Muskegon Day Trip

Met up with Steve,

Went to Muskegon for some Salmon.

& it picked up right we're Holland left off.

Holland had a U-Boat issue (Mini Van went under @ launch)

Muskegon had some one try to JUMP the pier arms........

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While fishing we went .5/4 (Yeah, that's a 1/2 a fish for 4)

When Steve asked if that's the smallest I had ever caught, I answered "I didn't catch it......."

Then the correct question by Steve, "Is this the smallest you have ever Caught as Caption"

My answer was some thing about being POLISH..........

It was a much improved trip compared to last time, Steve stayed healthy, kept down the smoked Oysters he brought as a snack even......

Lastly, as proof that Steve caught something,here is the photo of the "King & And his Prince........."

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Good thing I held that little fish away from me to make it look bigger.......




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So.....I'm new to Salmon fishing and got a invite to go with OE. He is a very good teacher on his method of fishing, telling me that he wants to put the bait down to a certain depth so let out "X" amount of feet out according to the line counter reel which I do.
Catch one little dink of a fish.....okay we put a fish in the boat so it's a success for Captain Aaron.....

On the way home I asked him if he correctly calibrated his line counter reels......I get a blank, confused look and the answer "I'm Polish"......

It got me wondering..... big fish are deep, little fish shallower? Would Correct line depth have anything to do with it........


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:Rofl

For anyone wondering I fully ADMIT, that if you are fishing with me, I am POLISH.

Fishing with me is not fishing, but an ADVENTURE....... You never know what is going to occur, or not occur. Catching fish may be a by product of a Day with OneidaEagle:crazy:

In my self defense though, The down riggers are spot on, the reels?

Eh, Maybe close to a mathematical number between 1 and 20 take a guess. I will let you choose between feet or yards.....rotfl(Insert my heritage disclaimer here: POLLACK)


We did hook into at least two nice fish, that last one being the biggest as Steve was actually able to see it come out of the water, and was giving him a pretty good show above water, and an indication of what its like, minus the part of actually netting the dang thing. I am guessing it was a Steelhead as it came out of the water, Kings, usually go Down, or towards Wisconsin.

I had a good time, I did start to feel bad, as we had not even had a strike, but it picked up. Near the last fish, we had two on the lines within 3 minutes of each other or close to 3 minutes, and we were BUSY. But for the overcast conditions, the waves and getting into 4 fish, it was a good trip overall.

It is not a charter boat, so every thing is up close & in your face (In a good way) I just added Down riggers to my arsenal, so they are new to me, and working on getting some small kinks worked out, as I hope to improve.

My current layout, is great when I am Solo, which I am ALLOT of the time, when I add a second person, I need to rethink my layout.

Regardless, I still had a great time, and its much improved over the first trip with Steve.

So next trip, we are going to try and make some baby steps, This trip was a small one, we are aiming for 2 slightly larger, or one BIG one.

We will get there eventually.........

Well, at least Ralph and Earl didn't visit Steve.

I've caught smaller... especially in May.

I would join you for a few lessons however, I've sworn off salmon fishing for the rest of my life! After catching several thousand of those things followed by refusing to reel another in in my lifetime!!! that about covers it. Of course, just like walleye fishing, I usually set the hook and hand someone the rod so I guess that wouldn't be much different. I'll even reel one if if we have mutliples. Salmon however, I'm liable to set the hook, sit back and watch the caos unfold. Even if it is a triple header!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wicklundrh

Well, at least Ralph and Earl didn't visit Steve.

I've caught smaller... especially in May.

I would join you for a few lessons however, I've sworn off salmon fishing for the rest of my life! After catching several thousand of those things followed by refusing to reel another in in my lifetime!!! that about covers it. Of course, just like walleye fishing, I usually set the hook and hand someone the rod so I guess that wouldn't be much different. I'll even reel one if if we have mutliples. Salmon however, I'm liable to set the hook, sit back and watch the caos unfold. Even if it is a triple header!

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You mean Ralph & HURL?:puke

Rich, I can understand that thinking. That's probably why I could never be a Charter Captain.

