TOPIC:

So, have the coho's pretty much moved out of the area now? Can you still get anything trolling flat lines up around Gary or Portage? I dont have down riggers (yet), so im kinda limited on what i can do. Thanks, as always Gents.

I suggest investing in some Dippsie divers. They are not really expensive and can get you down to the depth of the fish (for the most part). I ran 2 to 4 Dippsies and 2 or 4 planars all last year and did pretty well considering my first year out. I am still new so I can't really speak much but I would say you are going to have to get something to get you down deeper if you are going to catch fish. I am sure you can find some in the top of the water but the later in the year you get the deeper and further out you are going to have to go.

note my profile picture was a steelie I got in about 100' of water on a dippsie running down to like 40 or 50 ft if I remember correctly.

Thanks for the info Big Ed

Being you are new to dipsy divers you want to run them with braid not mono. Mono has to much stretch it trip it when you run it out on much line.

I run all Mono/flouro and the guys who helped me get started out only run mono and it does stretch but if you set your releases right it does not seem to be an issue (or not that I have seen yet). Braid will allow you to get more line on the reel and if you go with braid make sure to run a snubber (from what I have read about running braid with Dippsies). If you are going to get a new rod/reel for running the dippsie then maybe go with braid but I personally would no change out my line to start using dippsies. Once I again this is only my second year salmon fishing so I could be wrong but the guys who got me going have years of experience and are pretty respected so take it for what its worth - just another opinion (or preference).

Also not saying Bruce is wrong and no offense or disrespect meant - just giving info on my setup and how I came about it.

Even leadcore is easy and is relatively not to expensive. I would look at a 10 color, 8, 7 and a 5 color to run on planer boards.

i have a 10 color rod/reel. I assume you keep a separate reel with the 8, 7 and 5 color? That is where lead gets pricey - the line isnt bad - all the reels are a killer on the wallet though

badredram wrote:

So, have the coho's pretty much moved out of the area now? Can you still get anything trolling flat lines up around Gary or Portage? I dont have down riggers (yet), so im kinda limited on what i can do. Thanks, as always Gents.

If you are not using lead core set ups yet you need to be. They offer the ability to fish deep and quietly. They can be long lined out the back of the boat or off a planer board for a stealth approach. A five and a ten color setup will cover a lot of the water column. Lead core fishing has been my best method for catching fish up there. Like you I am still relatively new to the game but I have caught on quickly. As Big Ed suggested add some dipsies to your tackle box. They are not real costly, 12 to 15 bucks per, I would get a couple of mag ones and a couple of mediums. The mags will get a spoon down near 90 feet on braid and the mediums near 50 feet. Maybe next season you can add a downrigger or two to round out your rig. I just a few days ago got my second electric downrigger. I am glad I got it but truthfully I was getting by with one on my little boat.

I only put 75 feet of mono on my dipsey reels. I don't ever put out that much, it's just so if I have to retie a few times there's still some mono left. Look at the charts. If you want your lure to run 15 feet deep, let out 45 feet of line (varies with line diameter and trolling speed.) If you want the lure to run 20 feet deep let out 75 feet. If you want to be able to trip the dipsey don't let out over 50 feet.

In short, I run mono dipseys in the spring when I want the divers to go out as much as down. I run braid once I want the divers to dive more than 20 feet or more. Braid and wire are about equal until the fish hook fleas show up in July. Then it's be wired or be screwed. Fish hook fleas love to attack braided line. On the other hand when some one asks if you caught anything you can say, "sure! I caught 85 billion fishhook fleas all at the same time on one rod."

In short, mono divers are an early spring, summer steelhead and September kings set-up. Don't head out to the Flemish Cap and expect them to produce.

You guys rock!! Thanks for all the input.