Nic Gibson

I'm interested in the use of weights for trolling. There are a lot of trolling sinkers out there. I have one Torpedo Diver, but they are real pricey and I can be careless with gear, i take out semi-competent people and kids. So I like to keep my terminal tackle investments modest. Plus, I could be running 6+ lines at times, needing different weights. $25 bucks a weight is a lot. It seems like the west coast standard weight is cannon balls- 1-2lbs, getting to 125ft max. These, like rigger balls aren't the most hydrodynamic, but the drop is predictable- 2ft out 1 ft down. simple. Is a little more drag worth clear predictability? It seems like there are a lot more hydrodynamic weights out there, but they are all designed to run in line, limiting how much leader you can have. That's not acceptable. I'll be in a two man situation and my son is disabled. He can't handline or net, so all my rigs need to reel up to a netable distance. So I need to attach the weight in a removable way to something that runs through rod eyes (like a knot or small swivel). Most of my leads are going to be a lot longer than 7 feet- 12-18 is more normal. What is the most hydrodynamic weight I can us that I can drop predictably. I know of two main options: 1. Torpedo divers are really good and quite pricey. 2. virtually any weight can be clipped to a line, but they all have different sink rates relative to a pile of variables. That makes things less efficient and introduces a lot a variables. There are some snap kits with sink rate drafts, and cannon balls are made for regularity. But Torpedoes are more efficient and the charts say they can get down a lot deeper. 2 questions: 1. What weight system do you use and how do you keep it relatively simple? 2. Do you add weight to shorter lengths of weighted lines to make fewer rigs more versatile? For example, do any of you spool a three color lead (SWR) and weight it to the depth you want to hit? I have not heard of anyone doing it, but I don't understand why not. Especially for smaller boats. I think I can build a torpedo diver for a bout $3 each after an initial investment of a mold ($200), or disc shaped weights for about $50 (kind of like a pancake rigger). but I want to know if there is a better way. Is it better to just use something with a chart- like cannon balls or a kit of clip weights? I don't have coppers, and can't do 50 rods in my 18ft Lund. So I need these weights to get me down quite a ways and to make the fewest rods function with the most versatilely. my plan is to run these behind boards. I assume that's obvious.

I have read in a number of places I need to get a VHF radio if I'm going to fish the great lakes and get off shore far at all. Phone is not enough. Advice accepted. Can I get some recommendations on a decent unit that isn't too much but I won't have to buy twice. thanks. nic

Ok, here is the most direct answer I've found so far: No. IF you cure it, you don't need to freeze it. See Below From: https://happyspicyhour.com/do-you-need-to-freeze-salmon-before-making-sushi/ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hey foodies! If you’re a sushi lover like me, you may have wondered – do I really need to freeze salmon before making sushi? I totally get it. Who wants to wait around for fish to freeze when fresh sushi-grade salmon is waiting for you at the store? But before you whip up a homemade sushi roll, there are some important safety steps to take. Let me walk you through the scoop. Freezing salmon for at least 7 days kills any nasty parasites that could make you sick. I know, not fun to think about. But curing salmon in a salty mixture works too! Once frozen or cured, the salmon is safe to eat raw in sushi and tastes delicious. Now, you can sometimes get away with using a fresh fillet from a reputable fishmonger or local sushi joint. But to be on the safe side, I recommend freezing or curing that salmon first. Trust me, it’s worth the wait to avoid biting into something extra squiggly. Alright, now that we’ve got the safety stuff out of the way, let’s talk about how freezing and curing makes for mouthwatering sushi! Stick with me as we dive into the secrets behind tantalizingly tender sushi salmon. There’s a whole world of flavor waiting for us! Freezing Salmon Kills Parasites and Bacteria Raw salmon can sometimes contain nasty little critters like worms and parasites. Freezing fish for an extended time kills them off, along with dangerous bacteria. According to the FDA, salmon should be frozen at -4°F (-20°C) or below for at least 7 days to eliminate parasites. Extending the freezing time to a full month provides an extra safety buffer. So if you plan to eat that beautiful salmon fillet raw in sushi, first freeze it for optimal safety. It gives you peace of mind knowing there’s nothing wiggly inside! Curing Also Works to Prepare Safe Sushi Salmon Now, you don’t necessarily have to freeze salmon to enjoy it raw if you cure it instead. Popular curing methods involve covering salmon fillets with salt, sugar, spices, and herbs for several hours. This process draws moisture out of the fish while infusing tons of flavor. The salt also kills any lurking parasites and bacteria. So curing makes for safe and tasty sushi salmon too.

Will anyone share if and how they make lox from their Great lakes salmon. There is only one discussion on this and there is very little there. Some sights seem concerned that fresh salmon that is wild caught is likely to have parasites, and that this makes any non-cooked method of prep unsafe. Do you make lox of any kind? Do you freeze the fish or do anything to eliminate parasites? Or is this a minimal concern? I have not been able to find any information on this on the web anywhere. My wife is from a NY Jewish family and Lox are the preferred way to eat salmon in my house. I'd love to turn my catch into this kind of fare...safely.

great questions. I am also interested.

I'm also a new intruder. 18ft Lund pro v, looking for advice as to where to get good info on how to plan my path in fishing trips- put in, distance, structure, depth, etc. a version of "how far to go out".

My 16 year old son and I did some trolling up in the UP and Apostle islands, and we want to do more closer to home so we can do it more often: Madison, WI. I run an 18ft Pro V. I have a kicker if I have a motor issue. I get sick in about 3 foot seas in that size boat. We'd love to catch kings, but we like eating fish, and any trout or salmon will do. Do you have recommendations for where we could try putting in and go? I have 4 Big Johns, planers, and Walleye boards. I'm putting a lead together, but that's as far as I've gotten. I'm not fooling with meat rigs yet. I know I need to get bigger boards to run lead and copper deeper than 25ft or so. Port? Basic directional advise? thanks