Fishing with Dennis, Dan, and Dom 7/16/2022

[Klev6]

Another great report Capt!.... quick question if you don't mind. When we come over to Lake Erie from Indiana, we like to drift cast over trolling. However, the past few times we've been out, wind has died, so we toss out our trolling spread, which consist of bandits off of boards at various lengths, and dipseys. We troll salmon on Lake Michigan so very familiar with that spread. I've been reading your post about the 2oz guppy weights, so I purchased some to get the bait down to the target zone. We attached the weight at 50 out, then ran them to a total of 110, 90, 70 on one side and 120, 100, 80 on the other with the longest run being furthest from the boat (outside board)... couldn't keep them from tangling. Tried several time but with the same results. Got frustrated and took the weights off. Any Advise as to what I was doing wrong? Thanks - enjoy your posts.

[Capt Juls]

I've been reading your post about the 2oz guppy weights, so I purchased some to get the bait down to the target zone. We attached the weight at 50 out, then ran them to a total of 110, 90, 70 on one side and 120, 100, 80 on the other with the longest run being furthest from the boat (outside board)... couldn't keep them from tangling. Tried several time but with the same results. Got frustrated and took the weights off. Any Advise as to what I was doing wrong? Thanks - enjoy your posts.

Let me ask you....when you get a fish on that outside board, do you just pick up the rod and start reeling it in? That won't work, and you'll tangle more times, than not.

If you're like me, and don't have your boards set up to release from the front clip, you can do the following....

Read the situation....is it a big fish that is pulling it way back out of line? If not, freespool some line out slowly, to get it further back out of line, and turn the boat the opposite direction from the side of the boat the fish is coming in on....which sends it further back out of line, and will more easily clear the inside lines.

Then, point the rod tip all the way to the opposite side of the boat that the fish is coming in on. So, if it's on the port side, take that rod tip and bend it in half towards the starboard side, and vise-versa. Rods are made to bend...

That forces the board to stay back as it's coming in, rather than riding up over the other lines.

Try that, and tell me how many tangles you end up with your next time out.

Does it work every single time? Usually....depends on the fish. Some fish just say, "Hold my beer....watch this!"

Also, make sure all your baits are running true, and in tune. An out of tune lure can cause all kinds of trouble.

[Klev6]

Appreciate for the advice and tips! I'm not sure if we will make it back over again this year, but will keep this in mind the next time we troll. Thanks again and good fishing!
Chris

[slimshady]

I have my middle and outside boards set to release (black OR clips on the front, with the red ones in the back). The inside ones don't release, but they don't need to. When a fish hits, I just give the rod a good "buggy whip" and the release pops and the board will fall back nicely. Big fish will usually pop it without any assistance.