Rascal Trophy Fishing

Looks like St. Joe is off to another great spring bite, as usual this early. Thanks for the pics., and great job.

First off, it would be nice to know which lake you fish. Secondly, when heading out, if not dark, look at the water and wind. Look for temp. breaks and anything on the water that tells something is different, scum lines, as another example. Third, as Jimbobber states, set up down wind, slow, watch the wires and speed, keep the lines straight as possible to start. Change direction as the time for a bite gets too long. Listen to the VHF for possible tips, or call a buddy on the water to see where the action is. Always watch the graph for thermals, baitfish, and large hooks, set depths of riggers accordingly. Just some basics.

According to the scriptures, wasn't Jona swallowed by a Whale? Naw, can't be, he's a Viking from Sweden, just like my ancestors from Norway, okey-dokey? Nice boat though Jonas, thanks, and good fishing over yonder.

Now that's early bird fishing for ya............lol.

Nice fat Laker, and a real dandy this day and age. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for joining Al, enjoy the new friends and information.

Sounds like you're having alot of fun with the ol SS, and can't wait to see the pics. of her now. Should fish real nice and be a jewel in the eye to view. Thanks for the update.

Thanks for your tips and esp. the picture of the double-bubble catch.

Just curious Dale, does the boat have the holes for the bracket now already drilled out? If so, this new boat you bought should have included it, along with the spare two riggers you mentioned in another post. I hope that guy isn't nickel/diming you for every option he removed. If not, keep searching, or go to boat sheds with junk/abandoned/back storage fee'd boats that nobody wants and is going to pay on, that's usually the best deal. BTW, unless you plan on making swims off the boat often, why have it? If the occasional swim is in the works, you can get a swim ladder for the transom/sides that will also work, and not be in the way of riggers. Thanks.

Well, that's kinda a tricky question, depends on alot of variables. For everyday usage, I use a free slider, (some rubber band it), with about a 3'-5' lead. I drop the first lure attached to the ball, and may use a 6' up to 12' lead back. I follow that up usually with a similar or same lure to the slider and put that about 10'-15' above the bottom lure. I've seen some guys use a trick slider about half way down the depth of the original lure with a 15'-20' lead too. Trouble is, the further away the slider is from the main lure, the easier to lose the fish, and the big hook up will be time delayed quite a bit too, so you've got to keep those variables in mind. I like sliders alot, because you can run 2 lures on the same rod, thus doubling your chance for the bite, sometimes doubling your amount of fish on the same rod too, now that's really cool, as long as they are both not massive big fish, then there may be a problemo, depending on the anglers abilities, and the line test being used. Thanks and have fun. P.S. When I get/boat both fish on the same rod, I always called it a "double-bubble".

If the owner paid $600 a piece for the old riggers, they've got to be electric, and the holes are already there, so if he wants say $400 or less for the pair, and in nice condition, get them. They can always be used to hold or move rods around if not in usage, and usually be quick-released to store in the cabin when not in use. Plus a 24' Thompson are all outdrives I believe, so these must be corner or out-and-down riggers. With 4-6 pp fishing it's a wise investment to have them, imho. If time and money permit, maybe have them looked at for possible overhauling with heavier cable for heavier balls too. Thanks and good luck.

Being more specific, I learned I am referring to the Lansky deluxe or regular quick edge models, they do have a very big assortment of sharpeners I was not aware of till today. Thanks Nailer.

For sure, it's a strong addiction, one that we all have for sure. But, I'd rather this than something else like gambling or such. I just keep pretending I need more cause it's been in my blood for too long, and afterall, I do need different new setups for any occasion, right? Just start having garage sales once in a while, or I just give away to others in need every year that are more novice and need the tackle. Thanks.

Welcome aboard Lee, enjoy the great new friends along the way.

Boy, I used to hate to have to try to sharpen my knives until about 7-8 years ago. Steels, honing stones, electric sharpeners, grinders, you name it, I've done it. Now, it's a quick and easy chore, a diamond stone v-sharpener shaped for your hand, and keeps your fingers safe from the blade. There may be others like the Lansky too, they are cheap too, $8-10 for a great quick way to get the blade razor sharp. And you don't pay a hardware or knife shop $20 to get it done anymore. I currently have about 4 of these, some I bought for $4 each too, that way I have one in the house, two on the boat, one in the truck, get the idea? Thanks.

Well first of all, are there holes for mounting the extra two riggers on the boat now, and why charge extra for them if you are buying the entire rigged boat? Second question is, do you want electrics or manuals, electrics are more preferable naturally, and any rigger now costs alot more than the 90's of course. Everyone has their preference on the make of rigger they like, so, do you like Walkers, had them before, and what condition are these in? Do the extra ones match the existing? If not, consider a whole new set of 3-4, depending on your budget and preference of rods to run.

Sounds like Tray's got the idea patented........LOL. Thanks. Fish Hawk thermatroll when it works right.

In Central Lake Michigan, Ludington, the Little River Tribe Indian Fisherman pretty much does what he likes, any depth, any placement, any markings he desires nowadays. In a good year he can make $100-200K in CASH, without much help. He has been marking the nets with bigger buoys in recent years, seen on calm days, on rough days?

Very sad and tragic ending to a full life ahead. Wonder if those guys were wearing PFD's? A MUST for small and large boating adventures, good reminder here for everyone venturing out. Thanks for the memo.

Belated good job Nick.

How about a Michigan squid?, glow, clown, lazer, or sparkle, instead of a fly? I found a bunch of new ones I forgot about stored up under the bunk 2 years ago, found they still catch salmon pretty good yet too. As for spoons, loooong lead, 4'-6' might be the ticket once in a while.

I liked those older ones that had the calume stick in the removable tail, you broke that little stick, shook it hard, then put it in the plug and sealed the tail. It was the first "glow plugs". Anyone old enuf to member them fancy ones? Old course they had the rattlers too, and the pokadot types, the plain chrome/red heads that all still work too. Now we have the moonshine plugs, and they are hot, if you haven't tried one yet, get some too. Good idea, a guy could repaint and resell for $3-4 and make some extra money doing this. I suspect garage/yard sales this spring could produce many too. Good luck.

You guys with your cabin fever.................lol. Thanks for the pics..

That's a nasty way to wake up Saturday Dave, hope no serious damage happened. Good luck Sunday, thanks.

Great pic. John, thanks for sharing that special moment.