Year before last I had allot of people want to go, we would catch something, I would clean it, bag it, and let them take the fish, but I like Salmon to grill as well. When season was over, I had no Salmon. So I started a 1/2 fish Rule, we can go, but I get to keep 1/2 of all fish. I had a relative who got pissed off at me for that, needless to say, he no longer goes with me and I don't mind. Actually I was surprised at how many people would no longer go, they didn't like it, it was "Their Fish"

It turned something I love doing, turn into WORK, whether Salmon, Crappie, Walleye, or even "Striped Carp". i was telling Steve how some people I know Walleye fish, and its STRESSFUL, and not enjoyable.

I told Steve before we even got there, I liked this trip, it was going to be a great day, not because the lake, fishing, etc, but I was with a friend, and was not rushed, no time limit, just a relaxing afternoon. It helps he knows I'm Polish, and has low expectations......:Rofl & it was a great day of fun with a friend.


I handed every rod to Steve yesterday as well. Was actually pretty humorous. I'm so used to fishing alone, I was reeling in all the rods. It took a bit for me to realize, "Hey, I have a Friend, but I can still put him to work and learn some stuff" So I was giving Steve the numbers, etc, to help set rods, handed him a rod I was reeling in and he thought it was a fish at first, I had a chuckle, and had to tell him I was just swapping out tackle.

Probably the most awkward part for me was actually having some else there to help. I'm so used to launch and retrieve by myself, that it was actually very WELCOME to have some help. So Steve, if I was quiet while launch, was not mad, just going through my entire mental check list of launch/retrieve. :)

Every one seems to have a different method with the same basic concepts.

As for Chaos, YEP, we had a bit of that........ :HandsClappingJust need to get him on a bigger fish.

So maybe if you went and sat with Friends you might enjoy it again one day. Good ole fashioned ribbing, and a good time, can change attitude towards any fishing.

If you go with me though, you have to sign a Non Disclosure agreement. I don't want people really knowing that, I don't know what I'm doing....:ThumbsUp I got a good thing going here, and people think I know what I'm doing......... (Did I say that out loud)


OE

Man, I don't know where to start, so many funny ( to me ) comments rattling around inside my head.

With you being Polish, are you telling us that's your boat on the rocks. :Rofl
Instead of being the Polish Prince, you would have to be King of the Jews if that​ fish is going to feed the masses:Rofl
What did you do after you caught the days bait.:Rofl
I have a few more, but this being a family friendly site, I'll save them till we go fishing again.:fish

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I posted this in the off topic thread but I'll add it here.....

TowboatUS had this on their FB page along with a video freeing the "Just Do It" from the breakwall. Don't know how to copy the video, I was amazed they used a small nylon rope to pull her off. Then it was towed to a marina


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Wow,
When first seeing it, I would have guessed that they would have needed to lift it off.


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I cannot tell you how many of those things I have seen on the breakwall over the years. Seen a few deaths as a result as well.

Many of these issues result from people charting a course to a waypoint they set inside the perimiter of the breakwall. The other issue is that they do not know how to turn the lights down on their map plotter/fishfinder. We didn't have this issue in the 80's and early 90's when people used a compass and charts to navigate. As well as the actual navigation lights. The old rule of thumb is "Red, Right, Return". No days, a captains license comes with every boat people purchase.

Over the years, one of the safest things I've learned to do is to turn on my Tracks at every new port I come out of. I run a track (in red) all the way out to safe water before I shut the record off. I always display it and can always get back to my safe entry. When charting a course back, I go to the end of my track and NOT inside of a harbor. This saved me in Alpena when I launched in the black river and had to go through the surf out about 1/2mile to safe water. Coming in, the wind was blowing and we had what we call a "Flush" coming out of the river. Had I shut my motor down inside of that half mile, the flush would have put my boat on the bottom!

Anyone that copies my chart card will always get my safe harbor passages. As well as all my secret waypoints (Steve has them all on his old fish finder).

I know what you mean in reference to taking people out. In most cases, I give away most of the catch simply because I do it all the time and my boat riders don't. On the flip side, I've also paired down "who" I take.

