Crayfish

No worries!  I think it is invaluable for checking the running depths for cores, copper and dipseys.  Good luck!  

I haven't seen a timeout issue, that I know of.  Using it as I described, I don't think that would be an issue.  The clip on the TD Is pretty big so it seems to slide pretty easily over knots, swivels, etc.  Just make sure it won't slide over a spoon or whatever you have on the end of the line!  I almost lost it last year ... just caught the hooks on the spoon!

I haven't tried it with heavy fleas.  I did try it on copper (300) and dipseys last fall on Lake O and didn't have any issues.  I use it all the time on Champlain for checking temp at depth.  I hook it to a downrigger and let it down to the bottom and then retrieve it to find the temp break.  I wouldn't hook it anything and leave it out, though.  It will mess with the dive rate.

Fishmaster : You let the cores out as far as you want first, then hook the TD to the line and let it slide down.  That way you don't have to worry about how long it takes to get the lines out.

Good luck!

I don't have a Fishhawk X4, etc, only a TD.  I don't connect it to anything.  I run the line I want to check depth on like normal, then when line out and speed are correct, I clip the TD to the line and let it slide down.  Leave for a minute or 2 and then bring the line in to check how deep it was running.  I try to run the TD just before pulling a line for a lure change or whatever, so I'm not bringing the line in twice (esp. dipseys!).

I think attaching the TD will affect the dive rate and you won't get accurate data.  I've used it on dipseys, copper and leadcore so far and it seems to work great.

Oh, also, we like to run a split shot 5-6' ahead of the lures.  This helps the small floaters get a little deeper and helps keep grass, etc from fouling the lure.

My son and I brought our boat over from Vermont last spring for the first time.  We launched at Mexico Point and did well when the weather was cooperative (wind blowing warm water in to shore, but not TOO windy!).  We caught most of our fish on Bay Rats off the boards and Stingers on 1-2 colors of leadcore off each side of the boat.  Most of our fish were caught on green, but some natural colors worked as well.  I think our hottest lure was a Short Shallow Bay Rat in "Can't afford it".  There was also a Stinger that I picked up that was a very similar color pattern to the "Can't afford it" stick that did well.

Since you have Otter boats, you can easily run 3 lines off each side and not worry about the riggers yet.  Later in the season, if you are fishing more than 20' of water or so, the riggers will come in handy for getting closer to bottom.  Right now, as others have said, you're going to be fishing right up on shore in 10-15' of water or so.  The riggers will only cause you grief.

Good luck, be safe and HAVE FUN!

Cannon makes a great rod holder that comes up by just grabbing the rod.  I'm sure there are others.

http://store.cannondownriggers.com/products/325071/Dual_Axis

Looks like you guys had a great trip, Del Gue, despite getting blown off.  Congrats!

Hi Keith - Check out Ranger nets.  I don't know if they make a hoop for your S3 handle, but you can get handles up to 12' long with their optional handles.  I love their octagonal extendable handles.

Good luck!

Another vote for Ugly Stik.  I like the 8'3" Light action. 

https://marine.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-76.54562467709182&lat=43.48514425015122#.XNLELuhKg2w

Looks a little bumpy early on Saturday, then calming down.  

On 5/2/2019 at 11:59 AM, mrclean said:

Absolutely the state park is the best for boaters not familiar with the area. There are local launches but start there first...

Thank you!  Hopefully my son and I will be there this Saturday for his first trip to Lake O, and my first trip that far west.

Where is the best place to launch in Fair Haven?  Do you use the State Park boat launch?  I'll be staying near Pulaski in a week or so and was thinking about making the drive to Fair Haven to explore some new water.

Thanks!

Nicely done!  I'll be out there a week from today.  Can't wait!

Awesome!  Thanks for the information, prayingmantis!

Also wondering what size Bay Rats guys are running for browns.  I'd like to pick up a few for my next trip to Lake O.

Nice job, Hard Knox!  Glad you and your Dad were able to get into some nice fish, regardless of the late start!  Unfortunately I won't make it out there for 2 more weeks.  Hoping for cool weather between now and then so the browns will be still be shallow.