Conference wahoo::fishing

    My favorite technique for trolling for Lakers and Salmon is to use a
    string of Davis Spinners "Cow Bells" attached directly to the cannon
    ball.  I then use a Romar Release 3 feet up from the  ball  with  my
    lure  back  about 6-8 feet.  Fish are attracted by the Cow Bells and
    think the lure is a straggler and therefore easy prey.

    The best part is I use a 7' spinning rod  with  6#  test.   When  it
    releases, all I have is the lure and fish on light tackle.

    Keith

    What depth can you fish up to with this method before the fish
    start avoiding the boat ? Do you increase the amount of line you
    play out as the trolling depth gets closer to the boat ? I have
    been using a much longer length of line from the ball, maybe 50
    ft or so, with as natural a presentation as possible. I have used
    as little as 4lb test with a 5ft ultra light uggly stick. Great
    fun !!! 6-8 lb is standard for me with an 8ft downrigger rod.
    My all time favorite lure for landlocked salmon is the sutton spoon,
    #44 in silver and gold. 
    
    By the way, the lake trout are way up top now. I was out on Champlain
    tuesday night trolling for salmon and walleye and picked up a laker
    at 17ft over about 130ft. Also got something I had never seen before.
    From looking at a chart of fish I believe it was a shad. If not
    it was the biggest smelt I've ever seen. Does anyone know if shad
    or giant smelt are good eating ? It probably was 12 inches long
    or so. Couldn't catch a Walleye or salmon to save my life. 
    
    Marty
    

    re .2

    I have used the technique described in .1 as  shallow  as  20'  with
    success  on  Landlock  Salmon.   For  the lure, I'll use a � oz Acme
    spoon in chrome/blue or a 7S Rapala.

    My favorite method for Landlocks is using a Fly Rod  with  a  single
    hook Smelt Streamer 15' directly behind the motor.

    I am envious that you can still fish for  salmon  and  lakers.   The
    season  closed  September  30  here in NH.  How long does the season
    last on Champlain?

    Keith

    Re .3
    
    
    We fish year round for salmon and lakers here on Champlain.  Limit
    of 3 ea.per day and 5 Browns.  The fall fishing is still early as
    of yet with the best fishing toward the last of October till mid
    December.  For early spring and fall fishing I like to run small
    spoons (needle fish, suttons) no deeper than 5 feet with a streamer
    just behind the boat.   7 to 14 feet of water seems to be the most
    effective depth for me during this these times of the year.
    
    Ice fishing is productive also, although it is a lot slower that
    trolling.
    
    
    
    

    On lake Ontario, it doesn't matter how far down the riggers are.
    In the spring, I run them just down far enough to keep them underwater.
    I usually run a medium to large silver spoon (single hook) 10 to
    15 feet behind. Boat speed is about 3 mph. Salmon will come right
    in and take those spoons while you watch. Placing a black 1/4 "
    strip of electrical tape diagonally across the spoon seems to improve
    results. We use "Planer Boards" to get lures out and behind for
    the Browns and Rainbows.
    
    Don

    I am in the process of purchasing a couple of downriggers for a
    trip I am planning in May to Maine.  I have seen a couple if different
    brands and types in catalogs.  I was wondering if any of you users
    of downriggers have any comments.
    
    We will be fishing in 70' to 120' of water in small boats so I need
    rigs that are portable yet sturdy enough.  I have seen the Cannon
    Mini rig in the Cabellas catalog that recommends a 6lb maximum weight.
    Any comments on this rig?  I would also like to purchase the mold
    for casting weights but have not found one that makes 6lb weights.
    Does anybody know if this can be purchased and if any shop has a
    display of downriggers.  I get a little leary of purchasing rigs
    from a catalog without being able to compare them upfront.
    I am located in the greater Boston area.
    
    Thanks
    John Colarusso
    

    
    John,
    
    I bought a BIG JON econo model last year for $99. I have no complaints
    as of yet and I used it quite often last summer. I has a depth counter
    (whereas some of the cheaper CANNONs don't. I use an 8 lb ball with
    no problems. Also, I think the BIG JON's are a lot more flexible
    than  the  CANNONs in those cases where you might get caught up
    on bottom or whatever...BTW, I also have a cannon electric which
    seems to work pretty well too.... I guess what I'm trying to say
    is if you're looking for an inexpensive model I'd go with BIG JON...
                                                          
    							rb

    John,
    
    I have 4 PENN "FATHOMASTER" riggers and love em! They have a clutch
    much like a star drag that works great for lowering and keeping
    you from pulling your boat apart if you should snag one on the bottom.
    I also use 11# "Slim Line" fish weights. Once you get down 100'
    or so, there is a lot of drag from the cable and weight. If you
    can find the slim weights, I'd suggest them strongly. Also, the
    handle doesn't turn when you lower the weights on the PENN units.
    It's nice not to beat your arm to death trying to let a weight down!!
    