When I take people out, I usually like to have them watch me make a couple of sets and then, let them do it. They will ask questions but they get to learn at the same time. I do catch myself trying to do everything however which is the disadvantage of going from a charter to a regular Joe fisherman. I've fished by myself so much that I'm used to it but prefer to have a person or two with me.

I'll go with you guys. If for nothing else, just so that I can point and laugh at people! You never know, a few "tricks of the trade" may come out. Like running light sticks on your downrigger balls, using surgical tubing and a sliding three way to create a fixed slider based on friction, using a three way and attaching a crank bait and a trailing bait, running drop weights... lots of "old school" tricks that many people don't know about.

You can have my half of the fist (or 1/3rd)! I haven't eaten a salmon in more than 15 years and don't plan to start now

Driver arrested for OUI.......video of it getting pulled off here.

Man jailed after running boat into break wall | WZZM13.com

Rich,

You upgrade on that ugly green sweater?

So I'm reading your post, and Crappie.com is posting an advertisement.........

Look what they are advertising on my screen next to your post.......

When I saw that, my drink went viral out of my nostrils, from laughter......

Something your not telling US?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by OneidaEagle

Rich,

You upgrade on that ugly green sweater?

So I'm reading your post, and Crappie.com is posting an advertisement.........

Look what they are advertising on my screen next to your post.......

When I saw that, my drink went viral out of my nostrils, from laughter......

Something your not telling US?

Attachment 272964:Rofl:Rofl:Rofl

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I would look "hot" in that outfit! You on the other hand would ignite in flames after 3 minutes in the sunlight! I believe those side photos come up based on cookies within your computer from things you have searched online? So, what have you been searching?

That's pretty generous..... 3 minutes, I would have had to have said 1 minute to ignite into flames.

Kids started school, no ones home, ignore my shopping for the Mrs...... lol


If it were from a cookie it would be Engel Tumblers, That one that is out of stock, go figure, and Off Shore planer boards.

Not to mention some Calibration for Line counters, OH and how to apply for Student Loans, Middle School Class Schedules, Bus routes. Drop off dates and times for College, Lets not forget Migration of an entire SharePoint 2010 on Prem deployment to O365.

But enough Hocus Pocus, I need to go make my order...... LOL

You do know that your son owns/operates a particular web site. Within that site there is a blog. Within that blog there is a post on "how to calibrate line counter reels"... Just sayin! I know the guy the wrote that it.

You can never have enough Off Shore boards.

As for the tumblers, I could never keep a drink around long enough for me to worry about it getting warm (or cold).

Yup,

I was told that by Steve, and read it, along with about 50 others as well, and today, and only today, about 40 minutes ago, I sent Steve a Text telling him "I GET IT NOW", and understand.
Now I just need to get my backing and correct it.

Standard Disclaimer of POLACK.... rotfl

Usually, when we run gear, we run the same thing on both sides. We always match gear up.

With diver rods, I always ran the size reels I gave you earlier this year. We used to run 50lb tiger braid. Once you get one calibrated correctly, write down what you did and do exactly the same thing on the other. We would usually get about 5 years on tiger braid (good stuff). Of course, we would also "lose" our recipe and have to start over too!

Lead core reels don't matter about calibration. On our smaller core reels (3 and 5 color) we used to use Penn 209's. We would run 30lb braid with a 10lb diameter as our backer. We then splice in our color followed by 30 to 50 feet of mono as a leader.

For 10 color, we used bigger reels (Penn 309's and GT 320's). We used mono for backer (Ande 30#) followed by our 10 colors, then 30 to 50 feet of mono leader (usually 30lb). Once you get the feel for what you need on one you can replicate it again and again.

For early season rigger fishing, we went with 20lb Ande line. Once summer got in to full swing, we switched over to 30# Ande.

Mono was key for us. We wanted that line stretch. Other guys running braid had issues with straightening hooks due to the lack of foregiveness in the line. I've never broken off a salmon, steelhead, coho, or laketrout out on big water. With mono, I set the hook and then torque the drag. I hated watching people fight the fisth for 45 minutes. You can bully them to the boat! I have however broken tons of rods!

