Erie... Lorain.... Sand bar....

[Rapscallion]

Originally Posted by hearttxp98

No way will the US ever buy out the canadain Gill netters. Those where Ohio Trap nets I saw a week ago ?

I believe so - in Ohio waters. They are based out of the Black River in Lorain.

[GR]

Originally Posted by Rapscallion

The "nets" have been out there my last two trips (7-29 & 8-3) as I nearly managed to troll into one on the 29th. We saw a commercial boat working the SE corner on the 3rd.

ahaa. Knew they had to somewhere aournd the bar. For awhile they were right in the buoy area, and I haven't seen em in my due North run from the Vermilion river.

[slatzing]

Buddy and I finally made it the 15 miles? out to the Lorain weather bouy from Vermilion on Sunday the 19th after having to abort and turn the boat around the previous Sunday due to 3-5 footers. Figured I'd go straight to the bouy and work my way back south. Arrived about 7:30 am. We did not get far before first fish-on. We were 2 fish short of double limit. We did ice a few 16-18 inchers as expected per the Visiting Avon Ohio post. We also got 3 fish Ohio's (8 lb'ers) so they were not all small. Buddy lost one that looked to be 10 lbs.
Got 'em at 1.8 mph on meat harnesses using 2 oz snap weights 50' in front of bait then another 50' to the board then another 30'-50' of line to get the board away from the boat.

Thanks Rapscallion for the tip....

[Cooldawg]

Made the run from Lakeside last Friday/ Sat. Friday was very good. Just SW of Lorain Buoy- two tickets in 5hrs. Hammered gold/ green worm harnesses set at 35' with riggers. Two fish O, 2 in 24" range and the rest 16-18". Great weather (although a little hot), and great fishing for my first sea trial with the new 621.

Sat was a different story. White bass moved in heavy. Should've probably kept a few as they were very good size. Three walleyes. Tried futher south/ East but no luck- more trash. Seemed like the water was a bit greener compared to Friday. That, or I'm just searching for an excuse for having my hind end handed to me.

It was great to be out on the big pond again. Looking forward to cold water season around Huron...

[Karloutdoors]

How far behind your d/r ball?

[Cooldawg]

I would say about 50-60'. Don't like to run them too close for obvious reasons. Too far and the line stretch affects the release.

[Karloutdoors]

Thanks for the info. Looking to try my D/R for eyes for the first time. Usually use them for fishing for chrome. I use blacks releases. But have others on hand. is there a preferred release among walleye trollers?

[Papascott]

I always use offshore tackles, or-1. I do modify it slightly. I cut off the wire and clip that come stock. I replace this with 3-5 ft of heavy mono(30-50lb). I then tie this straight to my balls. I simply let out the amount of line I want behind my rigger ball and half hitch a rubber band to the line. The line then goes into the release.

This allows for easier setting with no leaning over the gunnels. It also allows you to see every wiggle and shake in your rod tip. To me thus is critical as there are always trash fish in my home waters of erie. When you see the rod shaking with a fish or just hanging lower reel up tight and give it a rip to break the band. While the factory wire tether will achieve the same fish showing abilities the longer tether accentuates the movement making strike that more obvious.

While one might ask, wouldn't a release the fish trips be easier? My answer is no. If a release trips while fighting another fish right behind the boat, or while setting a dipsey. It is likely to create tangles lost fish etc etc.

One other great benefit of this release is if fish are ball shy. With the tether being so long, when you snug up on your release your bait will now be 2-4 ft above your balls. So depending on water clarity and fish mood this is no longer an issue.

http://www.offshoretackle.com/downriggerreleases.html

[Cooldawg]

I use Roemer releases. I can set them so they'll release very easily yet have very few false "knock-offs". Very sensitive. Very rarely drag the the small trash around the lake. Then If you're fishing Salmon, you just go CW on the adjustment and you're good to go.