Long Lines

No expert on this either...for sure, but the last two weekends....kids and kings and July 4th we have struggled to catch silver fish. Some last minute decisions to speed way up from 2.0-2.8 to 3.1 -3.8 running Mag Streaks like Blue whale and Black Screw Ball, MS Blue Flounder Pounder, and Pro King's Sneaky Pete have produced some mid morning to early afternoon kings in the 10-14 lb range and steelhead in the 7-10 lb range. Now we're not lighting the world on fire, but then again no one has been really. I intend to try the same strategy when fishing picks up to add another 2-4 fish to the cooler after the early morning bite slows. Interesting though that JDH has fish hitting flasher flies and meat rigs at that speed. Will have to give that a try. Open to anything out of the ordinary based on our last few outings.

I have the exact same set up on my boat. I have the Traxtech backing plates under the track so there is not much movement there, but there is a bit of slop in the canon swivel mounts. That is where 80-90% of the movement at the end of the rigger boom is coming from. Not really that concerned though...seems pretty normal from what I've seen.

I don't know...I am not buying that yet. I already have better fish numbers this year than last year. Definitely not as many big fish as last year....and maybe its not 2012 numbers, but it seems like a reasonable year to me so far. June can get pretty ugly regardless.

Well, pretty bummed...not only will my boat not be ready Saturday morning, but I won't be on board Motion Show as crew either. Work is nuts, home is nuts, and I signed up to coach Little League...much bigger commitment than I thought...1 practice and 2 games a week through mid June, including Saturday mornings. Its becoming pretty fun though working with the kids and seeing them picking it up; so am gonna see this through and join you guys later this summer. In the meantime, hope to have the boat out with some improvements in the next weekend or two. Least I can do is fish Friday evenings and Sundays to help Motion Show put the smack down on Killin It! Gotta be ready for Holland Steelheaders in mid May (might actaully make that one) and Kids N Kings at end of June as well.

My boat will be ready this weekend Shane. If Motion Show isn't out of storage, you and Marty are on board with Nick and I.

Well, I did end up going with a Fish On Arch and some Coastal lighting...and some goodies from TraxTech. Good thing I sold the other boat to pay for some of this stuff! Working on installing everything over the next few weeks. Can't wait to get it all done and get it on the water. Will post some pics once its all done.

These items are all sold. Could an administrator please close out this thread?

These items are all sold. Could an administrator please close out this thread?

Here's whats left as of today: 1996 18' Lund Alaskan, 60 HP Mercury tiller (power tilt/trim) and trailer: Asking $4,500 (Price Reduced) https://post.craigslist.org/manage/4312962682 (4) custom Al Pedestals that fit Berts or Traxtech track; one set works great for riggers, one set for dipsy holders: $25 each https://post.craigslist.org/manage/4366406517

Here's whats left after today: 1996 18' Lund Alaskan, 60 HP Mercury tiller (power tilt/trim) and trailer: Asking $4,500 (Price Reduced) (1) Lowrance HDS 5 Sonar/GPS (2010) (1st gen w/ software updates) including transducer and RAM mount: $350 (4) custom Al Pedestals that fit Berts or Traxtech track; one set works great for riggers, one set for dipsy holders: $25 each

Here's whats left after today: 1996 18' Lund Alaskan, 60 HP Mercury tiller (power tilt/trim) and trailer: Asking $5,000 (1) Lowrance HDS 5 Sonar/GPS (2010) (1st gen w/ software updates) including transducer and RAM mount: $350 (4) custom Al Pedestals that fit Berts or Traxtech track; one set works great for riggers, one set for dipsy holders: $25 each (2) Berts 4" multi rod holder trees for dipsys w/ 2 ratcheting holders per tree (buff brite finish): $275 for the pair

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table today. Still have these items up for sale. Reduced some prices. Also posted on craigslist w/ some pics. 1996 18' Lund Alaskan, 60 HP Mercury tiller (power tilt/trim) and trailer: Asking $5,000 (2) Berts Vertical swiveling rod trees w/ top net holder: $250 for the pair (1) Lowrance HDS 5 Sonar/GPS (2010) (1st gen w/ software updates) including transducer and RAM mount: $350 (4) custom Al Pedestals that fit Berts or Traxtech track; one set works great for riggers, one set for dipsy holders: $25 each (2) Berts 4" multi rod holder trees for dipsys w/ 2 ratcheting holders per tree (buff brite finish): $275 for the pair (1) 2011 Minn Kota Terrova 80/US2, 60" shaft, w/ iPilot (remote and foot pedal), Minn Kota Mount Plate, all wiring and hardware included -works great as autopilot for trolling: asking $900 (2) 2011 Cabelas group 30 AGM Batteries dedicated for 24v Minn Kota listed above: $200 for the pair (1) Minn Kota MK315D battery charger (2011) -charges 3 batteries simultaneously: $100 (1) 2002 6 HP Nissan 4 stroke engine purchased new from Van's Marine: $650

