Gearing Up

[Time]

Well, I finally got a (new to me) boat, 16 feet of soon to be fishing delight. It has the boat gear -Garmin 240 depth sounder, Uniden VHF radio, 2 Scotty manual down riggers, but I need advice on a few fishing items. I'm based in Duncan so will be using the boat around here as well as Pedder Bay - Sooke.

In looking through my (30 year)old tackle box I realize that a lot of the stuff appears to be designed to catch fishermen rather than fish. So to avoid having a boat full of stuff that isn't suitable, I'd like to do it once, and do it right.

Rod holders - there are two angled tubes pointed aft mounted in the gunwale. Do these work well with the down riggers, or should I be looking to add Scotty holders so I can point the rods out from the side of the boat?
Or alternatively should I clamp a rod holder on to the boom of the downrigger?

Landing Net - Is there a preference to size, diameter of the "hoop", length of handle, make?

Cannonballs - size, 6, 8, 10 pounds?

Crab traps - Of course, everyone wants to go crabbing - I've searched the site pretty thoroughly on crabbing, but haven't found much mention on size or make of trap. For prawn fishing the concensus seems to be the "Ladner" trap, but for crabs? The Ladner Trap people also make a folding 30" SS trap. A bit pricey, but if it's the only way to go, what the hey.

 

[Mr. Dean]

Rod holders - there are two angled tubes pointed aft mounted in the gunwale. Do these work well with the down riggers
If these are the flush mounted variety, the reels will likely rest on the gunnels of the boat - Interfering with a fish that has popped the release and heading in the opposite direction (read: SNAP goes the line...). For a bolt on type of holder I prefer the one's made by Fish On.

Landing Net - Is there a preference to size, diameter of the "hoop", length of handle, make?
Just when you think you have one that may be to big, look for one two sizes bigger! Longer the handle, bigger the sock and fatter the hoop...The better. Just keep it manageable.

Cannonballs - size, 6, 8, 10 pounds?
To light. 12 (my fave's) and 15's are the way to go.

Crab traps
Now you really opened up a can of worms....
Generally, it is thought that s/s round traps fish better. I use collapsible rectangular traps due to limited storage space. They catch.

Many of your decisions though, should be based on the lay out of ye's vessel. Take the time to plan it out.

In looking through my (30 year)old tackle box I realize that a lot of the stuff appears to be designed to catch fishermen rather than fish.
Ya got that right! Mine also. Still need to try something new each season though. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>


Good luck!



Some like it rough...
Others just puke!.
Mr. Dean

 

[MyEscape]

Just an opinion!

1. Cheap blue or black crab traps have always done me fine.

2. 12lbs cannon balls are more then enough for most situations.

3. Extra set of rod holders not a bad idea either boat or d/r mounted

4. Large landing net good idea.

5. I like Plaid, Purple Haze and Coho Special Flashers

6. I like Green and White, Army Truck, Purple Haze, White, MintTulip and Tiger Prawn Hootchies

7. I like Nasty Boy, Bad Attitude, Mongoose, Green and White, Crome,
and 500/602 coloured spoons

8. I like Crome, Chartruse, Glow Green, Clear and Purple Haze Teaser Heads

9. I always carry a good variety of sockeye style squirts good for catching all species of salmon in many different areas.

10. I always like having a bottle of X-10 to and scent.

CAUTION Watch out or you'll be like me 2 of the largest tackle boxes over flowing and still buying. LOL

Good Luck Cheers ME





Edited by - MyEscape on 03/15/2006 12:08:41

 

[knucklebuster]

Based in Duncan.Great place to be.Easy access to everywhere.Go to Gov't dock in cowichan bay.On bulliten board you will find the phone# for Randy the crab guy.Retired crab fisherman selling used commercial pots.Grab a couple.great in Cowichan Bay to leave in a couple of days.Catch lots of crabs.Blue/Black square are better for short(few hours)dips.
12# weights.
Everything the guys have said is great for here too.(if you can find a fish).
ME's tackle collection sounds like mine.

a total MILF.Man I Love Fishing

 

[Dogbreath]

As soon as you can buy electric downriggers keep any eye out for used.
Concentrate on learning to use what you have in the context of the boat you own the 2 rod holders as mentioned sound fine.
Good advice given above re:lures.
You'll need to learn to fish brined dead bait a search of older posts will give you all the info you need.

