Fly fishing nut that I had for a guide on the Frazer River a month back told me about “raft reels”

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Fishing-Raft-Reel/706729_211255385.html

Great recognition, Mr. Holst!!

To figure out the program and what the fish are wanting, my feeling would be to do this:

Run one dipsy on a zero setting, straight back off the boat, to get the deepest set you can. The next dipsy, either off the port or starboard, depending where your other rod is, on a 2 setting. Both with spoons of some sort.

Next your full core, run it right down the chute (behind the boat. This way you can add or subtract snap weights as needed for depth control for where you are marking fish and or catching. You can slide the rod left or right when reeling in other lines or fighting fish. Again I would go with a spoon.

Rest, put on planers for high riding fish. And DO NOT put your boards on the leadcore itself, put it on the backing. The lead sheathing can break too easily if you do this. The reason for segmented core. Works these rods with cranks and spoons.

Good luck.

Yup, James has it covered. Just two colors on a single rod, also sometimes called a SWR, or secret weapon rig, which I mentioned.

Guys started using it on riggers during the day for when the salmon bite started to wane. Stealth factor on a delivery method (riggers) that can be evasive when the fish get a bit more neutral. The long lead of the lead along with a downrigger ball allows it to be fished at any depth and in a stealthy way. But, also works good at getting spoons down a bit, off boards.

We run a lot of segmented core on the Great Lakes. From a single color up to 5 colors for board lines in the spring. To Full Cores (10 Colors) up to 15 colors for deep summer use. For deep stuff, copper is another alternative, and works great.

James – nice video and great tips on mixing leadcore into your spread.

Same here, I only run two riggers. And when it comes to this time of year, lead is a go to addition for catching fish. That and pound balls (thumper or pump handle rigs).

August can be tough as the water temps are usually the highest (surface and down temps). Reason cranks are not firing too much for the most part, in the upper part of the column.

Next time, when you riggers go dead, have a two color rig ready, and run that off of the rigger (SWR) and see if you keep on getting bit that way. But, remember to keep the ball up a bit higher, as of course, the lead will be sinking your lure lower into the column.

Good job!!

Tune the eye the opposite way that the lure is blowing out. If running to the right, tune to the left, and vice versa.

In my boat, I always carry a cut off section of rod (about 3 feet – could use an ice fishing rod if you wanted) and have a reel with a few feet of line on it. Just put a snap on it,cross lock, or my favorite – duo-lock snaps, the same you would use on your trolling or casting outfits (Mustad makes a good one, size 1). The shorter rod makes it easier to tune the lures next to the boat. This way, when trolling, I can keep on tuning baits, so they are ready to roll when I need em.

Nice fish!!

It definately has been a great year on the water up here!!

Am sorry to hear that!!! My condolences to you and your family..

Am sure his fishing will continue on, with great hooksets each and everyday!!

Nice mix of fish!! The beauty of fishing up here..

Man, anymore of this warm weather and for sure going to have to get the boat ready!! Eeek..

Still some 8 inch spots out there, but overall, a foot is about average.. Just be sure to stay clear or all thin ice spots, such as docks – pilings – buoys – etc.

Thanks everyone!! Definately a treat to have this body of water in my back yard.. Always fun bringing folks out here and watching them catch some fish.. And you bet, a BLAST, catching any of these trout on ice tackle! The drags can sure sing!!

Grant – got ice up here.. Give a call..

Up here near Ashland WI.. The past few years, the run has been pretty good – for about a week.. Mid to Late April..

Keep an eye on my website, I am updating it to the fishing report and that includes smelting.. Also, the Ashland Chamber of Commerce updates on this as well..

That is one thing I do love up here – always can usually find some place to have a little peace and quiet out on the water, ice or in the woods!!

Yeah – that lack of snow can create some big cracks!! Gotta watch that, all the time..

Glad to see you made it out!!

