Great Lakes fishing on Four Winns 190?

[zevi]

Hello,

Anyone is using a Four Winns Horizon 190 for fishing the great lakes? How far do you feel comfortable going? What's your setup? Any other tips you're willing to share will be highly appreciated!

Thanks,
Zevi

 

[CV16]

Re: Great Lakes fishing on Four Winns 190?

I would go out the 12-15 miles I usually go. I have a buddy with one that I see out that far on a regular basis. Just start out keeping it close until you get nice and comfy going out further. We fish Lake Michigan, it took him a year or two to feel good about going out that far, now he'd cross the lake if he had the fuel to do it.



PS

I take my CV16 ski boat out 12-15 miles on flat days. Some times the water is warmer out there for the kids in the tubes/knee board!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Great Lakes fishing on Four Winns 190?

I fish lake michigan on a friends 14' trolling for browns about 300' from shore, or another friends 25' out about 5/10 miles.

used to go out in my 17' all the time. never caught anything worth keeping.

 

[zevi]

Re: Great Lakes fishing on Four Winns 190?

Thank you for the info! I don't know about 10-15 miles; I'm thinking no more than half or third of that distance. Last year we went on a charter fishing trip in the Leelanau / Sleeping-Bear area for Salmon fishing. Is that something I can do with the 190 without spending $$$ on downriggers and such? I assume that going out there without a fishfinder is a waste of time?

Thanks,Zevi

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Great Lakes fishing on Four Winns 190?

Thank you for the info! I don't know about 10-15 miles; I'm thinking no more than half or third of that distance. Last year we went on a charter fishing trip in the Leelanau / Sleeping-Bear area for Salmon fishing. Is that something I can do with the 190 without spending $$$ on downriggers and such? I assume that going out there without a fishfinder is a waste of time?

Thanks,Zevi

That lake Michigan can turn ugly in a snap, and being in a 19 foot boat is just asking for trouble. Even if you just pick your days, which is what many do, you are really playing with fire. I have a 19.5 tin Spectrum, and it has very high sides, and is rigged for Salmon too but I wont risk 10 miles out on any of the great lakes. I've seen what these lakes can do in short order, and let me tell you, it's scary. If this is the primary use of the boat, you are at least in need of a 21 footer, IMO. Many folks do it but that doesn't mean it's right or safe.
As far as closer to shore you can fish for salmon using dipsy divers, lead core line, and wire, but most guys use both downriggers and wire out the sides. That equipment is costly, you can get a set of manual downriggers for decent cost. And yes you absolutely need a fish graph to know the depths you're fishing.

 

[zevi]

Re: Great Lakes fishing on Four Winns 190?

That lake Michigan can turn ugly in a snap... I wont risk 10 miles out on any of the great lakes. I've seen what these lakes can do in short order, and let me tell you, it's scary.

Absolutely agree! Been there, done that (not with my boat), so I know how ugly it can get. That's why I was talking about no more than half or third of the 10-15 miles distance (and even much closer to shore...). It's not only whether the boat can deal with what the GL can dish out - it's the question of what if the engine dies?...

If this is the primary use of the boat... As far as closer to shore you can fish for salmon using dipsy divers, lead core line, and wire, but most guys use both downriggers and wire out the sides. That equipment is costly, you can get a set of manual downriggers for decent cost. And yes you absolutely need a fish graph to know the depths you're fishing.

No, that is definitely not the primary use. However, I wanted to to know what I need/what setup to use if I go out there maybe 2-3 times in the summer. In fact, I was told by a colleague with a similar boat that given the equipment cost - he'd much rather pay and go out on a charter boat instead of his own.

The methods you mentioned is exactly the kind of info I was after; can you elaborate/point me to "How to" articles/images/videos on these?

Much appreciated!

Zevi