On the Hook

I use a portable Uniden VHF radio. It is just for emergencies and weather alerts as Verizon has a few dead spots on some of the lakes so my cell would not work in case of an emergency.

It's been awhile since I used mine, but it had the ripper blades on it. I asked my buddy as he has a 30 also and his has the ripper blades.

I have the FX100 for a year and it has been worth the money so far. I also have used a Shappell wide house 5500 for the last 3 years and have gotten my money's worth out of that. I realize we are talking different models here,but overall I have been impressed with the Shappell shelters for a lot less money than other brands. I think my FX100 is warmer than some of my buddy's flip-overs because the material is thicker. My only complaint is that it is a bench seat and I added a cheap plastic seat just for some back support.

Thanks for the reply Windburn. Probably will pass on the Billboard sign then if it is heavy and stiff. It might be waterproof, but I see it being difficult to get this to attach securely.

I am going to try to cover my boat this winter with something other than shrink wrapping. Building a frame out of 3/4 EMT conduit and Kover Klamps. I see that people are buying used Billboards as a tarp because they are made of an inside and outside layer of vinyl and a middle mesh layer. If you do a Google search for "Billboard Tarp," you will see what I am talking about. Some places also sell new Billboard signs. There is also a pipe seam sewn in on the length, so seems like it could be used to tighten the cover to the boat. Just wondering if anyone has used one of these Billboard signs as a winter boat cover and if you have any issues securing the material to the boat or trailer.

Sk8man, been fishing solo a lot this year because it is getting harder to get a crew together. I enjoy the quiet time on the lake I had the last two weeks, but it is difficult to get lines out and net fish solo sometimes.

On Vacation at Owasco for two weeks. Here is quick fishing report so far. 7/17 - Started trolling at first light from north end to the south. Down riggers at 90' over 120-130 with DW Mtn Dew Crush with Green flies fired quick. Had 4 lakers by the time passed Burtis Point, then bite slowed. Increased trolling speed to 2.8 - 3.0 over middle lake and rods with torpedo weights with purple FLT spoons kept hitting for the next few hours. Fleas were horrible. Moved in closer to shore in 90' and bounced some cowbells off the bottom and picked 2 more lakers. Went 10 - 12 on the lakers. Got off water when rec boaters swarmed the lake. 7/18 - Wash out with the thunderstorms. 7/19 - Fished solo and the wind really picked up. Gave up after an hour or so as it was too hard to get lines out and keep boat on corse. 7/20 - Fished solo, starting from the north end to the south end. Messed around with different depths for the first couple of hours. Marked a lot of small bait balls and fish in the top 50' water column. Trolled down the middle about half way down the lake and trolled north on the west side of the lake in 90 - 100 FOW. Still marked a lot of fish and bait balls on top so put 5 color lead core rods on planer boards and picked up a few small bows. Not sure if the thunderstorms and wind turned the lake over. 7/24 - After some windy days, finally got back on the water. Trolled from the north end south down the middle of the lake. Marked a lot of bait and fish in the upper 50’ of the water column but could not get any takers. Got the riggers out and went deeper, still no takers. Fleas were on the swivels and snaps, but not clogging up the line. Quit around 10:30 as the rec boaters got bad and it started getting hot. Went out in the afternoon and jigged around Burtis Point. Sweated to my butt off, but managed 3 average size lakers. 7/27 – Got on the water at first light and trolled from the north end south down the east side of the lake in the about 100 FOW as the middle had not produced for me. Quit around noon as it got hot again. Decided to go out in late afternoon and target bass. Fishing in front of large home I hear what sounds like someone hitting golf balls. I look up and this guy is hitting golf balls with a driver directly in front of me. WTF? After a heated verbal exchange, I left. Ruined the rest of the day fishing for me. 7/28 – Headed out again at first light and decided to troll from the north end south down the middle. Marked a lot of bait and fish in the upper 50’ of the water column but could not get any takers. Did not try trolling deeper than 75’. Fleas were a little thicker on the line.

Thanks for the report. Heading up there Saturday for a two week vacation. Just wondering how are the fleas.

Nautitroller I will have to try speeding up my troll on my next trip. I never usually troll past 2.5, but may have start adding speed.

The good news is I trolled the west side from the south end and did not get any fleas. Marked a lot of fish in 90 - 140 FOW, but had no bites. Threw the kitchen sink at them. Only saw one other troller out today. Got chased off the north end about Noon with some thunderstorms. 3 trips to Owasco this year and been skunked each time, last year every trip was double digit Lakers and Bows. Last year Cayuga was slow for me, this year year that lake has been on fire for me. I guess I am on a two year cycle with my lakes.

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C'mon, let's not turn this into another Dean's Cove. Now there's going to be another 40 extra boats on this beautiful little lake

I have also used white Zoom Super Flukes on Hermit's jig heads with a lot of success. 1oz would be the minimum jig head I would use. I mostly 1 1/2 oz jig heads. Kalins also makes a good bullet style jig head that worked well. It is all about the retrieve, sometime fast or slow. You won't see the ones on the bottom until they chase your jig head.

I have had good luck with Cabelas AGM batteries. They are not cheap, but I have had some last 8-10 years. They hold a full charge for a long time ad don't seem to drain as fast as traditional marine batteries. I like the fact that these are sealed batteries. If you do buy these batteries, make sure you use a slow trickle charger and don't leave them on the boat over the winter.

Thanks Sk8man, to the bottom it is.