Rich,
As i read more and watch more (Watched Lance Valentine calibrating to 100 foot in a parking lot.) I have more questions more along the lines of backing.......

I have 6 reels and they are all the same, so that is not an issue..... yet.

What I don't understand or can wrap my Polish head around is the backing.

Assuming I use 20 Mono from whomever to fill the reel with backing.
I get to calibration of 200 Foot for my rod with the Mono. at that point its "Correctly" calibrated.

I then add my braid on top of that? How is that braid going to NOT over fill the spool so that I have to much line on the reel? at that point I have to much on the reel and am out of calibration once again, correct? (Unless the smaller diameter braid makes it a possible non issue)?


Unless there is a Line size ratio where I can either mix/match mono/braid diameter, add X amount of Mono, then X amount of Braid to = Calibration?

Another thought is line Diameter. The reels take 310 yards of 25# mono.
Sufix (The Line I like) makes a Performance Braid 100# that is the same diameter equivalent of 25# Mono.

I could in theory spool up 300 yards of that and be dang close as well.

I can see that this is going to be a winter project for me for sure I think..... lol

OE

SWEET,

Search the internet, troll through trash, and junk, and you may just find what you are looking for.........

So I was searching and found a spread sheet that someone made over in the greatlakesfisherman.com forum. His name is Eric Lang. I only take credit for finding this spread sheet on the internet.

Basically you enter in your numbers.......
So my Cabelas DepthMaster III Reels take 310 yards of line to fill it.
Enter 310 for the Yards.
Line Diameter for 25# Test is @ 0.020

Spreadsheet spits out 3.506 Cubic inches. to fill the reel.

So then we proceed to the next section.

I enter the spool backing line diameter size 40# Mono is 0.024
I enter the Core 30# Braid with a line diameter of .0.11

Leave the Leader set to ZERO.

Next box play with the numbers......
150 Yards of Mono, and 300 Yards of braid will fill the reel to 99% capacity.

& Should be CLOSE.

You can play around with the line yardage, and size as well, just use your favorite manufacturer of line, and look up the specs of line thickness.

Here is the spread sheet.... Hmmmm, Not sure how to upload a spreadsheet, so here is a link.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/85m3c0n27h...lator.xls?dl=0


Should make filling all reels easy for everybody.

I'm going to test, but not sure when.

OE

Aaron,

I'm going to simplify this a ton for you!!!!!

Most of what you are doing is salmon fishing, right?

Most issues involving calibration come when people have one of two issues:
A: They have bigger reels than they need for the target species
B: They don't want to "spend" the money to fill a reel with line!

Easiest thing we did (for salmon fishing)..... FILL the reel with the length of line prescribed and check it. If it is good, you are good. Obviously, things change a little when you are using smaller diameter line but... you just put a little more of it on.

Backing is basically utilized to take up space. That is it.

If you noticed in my article, I talk about how much line "I" use when filling my walleye reels. Notice I said "FILLING". Yes, even though I don't need 1200 yards of line, I still FILL it with line. Far easier than putting on backing, and worrying about all that crap.

Once you FILL one the first time, you can go back year after year, strip off 500 feet (or whatever you want) and splice in new fresh line (we do this twice a year sometimes with walleye). And, guess what.... your backing is NOW there forever.

Too many times people want to start out with backing... With a fresh reel (no line) I would put the exact amount prescribed. From that point on, you can remove and splice in what you want every year. Backing forever.

Do yourself a huge favor. Spool your reels from the start with the exact amount of line that you use. Calibrate the first one to make sure your recipe is good and then do them all.
The next time you feel the need to change line, remove X number of feet from your reel, splice in new line, and wind it back on.

Walleye guys running size 40 reels that will take 2000 yards of 30# are more likely to start out with backing (they should) simply because they don't want to put on 5000 yards of 10lb.

Hey Aaron I've done a few , I can come by and help you get them calibrated


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Skillet,

Its deal, probably wont be soon though, as its going to be a winter/spring project for me. :)

OE