Ddolan

I have been fishing out of olcott 10-12 times each summer for the last couple of years and would like to try out of fort Niagara. When I read posts about fishing out there it seems to cover everything from drifting minnows or quick fish or jigs off three ways to normal lake trolling methods. I would be very grateful if anyone can give me a few potential pointers on startup out there. Should I be mainly fishing the areas in front of the fort that range from 15 -30 ft or heading out much further to find deeper water ? Troll towards 4 mile ? Is drifting difficult with the river current to find the right "drift" ? Sorry if these seem like crazy questions but this seems to be the best place to get honest answers to beginner questions. Thx for your time.

Can't seem to get webcam pic -- is lake calming down ?

So I am admittedly a full fledged amateur at this game. I fish out of 19 ft bow rider with 2 riggers and 2 dipseys. No probe. Lowrance elite 4 hdi fish finder. Been out 10 or so times in last 6 or 8 weeks and generally getting 3 or 4 fish which is a pretty good day for me. Last Thursday I went out of olcott about 5 miles east, 5 miles west and between 100 - 300 fow. Not only did I get skunked but in over 4 hours only seen 2 pods of bait on screen and literally no fish. Here's the question. Seeing that the screen was dead should I have come in earlier and given up ? Should I have drove around until I found bait or fish on screen and then started ? With limited electronics , how do you decide where to start or does everyone just setup and work different directions until you find a decent screen or get some hits. Been running f/f and spoons and doing ok on both so I feel like my speeds and lure mix is at least adequate. Just trying to figure out how to use my time more efficiently by starting in the right conditions. Thanks for any wisdom.

Went out yesterday late afternoon til dark. 4/5 all salmon between 6-15 lbs. 2 out deep 400 and three in about 300. Mainly dipseys at 250 on 3. I only have braid and fleas were unbearable. I have no temp or deep speed info. Thanks to everyone's answers on here --doing a little better.

Anybody out now ? What's the lake like ?

Do most people retie knots when changing or use loops for easier on/off ?

Thank you so much fir taking the time to write such a complete and thoughtful answer. I appreciate your time. I will experiment a bit more next time out.

Any help would be appreciated. Why can I sometimes see my diwnrigger balls and sometimes not ? Does current effect performance ? When I use deep water setting and range of 80 ft so I can see fish able water I lose the actual depth reading ? What adjustments should I be tweaking ? 83 or 200 ? Slow or fast pings ? Deep water setting or trolling mode ? One day screen looks great -- see everything and next day very fuzzy ?? Current/ direction/ trolling plate ??

A couple of questions. 1) what kind of knot should I use to make loop in fly leader ? 2) what size swivel for connection to spoon? Do u use swivel ? With or without o ring ? 3)how to stop braid from slipping on reel --sometimes does , sometimes doesn't . Thx

Sorry -I phrased the question wrong. Braid on downrigger rods ? Seems to be cutting release pads. Thx for response.

Is this wrong ?

Is this wrong ?

Thanks for all the advice.....I appreciate your time. Dan

What is the best way to connect SD and fly to diver ? Is mono okay ? How much lie between dipsy and SD ? Thanks for any input