FleetTracker

Fine Anglers of the LOU,

After my first successful year under my belt on Lake O out of Henderson, I've decided to build up 2 new copper set-ups to add to my arsenal.  I am kindly looking for all of your valuable feedback and guidance as I plan to start rigging these up.  I've already decided that both will be 500' copper set-ups and that they will provide me with the most versatility throughout the year.  I plan to mark them with heat shrink tubing every 100'.  I've already got a spool of 1000' of 45lb Blood Run Copper to do the job.  I've also got on order 2 of the new Daiwa Seagate SGTLW60H Levelwind reels and they should be in my hands by the end of this year (Daiwa has been prolonging their release month by month).  These are high speed 6.1:1 ratio reels with Ultimate Tournament Carbon drags and are made for the great lakes copper game.  For comparison, they have matching line capacity ratings as the Tekota 800's.  I've already bought 2 of the 8'6" Okuma Class Pro GLT Copper/Leadcore Trolling Rods too.  I'd like to rig 150yds of 50lb Yellow Power Pro backing on each reel... and here's where my question lies... What is the BEST way to terminate the copper line to the 50lb Power Pro backing?  And from the copper line to the 30lb Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader?  What knots are recommended, and can you point me to a good resource that explains the process clearly?  

I realize that many places offer pre-rigged copper set-ups, but what fun would that be?  And you usually don't get exactly what you want.  I prefer doing things on my own to save $ and gain the knowledge.  For reference, each set-up will be under $250 fully rigged.  Thanks in advance for your help and taking the time to shed your experience and knowledge on the subject!

Ideas I've had:

1- Use the SPRO heavy duty swivels? (small enough to fit through reel's line guide)

2- Direct knot (what kind) between the copper/power pro?

3- Something else?

Daiwa Seagate Levelwind Reel:

http://www.daiwa.com/reel/detail.aspx?id=693

Okuma Class Pro GLT Copper/Leadcore Rod: 

http://www.okumafishing.com/product/view/rods/salmon-steelhead/classic-pro-glt

SPRO heavy duty swivels:

http://www.spro.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SHSB-ALL

45lb Blood Run Copper:

http://bloodruntackle.gostorego.com/salmon-fishing-line-downrigger-leader-wire-copper-trolling/45-lb-super-copper.html

50lb Yellow Power Pro Backing:

http://www.powerpro.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/power_pro_v2/products/powerpro_super_lines/yellow.html

30lb Seaguar Fluorocarbon Leader:

http://seaguar.com/new-products/2013/sts.html

Get the 24V Minnkota Terrova 80lb with ipilot. Probably the most useful upgrade and best decision I've made on my boat. This unit also manages battery life much more efficiently. They're spendy but you won't regret it.

Stainless = due to high resilience to corrosion in saltwater. I think a lot of folks take for granted how easy we have it on Lake O.... No need to re-tie and replace everything that touched the water at the end of the day.

If you want to communicate with a fish, just drop him a line.

Good idea but that's too big to store easily in my boat. I just use what's already on the market, and it works great for $13.99. Amazing how much gear you can store in these. It can also store easily just about anywhere for people who don't have the luxury of space for a big 3-ring binder.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Plano_Guide_Series_Worm_Bag_4610/descpage-PGSW461040.html

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Hi Sk8man - I'm in the process of working with Cisco Fishing Systems on a superior mounting method.  They sent me a prototype piece to mount up and take additional measurements for fine-tuning.  I took those measurements last night and relayed them back to Cisco.  They're confident that they can make something that I will be very happy with.  They said 2 weeks from today so we'll see how it turns out.  They're also anodizing them blue to match my boat.  Great company!

I'm selling my Gobee Golight that I purchased in April this year.  I've used it twice and it works great, but I just don't use it enough to justify keeping it.  I'm sure there are some of you out there that spend a lot of time on the water early or late that will get a lot more use out of this product.

It will mount in all bow lighting receptacles and is fully adjustable via a handheld remote control.  The light is super bright, and the motors react fast to any user remote input.  It comes with a nice nylon waterproof padded protective storage bag also.

Here's a link to the website:

http://www.golight.com/products/newproducts/gobee2.html

$125 OBO.  I can ship for the cost of shipping, and meet up with you within a reasonable distance.  I live east of Binghamton, NY.

-Devin

Hey Justin - I caught 2 decent walleye trolling for Browns on Ontario this year. NK 28 NBK spoon took em both. Was Overcast mid-day both times (different days). Only time I've caught walleye on spoons for what it's worth. Interesting it was on the same spoon though.

