Building C's

I've been using 100% Fluorocarbon line for the past few season and notice the good quality. I use 30# with 30' leaders on the ends of all my rods and 50# to tie flies, meat rigs, and other leaders. All the new spools come in 25 or 30 yards. The stuff is too expensive for the quantity given. Has anyone tried the Fluorocarbon coated line? It is WAY CHEAPER. I was just wondering if it is as good as the 100% stuff.

I fished Saturday in 100 to 140FOW with the Temp at 68 degrees top to bottom and the fishing was horrible. Sunday started in 100FOW and worked out to 160FOW. Didn't get into fish until 120, with most of the action between 140 and 160. Right at 100' down was the Thermocline and that depth took fish all day. 300', 175', 225', and 250' coppers did some damage. Wire dipsies out 200 and 220 worked best with meat rigs. Best Speed was 2.5 at the ball with a temp 48 to 53 degrees. Dodgers were: DBL Glow Spin Doctor with Little Bride Live Wire Spin Doctor with Lime Tonic Fly Kaleidoscope with Blue Bubble Fly Tin Can with Green Crinkle Spoons: Blue Bubble Reg Riverside Super Slim Meat Rigs: DBL GLow with Glow Frog Blue Glow 10" Spin Doctor with Blue Glow Finished 8 for 13 with the biggest Coho 10#s. All were between 8 and 10#s.

Great Day. More details later!!

I usually leave my drag loose enough so I can reel in the slack of the line, but can't make any progress on a fish. I then tighten the drag to make the fight interesting. 20# has been working decent so far this year.

Thanks for all the helpful info!!! I was thinking that the heavy pull of dodger and flies or a meat rig on a 250' or 300' Copper would be too strong for 20# test. It just looked to me like I was making tackle donation to the lake. I know using spoons and lighter lures on the 30# test affects their motion, so I was just curious if 30# was too much. Typically, I run about 30' of Fluoro leader. I've heard about 15' for flasher fly combos and 30 for spoons. Any thoughts?

I was going to put some 20# fluorocarbon on some copper and lead core rods, but then realized how vicious the fish are in August and September. Also, the factor of putting meat rigs and dodger and fly combos on them too. Is 20# test enough or should I get 25# or 30#? Any advice is appreciated.

Yes, I tried calling for some reports. There haven't been too many boats out lately so it's good to see what everybody else is doing. Thanks for the report. I will be out on Saturday!!

I got out Saturday night from 5 to 10pm in 125 to 150 FOW. Temp was 55 to 60 degrees down 50'. Marked a lot of fish from 30-40' down and from 50-70' down. Threw everything but the kitchen sink at the and couldn't get much to go. Ended up 1/3 with 2 hits on the meat rigs on the dipsies out 100' and 1 fish on the rigger down 58'. I hope the winds this week blow some colder water in shallow.

I was out yesterday and hit 50-60 FOW, 150-165 FOW, and 100 FOW without any fish. Just 2 bites in 155'. Good to know they were in shallow.

Terry, What are the manufacturers of those spoons? I tried to find the Diamondback, but couldn't. The Smurfet as well. Did you buy them online? Any info is appreciated. Bill

Had the Special Athletes Outing today with the Michiana Steelheaders Club. Set up in 150FOW and worked to 165FOW on a 278 degree heading. We went 11 for 18ish. Everything worked!!! Rods were going off so consistently I couldn't use any dipsies. Just 6 boards and 2 riggers. My sliders were pretty good taking 4 or 5 of the 11. We called Reel Love out there and they landed a 16# king along with most of their catch being kings. We had all Coho and Steelhead from 5 to 9lbs. An absolutely AWESOME DAY!! Only fished from 8 to 11 am. I'm glad the kids got to reel in some fish!!!

Got out this morning at 0530 until 1200. Ran out to 160 FOW and dropped lines. Reached 180 and had no bites so we turned around got our first bite at 175FOW. Our hot depths were 120 to 140FOW. Ended up 8/8. Here is what worked: Fish #1- Wire Dipsy with Meat Rig out 85'- Double Glow flasher and two tone teasers with a clear head- 4lb Coho Fish #2- Planer Board with 150' Copper and Dreamweaver Pearl Zebra Plug- 4lb Coho Fish #3- We were setting this line and it got bit before the planer was attached. 7- Color Lead with a chrome frog spin doctor and a mountain dew fly- 6lb Steelhead Fish #4- Same set up as the previous fish- 4lb Coho Fish #5- Had a double with the next fish. Wire Dipsy out 132' with Firedot Flasher and Green Lizard Teasers and a Chartreuse head- 12lb Laker Fish #6- Downrigger down 90' with Mountain Dew Crush Glow Spin Doctor and ITO Green Dolphin Fly- 5lb Laker Fish #7- Downrigger down 110' with Mountain Dew Crush Glow Spin Doctor and ITO Green Dolphin Fly- 3lb Coho Fish #8- 7- Color Lead with a chrome frog spin doctor and a mountain dew fly- 3lb Coho If you want any further details then send me a PM.