crappieperchhunter

I was a hold out on getting into the electronics for ice fishing. Even when I got a good deal on a used Vex SE8 it sat in my basement for 2 years before I dusted it off and gave it a go. I always figured I mostly fish perch through the ice and am usually in shallow water so what do I really need one for? Well after one outing I can honestly say I will never fish blind again. It helps in so many ways. I have learned 2 or 3 new methods of triggering no so aggressive fish to hit that I NEVER would have learned without watching how the fish react on the Vex. It also keeps you from sitting on dead water wasting your time. It helps me catch way more fish...no doubt about it. But besides the advantages it gives you...I just plain enjoy it more watching "fish tv". The first season I used it I was testing it to see how long it would hold a charge and a couple of times the battery died half way through a day on the ice It was unbelievable how much I absolutely HATED fishing blind after doing it for 25 + years. I hope your buddy gets one. I know he will enjoy it.

My sister in law has one. The most time she spends outside in the winter is walking from the front door to her car. I just don't get it :wallbash:

Nice mount. Your young lad should be proud Always said if I ever get anything over 15 it's going on the wall. 25+ years on Simcoe and I'm still waiting Again...well done and thx for sharing.

Been years since I bothered with minnows. But when I did I had two 5 gallon white buckets. Filled them both with water and kept them in the cold cellar 90% of the time. For fall fishing once the weather cooled I would sometimes just leave the buckets in the garage. I let the water sit for a week before I put minnows in them. I also had two 2 litre juice bottles full of water and frozen to use as ice packs. The minnows would go in one bucket with one of the ice packs. The pack would last at least a couple of days depending on the air temperature. As soon as the ice pack thaws out throw it back in the freezer and put in the other one. This will keep your water cold...a MUST for shiners. Once a week switch the minnows into the other bucket of fresh water. Keep switching your water buckets once a week and keep the water cold with the ice packs. I also bought goldfish food and once a week sprinkled a little in the pail. Go easy though..they really don't eat very much. The food is not necessary if you are gonna use the minnows up with a couple of weeks...it is more of a long term keeping requirement. During winter ice fishing I used to net my own minnows in the fall and this method would keep me in minnows all winter. I never had to buy any. Edit to add. Check them everyday and get the dead ones out ASAP.

Sorry to hear the news of your wives passing Bob. It sounds like you and your lady shared something special. I see far too many people stuck in a train wreck of a marriage. So sad to see people wasting there lives like that. Get through your grief in your own time, hold your head high and count yourself lucky because of what you two shared. As far as the money goes, congrats on that. The book of your life has began a new chapter and you are the writer. Pick the happiest ending you can.

I slipped on the ice a few years ago and fell on my reel It broke in pretty much the same area. It is a Diawa reel. I just took the handle off another Diawa reel that I no longer use. It looks a little funny cause the handle is off another larger sized reel and is a different color but it saved my favorite perching reel for ice fishing. I still use it. Check some old reels you don't use G. You might get lucky like I did.

Thx for reminding me that this is my "I hate Limey" time of year. I can hardly wait for your first ice fishing report so I can print off a picture and have something to throw darts at Play safe.

Always love your stories and pictures Mike. Thx again for taking the time.

As mentioned up farther in this thread, I just have peace of mind having an "expert" inspect it once a year. Peace of mind also includes that little piece of paper that says an "expert" had a look at things should anything unfortunate happen. I don't feel my new "experts" are doing a proper job, but I'm sure that my wood stove usage will never cause a problem. AND now I got me that little piece of paper Thx for the offer though my friend, much appreciated.

Just started using my woodstove again after years of it sitting idle. I have always paid some one who is WETT certified to come and clean it once a year. He got up on the roof and did whatever up there and he cleaned out my trap door cleanout outside on the bricks of the chimney. Did all the pipes and woodstove inside too. Well he retired and sold his business. So the new guys come and do nothing outside at all. They just come in and work from the inside and claim that they are getting all the way up to the top of the chimney from the inside. It is a distance of about 30 feet I would guess. Then they charge me about double what I used to pay my former chimney sweep. Now I always paid to have it done because I never wanted to be climbing ladders or working at height from a ladder. Also I got peace of mind from having someone WETT certified having a look at things once a year. However having seen this done without using a ladder at all I am thinking I can just buy the tools and do it myself. So my question is this. Can you do a proper job just from the inside without climbing a ladder or are these new owners doing a piss poor job. My main concern here is not saving $$$$. My main concern is safety. I would appreciate any advice or comments anyone from OFC has to offer. Also if you know someone in the Oshawa area who does chimney cleaning I'd be happy to get there number or email address. Thx in advance for any helpful advice.

Having done a wee bit of wood working I can truly appreciate the effort that went into this project. I hope he is proud of his work and gets lots of enjoyment out of his "New" boat. Thx for sharing with us and please share anymore pictures you might get.

thx for the smile Bruce :thumbsup_anim:

Alot of assumptions here. To turn this into something that happened because a car was parked at a fishing location is way over the top. Not saying it isn't a possibility. Just saying it's a little irresponsible to make those kinda accusations.

I don't drink beer Terry and I have never bent a banana Nice work BTW. Perhaps I made it too easy.

Roy is he a banana bender? And does he like the amber fluid?

Thx for sharing...loved all the pics...especially the snapping turtle pics and the moose

Ed Zachery!!! Don't let the door hit you in the on your way out.

Freshco has frozen WHOLE smelts on sale this week. Grab a bag Steve and go out and enjoy some perching. I am sorry our one "secret shore spot" is no longer an option to you. Happy perch hunting.

I would not say I am proud I don't have one. If I had a job that required me to be in contact with others quickly I would have had one years ago. I am a printer. I have unlimited access to free paper. You should see all the writing pads I have stashed at home and the cottage. Most of the stuff you suggested I enter into a phone I already write down on a pad of paper and keep track of things that way. Yes the pad of paper might be at home when I'm out and need to remember something I wrote on it. It happens and somehow I live with it. My methods work for me so I see no need at the moment to get a phone...it's as simple as that. Every baker has there way of baking a cake. As long as the cake turns out fine, one baker is not any better or superior to another.

Like I said the bite has been off this fall in there. And the day didn't start off great with that rain But the skies cleared and we finally found some perch willing to bite. The 20 incher eluded us again ...but as always I enjoyed the day and the company.

49 and have never owned one. Really not interested in it either. Just another distraction I don't need. I have had situations where I briefly wished I had one...but miraculously survived them even without the phone.

I can't even imagine how much chowder you could make with that

Never get tired of this stuff. :thumbsup_anim: Thx for sharin B.

Thanks for the reminder of one of the reasons why I have not had my river gear out of the house in over 2 years. I perch fished yesterday with a buddy and never even saw another fisherman.