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I was out breaking in my new downrigger the other day and now have a couple questions in reference to downrigger line. Which is better, the steel cable or the Cabela's Depth Trac downrigger? I noticed a little bit of a "howl" when I was trolling with the steel cable. The Cabela's stuff claims no "howling", less blow back, and no crimping or kinks in your cable. Anyone ever use this stuff? Probably 98% of my fishing is inland waters. I did have a release the other night and the rod bucked a couple times pretty good, but no fish on when I grabbed the rod. I graphed fish anywhere from right on top, down to 215' of water. I was fishing a mine pit, just north of Grand Rapids that's been stocked with lakers and smelt. I talked to a guy who said his group has caught some 10-15 lb lakers in the winter. I'm anxious to hook into on of them.

Thanks,

Brian

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Brian, thats not a howl, its singing. I haven't tried the Spectra Fiber, only heard a few reports on it. What downriggers and releases did you get. About the hit & miss. Sharp hooks are a must because the fish sets the hook at the strike. All you want to do is grab the rod and take up the slack as fast as you can. Don't get to worried about having your release tension set so it releases on a strike. If your using a shaker style release you'll see the hit and you can pop that rod yourself.

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Yep, music to my ears. When you fly through a cloud of bait, you'll hear the chitters and wobbles as the cable flows through them. When you've gone 30 minutes without a hit and you hear that distinct whoop of the cable, half the time it's your hit indicator (especially when you're not watching). I just use cable Brian. I haven't tried the other stuff so I can't comment there, Less blowback is an attractive claim though but I think Franks (PancakeFish) weights deal with that nicely. Now he's got to make me a pair! Also, I don't know the "others" claim against abrasion but inland where I fish it's a constant factor. My balls spend alot of time whacking the bottom in a really rocky lake. With cable I generally don't worry until I anchor myself at 2mph blush.gif .

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I ran Spectra on one of my manual Cannons last year. I had standard SS cable on the other to see if it made any difference. Looking back at my log I caught 9 salmon, 12 lakers, and 6 walleye on the Spectra rigger and 11 salmon, 10 lakers, and 4 walleyes on the cable. The cable did have a Black Box running on it for the entire season as well. I stayed with cable on my new Scotty's.

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It wouldn't seem like summer laker fishing without the song of the downrigger cable.

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Well Frank, money is tight right now, so I did get the sport troll. It'll work for now. I'm just using the release that came with it. The wife and I were headed out yesterday north of here and as I was backing down the landing, that nasty storm came in. Needless to say, no fishing yesterday. A buddy and I smacked the 'eyes really good this morning on Winnie though, 30-40 with the biggest being 27 1/2" CPR. 25-28 feet of water on some mid-lake humps. Leeches on a 4-6' snell and some of them hit so hard, we'd think it was a northern till it was flopping in the net. Any thoughts on an open water Burntside get together? Chunky, I'm still waiting for the (Contact US Regarding This Word) info! LOL Steve did you get my email? Thanks for the help guys.

Brian

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This season I spooled 400' of 250# power pro onto one of my downriggers. I was unable to get any information from anyone other than saltwater guys on its pros/cons. I found it to blow back just as much with 10 or 12# balls, no sound, but i'm running 4 riggers and 2 outriggers at once. It seemed ok, I liked the way it spooled on and off the reel. Then I hit the auto-up button and nothing happened. Stupid me, the cable is the conductor to complete the circuit for Cannon motors to come up to the water level and stop. I have since respooled with 400' of cable. If you are running hand crank riggers this is not a factor, but as a charter capt on Isle Royale, electrics are a must and I don't have time to hold the up switch when the bite is on.

Capt. Don

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Brian, sorry I haven't gotten back to you. This summer will go on record as one of the most disruptive and destructive to my fishing habit. Between house stuff, work schedule, and boat/trailer problems it is one of the worst I've had. An open water Burntside event as well as a Pit Run (Area pit lakes tour) had been on topic lately. I will send you an email soon.

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Open water Bside event? Will the Kwazy Wabbit be open? smirk.gif Keep us up to date on how that turns out?

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Cheffrey, the Wabbit has moved onto the customer ID via stomach content DNA. Your group is on the "watch closely" list. I'll keep ya posted RE BSide open h20 get together.

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Whoa, I don't want to be grouped by assocation shocked.gif Thats kinda unfair! By watch Closely do you mean the women that were in there or the establishment itself? I need a campout this summer and I bet it would be a good time to go to BSIDE.

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Anytime sir. I just happen to have the perfect little site for a weekend getaway. RE Wabbit: They've begun the frozen DNA sample cooler in the basement and are collecting samples aggressively. Don't think I saw your name on any tags but you are on the vehicle radio gps tag list.

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No problem chunky, believe me I know how busy things can get. I did find some intimidators the other day at a local tackle shop, any preference on color? An open water B-side get together, will Ely ever be the same after 2 B-side events in a calendar year? laugh.gif If the open water event doesn't take place, I'd still like to meet up with ya' and chase some B-side lakers, maybe September? I have alot of free time then, or at least should. LOL Weekdays work good then, but I could squeeze in a weekend trip.

Brian

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Brianf.
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    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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    • CigarGuy
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    • PSU
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    • Mike89
      lake here refroze too...  started opening again yesterday with the wet snow and wind...  very little ice left today...
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