tltorrice

Nice shake down trip Frank. Good to see a report from you. Good luck with the surgery. Tom

Sometimes you just have to make choices. Nice job Al

Thanks for the update and good job on the Walleyes.

I finally had an opportunity to take my fiance salmon fishing on Memorial Day. We launched at St. Joe about 6:30am and ran out to about 80 fow to the NE. According to the reports I have been reading this was the place to be. We got set up with 2 down riggers, 2 wire divers, and two lead core, a 3 and a 10 color to start with. After about an hour in 110 fow we got our first hit on the 3 color on an orange spoon. 7lb steel-head. This was Wendy’s first great lakes fish and she was thrilled. Next we took a hit on the wire that was running on the high side. Came unbuttoned. I suspect it was another steel-head since this was another orange spoon. Next the Starboard down-rigger went and landed a 9lb King. This King came on a SS purple and pink spoon that Wendy picked out at the Birch Run show. It was pretty! When checking the port rigger red meat rig I found a shaker 16†king, released. We next landed a 5lb laker on the other wire pulling a Black Mamba paddle and an alewife fly. At noon we headed back. We ended up 4 for 5 in about 135 fow. It was good to be back on Lake Michigan again. Can’t wait until next time. Tight Lines.

Get well soon Erik.

I don't change them but I do sharpen them every time they go in the water. That has make a world of difference. You would be surprised how dull hooks are coming out of the package. Stingers are the worst. So just to be sure each one is tested and sharpened before use.

Get well.... What will you do tomorrow?

Jason, I have a Starcraft Fishmaster that I bought new in 2006. It is 19'9" long, and trailers good. What I really like is the back end is open giving you plenty of room for working the down-riggers and fighting fish. It takes the waves well. You should give it a look.

Good job Ken.

I get moss and mold on my pontoon boat too. I use a mixture of bleach and water and hit it with a power washer. It cleans it up nice.

Great job Ed. When I read your story it is like I am there. Except I don't get cold or wet!

Good job. Thanks for the report. I was hoping to get down there this weekend if it ever stops raining, oh wait now it is snowing!!

I carry two wire line dipsy @ 1000 feet each. No copper.

Congratulations Nick! Enjoy.

Name: Tom Torrice Age: 55 Residence Location: Chelsea, MI Area(s) Most Often Fished: Detroit River, Lake Erie, Lake Michigan-St Joe, Muskegon, Manistee, Lake Ontario Oak Orchard Creek. Years of Experience: since I was 5 so 50 years Boat Size and Info: 19.5' Starcraft Fishmaster, 150OB 15 kicker Boat Name: Tangle Factor I have been fishing for as long as I can remember. I started on the great lakes around 1995 fishing for walleye on Erie. My first boat was a 16' Lowe Lunker with a 50hp OB. I caught a lot of fish in that boat. I fish as much as I can now. For the last 3 years I have spent a week on Lake Ontario fishing for the "Big Kings". I also have a small business tying flies for fly fishing for some of the local fly shops, and enjoy casting a fly rod on a quiet river.

I have the same set up as Dogfish. My main engine is a 2 stroke 150 outboard with oil injection. My kicker is a 15 hp four stroke. The only difference is I have a switch to direct the fuel from one engine or the other. It works great and I only have one main tank.

I have Great Lakes Planers trees 3 rod holders. They work great and i use the top for holding nets. Mine are in Berts Tracks. Let them know when you order them if you have berts tracks.

I am going up north this weekend to sit in my boat and have a cup of coffee.

Jeff, I use my planer mast when fishing for walleye. I use my inlines for salmon. I can tell if I have a fish on with the mast but I cannot with the inlines. I don't have the flags for them.

Great idea Aaron, I like that!!

I need to change all of the backing on all of my lead cores. I am going to install 40# Power Pro. Last year I had lost a full core, a glow ghost J-Plug, a big king and the board because my backing broke. I was trying to pull all of the other lines to turn back to get the board, but we got 3 more fish on. By the time I got back I could not find the board. Expensive way to find out I need to change the backing. It will be a pain but it must be done.

I run meat rigs regularly, usually one off of the starboard down rigger and another off the port dipsy. I always use cut bait. If I cant get cut bait I make my own from whole herring green label.. Meat rigs don't always produce but I believe they bring fish into your spread. I always do better when running meat then when not. It adds to the group dynamic. I use spin doctors or fish catchers in front of the meat rigs. Green seems to work the best. All of my rigs are 3 fly teasers although I am think of going with 2 fly for my DD. Tom

Way to go Jason. Good to see you are still getting out.

Jim I have a15hp 4 stroke on my boat too. You will like this. Keep the hours off of your main motor. Also nice to have a back up motor.

After having my Big Jon Captain Packs for several years now the only thing I would do differently is look for a down rigger that can handle more than a 12lb cannon ball. In the hot summer when the cold water is down very deep it would be better if I had more weight. Don't get me wrong I love my Big Jons.