/Root/Lowrance-Documents/x136df_0151-171_112003.pdf

If that doesn't do it reset it back to the factory defaults with that option

cool.....one of the most interesting things to me is the perseverance  or persistence of the fish in attacking the bait repeatedly. Until these cameras started depicting the underwater scenario I think that most folks thought that having a fish take the bait is a one shot deal (all or nothing) but the cameras sure destroy that myth

Yes thanks.... I live in Canandaigua so Geneva is about 20 miles and Ovid is close to 40 something. Maybe I'll do it while over fishing Seneca though when in Geneva. There used to be a couple places here in town but I' don't think there are any now...hope some here proves me wrong

I wasn't attempting to talk you out of outriggers either because I run them myself and although I had run planer boards for years there are advantages to the outriggers and I actually prefer them over the boards. For one thing the outriggers require a lot less messing around (if they are set up right) but the most important thing is that they keep MOST alert people away from you and not running over your lines especially in good sized waves where they sometimes fail to see the boards because they can see them for a long distance. On the downside, you don't have as much control on turns (wider) and you can't get in nearly as close to the shoreline when the fish are in shallow (e.g. browns in the Spring). Depending on the type of releases used it is sometimes easier to adjust your line length closer and further away with outriggers...I use Black outrigger releases and just let the line slide through them (i.e. without looping it as on a downrigger). They (outriggers) are also in many cases easier to make  "on the fly" adjustments in  tension for changing water conditions or running more aggressive equipment or lures while leaving your equipment running. With all that said the boards probably impart more erratic action to the lures and thus may get more action on slow days.

If it were me I'd be going with the 6 hp if it is reliable....you didn't mention exactly what the low speed problem was....e.g. does it actually cut out? Think about being at the opposite end of the lake from where you launched when the storm ( with lightning) hits....it isn't much of a "toss up" decision wise is it? Either way you decide to go with it... Good Luck out there!

I'm not sure what type and size of boat you have (it makes a huge difference in how you set them up and what you need for holders and supports but if you are looking for something "economical" you may not end up using  outriggers (planer boards are much more economical price-wise). New  outriggers (good ones) will run you about $400-$500 or more just for the poles (e.g. Tacos) and again depending on how mounted ..holders can run up to $1700 (EACH) or more. If you have a smaller boat you may be able to get away with a less expensive (fiberglass or light weight aluminum) set but even there you will be looking at about $400 rigged and with the conventional fixed placement holders that go into existing internal holders in the gunnels and sometimes they won't fit either because of the angle or they are too short on the stem. The most crucial aspect is the mounting and holders and again depending on your specific boat requirements there are a lot of options -some much better than others. The main concern should be thinking in terms of being out on Lake O in 5 or 6 foot waves with the outriggers extended....think about the torque on the outriggers themselves and the holders and supports (and gunnels) not necessarily what they are like out in your yard when setting them up or on a calm day. That might help guide your decision making.

Probably A3-6

The grease trap is basically a converted "Umbrella Rig" from salt water fishing.  They have been used on the Atlantic for many years with a variety of teasers and lures.  Only problem is getting too close to bottom and hanging up and getting two or more large fish trying to go in different directions

Jack,

Just remember to brace it good underneath....i once saw a guy from PA out on Seneca  during the Trout Derby who got his cannonball wrapped up on bottom and it took the downrigger and a section of his fiberglass transom right out of the boat... to the bottom. It's not just the torque from the ball going up or down you have to worry about

Think about it this way....you wouldn't want to be bothered by someone on the phone while you were having fun in bed with the wife or girlfriend..  let ole Mr. and Mrs. Pike have some privacy

You're really lucky Kuba I have a 350 V-8 Triton (Ford Expedition) to pull the boat.....when I'm pulling it I get about 9 or 10 mpg  (and that's probably downhill   I have looked up the gas stations near me and most that were indicated on the Internet...no longer have it (or are out of the gas business). Luckily on the 135 Optimax outboard I can go all day on about 3-5 gals. of gas (using my 9.9 for most of the trolling).

Great job Paul....looks as though it just came out of the water....

I think I'd let out a lot of line on planer boards rather than take that in close

I guess good fish aren't limited to Lake O   Nice going ....save some hogs for the rest of us though

Use light fluoro leaders with very small black solid ring swivels (8-10 lb test and set your drag lighter to accomodate the lighter leader) Run your lines WAY BACK (as far as practical) Troll very slowly and once in awhile BRIEFLY shift in idle for a moment and then back in gear...they will often hit when you re-engage. Do "S" curves as often as practical. Run small lures in the Spring (sticks ( e.g J-7 rapalas etc.and spoons 2-3 inches). Blue and silver Rapalas often work well on browns but the occasional smallmouth bass is also inadvertently caught on them in shallow. This will work OK on any of the Finger Lakes or Lake O (but just hope a big Chinook doesn't hit the light leader with your drag set too tight)

Certainly appears that ethanol free gas is the way to go for outboards and small engines of nearly all types. Around here it is somewhat hard to find and expensive. I have  a 60 gallon tank for my outboard so I pretty much use whatever I can get but I also run triple strength marine Stabil year round at every fill up and keep my tank topped off all the time as well with the hope of minimizing condensation in the tank.

Nice brown! Good going.....good incentive for the rest of us

Just a general strategy in addition to what AC said: If you are starting out from Severne (depending on wind direction.. big time ) head south along the west side go in and out depth wise past the salt plant turn east and cruise past the pier etc. and then go north along the east shore in and out looking for fish and/or bait. Wherever you find either work it thoroughly in that area until not productive then go back north along the east shore in and out work the area adjacent and in front of creeks , work the drop off in front of Hector Falls and head back toward Severne on the east side. That would be what I'd try in the absence of actual current data regarding depths etc. other folks have been getting them at. If the wind is strong out of the South I'd either drive the extra miles and launch at Watkins and maybe do the reverse direction of what I mentioned or reconsider about going south and fish the area toward Dresden over to Lodi and Sampson to the north. Again wind direction/speed will dictate to a large extent what will work for you. In terms of tackle I'd play with the ones you mentioned and pay close attention to the depth finder as far as bait and fish locations depth wise especially and adjust your tackle accordingly (this time of the year the fish are usually scattered though but the bait may be clumped up). I'd run a combination of sticks and spoons until I see what is working.Given all the rain lately you may want to look for any mud lines at creek mouths and fish through it at the edges. The edge could be quite a bit off shore too with all the rain. Good luck!

Here is the sizing chart for folks to look at:

I would be using sizes 3 and 4 on the Finger Lakes....Possibly a size 2 as well. As far as rigging them....I've never tried them so I don't know how they do speed wise (which in my view is critical to setting them up). They should however work well on leadcore at slower speeds or top lining for browns way behind the boat though (esp the smaller #2 and 3's)