Solo advise

[onetimer]

After 20 years straight going to Algoma and Kewaunee with my dad he has informed me that he is not up to the trip anymore. Heart and Arthritis issues have taken there toll on him so he does not feel comfortable/steady enough or strong enough to be in the in the boat anymore. So I am looking at heading out by myself this year. Looking for advise on solo fishing and any tips that those of you who fish alone use to make the trip Safe, Productive, and enjoyable. Thanks in advance for any and all input. One specific question is what three rod spread would you start with.

Thanks

[fishin hole]

I run 2 dipseys and a down rigger when im alone. I should also say that i try and wear a life jacket as well. Netting, well if it isnt two big of a fish i sometimes hand land em, if its a bigger fish i try and play em out a bit. Lots of Jalepeno sun flower seeds and a 2 beer maximum. Try and pick topics you will enjoy when your talking to yourself like speed, depth, and lure selection. My 2 pennies worth. Regards Joe

[titletowntim]

I'm Sorry to hear about your Dad.
As far as solo fishing, I do it often and I often run 2 riggers and a leadcore. I try to stay away from running a Dipsy because netting a fish on a Dipsy rod by yourself is a challenge.
Depending how far down the fish are running a 1/2 core and having extra snap weights to add for extra depth has worked for me to cover various depths.With a shorter 1/2 core I can burn it back into the boat if need be faster than if it's a full core.
Also when I fish solo I wear a float coat and have the kicker kill switch tethered to my belt loop in case I go over into the water. I'm a good swimmer but no Michael Phelps. I can't swim 2.5 mph or better to chase down the boat trolling away but with the kill switch tripped I can get back to my boat.
Good luck.

[TOsetter]

I bet if you posted that you've got an open seat in your boat, you'd get people willing to go with. If not; then be prepared for some wild action complete with the highest of high's, and the lowest of low's. Without a doubt my most memorable trips are solo ones. It's a real challenge to drive, fish, net, etc at one time. Then when you hit a double......AWESOME FUN!

The number one thing for me when going solo is to get away from all boats. It's way too hard to navigate the boat while fishing and netting, and it's not fair to other's to have to avoid a boat doing the crazy Ivan's. Even with avoiding other traffic, I have a bow mount auto-pilot trolling motor in the water and ready to take over steering duty when I hook a fish. I grab the rod, walk to the front, hit the auto pilot button, and turn the trolling motor on just enough to steer the boat. Of course, if you're one of the fortunate with autopilot on the big motor, then this isn't a concern at all. I typically start with one rigger, one dipsy, and one lead core rod, and adjust as needed based on what the fish want. When nice fish are hooked, it really helps to wear them out good before bringing them to the boat, otherwise I've found that you get the fish reeled in enough to net, then when you've got the net, they take a run and you have to set the net down, start reeling again, and the process sometimes repeats many times. I think it's always best to go out with someone else in the boat for safety sake, but when the conditions are right and you can't find anyone else, solo fishing can be an absolute rush.

[SteveO]

Haven't tried solo YET ..but did net a fish I had on during the K/D. We had a double and the fish I had came in first, was about 10-11 lbs so I told my bro I'll net it, slid the net over the transom under the fish and used the transom as a fulcrum. Set the rod down and choked up on the net ... wasn't pretty but I can see it will work OK ...

[Josh]

Some tips my Dad has told me, he fishes solo sometimes.

- If you get more than one on, crank up the speed to try to help keep the second fish on while you play the first.
- I think he used to have a rod holder rigged up to hold the net in, then drag the fish to the net. Not sure how he did it this year though, he has been playing with a few ideas I think.
- Bigger fish you want to tow for a while to wear them down, speed up the boat, just drag them and play them out.

[fishin hole]

It's way too hard to navigate the boat while fishing and netting, and it's not fair to other's to have to avoid a boat doing the crazy Ivan's.

TOsetter, thats way two funny. I love it

[BlackOut]

my father fishes solo every year and doesn't have any issues ... the speed and wearing the fish out is your biggest issue even if the fish is 20lbs after 30 mins they are normaly toast = a nice easy netting situation

im normaly trying to find people to fish with maybe you would join me and i'll net for u ;D

[ejb]

Its not hard to fish solo, once you get the hang of it. Auto pilot is hep full, 7' or shorter rods make netting easer. I try to stay away from other boats, fish nicer days, troll with the waves and I don't fish Saturdays solo. The hardest part for me is docking.

[getsmurft]

Tie a rope to yourself and secure to the boat just in case you take the plung, that way you can pull yourself back in!

[salmonslayer]

I fish solo quite s bit since I have trouble getting people to go with me at 3AM. Lots of good suggestions in this post...I'll have to keep them in mind next time I'm out.

[aquaholic]

I've been known to have a solo trip or two

Here is what I do:

- Rods - Typically I fish with 1 board, 1 diver and 1 rigger. If fish are deep, I fish 2 riggers and 1 diver.

I run the rigger and the board on the starboard side and the diver on the port side. This separation allows me to keep the lines from tangling.

- Boat control - as others have stated, fishing with the waves, away from other boats and staying off the water when it's too rough helps. In the past, If I was fishing into waves, I simple turned the boat with the waves when I got a fish on (if possible). If not, I was busy back and forth

Now I have an AP which makes it MUCH easier to handle the boat while setting lines, netting and fighting fish, etc.

- Netting - I have a board across the back and use the board as a fulcrum for my net handle. It's a bit more difficult solo but not hard by any means. If I have two fish on at once, I typically get the first fish in the net and then start fighting the second. I've been very successful getting both fish in the net as opposed to taking one off and then fighting the second fish. I've also found that fish will often take an initial run and then swim with the boat. The most important thing I do is make sure the line stays tight with the fish I'm not fighting. If he runs toward the boat, I try to do what I can to reel in the slack.

Good luck!

[Phishy]

last year when i ran solo most of the time, i ran two dipsies and a swr off the rigger, i often swithed to two dr and one dipsy

but this year, the trip i ran solo, i ran a half boat off one side, dr, dipsy, and 5 clr on a board.

I'm starting to think of how all the lines in the water are working with each other and operate as a unit, my dipsy and riggers are a unit, if i raise one i raise the other.

and be safe, i'm a little lacking in that dept, and the advice here is some thing i should take notice, i like the idea of wearing the kill switch cord, it wouldn't hurt to wear a pfd either

[Lynn Marie]

Ran solo quite a bit out of Algoma this year. Started with 2 downriggers and a dipsey. Solo downrigger on the port side. Later in the morning switch dipsey for lead core board. Did this when fishing with one other person also, as boards seemed to kick in after daylight, just the opposite in the evening. Also used net with fulcrum and then grabbed with both hands once fish was in the net. Sometimes with the rod still in my hands. Only had double one time. Second fish not landed, but still quite a rush. Pick your days and nights wisely as far as weather conditions and it can be done very safely. Good luck

[onetimer]

Thanks all good advise and tips I like the kill switch and will also make it a point to wear my pfd. Accidents are never planned so one never knows.. With only one person on board there is only one person to depend on. When I was younger I would not have given it a second thought now that I have seen and heard more and more of the situations one finds themselves in I take precautions and preventative measures much more seriously. Will also not venture out in rough seas like I used to.

Thanks alot, looking at the calendar now to see what dates work best. At least that is easier as I only have my schedule to work around. How has the fishing been this year on an overall basis and in comparison to the last two or three years average, poor, good? better to come out after Labor day or before. Will probably go out of Algoma but another port may make for a pleasant change..