New Boater

Perch... no big deal...eyes... planers and riggers

TTFO -
Give this link a shot.
 
http://forums.fishusa.com/m_5876/mpage_1/key_planer/tm.htm#5888

After buying a boat, I'm assuming you're looking for econmy + quality for equipment?...As far as rods/reels: are concerned, IMO, you cannot beat Okumas.  Magda Pro Line counters have been working great for me now for a few years.  Also matched up with Okuma mooching rods which have worked well for me with dipsys and on the riggers.  Line:  I use 30# braided.  Whether its Tuff line or Andes braided, braided is key to detect strikes best.  Mono or Floro leader is personal preference.  Gotta have Dipsy Divers sz. 1 & 0.  Worm harnesses and spoons for bait.  Spoons ranging from 2 1/2" to 4"...color?  WATERMELON, WATERMELON, WATERMELON....copper blades have been hot too.  Riggers:  I have a Cannon MiniMag 10 which works great and a Big Jon that is also nice.  Swivel mounts are key.  If you have a mapping unit, you won't be disappointed and it will come in handy the more you spend time on the great lakes.  I have a Lowrance Lcx 17mt...love it.  Made my own cedar planer boards last year that I used once and hope to never have to use again, unless of course I'm on St. Claire muskie fishing.
 
I'm not big on perch, but I'm pretty sure you could figure that out with no problems and probably have the right gear for them laying around the house....Have a good anchor and follow the pack!
 
If you ever have any Qs feel free to send along a pm...I'd be happy to ablige what I can...I did a lot of asking when I got my Erie boat thats for sure.  Just ask CB!  Take care and tight lines.


Cannot wait to get it back out on the water!  Good Luck!   

Good rod holders, not plastic.  I have replaced everyone I ever bought with down-easters.  Get about 6 of em to start.  Then  start stockin in the line counters combos and some dipsys and you will be about as ready as you are gonna get....

MuskyM:  I used to used Down East rod holders, but got rid of them because they tear the crap out of the cork on your rods after time.  It may not be such a problem for those who don't put much trolling time in, however when you put in as much trolling time as I have, especially for the muskies, they are not worth it.  Fish-Ons are the best IMO....15 years and never broke one or lost a rod yet.  Had to replace 3 rod handles from rods run in Down Easters.  The other key factor for me is adjustability...you cannot adjust the Down East up or down while the rod is in the holder and trolling.  Fish-Ons are mounted on a rail and I can quickly adjust the rod up when coming up on a weed bed or something.  I've also tried imitations to Fish-On and most are junk, built with brittle plastics.  Fish-On is the way to go really. JMHO.
 
Banana:  Yeah a good net is a good idea!

SUF, While I admit to hating to troll for muskies (I like to throw till my arms fall off) there are certain lakes where plugging is not practical and I do my share of trolling, I just replaced my #1 rod after 14 years of service, and only ever noticed minor problems with the cork.......Admittedly I probably don't troll as much as you, but on erie most of my rods have foam handles that they don't seem to bother.   I adjust them while I am trolling though, one hand on the rod one adjusting the wingnut, just like anything else.   I lost a rod when a fish-on holder broke while trolling for skis about 4 years ago on east branch dam.  The lure hit some rocks, bang the rod was gone.  I lost a scotty and a berkley in similar manners on arthur a few years back...saved the rods on those ones though.....

Thanks for all the advise guys I appreciate it. 
 
Blessed... that is the boat I purchased. I don't want to get into what I paid but I will tell you the John at Michalak was pleasant to deal with and I feel I got a real good value.. but only time will tell!!  The boat, Engine, interrior look brand new.  Who ever owned it before took real good care it.  I hope to do the same but I may dock it in a marina so that will have some effect on it's appearence. 
 
COME ON SPRING!!!!!!!!!
 
