Just got a boat w/down riggers now what?

[h2opdler]

I am fairly new to the area and I just got a boat that happens to already have down riggers on it. Its been a very long time since I have done any fishing at all, I am planning on fishing on Lake Champlain and on the St Lawrence River in Northern New York. There is supposed to be some fairly big Lake Trout, land locked Salmon, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Muskellunge. I have two fishing poles 1) a 6.5 ugly stick with a spinning reel and I just put 12lb test mono line on it. the other is a ultralight spinning real with 6lb test mono line.
My question is because of the down riggers should I get a dedicated trolling rod/reel. If so what do you recommend that is reasonably priced. Or can I use my ugly stick as is ? Any suggestions for lures/baits would also be helpful

Thanks in advance

 

[LongLine]

Re: Just got a boat w/down riggers now what?

On a rigg'r you'll want 10-12 Lb min. Lines take a beating. With light lines, I'd suggest pinch pad style releases. On Lake Ontario I use 12-15 Lb on 8 1/2 ft medium rods with Penn GT320's. When after the bigger salmon you want a reel with a real good drag. Reel is more important than the rod. Be careful up the river with a rigg'r because of the sudden depth changes. Nothing like snagging bottom with the cannonball - a real good way to lose a lot of gear. I don't know how the flea situation is up there, but on Big-O, guys generally go to 30 Lb to minimize the flea accumulation on the lines.

For the salmon go with spoons. (Don't even try flasher-flies on the light lines) For Lakers go heavier lines with cowbells & for the essox, try some heavy duty plugs - bucktail stuff.

Good luck,

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[Tempelton]

Re: Just got a boat w/down riggers now what?

I fish for walleyes on Oneida Lake quite frequently. We do a few different things to catch them. First is drifting with a lure called a dixie spinner, which is basically a worm harness with 2 willow leaf shaped spinners. While drifting either let them drift along the bottom or cast into the drift and retrieve back to the boat. We also troll with lead core line on rods with lever wind reels. While lead core lining we use floating rapalas, mostly ones that resemble perch. While trolling with the line you have to hold the line in between your fingers and pull the lure forward and let it go backwards. The bite usually happens on the forward pull, then let the line slowly out while maintaining tension to the end of the pole then start reeling them in. We usual lead line in 20-30 foot of water.