Harv, I have a place on Keuka Lake, we did a trade a few years ago, I had some flat lead plates, came to your place. I will be down there 1st week of August. I have your number. I will call you and set up a time.
Are you pushing lever up and either lifting or pushing down the chamberlin at the same time? Can't remember which direction off the top of my aging head. Just trying too lock the lever won't work.
For a fixed slider on coated I put the snap for the slider on the fishing line and then attach a small wimpy rubber band to the coated cable, loop around cable and through itself, then loose end in snap. This will hold it in place on coated cable where ever you want it. Good size fish will bust the rubber band and pop release . Use Blacks or chamberlin for release just above ball. Works pretty good.
I have fished it before many moons ago. Loaded with largemouth bass, some over 5lbs, and small panfish. We caught one pike also. Altogether we landed over 25 bass. can't keep them I believe. A DEC cop pulled over and was watching us for awhile. This was over 30yrs ago.
Sat, in front of sandy (hamlin)temp was perfect in 80-90 ft on bottom. 45-47deg. Monday 80-130 was mid fifties on bottom. temps are back to summer set up. Deep. Funny thing though my friend was in front of the Genny yesterday and he had good temps in 70-90ft on the bottom. Big difference. Deep water is producing teenagers to low 20's and steelies .
May just need trim tabs. I put them on my 19' islander, made a world of difference. I also have a kicker. Starcrafts are generally bow light.They also make lower unit fins that attach pretty easily and will plane you just fine.
Too slow down for fighting, you can also have a bucket with a few 1" holes on 4-5 feet of rope and toss out on a center cleat too slow down by~1mph. if there is not a center rigger.
If you are trolling around 2-3mph, you can manually let them down pretty quick. Flashers pull back enough to keep them from going verticl. With my electrics, I let them go until I reach desired depth. Even when stacking, I haven't had a problem yet.
Also you wont need snubbers on a small lake. Nothing there is going to slam a dipsy like a king. Run about 10-15 ft of 30lb fluorocarbon between wire and dipsy for a little shock absorbing capability and protects wire if you break down the poles when not in use.