Sinker

Ahhhhhh.....I get it. You guys with the fancy boats have to put it on the outside cause your nice rear casting deck is over the plug and you can't access it easily.........gotcha. I just have a plain jane open aluminum. No probs getting at the plug. Sinker

I can't figure out why the plug would be put in from the outside? Can anyone explain this to me......I just don't get it........the pressure thing doesnt make much sense.....if your plug was that loose it would leak anyways. Mine is on the inside, and has been on every boat I've had/been in......that I noticed anyways. I like it on the inside for the same reason that has been mentioned......to drain the water while running. I keep my boat docked most of the summer, so rather than burn out my bilge.....I like to take her for a rip and get the water out. I'm lucky enough to live close enough to the marina I guess, so doing that is no problem. Sinker

Yep, in all honesty, I'd stay away from subdivision homes. I've built hundreds, and I wouldn't even buy one I built myself. They are just thrown together as cheap as possible, and to get a change in anything, its gonna cost large. Find an older home on a nice lot and build your garage to suit, or get a custom home with a big garage. Other than that, your storing your boat someplace for a price........which isn't that bad an option really. I'm sure glad I don't have to deal with your scenario.......I've got 3 boats, a canoe and a snowmobile parked in my driveway........but, I have no nieighbours to complain Sinker

You guys are going to have a real hard time ( if not impossible) to find a subdivision builder who will move walls, or anything for that matter, to get you a bigger garage. There is just so much involved in changing the plans, its not worth it. If you want a garage big enough, you need a private builder and a lot, or an older home with a large lot where you can build a detached garage. I put up an 18x25 Garage for my dad a couple years ago, with a full height loft on the second floor, for less than 10 g's, for a garage with no loft, cut that in half again. Look for a decent older home, nice lot.....and mortgage enough to build the garage too......as soon as you get posession. Sinker

You need to buy a house where you can build a big enough garage.......or store the boat someplace. Good luck finding a big enough garage......... I don't know how you guys can live in the city, when you can't even have enough space to store a boat..........that would be the first reason I'd stay out. I'd rather have a drive to get to work, than not have my toys. Sinker

I'm not so sure about the mowers with more power. I bought a new craftsman with the 6hp engine and I swear its got less power than my old 3 hp lawn boy. Nothing worse than haveing to slow down so the mower can catch up.......and I'm not that fast!! I prefer to use the lawnboy, and the new one sits in the shed collecting dust. My lot is large (100x150), and has a bit of slope on it, so the lighter the better for me. I had the self propelled unit too......still not enough power once its driving the wheels......got rid of that......got the craftsman and its collecting dust.......I love my lawnboy.......theres no stopping that thing. As hard as I can push it, thru long grass......it just eats it up!! It revs much higher as its a 2 stroke......blows smoke like crazy too.....but that keeps the bugs away in the spring!! My next new one will be a lawnboy hands down........theres no stopping them. Sinker

I've caught lots of bows in the dark. Fishing spots you frequent as a matter of fact. The lower stretches of most tribs, in the slow, deep pools. Just a roe bag on bottom......set it in your holder and sit back. I find nice juicy bait seems to make a difference. We would go down, light a small fire, and shoot the bull for hours......we'd haul a few fish too. Sinker

I've seen how well those electric barriers work........ ..........they may slow them down, but stop them.......far from it!!! I think its already too late. They're gonna be here before anything gets done about them. Sinker

First Tracks on a back lake for splake...... My son, my father and I went crappie fishing last spring.......Jacob got the biggest one........still reminds me to this day.....we'll never forget it. Me just kicking back for a bit of a snooze on the walleye opener........just finished a killer shore lunch of fresh eyes and perch......MMMMM. Just got the gear in the boat this morning as the sun was breaking the hills........what a beautiful sight......could have just sat there and watched it. I went fishing instead Here's what I caught...... Notice the change in weather from first light......it rained the rest of the day.....bout 30 mins after the sunrise pic! Great pics, keep them coming!! Sinker

I just use small 3 way swivels. Bell weight on bottom, then a 3 way, then another 3 way.....that's it. light line, small hooks......good to go. Sinker

I use a 4" rapala.......works mint. As long as you know how to run a blade on a steel......your good to go. Mine is like a razor, and only cuts fish. Awesome for the perch/crappies. Sinker

Slush under the ice usually happens before the lake is totally frozen, and usually on bigger bodies of water. I've seen it lots on simcoe. The wind will blow the broken ice under the thicker stuff that hasn't been broken........that's your slush under the ice.......and it stays all winter. I've had really good luck fishing on the outskirts of that stuff......seems to hold lots of inverts......the perch love it anyways. Just keep going until you find a spot to get your line down and you'll be good to go! Sinker

Nope.....only catch them when we mark them.....most times.....you get the odd one that sneaks thru the radar, but usually, if you mark them, you catch one. Sinker

