Mikeyman104

Appreciate it. That was my thought too, but boy it'd make mounting them easier [emoji23] Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Anyone ever put their riggers in the middle of their boat? 16' CC and I have access to the underside of the gunwale in the middle so I'm thinking that might be easier for a backing plate Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I know I should have figured this out before I went on my boat, but is this the safety switch (circled in red in the picture)? It doesn't have a lanyard or anything with it so I'm not sure but the picture on the actual dash seems to make think it is. Also, I picked up some Big Jon downriggers and am trying to figure out the best way to mount them. Thinking I might just have to bite the bullet and buy the gumball mounts that run about 75$ a piece. If I do go that route, would the gumball mounts themselves need additional mounting to the boat or perhaps a backing plate? Any suggestions are appreciated! Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I got a 16' boat and follow many of the other guidelines mentioned above. 10 mph is about my limit and anything over that just beats me and the boat up a bit too much. I use Windfinder to gauge the winds and it does a pretty good job. The wave forecasts on that site are way off, but it seems pretty accurate with the wind speeds.

Thanks all for the feedback! I'm thinking I'll give it another try sometime but will be depend on the weather and all. It's funny, while I was out there jigging and marking fish I was thinking to myself I wish I had some live bait.

Not really and I tried to keep the jig in view of the finder Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Made it out but no luck for me today. Seemed to be fish around I just couldn't convince them to put a hole in their lip. Bunch of people fishing from shore on this nice day and saw one boat get what looked like a brown. All in all a good day for February in my book Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Awesome, thanks for the advice! Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Thanks, I do have a fish finder so maybe I'll see if I can find them. Would the same summer techniques work? Only tried it once but used a decent sized jig with a white swim bait

The weather doesn't look to bad Saturday and am thinking about putting on the dry suit and heading out in my kayak. Never hit up Cayuga in the winter and am not dead set on catching any particular fish, just looking to catch something. Should I throw some sticks for trout? Are pike better in the northern shallows? Just try for some perch? If it gets hairy weather wise I might just try from shore cause staying safe is my top priority. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated cause I'm getting some cabin fever and looking to get out of the house. Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I long for the day where I get bored with smallies or muskies Nice fish and impressive feat landing them like that!

I just started trolling this year so not sure how valuable my input is, but I agree with the others and put a kicker on. If space is tight then you might need a kicker mounting bracket or something to put it on if there isn't room on your transom. I have a 16' aluminum StarCraft that weighs maybe 1000 lbs and it has a 45lb thrust trolling motor on it (Minn Kota edge). It will move my boat at about 3mph in calm conditions, but not sure I would use that for trolling. Works good for bass and such, but battery, speed control and steering would be my concerns. Although depending on your trolling motor and chargers on board those all might be negligible. I opted for a kicker cause I liked the idea of a backup if needed and I tied the steering to my main motor. Ended up finding a little 4hp four stroke on Craigslist that works great, but I had space on my transom for it. Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Had some old plastic gunnel mounts on my 16' aluminum boat that broke so I swapped them out with some new metal ones. When I installed the new ones I just used the same sheet metal screw that secured the old one in place. Currently I just use them to hold a PVC rod holder I made (I know I should upgrade) but should these be riveted in? I can't access the under side to bolt them down so a bit limited there. If I end up putting riggers w/gunnel mount on these do you think it would hold or would additional mounting be needed? Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I went out yesterday morning on the North side and only got one little one. Only my second time trying for eyes so I know my tactics and techniques still need work. I was fishing the bottom but I talked to a guy afterwards who said they were mostly suspended at about 20ft over the deeper parts of the lake (40+ fow) Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Thanks all for the responses and tips! I feel like i'll have a better plan of attack next time i am out there. Whether i'll be able to execute and produce anything is a whole different story

Thanks! There were some weed mats around, but it wasn't that bad. Think in the picture it's just some bubbles Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Yeah I hear that. I was more worried about them popping out of their mounts so I did have a bungee cord from the boat to the holder. I may attach something from the boat to the rods though like you suggest just in case. Thanks! Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Was mostly trying for Steelheads or Atlanta but I've heard there aren't many landlocks in there. It was the first time out using my homemade rod holders so I was happy they held up. Not sure how they'll do if something hits them, but hoping to see at some point Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Tried owasco yesterday afternoon. Trolled for about 4-5 hours with not so much as a sniff. Granted I'm still new to this but was using dispys with spoons. Was shooting for about 40' down at about 2.5-ish mph. Marked quite a few fish on the east side of the lake but the west side was real quiet. No luck, but nice afternoon for boat ride [emoji846] Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Ontario United mobile app