Master of Bait

Nice fish! I say barred as well. 100 yard chase? Heckuva cast. Trolled? Those ploppers sure produce!

Hey fisherfolk, Quick question about kushog. I’m headed up next weekend for a short/quick tourney with some pals. Bass/pike, 4 fish limit, 100% cnr, heaviest bag overall - just our annual thing for fun. I don’t really know the lake, fished it once years ago. Any recommendations on the quickest way to get on some fish? Really, any intel to save me some time and catch some fish is much appreciated. cheers, mob

These are great questions, and, to be straight with you, I have no idea(!) on all fronts. It was given to me by a neighbour. I'm going to try some of those basic steps discussed earlier and see how it goes. I'm really glad you mentioned 24:1, as I would have run it with the 50:1 mix I currently have in my tank! From what I can tell, the spark plug cables need replacing too. Do you think that is something I can pick up at a parts store, or more of a special order item? Cheers, MoB

Hey guys, awesome feedback, thanks for this. I did the plugs, lower unit oil, sea foam and fuel line, but I didn’t have time for the carb. Anyway, the engine fired up really easily and ripped across the lake. Then.... pow! I’m pretty sure the gears started Missing/slipping. Big jolt and then kept going, then big jolt again, etc. Bummer, cuz it’s a much bigger deal than I had hoped for. I’m gonna try again with this other little 5.5 seahorse. Will keep y’all posted.

Great, thanks guys. Will see how she runs.

Hey guys, I've been working on the motor - all straightforward so far and parts mostly available. Any recommendations on a fuel additive to add to the first tank I run?

Thanks guys - this is helpful, and generally stuff I can handle on my own. Cheers, MoB

Hey Anglers, I hope everyone's having a good season so far. I'm looking for some advice on tuning up my 1977(ish?) 25 hp Johnson Seahorse. It's been sitting in my yard for 5(!) years (kids, moved to Florida, came back). Local marine shops are backed up for weeks. I haven't tested it yet, but feels like I need to do something(?) to it - it was running fine when I last used it. Any suggestions on what I should do? Spark plugs (clean or replace)? Spark plug cables? Change lower unit oil? Carburetor clean up? Any ideas on a place that would stock parts for an old motor like this one, or would I need to order through a marine shop? I'm in the GTA. Appreciate any suggestions you've got. Cheers, MoB

Hey folks, I posted way back about moving to florida for two years and said I'd send you a periodic update to share some fishing tales from south of the border. See the attached link for a report on an overnighter I took this past weekend in the glades. You may need to jump to the second page, since I posted the report as a reply rather than a new thread. http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?245622-Overnight-tent-camping-trip I'm guessing things are in full swing in ontario at the moment. Hope you're all catching lots! Tight lines, Mob

Thanks for the feedback and kind words, folks. Florida has its pros and cons, but there's no doubt that it's a fisherman's paradise. Good point about the piers, Big Cliff. In fact, it's amazing how fishing automatically just kind of connects people. I have a different background and "political inclination" than many of the fellow anglers I meet down here, but none of that matters when we're just kicking around and catching some fish. Fisherfolk down here have been very friendly and helpful with info, etc. I'll do my best to post more pics when I can. I imagine you're all getting pretty excited to get out for some spring fishing. Tight lines.

Hey folks, I haven't posted in a loooong time. Just wanted to mention that I've moved to Florida for two years on a work contract. I've been down here about four months so far and, though I haven't fished a ton, I've gotten out often enough to enjoy some of the local species. Gotta say, the opportunities out here are unreal. I'm in the Tampa area, on the east side of the bay. My freshwater fishing so far has consisted of catching bass in small retention ponds (lots of 3-4 lb fish, largest is a 7.5 lber so far!). As for saltwater, I've mostly been out in a cheapie kayak I bought, fishing rivers/estuaries and adjacent flats for trout/snook/redfish. I've lost all the big fish so far, but caught lots of smaller ones (up to a 6 lb redfish). I've also beach fished for sharks a bit but I'm 0-for-15 or so, so far. I've got the gear and terminal tackle, just haven't had the luck to get one on the sand yet. Still getting used to circle hooks. Will keep trying! Anyway, here are a few pics - they're terrible selfies. I'll try to post an update every so often. Cheers, MoB

Awesome. Thanks for your help.

Right on, thanks a lot for the tips, gents. I'll probably try fishing some minnows out by the government docks. Is there any place to pick up some live bait nearby?

Morning OFNers, Just looking for a suggestion. I'm heding up to the Matchedash Bay (Coldwater) area next weekend and I'm hoping to sneak in a morning of shore-bound fishing somewhere. I've never fished this area at this time of year and I'm not sure what to expect. Would there be any open water at that time? Any fishing to be had in Match Bay, G Bay, government docks, a year-round open stretch of the Coldwater river for steelies? Appreciate any suggestions. Cheers, MoB

Whoa! Nice fish!