2012 Episode Synopsis
by Charlie Wray

Episode 219: Silver Kings

Today, The Mercury Marine Destination takes me down to Key West, Florida, then out for Salmon on Lake Ontario.  This Key West Florida trip is part of the same trip Terri and I did earlier for Sharks.  This is a long, but a comfortable run in the Ram, but far too long for only one day on the water.  I am glad the Ram holds so much cargo, we go down for several species and bring all our own equipment, having all the room we do makes it not so much packing, but stuff and go.  There is always room left over.  I have never heard anyone complain about too much room and I sure don’t plan to. This was day two and our target this outing is the hard fighting King Mackerel. These remarkable fish hit the baits so hard that their momentum carries them 10 and 12 feet into the air, and often it looks even higher, I am sure some of them pass the 15 foot mark! As surprising as these surface hits are, these same fish never jump when hooked, maybe that is a good thing at the speeds they manage on runs.

I have done very well in the past with the Live Target Blueback Herring swimbaits, not only do they look extremely realistic and swim incredibly well, the plastic they are made from is puncture proof, even from these tooth filled beasts.  Anyone that fishes Saltwater will attest to the fact that King Mackerel have some of the sharpest teeth in the ocean, and it takes a special lure to put up with the abuse these fish dish out.  The Live Target lures, not only hold up, but still have a great finish after the day’s end.  Granted, there are a few scratches, but no leaks, chipping or paint flaking off, quite incredible. This was also the first time I decided to throw one of the new Live Target Wakebait BlueBack Herring lures, same great look, but only a single jointed action as well as a small lip to give it action at even slower speeds. On my first cast, I saw a beautiful fish turn 90 degrees and pick up speed, my first thought was I spooked it, no, it turned and absolutely plowed the Live Target Wakebait! Same great puncture proof design. Just like the first time I used the Blueback Herring Swimbait, it was a test to me as well, if it can hold up to these teeth, it is going to make an awesome Pike bait as well. I can’t wait to try the wakebait for Pike either.

These are fast fish, and when they run the boat, it is almost impossible to keep up, the Okuma high speed Cedros spinning reels are not only designed for saltwater, but with a 6.2:1 gear ratio, they make it much easier to keep the line tight on these speedsters. 30lb test Tuf-Line XP not only casts well, but with about the same diameter as 8lb mono, I can pack a load of line on a 55 sized reel, enough for even the longest runs! This is also clear water to fish, and one of the areas that I learned years ago, the importance of Seaguar Fuorocarbon leaders. The invisible qualities are incredibly important. Even though the braided lines are visible, an 8 foot Seaguar leader of 30lb test gives the buffer needed as not to spook the fish.  Same goes for the single strand wire needed with the razor sharp teeth of the King Mackerel, no more than about 8 inches or they spook off.  Same goes for hardware, no swivels or snaps. 

The lures are tied on the wire with a haywire twist, and the Seaguar is joined to the wire with an Albright knot. I am not saying that a small swivel will always spook the fish, but let’s face it, even the smaller fish feeding in the area have sharp teeth, and if the swivel looks good enough to eat, something will try, and seconds later, you will be down a lure.

When fishing this far from home, always best to plan for a few days on the water, it wouldn’t be the first time that winds have cost us a day or two.  Like I said earlier, even though it is fun to leave the cold temperatures at home and exchange them for the warmth of Florida, it is still a long drive to be washed out on if the winds pick up, but it is always a possibility. Long runs can be needed to get to the fish, but fuel costs are kept to a minimum with twin 300 hp Mercury Verado motors. These motors are not only fuel efficient but extremely reliable, how do you put a price on safety when you are in the middle of the ocean.  There are plenty of places to stay in the Keys, but I don’t care for the congestion in Key West itself, plus, when the scenery is so beautiful along the route, driving the Ram back and forth from Marathon is a pleasure.  The new Holiday Inn Express in Marathon is quiet, centrally located in the middle of the Keys, and reasonably priced 1-305-289-0222.  The scenery is so beautiful, you won’t even notice the hour drive to visit Key West.

Then later in the show, back out on Lake Ontario for Salmon.  Attention to detail is always a key component.  Not just leader lengths, but even hook placement and the proper sized hooks. The Hot Spot Flashers have long been tested over time to be perfectly balanced and bent just right, but leader lengths can vary from day to day due to the preference of the fish.  One of the new trends on the Great Lakes are longer than normal leaders of Seaguar Fluorocarbon.  The clear waters are not only dictating the need for invisible Fluorocarbon, but increasing the distance from the Flashers.  One common mistake anglers make is also using too large of a hook with the herring rigs. Salmon are big and powerful and it is easy to want the size to hold them better, but not when it also equates to fewer hits.  Smaller hooks are part of this growing trend, but small doesn’t have to be weaker.  Mustad makes a 4X strong Kingfish treble #3599C-BN that is not only small and light in weight, but has the holding power you want for the largest Salmon in the Lake. Believe it or not, the small hooks have a great track record at finding a fleshy spot to hold into, so they do hold extremely well, just back off on the tug of war mentality and you will be good to go.

Not only are the trusty Okuma Catalina line counter reels used for this, but also the Okuma Convector Great Lakes rods.  This graphite wrapped, E-glass rod has incredible feel, light in weight, tough as nails and features the perfect action for downrigging!!   The line counter reels serve many purposes. Not only is a smooth reliable drag needed, but repeating the exact productive leads each time, can mean the difference of a great or poor day. Even being off a few feet can be the difference between success and complete failure. Reels are loaded with the new 20 lb test Seaguar Abrazx Fluorocarbon line.  Not to be confused with the tough stiffer leader material, this new line is a remarkable breakthrough in Fluorocarbon main lines. This line is thin, strong and offers incredible abrasion resistance, many times over what you would find with mono lines. The damage release clips can inflict on your lines are greatly reduced and almost eliminated, this Seaguar Abrazx is incredible!

The Crestliner 2150 Sportfish is the largest in the Crestliner fleet of boats, not only is this designed as an all round family boat with conversion bow and stern, but with the back bench folded down into a massive casting deck, this makes for a perfect big water trolling boat. When rigging your boat, do what is right for you, not the way your buddy might have his set up. Decide exactly where you want your downriggers mounted.  This should be a comfortable, easy to use and work from placement, not always placed at the far back corners where you have trouble reaching them. Consider not all days are calm, where do you want to be standing to place your line in the release clips, pick a safe, convenient placement, not the most cosmetically appealing, this has to be functional.  Cannon not only makes some of the best downriggers on the market (I love the waterline auto stop feature), but the best adjustable rod holders on the market as well. 

With the Cannon track system, you can slide the rod holders anywhere you want them or need them on a daily basis. Consider your Dipsy Diver rods, planer boards, room for placing rods after you have netted your trophy, set up your boat for your best and most convenient uses. The Cannon track system is incredible for this.  Over the years you learn, you simply cannot have enough rod holders.  While big, easy to see fishfinders like the Humminbird 1198C are incredible at picking up the finest detail, and the built in GPS makes following productive runs or even the route home in the fog simple, always have a regular compass on board. I have never had any issues with my Humminbird, or lost the GPS signal, but have heard that GPS signals can be lost due to solar flares, etc.  Always have a compass as a backup, either hand held, or a permanently mounted model at the helm like I do. I have heard far too many stories of anglers running out of fuel going in circles in the fog trying to find their way to shore, simply not worth it for a $60 investment.

Continue to Episode 220

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