Will have a table at the swap meet at Chapel Pointe in Hudsonville from 9:00 - 12:00 (8:00 am for the early birds w/ $5 donation) this Saturday, March 8. Here are the items on my table so far: (2) Cannon Uni Troll HP manual downriggers w/ swivel bases & good cable: $300 (2) Berts Vertical swiveling rod trees w/ top net holder: $300 (1) Lowrance HDS 5 Sonar/GPS (2010) (1st gen w/ software updates) including transducer and RAM mount: $400 (2) custom Al trees that fit Berts or Traxtech track: $50 for the set (6) 12" sections Berts track (Satin finish): $25/each (2) Berts 4" multi rod holder trees w/ 2 ratcheting holders each (buff brite finish): $330 for the pair (1) 2011 Minn Kota Terrova 80/US2, 60" shaft, w/ iPilot (remote and foot pedal), Minn Kota Mount Plate, all wiring and hardware included -works great as autopilot for trolling: asking $1,050 (This is a $1,600 item brand new w/o the hardware and wiring and is in great shape) Hate to part with this thing...its been a great tool the last 3 years of fishing. (2) 2011 Cabelas group 30 AGM Batteries dedicated for 24v Minn Kota listed above: $200 for the pair (1) Minn Kota MK315D battery charger (2011) -charges 3 batteries simultaneously: $100 (1) 2002 6 HP Nissan 4 stroke engine purchased new from Van's Marine: $750 Not to Mention the 1996 18' Lund Alaskan, 60 HP Mercury and trailer: Asking $5,000 I won't have these last two on site, but if you are interested I will have info there and can discuss you viewing them....and maybe if the temps come up ...running the engines for serious buyers in the very near future. Thanks and hope to see you there.

Now For Sale Separately: 2 Cannon Uni Troll HP manual downriggers w/ good cable: $300 2 Berts Vertical swiveling rod trees w/ top net holder: $300 1 Lowrance HDS 5 Sonar/GPS (2010) (1st gen w/ software updates) including transducer and RAM mount: $400 2002 6 HP Nissan 4 stroke kicker motor purchased new from Van's Marine: $750 2 custom Al pedestals that fit Berts track: $50 2 Berts ratcheting rod holders: $50

These items are all sold.

Not sure...I was going to talk to Eric again at the GR show in March.

Would you be willing to share the details on the sabiki rig you use? Where are you getting them, what size hook? etc.

That's interesting Dave. To your point though, I have been offshore trolling for a grand total of like 4-5 years. 3 pretty avidly. Learning a ton from everyone; but I have not seen any of those techniques used or talked about that much.

Very nice guy! He walked me through how he runs his Slide Divers and the improvements with the new weight sets; definitely left his booth feeling like I needed to give that product another shot.

Cool post...agreed though...separation is the key....got pretty decent in my 18' Lund at running 8-9 rods. 1 rigger, 1 low diver, 2-3 walleye boards per side. Usually 400, 300, 200 copper on one side; 350, 250, 150 on the other. Moving to a larger boat this year and don't expect to change much except go to 1 rigger, 2 divers, and 2-3 planers per side depending on crew size.

I went to the show in Novi last weekend and stopped by the Slide Diver booth....I think I talked to Eric...I think. Anyway, dipsys are a pain when trying to run long leaders...the handlining, storage and deployment w/o tangles of the leaders, etc. Slide divers seem like a reasonably better option if I could get over a few of their apparent issues. Was hoping to get some insight. I have struggled with: 1.) the diver sliding down the line as you are fishing. On the main line he described running 50 or 65 lb power pro and using the surgical tub in the main pinch point as well as a plastic tube instead of the spring in the front eye...this crimps a little creating another pinch point on the line to stop sliding. Seemed reasonable. 2.) dealing with the rod during running...the diver now in line to the set up. always pulled my dipsys. Seems stupid, but I hate tackle bouncing around on my boat. He showed me how he wraps the diver around the rod which works pretty good...I think I may couple that with a bundeez that I picked up this fall...saw them given out during the WMFL. 3.) running low and high slide divers. They now have weight kits that turn their standard diver into a mag...so you could run both w/o the hand lining if long leads is the ticket. 4.) Eric described exactly what is shown in the KC1 video (sweet lil video...thanks Matt)....wire to 65 lb power pro, a swivel w/ bead to stop the diver from getting down to your spoon or attractor. I am pretty convinced I will be giving the slide divers another whirl...possibly replacing my dipsys if I never have to store another long leader or hand line again.