Capt Vince Pierleoni

As to your question about reapplication, I would do it once a year. I have heard that its more expensive cousin, VC 18, can last multiple seasons.

Since you are going to all that work, absolutely put the VC on. It's like ink. You will never need to sand again. Only worth using it over the epoxy/tar. It dries instantly, and I have applied it in much moister, colder weather than what they suggest with great results. Not sure what percentage of increased speed you will see, but the competitive sailors swear by it. I used it for over 20 years on my Penn Yan, and when my bottom on my current boat gets blasted I will use it again.

Good stuff, Tim and Jonboat. Good accurate points. If you don't like dark Salmon you can be out of luck very early some seasons. We've caught and filleted thousands and thousands of them. The color of their skin has absolutely no correlation with the texture or taste of the flesh. The coloration always appears in Males first, and can be different at the same time in different areas of the lake. The color darkening has everything to do with the Kings spending more time in warmer water. Think ripening. They are acclimating to the warmer lake temps as they spend more and more time in nearshore water, preparing them for the tribs. The tribs are often still too warm for spawning when the Salmon are ready(and of course, the males are ready sooner) so they move in and back out repeatedly testing the water around and in the harbors. This is part of the "staging" process, and lots of good fishing for hard fighting fish takes place. Now if the Salmon must spend lots of time in warm water(65 degrees plus) due to a warm fall or lack of rain, the flesh will get mushy and take on a white color. Various cooking techniques can make the Salmon still desireable tablefare, especially smoking. These same warmer water temps can rob some of the Salmons fighting ability, but trib Salmon in cooler tribs fight valiantly where there is water depth for them to do so. Think about it, in most Salmon fisheries river fishing is mostly where it all takes place-like in Alaska. We are very fortunate here in the Great Lakes that we can experience the Pacific Salmon's fury and stamina out in open water.

It does change and breakdown, but not in the way you are thinking. The change would be in strength, as it seems to "rot" from being wet/dry and in the Sun over time. This would not cause it to "fish" any different though. My guess is that the two different setups have a different leader length, material,or LB test. Check that closely.

Sorry for your loss, Ray.

It all helped spread the word, including all of you on here. There are alot of tireless, special people around this lake. It sure is an eye opener, there are groups out there bemoaning this news, and they will be back again. They are brain washed and buy in to the lies.

What comes around goes around, and you have sure helped your share Bill. Good people helping good people.

Thanks again for all the input!

Thank you very much for that detailed info guys. Exactly what I was looking for.

I do remember Ron. I'm sorry to hear of his passing and your loss. Rick, you do a great job in this "techie age" of sharing and expressing the passion. This fishery was no accident, we got a second chance and it's a gift.

Nice going Rob. Get 'em in the lake til they can't be had anymore! Fish that majestic need ROOM to "show their stuff". Despite the wild temp swings, they seem stronger than Falls past. Stronger every year. Good luck hunting.

I expect to do more moving around in unfamiliar areas this season. I want to upgrade to a great Bowhunting climber. Ease of transport and ease of QUIET set up, (even in the dark) are whats most important. A couple of trusted friends have endorsed Lone Wolf brand, but I'd like to hear others. Thanks.

All the major manufacturers make better quality these days-they have to or perish. Daiwa had the market, took it for granted and invested in other pursuits. When they turned back this way, others had invested hard and had taken market share. I'm sure it's good quality, but it will be YEARS before you can truly evaluate the Saltist. I have a set of Okuma Catalinas with THOUSANDS of Salmon and Trout landed with them.At least 5 seasons on them. The only thing needing service is the worn out clickers. Give credit where it is due. As for the Clarions, too new to give them this type of kudos, but the drag is damn good and yes they are fast in the HS series.

Okuma is in the midst of changing and improving many of their Great lakes rods. The 8' 6" Convector in the 8--20lb test weight is one of my favorites for riggers, and one I asked them not to change.

Thank you, Bill.

Good stuff. The theory is where the lakes are in relation to the equator, and yes being downstream from the "shallow one" certainly helps. There is a informative book called "The Great, Great Lakes" which has a lot about the history of commercial fishing in all the Great Lakes. Lake Ontario produced more cold water fish flesh pounds per acre than the others. This is why ever comparing Huron to Ontario is apples and oranges. Awesome to hear the good news about Michigan. Great fishermen and birthplace of what is now the greatest inland sportfishery-Great Lakes PACIFIC Salmon fishing.

Tim, did they do the internal exam? Sure has that hybrid looking tail. In any event, they sure are catching some better fish in Lake M this year, reinforcing that the Lakes with the right habitat can be tweaked and managed to their capacity without perpetual doom as we are constantly being reminded of. Great fish no matter what.

This reel is the answer to BIG Copper needs. Realistic capacity of 800ft of copper, and perfect for 600 ft with tons of backing. Great drag and now available from most dealers on the south shore of Lake Ontario. This reel was made especially for the Great Lakes, and is already a big seller around Lake Michigan. If it holds up like recent Okuma reels, it will be a total winner.

"The challenge of fair fishing" is the "game" itself. It's what drives men and women mad, leading to loss of income and sometimes jobs and spouses. It also could possibly be the finest recreational sport on earth, providing a great way to spend time with family,friends, and business associates. I personally feel that it's no accident that it's so fun and rewarding. It's a gift to those who use it. The "challenge" is everything. It's why it never gets old. It's why you are hero one day and a zero the next. There is not a number large enough to calculate all the possible scenarios in our fishery day to day, and there will never be a computer program or "app" that will be able to help you consistently. Even when you figure them out, you still have to land them. The biggest difference between what most people consider "fair" fishing and foul is whether the fish takes the bait or the bait or hook takes the fish. Even more important than exact hook placement is did the quarry react to or accept a presentation, vs did it get impaled by a hook as it rest in a riffle or swam by a pier or breakwall. Just as there are trollers and casters who hoodwink fish with their presentations, there are pier and trib anglers who have refined their presentations with lures or baits to consistantly draw bites from spawning run Salmon. They do not resort to harassing or lining unsuspecting Salmon and they have to deal with those that do. Yes, Salmon bite on the spawning run, especially in trib water deep enough to conceal them or in areas where they aren't being foul hooked. Your idea of using herring imitations at rivermouths is a good one, as instinct does drive some of the strikes. Many times when encountering rivermouth Salmon however, the best producers are the most obnoxious fake looking lures you can find. Its an ongoing challenge as the Salmon arrive in "waves", and they are not all on the same schedule. It could be silver spoons one day, and hot red plugs the next. Sounds like you want to experiment. Do so, as that is so much of the fun of "fair fishing" and getting 'em "to go".

Early in the "run", body baits take their share not only at river mouths but up river as well. This seems to wane to almost exclusively eggs and egg imitations later on. Salmon may not "feed" to grow after they enter the tribs, but they do strike lures and gulp eggs right down their throats during periods of activity. Yes, there are new ingenius ways to "line" fish invented every year off piers and in tribs, but this should not ruin the image of guys who enjoy the challenge of fair fishing fall run Pacific Salmon.

Radar sold pending payment. Arch still available

Price with swivel bases is $250 for sort arm and $300 for long boom. These last 2 riggers are 3 seasons old.

Yes this is complete. If purchased without the arch you will need to mount on hardtop or post.

Now being sold less downriggers and radar. $15,900!!!

Perfect small boat radar. Complete with arch, $900. Radar only, $500.