    Regards
    Don

    
    I also use the PENN "FATHOMASTER" downriggers (2).  I fish two divers
    off the back (about 25-30')  and two downriggers off the side (60'-120)
    and all comments about them in .8 is correct.  They work great!!!
    
    
    Ken

    I USE A POOR MAN'S DOWNRIGGER; TROLLING WITH LEAD CORE LINE WHICH
    WAS A TIP I PICKED UP FROM FISHING A GUIDED SPORT CAMP IN BAXTER
    STATE PARK.
    BASICALLY I SPOOL UP WITH 18 POUND TEST LEAD CORE,TIED TO A BARREL
    SWIVEL AND I ADD A 24-36 INCH LEADER OF 10 POUND MONO AND I ADD
    A VERY SMALL BARREL SWIVEL,,THAT'S IT EVEN THOUGH THERE IS 10 YARDS
    PER COLOR WHILE TROLLING I COUNT IT AS 10 FT. PER COLOR THIS WAY
    ITS CHEAPER TROLLING WITH A DOWNRIGGER AND THERE ARE DRASTIC AND
    IMMEDIATE DEPTH CHANGES WHERE A CANNON BALL CAN GET HUNG UP.
     

    As a newcomer to the technique of downrigging it would be nice to have
    some input on the best method, different approaches, etc. to catching
    fish this way.
    
    This past May I received a downrigger for my birthday from my very
    special fishing companion and therefore want to use it. Next week we
    are planning on going fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado for
    Kokanee Salmon.
    
    We've fished for Koks in the past flat lining lead core out
    to what ever color it takes with attached cow bells and lure. This did
    catch fish but was like pulling in a water soaked rope. You thought the
    fish was still on there but weren't sure until he was near the boat.
    
    After wearing ourselves out doing that we then just flat lined
    monofilament with cowbells and lure. That caught fish too and prooved
    to be a bit more sporting. However, it still took away some of the feel
    as you pulled in the cowbells. 
    
    What I'm now wondering is, what technique can be used by a downrigger
    that uses attractors for salmon but allows the line to be free for
    fighting the fish? If it works for salmon then it would probably work
    for other species as well, huh?
    
    Any ideas, folks?

    THIS MAY BE AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, CANNON MAKES A CLIP YOUR
    BALL THAT COMES WITH ELASTICS (50) YOU MIGHT HAVE TO DOWN SIZE 
    YOUR ATTRACTORS. THEY HAVE ALSO COME OUT WITH A BOOK ON DOWNRIGGER
    FISHING, THAT INCLUDES EVERY FAZE OF IT, INCLUDEING THE COOKING OF 
    YOUR CATCH. IF YOU CANT FIND IT IN ANY SHOP THAT SELLS CANNON
    DOWNRIGGERS, I WILL INCLUDE THEIR ADDRESS IN THE NEXT ANSWER.
    

    I don't understand the question.
    
    By "attractor" do you mean a flasher or a dodger or some such thing?
    
    Are you then trying to troll a lure or bait behind the downrigger,
    while using a flasher or dodger, but leaving the fish free to pop
    the line loose from the dodger or flasher?
    
    /brett 

    Hi, Brett! Yes! As attractors (commercial advertizement word) I'm
    referring to "Cow Bells", "Dodgers", "Flashers", etc.. and that when
    the fish strikes the lure (worm in a harness, Mepps spinner, Dik Nite,
    etc..) that the line is pulled free from the attractor so all that I
    have to do is fight the line and fish and not feel the force of the
    attractor.
    
    Since I wrote this note Mac set me straight on there being a file
    already set up about DOWNRIGGING TECHNIQUES. So... I read them and
    found some good ideas. Specifically note 499.1. My only concern is what
    if eight feet from the ball is too close to the boat? How can one still
    use attractors farther back? 
    
    Note 499.12 did mention getting a book which I haven't have time to do
    yet. It sounds like maybe the book has good info to help me out.
    
    I'm still open for ideas as I fish alot and just plain like to swap
    stuff about fishing. These notes are GREAT!
    
    Hope I clarified things for you.
    
    later...
    
    t.