Hey, don't feel bad man......this happens to the best of us.......last year I was skunked out there for a whole month.....no kidding......every weekend in Feb. last year I was out there fishing like a madman.......NOTHING!! Brutal.....but once I finally broke the curse, it was non stop action till it closed. Same spots, same presentations.......it just happens..... Sinker

maybe just bad Karma ......keep trying.....they're in there!! Sinker

This is how I do it too. I can fillet them up pretty quick with no waste, just need a good sharp knife and a few stiff Rye's Takes me about an hour to do 40 or so......depends on size and how frozen they are. Sinker

Maybe tell us what your doing and we can pick it apart. What are you using? I always find a small hook and a splitshot with a small minnow does the trick on slow days. I set it under a slip float. Keep a real close eye on that flaot. The slightest movement is a whitie. They hit so light, you'd hardly know it was a fish. If it moves at all.....set that hook immediatley!! All the whities Ive caught this season so far have come on that rig. Other than that, a chartreuse/black badboy type jig, with a chartruese power tube on it has been working well too. Just a gentle twitch about an inch off bottom. I have only been skunked one trip out of a half dozen so far....and it seems it was a slow day all around that day. Sinker

It happened at jackson's point. Just out from Bonnie boats marina. The ice was pretty safe, they just went over a bad spot between 2 major cracks. The piece between the 2 cracks was just floating there. It was bobbing when I went over it on the skidoo earlier that morning. Water was coming up both sides. There were no other vehicles on the ice yet.......he was the first one. 8" is not enough for any type of vehicle IMO....but there are lots of people who will argue with me on that. I know for sure they were in shock.....the driver could hardly breathe...let alone offer thanks. he smacked his head pretty good on something...either going down, or on the ice coming up. Apparently, the guys in the hut ran away and didn't even offer the guys any help either....My bud was appauled at the actions of some people out there that day. It was really bothering him.....still is now.....the driver was under water for a long time....he didnt' think he was gonna come up. Pretty scary stuff. Sinker

Ive used elephant lake lodge many times. Great people, who treat you right. Fishing is great, in fact, I usually keep my boat tied to their docks while Im at my cottage in wilberforce. Lots of pike, some musky, walleyes and bass. The musky in my avatar was from elephant lake last august. Heres the whole fish.... She's still in there. Pike are a dime a dozen in there the last few years....if the bass aren't working....just drift the cabbage beds and burn spinnerbaits..white....you'll get lots of pike, and some good bass too. Sinker

My buddy pulled the driver and his son out of the hole. I got back to pick him up just as they were taken away on the trailer. I thought my buddy had gone in....he was covered in ice and had a real nasty look on his face when I pulled up on the skidoo. I thought it was just the hut that went in the crack....then he told me the story of what happened.....he watched it all happen from 30 ft away!! Glad to hear all are OK. The driver was in rough shape when he came out. He still has my buds toque. He didn't even get a thank you from anyone out there that day. Left a bit of a sour taste in his mouth. The driver would never have gotten out on his own......... At least you got some fish.....we had one whitie caught between 3 guys that day, I was skunked and so was my bud who pulled the guys out. Strange day out there, that's for sure.......a real eye opener. Thanks for the report. Sinker

I've set myself up, so its easy. Heres what I do: When I get the boat at home, before I unhook it.....I put a brick where my back tire is, and another brick on the side of the same tire. Then go back and unhook the trailer, chains, lights. LIft it off the vehicle with the tongue jack and drive away. Next time you go to hook up the boat, line up the same back wheel with your bricks on the ground. When you hit the brick that was at the back of the wheel, put on the parking brake, go to the back and lower the boat onto the ball with the tongue jack again.....sometimes a bit of wiggling here and there to get it on the ball right, but usually it just drops right on. Hook up chains, lights (make sure they're working), once around the boat and away you go. Easy sleasy A tongue jack with a wheel is a must have...it makes life so much easier. The hardest part is getting the boat where you want to park it.....but....that will come with time. I can put my boat just about anywhere. Sinker

Heres my old man in his glory. He instilled the passion onto me.....and I've got it worse than he does now. We still get out quite a bit, and its always the best fishing with the old man......hunting is even better! Sinker

Huh.....John prine eh......great choice! He'd have a few good tales for sure. I was brought up on his stuff. I'm just gonna join the club and say my Grandfather. He was a commercial fisherman, back in NFLD. Still around, I just haven't had the chance to get down there for a while. One last fishing trip, and a seaduck hunt would be my dream come true. He's 87 now, and still at it as much as ever. Sinker

I had a 25 suzuki tiller.....great engine.....never a problem with it. In fact, I sold it to a buddy and he is still using it now. I think it was an '89. Never had a problem with getting parts, cause I never needed any.... SInker