Sinker

I'm planning on fishing out of beaverton on tues or wed next week. Do you still have your atv? Your welcome to join us if you have a machine. S.

Floyd Hales is putting huts out today, so I would think its safe to assume Tim Hales is as well. Port bolster isn't as lucky, the ice is still a bit sketchy there. S.

What do you have on it now? I only ask because you said you troll for many, many hours.....you must have 2 batteries already, no? I have 2 group 31 DC batteries in my 16ft tiller, with a 55lb minnkota. I can troll all day with both batteries hooked together at 1.5mph. I would like a 70lb'er. My batteries are under my port side rear split bench. Thats about 3 ft forward from the stern of the boat, and dead center on my trailer bunks, right on top of my axle. If I get a passenger who wants to sit on that side of the boat, I find it sits heavy on that side, but other than that, its great. Gas tank is on the starbord side, under my butt so it runs flat with just me. S.

Hales is going out tomorrow to check ice and maybe start putting huts out. Hoping to be in full swing for next weekend. S.

I used to go to brooks cottages. They were great. Really sucks they dont rent in the winter. That is a nice area. I will check out thos sites. Thanks. S.

400 for a year on a beater is at least twice what you should be paying for your sled. S.

Go to osso electric in lindsay and buy it by the foot. Then just put your own ends on it. You want a good cord for that job.

Im not real picky but good fishing for lakers/whities/walleye. We have sleds and portables so access isnt a big deal.

Mine have been great. I dont wear them if there is much snow though. Only glare ice or slippery ice with a bit 9f snow. S.

I"m interested too.

You can winch a truck out with that set up. That ice is stronger than most people think. S.

I don't like a T handle, because I have been smacked in the head by it....hahaha...... Need something to tie a rope to though for sure. I like a long, thin bit on mine. I find they penetrate best. A piece of old leaf spring sharpened up works really good. Gotta have a good spud. S.

Almost identical to the HT cleats I posted. They work good.

Here is a trick I use if I"m stuck. Drill 2 holes close together. Close enough that your ice scoop can reach from one hole to the other (maybe 4" apart) . Drop winch line down one hole, grab it with the ice scoop in the other, and hook the hook back to the line. Winch away. Easy cheesie. No need for the grappling hook. S.

Its a great idea. The only problem I can see is getting it stuck on the lake, then you can't get your machine home......I know you have skis for it as well, so that will help a lot. What kind of machine are you towing this with on the ice? S.

I use these and they happen to be on sale. They are a bit heavy, but they work awesome. http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/ht-enterprises-super-stud-sandal-cleats-black-0780863p.html You can also just screw some hex screws into the lugs of your boots. It makes a huge difference as well. S.

I dont have a rav, but i towed a 16ft deep and wide starcraft with a 40 and all the extras with a subaru forester for a few years. It was a turbo so i had plenty of power, but it was really hard on the car. Brakes took a major beating. The rav will do it but it going to wear it out quick and stopping isnt going to be great. Even on windy days you will get blown all over the road. Its not an ideal set up but it will do it, barely.

Is there a locking pin or something to hold the wheels down when towing down the highway? I dont think i would trust just the winch/straps. S.

No crack on mine, that's for sure. It is the exact same stove though. It couldn't hurt to try that stuff, worste case it burns off. I would just keep a close eye on it. S.

Looks the same as my stove. I will look at mine in the morning when its cooled down and see whats different. Mine is the 1100 model. S.

I bet you get more than 5 yrs. My next one to buy will be an otter, but i have 5 huts right now, so I don't really need to blow a grand + on another. They are nice though. 2 of my regular fishin buds have them, and they are sweeeeet! MASSIVE though, and hard to load in the truck!! S.

I prefer dedicated winter tires. That said, I haven't tried these " all weather" tires, but I don't think they are as good as true winter tires. I drive a lot, (80K/yr) and having the best tires I can get is worth it for me. I'm running dunlop sj6's on mine right now and they are great. They are a little noisy, but I kinda like to hear them hum. I don't even know there is snow on the road, even at high speed, and they stop really, really good. HUGE difference from my all season....night and day. My all seasons last for years, and my winters last for years too, so I don't see any significant gain by going to "all weather" tires. BTW, my tires are also 235/55/18 and were a little hard to find. S.

Have you tried Gagnon sports? They usually have a good selection, but I haven't been in there for a while. They are great huts, but nothing wrong with the clam either IMO. I have a clam that I've had for at least 10 years and no issues. It shows wear, but sheesh, its been beat on for 10 yrs LOL S.

Yes current. And it fluctuates. Any time there is a melt etc... not a good area to start for sure.

The stretch from lunge haven out to the main lake is very sketchy on that side of the lake. Last to freeze first to open. I dont know balsam very well, so not much help there. S.