New to the big lake, Info on setting up a boat

Another inexpensive reel that i really like are the Shimano Tr200G. Great workhorse reel. Pair this with a TDR rod and you're all set. Go with 20 lb mono on your reels.

Let us know when you are ready to talk bait/lures.

Another newbie question...I'm guessing that i should install a VHF radio. Any thoughts on a model? Antenna? channels to monitor or use? I know nothing about these but thinking that if venturing off shore without a partner i should have one and not to rely on a cell phone dropped overboard.

I bought a handheld. Might not have the range to talk with fellow boaters/anglers but does the job for emergency purposes.
We monitor and chat 71 on the Bay.

Most of the models have pretty much the same internal workings, it's only the outside that appears different. As for the antenna, don't cheap out, longer antennas give you a lot further coverage. Make the effort to get your radio operators licence. Radioworld is one of the best places to pick everything up you need for that. As for the antenna installation, keep it as far away from other electronics as you can, if your transducer is on one side of the boat, mount the antenna on the other side.

I have a BigJon Electric downrigger for sale if you wanted to strike a deal

RHYBAK.......p.m. sent

Well happy belated new year to everyone. If the weather keeps up like this ill be out in that Princecraft in no time.
I did my homework and purchased a Garmin ultra 106sv with a GT 56 transducer. Radio world has a good deal on them this month if anyone is looking. I would imagine that by this time next year ill have a Livescope 34 to go with it. Found a bunch of Lymans and some NK 28's for free. May have sold my soul to my boss for them but i probably got the better of the deal. And have a line on a couple Big Johns i need to take a look at. Pretty sure the price will be right for them. If not then Scotty's it is. Haven't purchased rods yet but really haven't been looking hard.

I also found a nice thread on the Lake Ontario United board about trolling without a speed/temp sensor. How to read your downrigger cable for angle and bubbles etc... Does anyone out there have any tricks of the trade when it comes to your trolling speed without electronics?

Also i have 3 empty battery trays where my minn kota batteries should be. Probably one of the reasons i got a good deal on the boat. Any thoughts on best batteries to get? Do marine batteries ever go on sale? looking to do my boat rigging around the middle of march as soon as i feel good about taking off the shrink wrap.

Hoping to get out on the ice in the mean time.

Cheers

Also i have 3 empty battery trays where my minn kota batteries should be. Probably one of the reasons i got a good deal on the boat. Any thoughts on best batteries to get? Do marine batteries ever go on sale?

Don't fall into the trap of "Marine" batteries, they are just rebranded "Deep Cycle", Next, don't fall into the Optima hole, they're not what they used to be. A good AGM battery will do you for a long time, get yourself a battery maintainer and when your boats at home, leave it plugged in ALL the time, that's what they're intended for. I've had boat batteries last up to 12 years.

When trolling without Speed/temp probe I suggest running round cannonballs, reason being the new designs are all made to reduce blowback as much as possible but in doing ao you wont see much angle in your cable. With the round ones you will experience more drag and therefore a great angle on your cable and you can observe the speed based on that angle.

Since Gbay has less currents although some days will surprise you especially during a sustained wind or post big blow, simply run your baits boat side and if you like how they wobble at that speed then stick to it. On many days you wont see much variation between surface and cannonball speed. At this point you can increase or decrease your speed marginally to try to entice a strike if the fish arn't hitting and you can always come back to that original speed. An increase or decrease in your speed will cause fish to hit (hence why so many people turn often while trolling). Once you reached your optimal speed, make a note of your rigger cable angle and stick with it.

Another method is to run a dipsy but without any lure, just have the rod out with dipsy. A dipsy rod is a great indicator for your down speed, find your optimal speed with lure beside the boat. Deploy your dipsy rod and watch how it bends, if it starts straightening out then you have to increase your speed. I did this for years when targeting staging Kings on lake Ontario. You can try to run a dipsy with a spoon for example but thats a different discussion and there a few youtube videos that will explain in detail on how to do it, or simply research slide divers.

Hope this helps

Electric Scotty downriggers for sure. I have two and love them.

For Salmon, I'd go with the following set up:
- 10lb cannon balls
- Scotty downriggers, auto stop at water feature is excellent, ease to install/remove from the boat when not using, Canadian made
- 10'6" HMX Medium Action rod
- Shimano mooching reel (if you want the real west coast salmon vibe), otherwise I run an Okuma cold water reel with 20lb test mono
- Bait I'd run anchovy and teaser head running 6ft behind a flasher, 20ft behind the cannon ball

Electronics:
- Hummingbird Helix 10 G3 has been great for me; between side image and down image/ regular sonar, I find it's all you need... I'd also look at the Hummingbird Autochart Zero Line to map waters that aren't already mapped and/or to add detail to your charts... helps to find the spot on the spot for walleye and musky

Minn Kota motor on the front with spot lock. It's a game changer for holding you on the right spot when jigging, especially in higher winds

Happy fishing and tight lines

If you fish out of Owen sound Scotty riggers is where it’s at. Easton’s tackle sells them and can get parts and u believe they do some work on them as well.