I've had 2 of the new Seagate 60's on pre-order for quite some time now with TackleDirect.com.  Daiwa's initial release date was September (per their website).  I was then informed by TackleDirect.com that it would be late October.  Today I was notified that it's now mid-December.  Daiwa must have gotten a huge pre-order they're looking to satisfy right up front, or they're having problems with this reel right off the get-go and are delaying it's release.  Anyone else have any information as to what's going on with this new Reel Series?  Thanks!

Hey everyone - Shark is also running a year end special right now where with every shark weight purchase, they ship out a FREE shark weight holder, and you get to choose 2 FREE spoons.  That said - I opted to Ante Up and go with a set of Black 15lb sharks (per many of your suggestions).  With that they're shipping me 4 spoons that I picked out and 2 of the shark holders.  Including shipping it was $152.90 total... still spendy but I'm happy they're on the way.  Now I'll put the pressure on Cisco and make sure this custom rigger mount is rigid enough to support these 15lb sharks.

PAP - I use Folbe rod holders... nothing comes close to them in the injection molded arena... Proven time and time again out on the West Coast.  They're a family run business out of Seattle - I have nothing but GREAT things to say about them.  They are however, not cheap.  I ran Mag Dipsey's on them with 10ft rods all year.  They're solid holders and the quick rod exchange out of the holder is something very unique to the design.

Here's a link to their website:  http://www.folbe.com/

Some video's:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-_V24qQMWI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvl7Qx-vpsc

(don't rock out too hard to the music in this one... haha)

Hi Pap - I use Chamberlain releases in-line with the rigger cable just above the ball.  I probably should have been more clear when I said "on the line behind the ball"... sorry for the confusion.  I understand the fact that you can pick up the rear of the weight when loading the rod and force the weight to do a headstand down there, which could cause abnormal blow back and poor tracking... but that's not my issue here.

Thanks for your input Yankee. I feel like the particular torpedo's I purchased do not track very true and exhibit a side-to-side sway in the water, causing more then normal blowback. I have the new Mag 10's so I know they can handle the extra weight of a 15lb ball, it's the way that I have to mount the riggers to my boat that worries me going higher then 12lbs. I'm in the process of working with Cisco Fishing Systems Engineers to develop a more rigid mount. If we can come up with something better then I think I'd be comfortable going up to 15lbs.

Here's a picture showing the mounting of the riggers so you know what I'm talking about.

Thanks for the feedback Snox49x - sounds like the same experience Jammer encountered.  Black seems to be the way to go.  (And it's cheaper! YES!)

Lineman... interesting... I suppose they could dual as a fish beater in the boat too eh? haha Let us know how they perform when you get a chance to get those bad boys wet!

Thanks for your feedback Jammer!  I was thinking that the chrome wouldn't be as 'stealthy' and 1) may spook fish and 2) may compete as an attractor with the actual attractor on the line behind the ball (spoon/spinny/flasher, etc..).  OK - I'm heavily leaning toward black... anyone else have experiences to share?

Hi All,

I'm looking to replace my current 12lb torpedo weights that I bought off the LOU (seemed to really blow back a lot this year!!!).  I'd like to get some original 12lb Sharks.  My question is: black or chrome? (or both - I just don't want to shell out the $ for two sets).  I primarily fish Lake Ontario out of Henderson.  What are your experiences or thoughts with either choice?  Thanks for your input - much appreciated!!!

On water at 5AM... Set up in the moonlight. Wind was coming SSW instead of SSE like the forecast said, and was 10mph+ versus the 5mph forecast for this morning. A lot rougher then I thought it would be today. I set up along Stoney in 90FOW and worked anywhere from 60-100FOW with one release on a MAG NBK spoon. Fish shook the hook as fast as it got on - only felt the fish for a few seconds. That was all the action I had till about 11 and headed in for food. Got lunch and going to head back out till dark. Wind is really picking up to 15mph right now. Stupid. Also the water is wayyy low. There's a visual sandbar out of Bedford creek now. I had to use my terrova just below the water line to make it out and back in. Hopefully a better report this evening.

Sold! Please PM me I'll take them all and the filer. Thanks!

I'm headed out early tomorrow AM. Ill post a report by day's end.

Last time I was up I kept catching whitefish on my stacked rigger spoon... We boated 4 real quick... I thought it was weird too. They were hitting on Mag spoons.

Thanks for the reports fellas - will be heading up this weekend which I think will be my last trip of the year.

I'd also be interested to know of any recent reports/successes. Last time I was up was Labor Day weekend.