 

[salmon9]

Time, I live around Cowichan and crab and prawn Satelite Channel. I find the large box style, black or blue, crab traps work fine. Canadian Tire for around $30, you need around 50-80 ft of rope; if floating poly put at least 8-12 oz of weight on the line 1/2 way up to sink the line. Basic float. I find large round prawn traps work best, weighted with approx 4-8 lbs of lead. Keep an eye on your prawn traps as I have lost a few. Get several sets of traps to test various locations. If you want more info send me a personal email.

 

[daddystoy]

A selection of different hooks (see other thread) 3/0,4/0,5/0/,6/0,some trebles, roll of leader for tying (see other thread) I use 40# maxima ultragreen.
Same black or blue crab traps. I don't what it is about those traps but the little devils seem to find a way to get out!!
Same lures as the other guys, plus more!!
Buy yourself another tackle box!

 

[alley cat]

I live in Crofton and if you want come and look at what I have and can talk over your needs.
Email me OK ?

AL

 

[alley cat]

Hey My Escape , like everyone else on here we are all looking for the ultimate lure , then we can throw all rest away ......right ??
OR it's just that when you are waiting around for the woman to finish shopping and therefore we naturally gravitate to the fishing section and wile away the time, my wife knows exactly where to find me at all times !

AL

 

[Dogbreath]

quote:Same black or blue crab traps. I don't what it is about those traps but the little devils seem to find a way to get out!!

Some of the doors on thoe traps are quite flimsy just the cheapest wire.
Twisting some pencil lead onto the wire really helps.
Some of the newer black ones have weighted doors if you see 'em grab 'em.

 

[Bodie]

I think the Cop Car Coyote spoon is one of the best lures I've ever used. We've caught coho, chinook and other species everywhere from Cowichan to Port Renfrew on this lure. One side is half white and half black, the other side is chrome and it has holographic cross hatching for flashes of colour in every shade of the rainbow. It has great action in the water and best of all, you don't have to put on new bait every time you get a strike.

Paul

 

[scottyboy]

cop car coyote kick but for spoons 4 sure <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

tight lines

 

[battaglino]

The cop car is good but the funky chicken is the best.

joseph battaglino

 

[daddystoy]

Thanks for the tip, Dogbreath. Next time I'm at Nikka I'll try to remember to look/ask about the doors or pencil lead for those traps.Almost need to spring load those crappy doors.

 

[blueorca]

The help given here is soo refreshing from when I first got onto this sight..
Makes me a bit verklempt.
Until I realise, that of course you're all wrong.<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

boc

 

[knucklebuster]

quote:
The cop car is good but the funky chicken is the best.

joseph battaglino

funky chicken with monkey puke flasher<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

a total MILF.Man I Love Fishing

 

[knucklebuster]

quote:
The help given here is soo refreshing from when I first got onto this sight..
Makes me a bit verklempt.
Until I realise, that of course you're all wrong.<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

boc

shhhhh!we don't really want to help.too much cometition out there already.

a total MILF.Man I Love Fishing

 

[scott craven]

what does a funky chicken coyote look like ?
i went to luhr jensen web site, but there's no picture

thanks


scotty

 

[battaglino]

scotty, Here is a link for a picture of the spoon. We had great luck with it in Uculett and Bamfield the last 3 years it out fished other lures and bait. It it only seemed to work close to shore? My wife caught a 43# two years ago using it. http://www.attheoak.com/spoons/FunkyChicken.jpg:)

Joe

 

[battaglino]

Knuckle head what color is monkey puke? Do you have a lot of experince with monkey puke?



Joe









/ flasher<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

joseph battaglino