Ric66

Fished out of Braddock Bay today solo. Got to the lake about 6am and started setting up 2 dipsy rods with flies on them. Went to set up a rigger with spoon and the port dipsy fires. Fought with him for 15 minutes then the second dipsy rod fires. The first salmon gets tangled in the second dipsy rod and when I finally get him netted there is a mess of tangled wire lines. The second salmon got off but good way to start the morning. Took about 45 minutes to untangle and retie some leaders. By this time the fleet of boats were making their way out deeper so I set up out in about 190 feet. Ended up getting a small king on the rigger. Started to go back shallower since not seeing anything on my depth finder. Then rigger goes off and the drag starts to scream. Feels like a pretty good one. So as I'm fighting this one my starboard dipsy goes off- double again! Got the rigger salmon all the way to the boat but sloppy netting on my part, missed the fish but caught the treble in the net. Bye bye salmon. Guessing it was 18lbs or so.Grabbed the dipsy rod- salmon still there! Able to bring him to the net. Went 3-5 with two doubles. First time I've ever had a double when salmon fishing solo let alone twice in one outing! Got back to the dock and drove my trailer next to the ramp. Waiting for a guy ahead of me looking to launch. Paid his $4 and the bar went up, backed his boat to the water, unhooked everything and then threw a wad of rope tied to the bow, then onto the dock without tying it to anything. Backs up the boat into the water and away goes the boat as the wad of rope starts to follow. Guy jumps out of his truck to grab the line before it hits the water and does so. Unfortunately for him he left the truck in reverse and the truck is going deeper and deeper into the water. He quickly jumps back in his truck and was able to drive it out of the water just before water could enter his cab- probably with about a half second to spare before his truck would have joined his boat. By this time I had jumped out of my car and grabbed his boat. Turns out it was his first time launching a boat. Told him it will get easier with practice. Glad it didn't end in a disaster for him and a reminder we've all done some stupid things with out boats.

And for the launch on West end of Braddocks's bay, make sure you have exact amount for launch- $4(that's to launch and retrieve boat-$8 total). Not taking credit cards either.

I use a lock that prevents this https://www.amazon.com/SeaLux-Marine-Outboard-Anti-Drill-security/dp/B017D1H060/ref=asc_df_B017D1H060/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584138859876469&psc=1

I had the 16ft version, 1985. This is making me nostalgic

My first reaction is LL. Mouth looks small and as someone mentioned jaw does not appear to go behind eye and tail to me looks a little forked and caudal area looks smaller than on a brown. But as Les mentioned it could be angle of picture. I think this is why NFL referees can't get calls right even with instant replay! Everybody sees things differently.

Love the Arima boats. Where did you buy it?

There are some great suggestions above, especially about the float switch for bilge pump. Definitely going to get that put in as well as DC charger for cell. After coming home fishing out of Sandy Cr last night and cleaning my fish, sat down and had a beer, then thought about the past two fishing accidents recently on Lake O. Don't know why but I wanted to watch that old movie Captains Courageous with Spencer Tracy. I think it explains why we fish.

Where did you buy this boat? Have been looking for Striper boats

Thanks. At least I'm getting a little better at it after losing a number of fish.

Heard weather report for one foot waves so decided to go out on Lake O around 3pm. Well, weather man's idea of one foot waves is different than mine I guess. Definitely larger than one footers out there. Ran around looking for bait but found very little. Set up in 250 feet of water with two dipsies with flasher and flies and one took a violent hit but he got off before I got to rod. Ran that one with a snubber figuring I had to keep the drag tighter than usual due to waves. Very hard to keep any kind of consistent speed. Things didn't seem to be calming down so ran toward shore and set up in 125ft and soon after the other dipsy took hit and fight was on. Was out 200 on two setting and it took another 200 off the reel. Took off on a few more runs then got it close to boat and it decided to tangle with my other dipsy but luckily was able to get it untangled fairly easily. Not easy fighting a king and netting it solo with arthritis acting up in my left arm but glad I was able to land it. Only saw a few other boats out there.

Bringing back a painful experience I had on Sunday. Took the wife and my son out on Lake O. Hit some very strong currents and ended up getting downrigger cable into prop. Was using a pancake weight for the first time. Learned the hard way that they tend to wander. Ended up losing my Fish Hawk probe. Just ordered another one. And that wasn't the worst of it. Couldn't get the wire off the prop so couldn't use the big motor. No problem, had the kicker. Kicker would start but would continuously stall out.Never had a problem with it before. Ended up having to get towed back to launch. Waiting to see how much my insurance will cover. Worst experience I've ever had on the water. But then I think of those guys who had their boats burned on I-Bay on the fourth. Guess its not so bad after all.