Sk8man

I think the piston moving "in" after you've made adjustment may suggest that rolmops is right- faulty piston, seal, or fluid level. If it turns out that it is in fact something to do with the mount itself perhaps a "shim" of some sort might help orient it vertically.

I guess some folks would think that pulling copper is defined as a wire with a "jerk" at each end.... but ...there is nothing to compare to that familiar klink klink along the bottom followed by a "thunk" or "thud" (depending on the size of the fish)and then all hell breaking loose :>) The slime referred to by AC was the result of phosphates primarily in wash detergents back in the 50's and 60's which served a "biolimiting" factor for the vegetation. In the late 60's and 70's they pretty much stopped using it in the detergents and the problem pretty much corrected itself. Unfortunately, today's problems such as introduced invasive species (.e.g. spiny fleas, Zebra mussels and Quagga mussels) are not so easily dealt with. AC's note is a pleasant reminder of the simpler times and the inherent beauty and elegance of the "less is more" principle. Sometimes I think we get too tangled up in our electronics and fancy tackle and forget how to actually "fish" :>) ...but it is all fun! We are indeed very lucky to live in such close proximity to beautiful bodies of water like these that are second to none in terms of the scenery and variety of things to do.

Amen Sean :>)

I was kinda puzzled at first when I saw the dude winding the reel backwards/upside down.....of course I'm right handed :>) Good going on the fishing and on the report. Sure makes me wish I hadn't put my boat away :>)

The RAM mount itself shouldn't have anything to do with interference per se. The critical factor in mounting any depth finder is keeping it away from sources of interference e.g. ignition, other electronics that may be poorly shielded etc. Most of the RAM mounts are quite adjustable and there are a number of base configurations so that positioning them has a lot of options. The problem comes when you have a "cramped" space near all your other stuff and that is the ONLY option for placement....but that is an issue for ANY mount. If you are stuck with such a placement issue you might want to look at increasing the shielding on the unit itself (eg. wrapped cable shielding for electrical devices) and wrap the cable (s) of your new depth finder and see if that solves the problem.

I think it is instructive that we had this conversation about the daily limit issues etc. so that we are all on the same page. Sometimes the wording on the DEC syllabus leaves a bit to be desired in the way of "detail' :>) I remember back a while when that wording allowed folks to run 15 lures with single hooks per rod on the seth green rigs :>) Les

I do stand corrected on the earlier mention of Cayuga I had meant to say Keuka but didn't catch it sorry about that! :>)

Before anynone gets too carried away by the numbers above it should be noted that the actual number of diary cooperators was drastically different (much larger number) back in the "hayday" noted above so the total number of fish reflects that situation. (In fact, DEC is pretty "hard up" for diary keepers on Canandaigua nowadays) so if you are to do any data comparison this needs to be taken into consideration or the data is virtually meaningless when looking at "totals". The diaries also calculate hours it takes to catch a legal sized fish and although this data is usually "estimated" by fishermen it can be constructive to factor this into the equation because when the numbers of fish are way down the hours it takes to catch one usually goes up significantly and from my standpoint this does not seem to be happening on Canandaigua. I guess I'm not going to "beat a dead horse" any longer...I've tried to indicate my concerns here on the forum(mainly aimed at catch and release issues) and to the DEC and that is sufficient....I'll abide by the regulations in any case and be supportive of the wishes and judgment of my fellow fishermen and the DEC. I have no intention of "fighting" the issue just wanted to make my views known.

Good qualification regarding the combination rule FLX. You have a valid point regarding the decreased fishing pressure on trout in Caandaigua as well. Many of us used to fish Canandaigua at night at the south end in particular back in the 60's 70's and 80's and caught a large amount of big rainbows and browns. I don't know of anyone that does that anymore. There are many differences among these Finger Lakes, and the ups and downs in population cycles of trout as well as the other species of fish. I kept the DEC diaries for over 15 years for Seneca, Keuka and Canandaigua and much has really changed over the years since that point and not necessarily in a good way. There has been considerable degradation of the habitat both in the lakes and their tributaries (e.g. Zebras, Quaggas, Fleas etc., pollution sources, and natural events such as high water "washouts" creating spawning problems for rainbows and to a lesser extent browns in the Fall with low water conditions. There has for many years also been a siltation problem in Seneca and problems with the major spawning of Rainbows in Catherines Creek so fishing pressure in and of itself is only a (still unknown degree) part of the problem. The lampreys on Cayuga are also a significant probelm for all the trout ad Landlocks there. I believe that the absence of much of the phytoplankton species base in these lakes is also raising havoc with everything above it in the food chain including trout and this is directly a result of the introduction of non-native organisms such as the Zebras etc. The rainbow smelt that once inhabited Seneca and Canandaigua are virtually gone and the humongous sawbelly populations reaching for a quarter of a mile in length and for 80 ft in the water column that I used to see are in large part history now for the same reason. The one rainbow limit may make a difference at some point in Seneca and Cayuga but I for one am not convinced that it will impact the Canandaigua fishery in any meaningful way in lieu of these other things going on that I have mentioned.

