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Had to work in the morning so didnt end up getting out for the shakedown Sunday until almost 3. Went to portage and saw the 200 trucks/trailers so decided to launch out of hammond since I didnt want to deal with the zoo on my shakedown run.

As we were putting in another boat said they just got back from around Pastrick and got skunked.
I was mainly out to check out the new kicker/troll master and just try to get the groove back so I really didnt care too much. . Setting first line and just got the board and the line and something big hits. I am fighting to get the board back off (wasnt expecting a hit) and fight this thing. My cousin saw him break the water and not sure if it was a big Coho or a king but it was a good size. before I could get in a good position to fight the sucker - he snapped my 12lbs line and was gone. Picked up a small guy we threw back got a few more that we lost for one reason or another. setting another line and look over just to see my one reel with just about all the line spun off. We didnt have the clicker back on and didnt notice the board take off. It was another big fish but it had the board at least 300 yards back. I fought him for about 5 minutes before he shook loose. End of the day we ended up 3.5 for 7. Had my cousin's daughter on the boat for the first time and she lost one decent coho and landed a smaller one (18" I think). Over all a good shakedown run although really disappointed I missed the two biggest fish of the day.

Sounds like an adventurous shakedown trip. Sorry to hear about the ones that got away. How'd the trollmaster work out for you? Really like the way it works on my boat. Nick

Glad you had a good shake down Ed. Losing a few big ones just makes you want to get at them again. You'll get them next time out.

live action!! Let me know how that troll master worked out, and how your riggers performed with the kicker and if you swung them out at all

Good deal Ed. Wonder what the big fish was.

Good job Ed.

Sounds like a good trip Ed. Remember to save some time in September for a run to Barkley. You will catch so many fish the Red Cross will be on standby to replenish the blood lost from cut up thumbs.

To address everyone's questions;
troll master was worth every cent- although my cousin generally drives the boat he was super impressed with it and even with the wind and waves we kept the boat in about a 3- 4 MPH range. The kicker performed flawlessly and made trolling so nice.
I didn't run the riggers at all since most reports had fish running close to the top. I am going to put the rigger at a 45 for the kicker side.
The first big fish was either a large coho or a king from what my cousin saw when it broke the top of the water. To me it felt more like a king shaking than a Coho but I really don't have much to base it on.

I stinks losing the big ones but an awesome way to start the season with a big one on the line first thing!!!

Thanks everyone - and may the silver be with us all

At least you got out. Launched the Blu Moon for the first time and the starter went out on me, pulled her right back out. Saw all the boats also at Portage. I'll be out Friday, Saturday, and Sunday hopefully after the fix.

ugh......that sucks. Frustrating I'm sure.