hotsky

So why do larger lures need the bigger reel?

Cool, maybe I'll fish the Harbour more often.

So I was right after all! I already have a 2500 Sienna ($35 reel) that I'll be keeping, but wanted to upgrade and get a new rod as well (7'1" Abu Garcia Villian). I got Symetre because at that price point I figured it will be a step up so I don't have to spend more money on another reel anytime soon. I fish for pike mostly and especially now when it's hot would like to be able to get the lures as far out there as I can. Extra distance would be quite welcome. If it makes 10m difference (as mentioned in the previous post - which is a lot!) that alone might be worth putting up with the weight. I also find it most tiresome to quickly retrieve large spinners, over and over, that create a lot of resistance in the water, so again if larger reel cranks faster that would save me some energy. Oh and I do want to try musky fishing with it later this fall...hmmm

Why is larger spool better for pier fishing?

I'll be using 20lb braided, so 8lb thickens. I have a 2500 Sienna with about 100 yards on it.

I just picked up a Shimano Symetre 2500FJ reel and wondering if I should've gotten a 4000 one instead. The reason I went with 2500 is because of the lower weight, but (never used a 4000 so) not sure if I'm missing out. I use spinners and spoons a lot and thinking that with a larger diameter reel it would be less work cranking them in and would be able to do it faster. Also I have a feeling that larger reel will cast farther. Or am I wrong? If I'm not, than faster/easier retrieve and extra distance will be worth putting up with little extra weight. Should I keep the 2500 or exchange it for 4000 model??

Anyone bought from i boats.com? They ship to Canada and give you a quote on their site when you put in a postal code.

Craig_Ritchie, which Zodiac did you have? and who sells them?

I'm still looking into different options but Sevylor FishHunter 4 perosn boat looks like it could work. It's ~ $200 which is cheap compared to most other boats. Leaves some cash for a trolling motor set up. Something like Yacht Tenders from Sea Eagle would be perfect but around $1000+ is a little pricy. Maybe I'll have to sell some things and up my budget! Anyone use them?

I'm also looking at inflatables right now and with my living situation and lack of funds it's probably the best option. Sevylor Fish Hunter 4 person is where I'm leaning right now. Should be large enough to fit 2 people comfortably and later when I get a licence I can outfit it with a trolling motor. I go camping a lot so I'd use it more than for just fishing. I'd definitely do something about the floor but still want to make it portable so several pieces will do the trick. As for inflating I have a $10 12v car car air pump from WM that I use for my small 2 people inflatable Bestway shark boat (toy really) last time I didn't feel like deflating it so I just reversed the pump and let it suck the air of it! much faster and a LOT less work! I was pretty impressed with myself lol! I'd use it at long point when camping and should be able to do some fishing if the water is calm. Mainly want it for Mountsberg which always seems very calm, even still at times.

Sounds like you had a great time! Beautiful lake too.

Almost every time I fish in a lake I find myself wishing I had a boat and now I'm seriously considering getting something. The problem is I live in an apartment and it will be a at least a year or two before I'll own a house; so storage is an issue. Also, I don't have a truck (drive a Mazda 3) which makes towing anything big unrealistic. So when I say I'm need 'boat' ideas I'm pretty much looking at anything, including kayaks, or inflatable boats. Neither are ideal because I could imagine it would be hard to handle anything bigger from a kayak, and inflatable boat would need to have some kind of a seat and be sturdy enough not to pop if I hit a branch under water. (I have a small 2 person one that can hold 410lbs, I use at when I go to a beach for fun but I would never fish from it). Ideally I'd like to have a trolling motor so something like Pelican Predator 103 would be perfect, but i would have to figure out something for storage. Is there anything similar but even smaller and lighter? Suggestions on any suitable small boats, kayaks or inflatables would be much appreciated.

Sorry to hear that Jer, I never owned a pit bull, but have absolutely nothing against them. I hear they are very loving and loyal dogs and our laws are a shame. To say that all pit-bulls are evil because of some stupid owners that raised a meen dog would be like saying all Honda Civics should be banned because some people are careless driving them.

Nice bass and good looking spot! I'm in hamilton and should make it out to the Grand more often. Only fished there once in Caledonia and didn't like it; way too shallow past the dam and too busy just before it. I need to find a nice quite spot thats not shallow enough to cross without getting your knees wet.

You should've caught up with them and gave them hell!!!

Alright, no need to argue about it. If they taste good just tell me where I can catch them

I'm guessing Lake Erie salmon is a bit cleaner? Would Dunnville be a good spot?

hmm I wonder where all the sushi places in Hamilton get their salmon, Lake Ontario by any chance?

I had some smoked salmon from a grocery store this weekend (that was delicious!), it said Norwegian Steelhead Salmon. So I thought I'd start there So steelhead salmon and trout is the same thing? http://www.ats-sea.agr.gc.ca/sea-mer/4811-eng.htm I figured that with out a boat I'd only be able to do it in the fall...

I'm still new to fishing, been mainly interested in pike so far (always catch and release), but would like to fish for something I can eat and actually enjoy it! I love sushi and always been a big fan of smoked salmon and salmon roe, but all of that is quite pricy to buy, unfortunately. So I was wondering; 1) What is the best Salmon to eat? Steelhead?... and 2) Where can I catch them (from shore) that would be clean enough to eat without being worried about consuming toxins and what not? I'm in Hamilton, and eating fish from the Harbour out of the question. lol Thanks!

If you want to talk about dirty, go to the Windermere basin or where it used to be. I've been there a couple of times recently and they are still doing construction work so it's just a channel of water there (saw some huge carp swimming around but they are probably spawning because they completely ignored my bait). The water is incredibly dirty there; I don't even know how many tampons I saw floating around!

I agree some people have no sense of humor.

What? lol you cant smoke at the bay or Pier 4???

He probably meant from the docks next to the boats. Then if it's a private property I guess it would be illegal. Lots of places to fish at the Bay and Pier 4 tho.

I've been there once on the back (west side) of the lake, found it hard to find a decent spot - I either had to fish on the steep rocks or be in the shallows. I was wondering if it's easier to find a good spot on the other side (where I guess you have to go thru the gates in the conservation area?) Also hows the fishing on the east part of the lake after the tracks? I walked over there and noticed the water was very still and murky. Figured would be a good for bullhead, but not pike or an I wrong? Thanks