Ric66

Anybody else have this problem? Happens in deep water- the reading will go from 233ft to 1ft, to 5ft, etc. Seems to happen mostly when the bottom is changing depth fairly quickly (was on Cayuga yesterday). This is the second Humminbird I've had do this. Ready to switch to different brand. I've changed and tried numerous settings- 83hz from 200 etc. I didn't install either of the transducers on the two different boats I've had. My current one was installed by the place I bought the boat.. My current model is Helix 5. Had it for about 3 years. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as this is very frustrating.

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.

7 minutes ago, Sk8man said:

I was actually there for Mikes probe loss experience unless he's had another (I sure hope not as I never want to see that look on his face again) Hopefully the 90 lb test wire I used on my "safety strap" will hold up better than the 60 stuff seems to....hate to lose one of my bikinibottom weights though.

 

Don,

That is the breakaway cable that runs from the probe to the weight and is attached to your existing downrigger terminus so that if for example you snag up on bottom the theory is that you'd lose the weight but not the probe when the 60 lb cable snaps because it is much below the breaking strength of the normal downrigger cable (usually 150-200 lb test). The problem as in Mike's case above is that one of the cable terminations let go and everything was lost. That is why the connection I made rests ABOVE the cable terminations with the hope that it saves the probe....still no guarantee,

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.

Not looking for a Ttop but more of a hardtop replacement for a convertible top.

15 hours ago, Silver Fox said:

How in the heck do you lose equipment with a pinch pad style?

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I did tend to put it towards the back of the pad. I use flea flicker line which is very slick. To keep if from slipping I'd have to put it deep in the pad. I'd also get false releases. Difficult to find a happy medium with that line and the release. But I also think pinch pads tend to damage line which you don't get with the black releases. There must be some reason why black releases seem to be very popular.

On 6/27/2018 at 9:08 AM, back on eerie 2016 said:

When using a rubber band does the rubber band attach to the release  or how does this work? I've never used riggers before

 Thanks !

I gave up using pinch pad releases after losing too much gear. I now only use Black releases. I wet the rubber band before I attach to my line (there are some youtube videos to show you how) and then I put the rubber band  in the Black release. Yes, pinch pads are easier to use and I guess you could also put the rubber band in the pinch pad.

Second on Keating and Kings. Only my second year fishing on Ontario but learned a lot from his books and videos.

19 hours ago, Sk8man said:

Just a thought but you may want to talk with John Mann at Sodus Bay canvas if you deccide on that approach He is a true wizard with the canvas and has made about every possible canvas option both on salt water in Florida and back home here in Sodus Point.  He could probably suggest something that may work as well or better than the xomplexities of doing a hard top installation. Worth condsidering along with the other possibilities anyway. Either way good luck with it Bob  Les

Here is his number:

315 871 6400

Thanks Les. I'm going to look into this. I've been meaning to look into some side curtains anyway.

On 6/25/2018 at 8:36 PM, garrymny said:

 

I have trouble keeping track of the six rods we put out. This white board will help, hopefully. My wife laughed her a$$ and said I'm taking this way too far!

 

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Oh my god. I do the same thing except I use it to keep track of temp breaks

 

19 hours ago, Sk8man said:

Bob - One of my friends owns an older 17 ft Montauk Whaler and decided to put a T top on it which he did and it fit properly  and looked great etc. He is mainly a perch and crappie fisherman and fishes Caanandaigua and Cranberry Lake  and smaller lakes. He now regrets doing it because when it is windy the boat is almost uncontrollable when anchored (even double anchored) because the weight distribution of the boat has changed, the center of gravity is higher and the wind gets under the T and lifts and pushes the boat around. His trolling speed is also more difficult to control when there is any wind whatsoever. I believe he is now considering taking it off. Just something to think over before actually implementing something I know what you seem to be considering is different (e.g. full hardtop) but .....sometimes changes to the boat structure can end up with unintended consequences.

Les- that is a bit surprising since it's not enclosed. I wouldn't think the wind would have that much effect. My current top is a stand up and I've noticed this catches the wind more than my old canvas top. About how high did he have the T top? I think T tops tend to be higher than bimini tops? Not sure if that's true or not. If I were to build a hard top it would definitely be lower than a stand up top. My other lower top kept more of the sun off me and as I said before, the wind didn't catch it as much. I don't even think an engineer could help with this problem unless they had experience with boats. I wonder if there is anyone in this area that builds hard tops for boats. Actually, it's not necessarily a hard top that I'm looking for. I'd settle for a canvas cover if I could trailer it to and from the lake. I did that with my old boat because I knew I wouldn't be keeping the boat too long so if the canvas ripped, not a big deal. And it was ugly as sin🤢. Anyway, thanks for giving me something to think about.

Bob

20 hours ago, Seabass73 said:

I too was thinking about making a hard top for my 19 footer to get rid of the Bimini mostly for cold rainy days, I was looking at extending off the existing walk thru windshield at the same angle with 80/20 and then going horizontal to the mid of the boat and then down to the gunwale.  80/20 is great to work with it is extruded aluminum with a lot of bolt on fittings/angle brackets, and you can insert Lexan in the center channel.  Just never bit the bullet and attempted to make the top. The only down side it is a little pricey.

Very similar with what I was thinking. Yes, it can get pricey when you factor all the fittings.

I wanted to throw out a question to see what people thought. I am toying with the idea of making my own hardtop to replace my bimini. I would only be using it as shade, not for anything more strenuous. Basically I'm tired of putting up the top and snapping all the buttons. Weight is the biggest consideration as I know something top heavy could mean disaster. It would measure something like 4 foot by 6. I'd use aluminum tubing for the skeleton. My boat is 16.6 feet long, beam is 82 inches, and weight is a little below 1000lbs.  I always wondered if they could make a canvas top for a car that can go 70 mph, why can't they have something like that for a boat? Well, I did see something like that on youtube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAzpizN1YvQ

I would love something like that without the mechanical part of it. No snaps, just lock it in place.