Here is the person to contact: Webster Pearsall Region 8 Fisheries Manager [email protected] 585-226-5339 I feel the same way but for other reasons. Have a look at my earlier post last month. Some of the difficulty we face is this: Canandaigua seems to have a healthier (from a numbers? standpoint) population of native rainbows while Seneca and Cayuga seem to be having problems with the rainbow population at least according to some of the guys on the forum. Much of their concern seems to center around tributary fishing results and they may have a point there. I've had good luck with the rainbows right through this year on Seneca and Canandaigua....but I specifically target them much of the year (along with browns and on the lakes only) and may be fishing a little differently than many fishermen do with more general strategies. Again, Canandaigua seems to be a bit different in that regard, and DEC is probably trying to keep that part at least consistent on the Finger lakes in general. I still think that the rule should be THREE rainbows to be in line with the rule on Landlocks and it would allow for more leeway in catch and release of potentially injured fish. Right now as it stands if you have already kept one whether to eat or because they went belly up and didn't "make it" you have to leave any additional rainbow that doesn't make it for the sea gulls (and most are way too big for them).

I've used them forever and they work great!

Still laughing....:>)

Mark B. - The author of Precision Trolling Big Water Edition II admitted to someone on the UPAngler Forum that the tables were reversed and inaccurately placed by the printer when the book was laid out....the guy that bought the book got his money back by contacting the author.

Do ya think Nick might be thinking about dynamite? :>)

Mike you are exactly right....there is nothing that generally out performs the thermocline (Seth Green) rig when it comes to trout. It would be hard to compete with it in terms of ONE rod because you cover so many depths at once with it. The next in line for me would be my ultralight rod/reel for a "survival" situation with a brown horse hair jig :>) Les

Marty, It looks like a good unit for some lucky dude but I already have a victrola rig (with copper wire), an A and S automatic reel (used with monel wire) and way too many other "toys" according to my wife (and she also thinks all my hobbies are "expensive" :>) These units are getting harder to find in good condition so for anyone out there "heres your chance" to experience the thrill of having a gigantic lake trout on the other end of a direct wire contact....no pole or other stuff ...just you and the fish and it is VERY exciting when it happens. My biggest was a 12 pounder on Seneca and I had quite a few over 10 lbs over the years too. The one tip I'd have though is to surely wear a leather glove or cut just the thumb and forefinger out of a pair of leather gloves to handle the wire....otherwise if it snags on bottom or a really big fish makes a run for it you could lose a finger....and that is the truth. The most successful folks I have ever known for lakers have been copper pullers (and other than still fishing with live bait (and perhaps very experienced "jiggers" ) it is the most deadly method of fishing for them.

One of the things you need to know but can't tell yet is the strength of the coiled spring in it. It has to be strong and in good shape in order for the thing to work properly. If it sticks a little WD40 often works wonders. Use a light oil for maintennce because grease will harden up in coller weather. Those units in good working order can be very deadly on lakers in particular in the Spring in shallower water with just the copper and no sinker but can also be used deeper (e.g. winter fishing) with weights with spoons (heavy ones directly attached to the copper wire (so you can feel everything on bottom when you drag it over it) or light flutter spoons with a short leader. The setup in the pic on ebay is set up with a small "flasher" rig which uses a short leader with spoon, twin minnow or peanut behind it with the weight dragging the bottom stirring things up and getting the lakers attention - often down deeper. It will work on any of the Finger Lakes but areas of the lakes where there is a cobble or stone bottom is best to get the "feel" of the bottom to know where you are at. You also need to perfect the "jerking" technique (usually a couple short strokes followed by one long one) to have success and it takes practice.

They have to be different frequencies (not just 50 vs 55 either but really different or you'll get interference because the units can't sort out where the signal "belongs". I installed a new depth finder this year but left the old transducer/speed impeller from my still working unit on the transom but I disconnected it (the depth finder) at the battery and the unit itself but it is still available as a "backup" if needed by just reconnecting it at both ends. The only thing you have to watch is the actual placement of the transducer on the transom because if too close and at certain angles the other transducer could interfere with the water flow over the new transducer messing up the surface readings (e.g. surface clutter....bigtime).

Very similar to my victrola rig down cellar but with different motor /orientation. Very effective for jerking copper on bottom oriented fish with old Pfleuger #4, and 5 's. My arm still hurts from remembering it :>) Les

Good thing you got out bfore the weather turrned this afternoon :>) Good going on the fish report. I spent the afternoon rigging a brand new (Xmas) wire rig :>)....and yes....I couldn't wait until Xmas to open the package. The downside of it is having to wait for Spring to try it out.

Unfortunately my wife didn't give me an "ultimatim" this year (either her OR the boat) when she said I couldn't keep the boat in the bedroom any longer....I had to go with tent construction. :>)

More power to ya for for having the kahunas to brave it ! :>) My boat is all put away and I'm having withdrawal already and Spring is still months away....I sure hope ice fishing happens this year :>)

I guess BEFORE we get too far afield here it might be good to know whether there actually was a fish kill....:>) Maybe we're getting too desperate for stuff to talk about now that the fishing has "wound down" on the lakes for many of us :>)

Don't forget the livewell if you have one :>)

Thanks for the details....here is the link http://www.tompkins-co.org/health/eh/water/hydrilla.htm