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Finally with the camping ban lifted, I was able to take my kids camping with me!!! I have been camping several times this year. Even got out once before the camping ban was put in place. I don't mind breaking the ban on camping when I am alone or just my wife and i.. But I wasn't going to bring my kids with me during ban. They have been chomping at the bit to get out in the bush! Finally this weekend, we hit our usual early season spot! It was a great weekend, with great weather. Bug were manageable, and actually almost non existent in the wind. And my youngest daughter is keeping her pickerel streak going!! She has horseshoes in uncomfortable places in her body... Her uncle Jeff and her went out together and came back with breakfast! While my son and I in our boat got skunked listening to their laughing and screams of excitement..

Happens every year, the spawn does a number on panfish. Why the die off is so noticeable on those lakes is because the size of the panfish is substantial while the number of predators that eat them is low. The population and size of panfish in the tri lakes is absurd. There’s not many lakes with such an insane average size almost anywhere. You don’t see it as much in lakes with pike because they clean most of those up for you. I’ve always said that it’s a shame that the bass genetics in those lakes doesn’t allow for too many sunfish/bluegill eaters to exist. The biomass is there but the bass just aren’t big enough to be constantly chomping on those 8 inch dinner plate sunfish. it’s actually always shocked me that the musky don’t get even bigger chomping on them but I’m pretty certain 1. Sunfish aren’t as fatty as whitefish etc. and 2. I think they might be hard for muskys to hunt because they are fast and agile.

Getting amped up for/during the spawn and sudden water temp changes can overwhelm them and cause some dieoff to occur

my neighbours son had a mariner version of that motor and had a problem with water in the lower unit, tried fixing it 3 times the third time it was fixed. I guess I'm trying to say to check the lower unit for water.

Finally managed to scoop something up! 2000 16’ Starcraft Fishmaster 160 with a 40hp Merc ELPTO of the same year. Has a couple older humminbird finders on it but both are working. So is the Minn Kota Maxxum 45lb on the bow despite being about 15 years old. Has livewell and bilge and vinyl floors and I bought it from the original owner. He gave me his original receipt and all of the paperwork and manuals from 20 years ago. Happy with the purchase and think I got a good deal. Now I need to fix a bit of the vinyl that is peeling on the back casting deck. Any recommendations on where I can buy marine grade vinyl for a decent price? Thanks again for all of the info and suggestions here. FF17

Still 3 weeks for me but can’t wait, boat is ready so I will pick it up tomorrow for a test run

Many guys that say they get 7 plus years on their batteries probably only fish 6-10 times per season. My boat goes in the water in March and comes out in December. My average run time on the trolling motor is 8 hours straight while trolling. I crush batteries in 2-3 years no matter how much I pay. It all depends on the level of use.

thanks - I should have done a search 1st.

Looking good Brian. A little tip for your peppers. Once they start to flower get an empty spray bottle and fill with lukewarm water and a teaspoon of Epsom salts. Shake well and give the peppers a really good spray, soak the whole plant. The magnesium in the epsom salts really helps the peppers set fruit. I have had pepper plants fall over in the garden from the weight of the peppers on them. With good conditions you can easily get a dozen or more peppers per plant.

Those fish with sharp spines on their fins are a challenge for other fish to eat and the shape of a bluegill over that of a perch makes it more of a problem. I have found fish struggling with a perch or bluegill stuck in their throats by those spiny fins.

Jeez that’s a big ol cat uncle Jeff caught! very nice

my time spent reading and researching is your gain. the last posts explain my conclusion and reasoning. Specifically that canadian tire is now selling the best quality battery on the market while offering the lowest possible price for batteries with the same specifications. They also offer the best warranty in the entire market. their batteries regularly go on sale further reducing the cost of their batteries.

Wal Mart are Everstart Costco are Kickland blue labels and they have them seasonally. I've had both work fine.

That would be a nightmare for me. I've luckily never had that feeling yet of losing a big one right before my eyes. My brother lost a 50" plus muskie beside the boat. Having someone who can work a net is super important. Actually almost lost my muskie in my avatar pic. Jumped right out of the cradle. Luckily there was still one hook in her so I just grabbed her and lifted it up. Surprisingly that fish was super calm and had her back in the water in no time. After that I invested $200 on a net that takes up half my boat lol.

I have AGM’s. They work good but they came with my boat. I wouldn’t pay the price for them new. My starting battery is beginning to give me problems. I’ll be replacing it with a standard lead acid. Wally World batteries have been good to me in the past. I think they are available in store!

Nice report bud. Nice pb pike through the ice. How big was the one you lost? Must of been big or maybe you just snagged a sheepshead on the tale lol. Good job

Fished Glasgow today. We had to work hard. Very few marks, some bait. Did best in 35 fow. 8 in the box plus a bow. Tough bite, lots of knock offs on riggers And blew several fish, several rips on the boards resulting in lost fish, dropped 3 at the net, and changed rigs all day just to produce what we did. It was a good day of fishing as we actually had to work for em. Biggest came in at 8lbs. It was not the usual hot fishing that you’d see there in a few weeks, but it was definitely worth it for our first Erie shake down this year. Whackum purple redfins put the majority in the boat. Good luck!

I will tell you my best shore spots, right after you take me to your best Ginseng spots. Deal? And I'm not talking farmed stuff either...... S.