 

I also think that color is not worth it, as far as a depth finder goes.  I have a humminbird matirx on the big boat and a garmin 240 on the little one and both are black and white.  I will upgrade to color sometime, but it is definitly not a nessecity..And no substitute for getting out there taking the thing off of auto and learning to use it.

go to dicks and get four of the daiwa planer bord rods with daiwa accudepth counter reels on them.  sixty a piece maybe fifty but two hundred bucks is a small price to pay if you troll for walleye and big water.

^^^What he said....Poor richards usually has a good deal on a line counter combo hangin above the counter as well.....

Fishlander Rod Holders are second to none on the Great Lakes.  To the best of my knowledge i may be the only dealer for their rod holders and downriggers here in northwestern PA.  They make good stuff...so let me know if your interested.

If your only going to be fishing with just a few guys out of your boat get yourself some inline boards or a planer mast if you really think its necessary.  Get some 8'6'' and 9'6'' Daiwa Heartland Rods off of FishUSA.com for dipsys or planer boards.  I use the 9'6'' for big dipsys and the 8'6'' for the smaller ones or for boards (when i run them).  Pick up some Okuma line counters Convectors or Catalinas (in 20 or 30 sizes) Spool em up with a high quality spectra braid (in 30-40lb) Get some various sized dipsy divers, some spoons, harnesses, various plugs and you are almost all set for the basics of Lake Erie walleye around Erie, PA....
 
Oh yea you might want a big net too...I own 2 Ranger landing nets i bought from Dicks Sporting Goods the biggest ones they sell with the bent hoop.  Outstanding net for $29.99 ive put 4 fish in it at one time...lol

Want a lesson on buying products?  Id be happy to help you spend your money...lol

1st time i saw a pic of your boat ShutUp....Nice rig...Looks like you got her all set up...Now all you need is a Kicker and a TR-1 AutoPilot on that gal and you'll be set sipping 2 gallons a day trolling. 

Yeah CB, the kicker is on my list as of now.  Especially with these gas prices.  Will most likely go with a Honda 20 h.p.  Whats also nice is that I did not need a mast for my planers (not shown in the photo) I bought some Big Jon mast reels on ebay and mounted them right on the hard top.  Works pretty nicely.  The autopilot would also be very nice and is currently on my wish list.  I guess I can't have it all and need to be more patient.  Oh well, I just can't wait to get her back out on the water again.  Tight Lines. 

You guys haven't scared me too much.  I kind of knew what was coming all along.  I just need to be patient with my purchases.  I've gotten 3 of my 4 rods so far.  Okuma's right here on FishUSA...  they provide this space for us so when ever it possible they get my business!!  you guys should look here first.. excellent service!
 
When you guys buy your reef runners/bombers do you buy the deep divers if your going to be using them off dipsy's or are the deep divers mostly used when free lining?
 
Safety equipment is next.. followed by Anchor and mooring rope and fenders and.... and..... and....  This may never stop (good thing my wife doesn't read this stuff!!!!!!!!!!)

You can't run deepdivers off the dipsys it will flip them only run shallow drvers,spoons,harnesses.Leadcore would be another choice,anchor rope lenght 3 times the water depth 200' should do you.Anchor retrevier ball would be the best 50 bucks you will ever spend.

For perch fishing a 5-7 foot medium action Ugly Sick and a spinning reel with 8lb PowerPro line.
You will feel every nibble with this combo.
Power Pro is a braided super line that does not stretch.

On the Great Lakes you also need night signaling devices-Flares.
I buy new ones before my old ones expire and keep the expired ones as spares.
A large orange flag, smoke and a mirror are also nice.

Cell phones that have an external antenna will have a much longer range.
A radio dedicated to weather is also nice.

For the mooring rope I also use a bungee style stretch rope with loops on the ends. Or I did-need to buy a new one, they dont float.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dockmate-5-Snubber-Dock-Line-stretches-to-7-Purple_W0QQitemZ120220454500QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120220454500&_trksid=p3756.m20.l1116
Line snubbers are also a good idea-you tie them on both ends leaving extra rope in between. They act a shock absorber.
Fender size will depend on boat size and shape.
My Checkmate has a rapid V in the front so I use a round bumper there.
Line adjusters are also a good idea. No two docks are the same.