Sinker

So, where does the ice melt first then???? Where does current enter a lake? First ice, sure, the shore is obviously thicker......but once a lake is tight from shore to shore, the middle of the lake will have the best ice........no current, no shoreline to warm up, less traffic. I feel safest once I'm out away from the shore.......especially now on simcoe! I was born and raised on an island S.

Actually, the ice in the middle of the lake is the strongest. The shore has the weakest ice. S.

I may have lied I use the improved clinch knot for everything......even braid. I just melt the tag end off, and it wont slip through with the little bit of burnt line on the end. I haven't seen it slip at all though. S.

I drive out if conditions allow it. I voted occasionally. If I had a 4wd truck, I'd drive out a lot more. Sinker

I've never had one slip. Its the only knot I use to. Sinker

That will not happen in my lifetime. And yes Mike, I've had both. I would put my 2 stroke up against any 4 stroke 40 in a race......I'll win everytime. I know its not about speed. Its about what you get for your money. Why pay more for less??? Doesn't make sense to me. We're talking a 25 here......not a 250! Sinker

Hey, at least your consistent

Exaclty.......more weight and less power!!!! Put it this way, if you had a choice of more power with a lighter engine, or less power with a heavier engine what would you do?? How much fuel do you think you'll save with a 20 4 stroke over a 25 2 stroke?? If you have the right power on your boat, the last thing your going to worry about is fuel......especially on a 25 hp. To me, the 2 stroke makes more sense. Less money, less weight, more power. 4 stroke is a tiny bit less money, more weight, less power........doesn't make sense to me?? Its your choice in the end, but there is nothing wrong with a 2 stroke!!!!! Sinker

Its so simple to stay away from the cracks. Vehicles don't just all of a sudden fall thru the ice. People who don't know any better, drive into cracks and lose thier vehicles. If you don't know, don't go.......pretty simple really. Most of the clowns I see stuck in a pressure crack made the mistake of thinking they could just giver and make it over, without getting off thier to take a look before crossing. Those cracks are constantly changing.....by the hour. What was safe on the way out, might not be on the way in. Get out and take a look fer gawd sakes before you cross it. It only takes a minute. I've been on the ice my whole life. In fact I learned how to drive on a frozen lake. Never had a problem. Sinker

I wouldn't think twice about a 25 2 stroke. There is nothing wrong with 2 stroke engines. The yammies run 100:1 mix.......that's barely any oil at all. If you put a 20 4 stroke, beside a 25 2 stroke, the 4 stroke will be MASSIVE! A 2 stroke 25 will make your boat fly. I know, I know.......4 strokes are the way to go, so much quieter, so much cleaner......blah, blah, blah.......I still like my 2 strokes. I have a 40 2 stroke on my boat. A 40 4 stroke is almost 100lbs heavier......and just friggen massive. I raced a guy with a 40 4 stroke and just smoked him. Same hull. Again, I wouldn't even think about it, get that 2 stroke. You won't upgrade, because your maxed out on power. If you do upgrade, it will be the whole rig......... I wouldn't put a 4 stroke on my own boat. JMHO Too friggen big and heavy........and I like the smell of a 2 stroke on a nice cold morning Sinker

Geeze......wheres the fun in that? Can't beat FRESH smelts!!! Sinker

No charges laid, nobody hurt......not even wet......and they call it an ice rescue?? Watch the cracks folks!!!! Sinker

I've never caught a brookie with spawn in it.

Congrats, and welcome to the world of hunting. Now, from sept-dec, your rods will gather dust. You will also spend all your hard earned $ on new gear to get set up When I did mine, we did it at a rod and gun club. It was over a weekend, but we got to shoot trap with a 12ga and shoot rifles in the range. It was a great course, and I think it was only $145 at the time. Do you even get to shoot a gun nowadays? They pretty much "make" you pass from what I hear. Sinker

Ha.......now your stealing spots to get fish?? Nice guy Pretty neat with the two pictures though! There must have been quite a few fish around if you got one eh?? Congrats on killing that skunk.........its all downhill from here! Sinker

Nice haul!! You guys must have had a blast!! Sinker

Congrats Rob! At least now you can spoil them and send them away.......LOL. He's a good sized lad too! Sinker

Right on.......at least ya tried. What would you expect to catch in there? I love those solo trecks. They make ya feel good. Sinker

I think a bunch of us should go down there and set up right under the bridge so they can't get back in there again........who's coming?

Thats a sweet little boat there! I think I"d be looking for a 2 stroke yammy for that baby Sinker

If your living off the land........to survive.......there is no time for watching TV; and drinking coffee. Its life or death.......work hard or die. Pretty easy to keep busy don't ya think?? My dads family had 14 kids, just so they had enough man power to make it. One big crew if you will. Everyone had a job, and they all pulled together to get what needed done, done. No roads, no power, no running water. Could you imagine growing up with 13 brothers and sisters in this day and age?? Imagine having that many kids right now??? My grandfather had to go bird hunting on christmas morning to get dinner many, many times! I have it in me to do it, and I honestly think I could make it longer than a lot of others. I've always wanted to challenge myself just so I know whether or not I could. On my own, I'd be fine. With the family in tow......it would be MUCH harder, but doable!! Sinker

No pics, but its just a single hook on bottom, a split shot about 6" up from that, then a micro 3 way swivel, with another hook on about 6" of line off that. The split shot sits right on bottom. I vary the distance off bottom of the 3 way, depending on what I"m marking. It can be a foot off bottom or sometimes up to 5ft off bottom. Just remember that its there when your getting near the hole, and don't stick that hook in your hand!! I use #14 thin wire, wide gap hooks, and hook the minnow just behind the dorsal fin so they swim up. Essentially, you want that bottom minnow swimming up in the fish's face. I'm running seaguar fluoro on my set lines. 4lb test for everything. You don't have to keep much pressure on to keep those tiny hooks in, just be patient bringing the fish up, they'll come up. If your float even wiggles in the hole, set the hook as fast as you can......they tend to pick it up, and spit it out just as quick. Those tiny minnows won't move your float in deep water. If it moves, its a fish down there. Sinker

A buddy of mine was telling me a big deisel went right to the bottom somewhere out there yesterday too. Its in 50-60FOW. Gotta watch those cracks guys. Get out and poke around before you cross them, and for GAWD SAKES SLOW DOWN OUT THERE!!!!! This snow is only gonna make it worse, and theres lots of movement out there. Just because you crossed a spot in the morning, doesn't mean its ok on the way in. GET OUT AND CHECK IT!!!! Sinker

I've always dreamed of just packing up our stuff, and heading into the woods to stay. Nothing would suit me better. I was brought up old school, from a family of survivors. My fathers family HAD to live off the land to survive, so its been passed onto me. If I had my choice, I'd go back to the old way of doing things. I was watching an episode of Little house on the Prairie the other day with my wife, and even said to her how great it would be to live like that! Sinker

I found them to be pretty scattered when I was out on wed. I got 3 whities and a laker, all on different jigs. Just keep switching it up. When it gets really tough, I go with 4lb floro, small hooks, and a slip float with live minnows. Set one right on bottom, and have a top hook a foot or two off bottom. Usually, this will get me a fish to save the day. They can be pretty sneaky, so keep a close eye on your lines. If you even suspect a bite, set the hook!! Sinker