Sinker

For me the most important thing is double knit pure wool socks. ONE pair, inside my crappy tire green rubbers and I'm good to go all day, in temps most people would not go out in. Just make sure to dry out your liners always. If my feet arent in my boots, the liners are out drying. Too many socks are NOT good. Most times people will stuff thier boots with too many socks. Its the air space that keeps your feet warm, not all those socks. No airspace=cold feet. Your better to have cool feet, than hot feet. IMO, its all in your socks. I wear cheap boots, and have my whole life. Sinker

They're pre drilled. Usually, they're just a big square hole in the ice.......you can use a landing net to get your fish.... Who are you going out with? Most operators will drill you a few holes if you ask. Sinker

I'm with solo.......man, you guys get some nice fish up there!!! Can't wait for a trout report, I'm sure you'll do it justice!!! Sinker

Right back at ya dood Sinker

I'm feeling it Wayne......don't worry!!! Just a hook and sinker with a small dace minnow on a willow gad did the trick. Nothing fancy today......we packed light. Sinker

Well, my plan today was to hit a lake I've been to once before, a long, long time ago, for splake. We headed out, got in the area, but for the life of me, I couldn't find the lake We got out at one point, strapped on the snow shoes and walked a good KM before I said screw this, we're not in the right spot, and left again. Then we geared into plan B. By this time, its 11am. I knew a little brookie lake in the area so off we go. We made the 2km hike in, in snow up to our crotch... ...it was a workout to say the least......thank god for snowshoes, or we never would have made it. Got to the lake at the crack of 1:30pm. Not a track....... We hiked across to my lucky little hole......... And got set up. It didn't take long and Rich had a fish on......sweet!! I was watching him fight this fish, when I heard something behind me......I turned around and my rod was headed for the hole.......I made the save and we started the day with a nice double!! Here's mine......about 12" or so.... Rich ended up getting one more as soon as he got his line back down........man, this is looking good! 3 fish on the ice in less than 10 minutes!!! After that little flurry of action, things went quiet. We decided we were well overdue for our lunch, so got set up on shore with a small fire, and a lunch. We were planning on frying up a few fish, but by this time, we were already waaaaay behind schedule, so we opted for a hot cup of tea, and cold sandwiches.......the fire was nice though. Heres a shot of our little set up........there was about 2ft of snow on the lake, and 6" of slush under that......what a mess. We sat in the sun, by the fire, taking turns checking lines. Every once in a while, there would be a minnow missing, and it seemed like everytime you'd replace it, you'd get a fish or two. It also seemed like they came around when Rich was checking the lines.... I only got the one fish right at the start.......Rich got his limit. We split them up at the end of the day, so it was no bother to me anyways. Heres the final tally for the day. I know whats for dinner tomorrow night!!! All the fish were stuffed with inverts and tiny little dace minnows. I'm surprised we got any at all.....they were full to the brim......greedy little buggers!!! It was a great day. I have been waiting for the right day to do this tour all season. Other than the crotch deep snow, I think the day was perfect. It was a little brisk first thing in the morning, but once that sun was up, it was mint!! Now I'm just beat.......it was quite the workout, and I realized just how out of shape I'm getting......LOL. I think next week, I might target some pike. Sinker

Less stuff to go wrong on an outboard. A straight inboard is a good solid drivetrain. i/o has a lot of stuff in the drive that can go wrong. Watch out for the older OMC"s, they're hard to get parts for these days, and cost big $! If it was me, I'd go outboard.........but that's just me. Sinker

I use a variety of reels. Diawa laguna shimano symetre abu 5500 shimano crestfire and a bunch of other cheapies on the back up rods. They sure take a beating. Sinker

DAM.......your so smart

If I find it, I'll sell it to ya for a good price!!!

Congrats Ben!! I'll have to check it out!! Sinker

I would think they're serviceable. I know a brand new one is just over $100, so not too bad. Sinker

They're harmless, but I still remove any I see! Sinker

I use the main motor as a rudder, but its not running. I just set the minn kota straight, set the speed I want, and steer with the main motor. I hear the powerdrives have issues with the foot pedals, but mine has been fine so far. 2 seasons on it now, and I got it used. Sinker

Ice is a lot stronger than most people think!!!

I have a 55lb minnkota powerdrive. So far so good. Its gotta be pretty windy for it to be useless on my 16ft widebody. I control it from the back of the boat. I just turn it on, set it straight, and steer with my main motor. Sinker

A GOOD thermos........full of your favourite hot beverage! Sinker

Noooooo.......not ever........not those nasty green carp.......not gonna happen!!!!

I don't know much about these cull tags your all talking about, but i think its a tag you put on the fish so you know which one to release?? If that's the case, wouldn't the fish be handled more, and spend more time out of the water, than if you just put the smaller one in a separate well? You have to get the tag on it somehow........?? Are these tags also removed before you release them, also leading to more handling and time out of water? What I do know is this. We have a bass and a sunfish in an aquarium. If I touch those fish to clean the tank, they are hurtin for up to 2 weeks. There is noticable damage to them, just from being picked up, and put in a separate tank. I'm talking seconds in my hand, and out of the water. No cull tags. I dunno......I kind of agree with GCD on this one......F&W tech or not!! Its just common sense!!!!! More handling equals more damage to fish.....simple. I don't really care either way, bass aren't my thing, and I don't think the population is in danger anywhere. Now if you could show me a way to keep the stupid buggers off my pickeral jigs, and musky baits, I'd be interested in hearing about it Sinker

Thats a sweet set up. Do you know of any set ups similar to that, that would work on a 40 mariner tiller?? I'd love to have something to set my speed and just leave it. The way mine is now, I can't take my hand off the tiller...........I don't think there is anything like that though? Maybe its time to upgrade my engine......... Sinker

I'm in there now........anyone from team #1 thats not scared to come is more than welcome

You should have that hanging on a wall somewhere. I love maps! Sinker

I can't speak about cooks, but there is a good bit of snow out from JP, and all the way to beaverton, so I would think its safe to asssume its the same all over. Trucks were out from JP yesterday, but they were struggling to get around. Looked to be better off the main path actually. Sinker

My thoughts exactly!! Pretty slick rig for sure!! Sinker