MadPerry

I took a combination of all the suggestions here and went with what I hope will work out.  I am slightly concerned with the Brocraft downrigger adapter.  I changed the hardware it came with.  As for tracks, as suggested I used a piece of angle aluminum at 3/8 thickness.  It feels solid as a rock.  But I could have got smaller than 4"×3".  Could have done 2"×3".  Now to test it all.

3 hours ago, Eavi21 said:

Check out Traxstech they make mounts for your boat track system. 

Thanks, I found them.  Im leaning this way.  I really like using tracks and I wont have to start all over.

18 hours ago, tyler.woodard04 said:

Brocraft downrigger mount with a 6" track on top of that. Then Bert's swivel mount then the rigger. Gives the height and swivel I needed. As for rod holders, cannon dual axis on some 4" angle, 3/8" thick. Again gives a little height off the rail so your not bending down as far. Have not had any trouble with either setup so far

Where did you get the aluminum angle?  Thanks.

I will be picking up my new Tracker in a few weeks, and transitioning away from an old Starcraft.  I have been using a track system with a lot of Berts holders.  I am trying to figure out good ways to mount downriggers via the versatrack.  I can easily find an option on Amazon but would like to hear any suggestions on this.  Also, dipsy divers.  I see plenty of basic rod holder options, but as we all know dipsy diver rods put a tremendous amount of stress while pulling.  What are you using?

That is a great story and thanks for sharing.  Was wondering what kind of sonar you were using?  Vexilar?  

I believe these are Yeck Zippers but cant be sure. Acquired from a massive box of spoons. Previous owner was well seasoned after probably 30 or so years of fishing Ontario. Unfortunately he has passed so obviously I was unable to ask him.

 

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A really late start for me this year, and a really long time since I posted anything here. Fished solo 6-9 out of the bay towards Webster. Went 3 for 3. 2 cookie cutter browns, and 1 King about 11 lbs. Browns shallow, King in 20fow. Fish came on wonderbread challenger minnow and a challenger deep diving green minnow. A nice morning on the water. Surprised to see so few weekenders out there. Lots of charters though. They all seemed to be catching something.

 

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That lake is on FIRE this year.  Nice job!

Fishing out of Ibay this year has been lousy.  There is no other way to say it.  The last couple weekends we have been fishing west.  Olcott and Sandy.  If you have been fishing around Rochester/Irondequoit, you would think there was a problem out there this year.  We are normally spoiled.  Hope they show up sometime this year.  Anyways...

 

Out of the Creek around 5:15.  Not far to go out on this side of the lake.  Started setting lines in 100fow.  Everything from riggers to dipsies set to 75-60 down.  Superbread Dreamweaver spoon took majority of fish on 75 rigger(46 degrees).  Cheaters NK Gold Cup, and FLT orange spoon(can't remember name) also took 1 steelhead each.  Blue Pro Troll on dipsy setting 3, back 195 took a shot.  Green Crush Spin Doctor w/Atommik fly got slammed and unfortunately a swivel opened up and was lost on Chinook Diver setting 1, 150 back.  Lost another on Gold Cup cheater.  Not huge numbers, but quality fish.  7lb King, 17lb King, 19lb King, 21lb King, and 2 Steel under 7lbs.  Ended 6 for 9 after heading in at 10:30. 

 

 

I bring bananas out every day. Explains the fishing for me this year out of ibay.

The Smart Troll stuff is very interesting.  You can never have enough information.  But the thought of losing any of those sensors on 20-30# line scares me

Try reading the rules they only apply to two vessels meeting. Your kinda in a grey area after that. BE safe that's the real law out there.

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Not sure who this was directed at? There was nothing grey about our situation. We were 2 vessels meeting...

Anyways, an apology was offered and I accept it. I would have let this go 10 seconds after it happened if I hadn't been yelled at.

I think Missdemeanor's post was 100% correct in the way you conduct yourself out there.

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While not terrible, the original hooks bend and/or break on salmon. I lost several fish last year before changing them. Hooks were bent every time.

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I waited a day before posting so I gave myself time to cool off.  I'm still pissed.  Captain of Reel Serious out of Rochester decided to play chicken with me and won.  We were the Stand-on vessel.  He was the Give way vessel.  It is NOT disputable.  I thought he just didn't see what was happening and was going to snap out of it and start turning but DID NOT.  Instead came within 20 feet of hitting my boat(port side) with his bow.  Then had the nerve to start shouting at me as if I was the one in the wrong.  I had to go WOT on my kicker to avoid, and don't know how we didn't have every friggin line crossed.  Watch what you are doing out there and learn how to NAVIGATE.

 

Want to add that there are some damn good charter captains out there.  This isn't a knock on them.  Mistakes happen too.  But don't get hot with a weekend guy when YOU ARE IN THE WRONG.

 

We boated 7 yesterday.  5 came on a single plug.  Deep diving firetiger jointed Challenger.  Change the hooks first or you will be sorry.

Looked a bit rough out there. Nice catch!

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Of course it counts and an impressive catch. I was attempting to take a fun jab at fly fishermen. I suck at Internet humor.

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Can someone explain the significance of this to me?  Fly fishing counts?!

You will get all kinds of opinions on this subject.  Here is mine. 2.5-2.8 downspeed is the best for spoons like warriors, dreamweaver, NK's, FLT's, and Moonshines.  It's also a good speed for flasher/fly combos on my boat.  When I first got my FH, I was targeting 46 degrees down temp.  I noticed fish were always hitting the free sliding cheater(which was higher).  Now I target 53 degrees, give or take.  Those fish out there will come waaayyy up to get bait.  My strategy is to target bait depths and temps.  It is working for me.

Thanks for details. While I'm not ready to start pulling copper, it seems obvious I need to start running at least 1 meat rig. Just not a fan of any live bait, nor the slight amount of extra time involved with setting up. If it is a scent thing, why wouldn't a semi plug like brads work with the scent pads?

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The Blood Run Sea Flee is very good but when the fleas are real thick (as they were yesterday) they do adhere even to that but in lesser amounts than say wire etc. Interestingly they didn't cling at all to the 27 lb 10 color lead core I had out.

I had the same results with my 27lb core. Thought it strange they weren't clinging to it. 30lb big game had none except knots/swivels. Wire dipsies loaded up quick. Even some on chinook divers. Nevermind the single braid dipsy rig I used. Had to pull it.

I was on the south end of cayuga last week. Caught a bunch of fish, but I thought they were worse there.

Not seeing that kind of extreme yet out of ibay, but they will get that way soon.  Just need to clean lines frequently.  They will pass and we'll be back to normal...In September!

Their customer service is top notch.  No worries there.  Really strange you have that kind of problem,  but anything is possible.  I'm sure they will get you right.  Hope it's an isolated incident.  Looking forward to getting mine.

Nice job finding those big ones!

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Was a nice night. Congrats on some nice lakers. Found a couple kings out in 200. One skipper and one about 8. Tons of bait. Both on a 55 rigger with Warrior glow spoon.Just kept working the bait.

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