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Sad Commentary on the quality of Normark Lures and other products. I still run The Wiggle Wart and Hot n Tot in the spring and all winter for Steel. This year its been kind of tough to find fishable water for steel. The oldies I still use are the Tadpolly and Tiny Tad that were Heddon staples. I normally don't run Body baits in deep water trolling situations, but have gone crazy with Tot's in 200 FOW down 100 and 75 to 100 back. Keep your old Tots, they are fish killers.

Just a vote for the #33 rubberband using a cannon bandbuster release. If you want to troll 11" paddles or big plugs just doubleup. You will see the rod shake before it releases and you get more positive hookups. 2 ways to attach the band to the line, spin it or take 1 wrap around 2 fingers and put the band thru the loop, pull the loop tight and it is a no slip set

I second what is here. I don't have a limit on equipment but I used to fish out of a 16' Mirri Craft, 2 riggers 2 dipseys and 4 long lines when we had enough people. I suggest being versatile on your set up by using torpedo divers or divebombs. start with your 6 color add a 225 copper and use a 3 oz. dive bomb to get to the same depth as a 300 copper. use Walleye boards do get your longlinde out to the side. Attach the dive bomb about 6' above the leader and let the lineout to the backer. Attach the board and run it out let it slide out by using a little drag or thumb pressure. Good luck. That 225 copper with the dive bomb you will be running about 75 to 80' down.

Fishawk, pro troll any of the speed temp units are a great addition, but most important thing I find is to eliminate water. Try to find the right conditions and hit it hard. My fishawk is possibly the best tool I have. Speed on the surface or SOG is deceiving because of currents, that is where the speed temp is the biggest help. Do not be afraid to change up speeds. In other words Mitch is right on. Just remember your GPS speed can be a good indicator to start then adjust as you start picking up fish.

We have an old saying around southern lake michgan, when the cotton wood is flyin the fishing is dying. There is a period from about the first week of June to the middle of July where the fish migrate offshore and feed on fly hatches and other delicacies. I found fish in deep water on the surface in June and July last year, the year befor we just decided to go perch fishing. June is the time to tune up your copper and diver programs get deep and catch lake trout. If you go offshore look for scum lines and troll 3+ mph with 2 and 3 color lead core and any orange or pink spoons like the regular stinger or Fuzzy Bear. I like Orange Killer, and variations of the Tequila Sunrise spoons. Get your boards way out to the side and keep your divers high in the water column.

I know what works for me, I have a Humminbird 858cdi,50 kHz transducer good signal to all the depths we fish, also has down image for shallow water perch, It has lake map included and works good with the split screen. Cost about $900.00. If I wanted to go larger screen would probably go to Furuno.

Sounds like an autobiography of me, Welcome to the site. I am slipped in ST.JOE, and My boat is a Chris Craft 316 Commander SF. Give the SilverKing a call on channel 68 most weekends we are out. We also fish on Tuesdays.(my day off work)

Nicely done keep the reports coming.

How does it do in rougher water?

I second that, every splice is another possible hang up on guides or weak spot in the set up. I use 40# power pro for all my copper backers and have 200, 250, 300 and 450 set ups just be sure to use the proper size reel for each length. full reels mean more accurate lineconters and better drag operation. I also put a 4 to 6 foot section of 40# big game mono between the backer and the copper, gives me a place t o attach boards without having to wrap the clamp.

might be great for river steel trolling up stream help get outside lines out further, or for browns on flat lines to get it closer to the beach on lite rods and lite lines,.

It really doesn't matter when you put them out. I usually set my riggers and dipseys and the I let out my hi long lines and get the board way out to the side, next comes the short copper or a full core, then the 300 to 450. The key is let the line straight out the back, attach the board and slowly let it go back and after it clears your short stuff let start letting it swing to the side and continue letting out line until it is where you want in relation to the rest of the spread. a nice V starting deep in the middle and working to the shallowest presentation. This allows you to re set the outside lines with out having to bring the other boards in/

I dont know if I could get away with calling my girl wide:eek: Walleye boards have a backwards facing clip so you dont have to wrap. The farther away from the boat you can get the less bend you will have. My rods are are not bent toward the water at all. Maybe im misunderstanding you post

Again I repeat riggers rule, then Dipseys, unless you have 4 to 6 on board, I hate fishing short on crew members, makes it really hard to run spread. Try the Greatlakes Angler rod trees they will help you keep your lines separated. Just run your deepest lines inside and I run my 300 to 450 coppers closest to the boat and Then my 200 copper outside that and my furthest out is usually a Leadcore of some length depending on the target. I catch a lot of Steelhead on 5 and 6 color leadcore in the middle of the summer. Just stay with what works, and try to get some more people on board. Its a lot of fun and great family time.

4 riggers, all with free sliders. Set in a V pattern deep inside to shallow on the outside. I run 2 to 4 divers depending on how many are on board, and 6 boards off of Great Lakes Planer 3 hi rod holders. Walleye boards. Usually start spring with everything set up to fish shallow water. We run yellow birds in shallow water for Coho and Browns. You can run up to 12 rods on a boat with an 8' Beam. Stay away form the Pack, and long slow turns. Do not I repeat do not run across current with a 12 rod spread or you are looking for a mess. Always have believed in running as many lines as the crew can handle. My boat has a 12' beam and makes running more rods really easy. Downriggers are still the best presentation for getting the job done, and if I could swing the cost would be running 6 of them. If I never have to run Copper or Leadcore.I am happy camper. Riggers and Divers rule.

I have to agree with Matt. but every once in a while I run big spoons for a change up. It works sometimes depending on the day. I have found they work well on overcast days.

I start the season with 6 reels filled with 20# Ande, and when the sea fleas become an issue I have 6 spooled with Courtland Flea Flicker, as noted it does twist a little but sure beats trying to get the fleas off of regular mono.

Northport Nailer super mag spoons were really good for Lake Trout and Mature Kings back in the 70's and 80's, I had a couple left and 2 years ago tried them, they still catch large fish. Biggest problem I have is my partner lost them when he was fishing with some of his friends. I really like the White with blue ladder back and Chartreuse and blue with white back.

The amount of weight on the nose of the board would give you fits when you try to bring the board to the boat. I run 3 long lines per side on my boat, usually a short core out side then any thing from a full core to a 225 copper in the middle and a 300 copper on the inside. That set up works for us. Cheap doesn't catch fish, the right presentation for the conditions is what works. If I never had to run a copper or lead core set up I would be really happy. But that is not the case in todays Great Lakes. I still catch more fish off of Dipseys and riggers than long presentations as it is. How many people really enjoy catching fish on 300' of copper?

Try online, they will have them and more, but u have to order online and pickup at the store. I would rather spend a little more and get them from a store that actually supports the fishery. Lake Michigan Outfitters, Brett's Place on the Bay in St Joseph has a great selection, that can be purchased online at reasonable prices.

Welcome to GLF. This site is truly more user oriented than most, and the suggestions given are always helpful. That Kayak might get a fella onto the early Brown and Coho fishery over here in Michigan.

Either one is a good choice.