    TO BSS::HALL WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED, AT WHAT DEC FACILITY. I WILL TRY 
    TO REMEMBER THE ADDRESS OF CANNON TO ORDER THE BOOK. I COULD MAKE MINE
    AVAILABLE TO YOU AND THE NOTERS THRU INTEROFFICE MAIL, SO LONG AS 
    ALL OF YOU NOTERS KNOW WHERE TO RETURN IT AFTER YOU'VE FINISHED
    WITH IT.
    
    THE WARDEN (MIKE)
    

    re .14
    
    I use downriggers a lot for salmon.  I usually rig up a flasher
    in line with a mooching rig with herring on it.  Sometimes the herring
    is plug cut, full or "chunked" (cut like a wedge) with hoochies
    or any combination that happens to be hitting at the time.  I hook
    the downrigger attachment above the flasher about 5 feet, so you
    have the ball - 5' line - flasher - 4' line - bait.  Some people
    will let out about 30 feet of line between the flasher and the ball.
    
    To do what it sounds like you want to do, would require you to hook
    the flasher hard to the ball and attach the line clip to the back
    of the flasher.  Interesting... I might try it, though I haven't
    noticed the flasher detracting from fight put on by the salmon.
    
    Some people will hook their rigging directly to the ball via some
    surgical tubing and hook the line that is connected to their pole
    further up on the cable.  (That isn't very clear.)  They are illegaly
    fishing two setups per pole.  The only time they check the one setup
    is when they bring to ball up.  Not much sport bringing up a drowned
    salmon.
    
    
    Ken
    

    Mike,
    
    Thanks for offering your book but I don't trust interoffice mail with
    your valuables. If you could just perhaps give me the title/author/etc.
    I could call Canon and have them tell me where I could get one.
    But...if you insist my location is:	CX03-1/N12 attention Tim Hall. I
    could copy the good parts and send it right back.
    
    So far I've have a couple suggestions that will be tried this weekend
    at Colorado's premier Salmon lake, Blue Mesa. Wish me luck!
    
    later...
    
    t.

    Ken,
    
    How BIG are the salmon that you usually catch? The ones we get are
    around 14" to 16" on the average. Are your soooo big they bend the heck
    out of your rods? I've heard of those BIG GUYS back there. The salmon
    in Colorado are just those land locked kind that don't grow too big.
    That's why the drag of a flasher or bells cuts down on the fight.
    
    Catch Ya Later...
    
    t.

RE:                        <<< Note 499.11 by BSS::HALL >>>
                           -< DOWNRIGGER TECHNIQUES >-

Three friends and I fished Blue Mesa a month or so ago and really knocked
the salmon dead.  They all seemed to be within the top 0-8 ft of water.
We caught and released 50+ a day, saving some to eat while we were there
for three days.  We were using Mac Specials, Rapalas, castmasters, and
everyone else was using something different, it didn't matter.  The hot
spot was from the dam to out in front of the west marina.  Saw alot of
macs in that area on the fish finder, but no bites.  Have fun.

    I agree with Kenny.  I gues I'm basically lazy and I usually just keep
    my flasher in line and drag it in with the fish.
    
    I've done what I think Kenny described.  I have tied the flasher to
    the downrigger line a few feet above the ball to hang on it's own. 
    Then I've put my free line with a herring or Tomic Plug, or squid
    into a clip on the downrigger line that is several feet above the
    "attractor".  The guys out in Sekiu swear by this rig.  They think
    it catches more fish.  I haven't noticed this although I saw the guys
    next to us take a 47 lber a few weeks ago doing this.
    
    The other thing I always though about doing was attaching the attractor
    to the line and putting the clip on the other endo of the attractor to
    release my line; as was mentioned.  I've never done this.  I've always
    been afraid the attractor wuld spin around too much and cause some
    confusion.
    
    Good luck,
    
    /brett

    Tim, I sent you some excerpts from the book, including the address of
    Cannon, via interoffice mail. Let me know how long it takes. The
    address is;  Cannon/S & K Products Inc.
                 Muskegon,Michigan
                 Div. of Armstrong International, Inc.
    cost is $9.00  I hope this helps, my friend has since sold the company,
    otherwise I would be able to order a number of them.
    When you call ask for someone in promotion and public relations.
    catch you later.
    mike (the Warden)

    Mike,
    
    I got your info and it's sure good read'n! Thanks a lot. Looks like
    ordering the book is in order. 
    
    later...
    
    Tim

    Tim, were you able to purchase the book, if so was it worth getting.
    Hows the fishing been out there.
    
    Mike (the Warden)