Will do, James… Keep an eye on our progress into lake trout country, as you may want to poke your way along, for an ON ICE segment of your own!!

Here are a couple photos of good ones from last year!

Ice as far as I can see this morning – hopefully the winds dont kick up too bad later today and into tonight..

Lots of lakes that have them!! Its been really good!!

Hey man, sorry – was gone pretty much right up to now.. Been a busy few weeks.

Always best to give a ring, if I dont respond.. My cell is listed on my website.

I would say, Lake Michigan too.. End of August into September is when the fish will be staging for spawn, and your chances of catching up with lots of fish in shallower water is much better.

Then its just a matter of finding them – which isnt too hard, as they are usually staged in the gaps of the harbors or moved into the harbors.

Some days its jerk baits (like Husky Jerks, X-Raps, Rogues, etc), next it could be darter head jigs with Gulp! fished aggressively, and the next it could be a spawn sac or skein under a float.

Lots of big fish were caught from Piers this year, up to 30lbs. Lots of fish around 15lbs – which is pretty average and a HECK of a battle.. If I were to guess, we will see these types of fish again next year too.

Now thats what Ice Fishing is all about.. Great video, Chris!!

Big fish is what its all about..

Almost always, 3 feet of 10lb Berkley Vanish Fluorcarbon Leader Material (not the regular Vanish – but comes in small pony spools and is stiffer)..

Other then I do, is I have moved almost all my tip-ups to single hooks.. Mustad Double Wides, #2 or #1.. Put the hook parallel to the dorsal fin, facing towards the head.. Great hook-ups on these wide gapped hooks. Easier to un-hook too, when releasing fish..

Nice fishes, fellas.. A buddy of mine is fishing up there right now too, getting some big fish as well!! Hopefully you both have another shot at a big one!!

Looking good, Chris!!

Even more sketchy on this side, James… Cause all the ice is GONE!!

I need my boat back…

For straight tip-up use, I am a HUGE Beaver Dam fan… Smooth and dependable are reasons, but the number one reason is summed up by their website quote:

“The Original Beaver Dam Tip-Up is ALL hand made, and assembled, one at a time. They’re made in Beaver Dam, WI with pride.”

So, yeah, a bit more in price, but giving a few extra dollars to a home grown company and one that is still home based – I can do that on occasion..

Mike,

I still run my composite bit.. Even on my solo.. Works great.. But, a few tips for use:

Make sure to clear the slush a few times as you are cutting through deep ice. Go down a quarter of the way and lift up and continue to cut, do the same half way down, and three quarters of the way through. This will eliminate you ever getting hung up in the ice with that bit.

For ice-up, when walking hole to hole, spin the auger bit by pressing the gas to fling off any water from the bit and blades. If you do get ice up, I kick the round part of the bit, just up from the blades with my boot as I am walking, usually will get all the ice off. Also, do spray some Pam or similar cooking spray onto the bit (as I do with any bit) throughout the season.

Good luck.

We have ice, but it will be a few more days until it will be safe. Winds just wont let up and its keep the whole bay from freezing over. But, we do have a patch work of ice in front of Ashland shoreline. Some goes out to the lighthouse, but still open water holes in this stuff too.. Stay tuned…

Grant,

What LakeMaster chip are you running? I have the 2010 WI model, and it only covers half of the lake.. At Outer Island to all the way east, the screen is blank – in WI waters.

For the Navionics, it covers the whole lake in one chip.. So a little bit more bang for the buck. Also, the 2011 model has more accuracy, especially in shallower water. Under 10 FOW.

Get me to the St. Louis River – and its LakeMaster hands down..

Too each their own, though..

Good info!! Gotta love BROWNS – seeforellens for me!!

Both work good.. But, the 2011 Navionics is what I run. It has great detail and covers all of the lake.

LakeMaster has a bit more detail, but not enough to overcome the cluttered look it gives, due to the amount of depth increments.