Thoughts?

10 hours ago, wishinfishin said:

The only people that never have anything go wrong are the people not fishing. Figuring it out is what makes it sweet when it comes together.
Nice job. And good job to your son keeping things buttoned up on both of your reports when it was his turn to shine, teamwork makes the dream work.

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That is something to keep in mind. I remember days I thought I'd give up trolling because everything seemed to go wrong- dipsy screw would come lose and would go off on its own adventure. can't get the kicker started, hours of trolling with out a hit, etc. If there is one thing fishing teaches us is perseverance. As much pleasure as I get out of reeling in a fish, I'm really enjoying seeing other people reeling in fish on my boat.

4 hours ago, BreakingBass said:

Great story Ric, even after 3 years I'm still on the learning curve too.  The expertise on this board is invaluable.

Thanks. I've been trolling for many years on the Finger Lakes but Lake Ontario kings is a different ball game

4 hours ago, Missdemeanor said:

Been there a bunch of times.... The best is when your copper gets wadded up with the wire diver.... Good times!
I've had kings do a lot of weird things behind the boat... This Spring I tossed back a 10 lber only to have him dart under the boat... Next thing I saw was scales and a pool of blood..... Prop victim...
Great job getting your son out...

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Don't know if he'll ever take up the sport later, but at least I tried. Hard to get kids away for the computer screen these days.

1 hour ago, Missdemeanor said:

If you ain't tangling.
You ain't angling...lol... Great story!

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Thanks. Great saying! I'll keep that in mind next time a fish takes my church board underwater with him!

6 hours ago, pvelyk said:

I run copper and lead core down the chute often with just me and one buddy.  Key thing is always be aware its out there and were it is in relation to the fish and move it or reel it in when needed.  Yeah it sucks to reel it in to just clear it for a fish on another rod but that is the price I pay sometime for running it.  Congratulations on a nice fish.  Rule number three is a real good one.

Thanks. I need to teach my 11 year old son how to set lines and rearrange them when we have a fish on. Will get better at this.

2 hours ago, Brian S said:

I had to laugh at #3 for your lessons learned. Definitely been there! Congrats on your personal best.

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Thanks Brian. Glad I'm not the only one who has done that. Anyone want to buy a net?

3 hours ago, DWHJR said:

Great story!  Learning is half the fun.

Thanks. Yeah, as long as I'm learning and getting better at this.

Looked at the weather for a few days and it seemed today would be the best day, though I was physically tired from building a new shed and other yard work, and my son had a friend stay over night so he went to bed late. Wife, me, and my son were going to start fishing around 4pm but wife wasn't feeling good so just me and my son. Started to set up in about 135 ft, got out one dipsy out 200ft on 3 setting with a flasher and fly, then set another dispy out 225 on 3 setting. Then, despite being told not to put a lead core out when just two people in the boat, guess what I did? Put a lead core out. I bought this torpedo weight and like any guy with a new toy, I wanted to play with it. So I put 3 colors of core out then the 12oz torpedo and let out about 200 feet of line and attached to a church board. I started to set up my first downrigger but broke the rubber band on the way down. Just starting to figure out how to use the Black releases with rubber bands. Before I can get the rigger set up the dipsy out 200ft gets hit and it immediately takes out line. I give the rod to my son and he thinks its going to be too hard for him so I take it back. Figure I'll tire the fish out a little and give it back to him. Well about 20minutes later I thought of giving it to him because I started to get tired! I could definitely feel this was going to be my biggest salmon ever. I think he took about 175ft of line out, I would get him in a little but he just kept pulling more line out. Still being a novice at this king salmon thing I didn't want to put too much pressure but when he slowed down I tried to put pressure on him and tightened the drag a little. Got him to about 150ft in back of boat and then he makes a run for the church board! Gets tangled up with it and the board disappears under water. I figure this fish is lost. Finally get him back of the boat but he is still not done. I give the rod to my son and he fights him for a while. He just wouldn't give up. The surface temp was 62 so that wasn't slowing him up. I think by now our boat has made almost a complete circle. I have my son back up and I grab the line and after what seemed an eternity finally got him in our under size net. We were both spent after that. Ended up being a very short trip but well worth it. And couldn't get my son to get in the photo. Thanks to everyone who shares info. It really helps with the learning curve.

What I learned:

1. Don't go king salmon fishing after doing two days of hard yard work

2. When someone with more experience tells you don't run a leadcore line with two people in the boat- listen to him

3. Don't go king salmon fishing with an under size net

So tomorrow, it being Father's Day, I think I will be buying a larger net. And then Monday being my 52 birthday (and I felt every day of it today) I think I will buy myself a new smoker.

Happy Father's day everyone!

22 hours ago, Sk8man said:

Wow!  Bob that song has always been my favorite and probably has more relevance and meaning than all the others put together Enjoy and savor every moment. My youngest is out in Hollywood and I miss her every day that goes by...

I'm just glad someone besides me knows the song I was referring to.

As long as she's happy out there, that's the important part, as much as we'd like them to stay near us. I always remember what my uncle told me when I was a kid- "You gotta get out of (insert your home town here)" meaning you can't play it safe, that you have to go out an experience life. I'm amazed at the things I did when i was younger- went to school in Boston at Berklee College of Music, then to Japan on two occasions. Those words he said always echoed in my mind. Unfortunately I just learned he has Alzheimer's.

7 hours ago, GAMBLER said:

This trip is a memory that will last a life time!  Congrats!

Thanks, Gambler. I hope it is one of many for him!