ChamplainMan

Has anyone heard of SST downrigger weights ? If yes, do you know who sells them? Thanks, Shawn.

Great tips. I ordered a bunch of spin n glos and some flies. Does anyone think I would have a problem with a 13# pancake weight for my Big Jon captain pak ? Its rated for 12# but The pancake type I found comes in either 10# or 13# Any ideas ??

Jimmy, Thanks for the picture ! Is there a certain size for the spin n glo I should know for ordering ? Do you have to attach the fly yourself or does it come pre rigged from the supplier ? Any opinion where I should order some from ? If you make them yourself would you mind giving me a tutorial on how to make one of these ? Many thanks. Shawn

Sounds like most of you think I should get some copper/lead sets going. Could you explain the whole set up from the type of pole to the line/leader combos, Attractors and basically how to use them and when. I am not familiar at all with this type of set up. All I was tough growing up was to drag a ball on the clay bottom with a "Lake Troll/cow bell with a spoon or rapala behind it. Thanks.

You guy's ROCK !! The gentleman who invented the Chamberlain release actually lives a few towns over from me. I heard they worked really good. I think I will use the rods and reels that came with the boat for now as they are in good shape. The boat also came with two dipsy diver rods and a box full of dipsy divers. Do you guy's use attractors behind the divers? Should I invest in some planer boards for spring fishing?

Thanks everyone for your warm welcome. It's weird for me to see honest advise from fellow fisherman. I'm used to the bass guys sending me in the wrong direction so I wouldn't be a threat. Guess I made the right decision to get back into this kind of fishing !! When I said "landlocked" I was referring to the Atlantic salmon in Lake Champlain. They do not grow huge but love to jump and put up a good fight for a small fish. I'm guessing I will be dragging bottom for lakers somewhere between 80'-150' in summer. This is a guess as I have not done this kind of fishing for 20 yrs. The only baitfish in those days on Champlain were smelt. I have to learn about these new Alewives everyone is talking about. Keep the info coming ! I'm taking notes!!

Thanks guy's. I'm sure I will have many more questions in the future !!

Looking for some help getting my boat set up for downrigging. I recently decided to give up tournament bass fishing. I sold my bass boat and bought a StarCraft Islander 191. I installed a Hummingbird 958c and four Big Jon electric downriggers. The boat came with 4 Cabelas depthmaster downrigger rods and reel combos. These rods are in fairly good shape but was wondering if it would be worth replacing them with Okuma or ugly stik combos which leads me to the following questions....(I will be fishing for Lakers,Landlocked salmon and browns) 1. Are the Cabelas depthmaster combos any good ? 2. Should I use braid with fluoro leaders ? If so, what size and how long of a leader ? 3. Is a 10# weight a good overall size to get started with for the rigger ? Any info would be great guy's ! Thanks.