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Made it out on Satutday and ended up 9 for 12 with 4 throw backs. We started at the hole in the wall and traveled around number 2 light house. After boating 3 we moved to the Indiana Harbor with what seemed like everyone else.

We caught fish on the following:

- Rapala Fire Tiger 100ft back
- Rapala Demon 100 ft back
- Red and Black Thin Fins 75 to 100ft back from each board
- Orange jointed Rapala 100 ft off a board
- Orange crush spoon 25 feet back and15 feet down on a down rigger

I think I may of had my baits too far back on the boards, but I hesitated to change because We were getting hits here and there.

Any thoughts about the distance I set my lures out? I've read about guys getting limits and doubles but we weren't that busy, just hits here and there.

We were running our baits 45' back from the boards and finished 17 for 20. With all of the boat traffic for spring coho and running a 12 rod spread, 45'-50' works well for being able to make fairly tight turns and avoid tangles.

Sounds like you did pretty good on your set up. You don't need those long leads this early in the year especially when your in combat mode. Usually the fish hit best in the top 5ft this time of year, but your non active fish usually are in the lower water column but might hit if you put something down there with a rigger or dipsy. You can always run multiple lengths to see what they prefer with different lures to zero on what they want for that day. I myself never run nothing that long 60ft max. Mike

Where the fish are in the water column depends on which bait and far back I decide to run the bait back. But usually running a shallow running crankbait such as a J-9 or a Thinfin 50-60' back is pretty basic like the posts above have mentioned.

Poorboy

I usually run the same as the other replys. But as long as were kinda on the subject. What are guys thoughts on adding weights to your crankbaits behind boards? I have experminted with, without, and different sizes. Thank you

northwind wrote:

I usually run the same as the other replys. But as long as were kinda on the subject. What are guys thoughts on adding weights to your crankbaits behind boards? I have experminted with, without, and different sizes. Thank you

Done it many times. Used a trolling sinker from 3/8oz up to a 1/2oz and then a 4' flouro leader to the crankbait. But I prefer to just run a deep diver crank over a shallow runner. Everyone has their own way of doing things that works for them ....

Poorboy

I never run a weight ahead of my crankbaits. Distance back? I use hi-vis line on my reels with a fluorocarbon leader. Measured by pulling 10 arm spans of line off the spool of FC. What's that make it? 50-60 feet with my wingspan. No guessing on distance. Run the lure out to the bright colored line, then clip the line to the release.

The fellas have really hit it on the head about distance back but, you can always change one side of the boat. Kinda like one side trying to out do the other side. The fish will soon let you know what they like best. Then just give them what they are asking for on both sides of the boat. Sounds easy enough but it doesn't always work that easy. You did good the way you were set up, so yep its hard to change when you have some things working for you. Some times little tweeks here and there will pay off with a extra fish or two for your efforts.

When spring fishing for cohos a simple Diawa 27LC reel will do the job and pretty much give ya an exact amount of line you have out. A line counter reel they pretty much takes the guess work out of the game or the rubber band that I have attached to the release will give me an idea of how far back to go.

Poorboy

Nice work