JoshS

I won't be trolling with it. I'd get full for that. I have both split grips and full and I definitely like the split grip better for casting straight retrieve lures like bucktails. They do feel nicer to me than full grips. However I also like to throw lighter cranks like depthraiders on this combo that I like to fish really erratically with sharp rips. I use a similar split grip rod to the lone ranger for that application now and it kills the ribs after a few hours of ripping the depthraider. However I'll be mainly using it for bucktails, spinnerbaits, topwaters so I think I'm going split and will just have to get a designated jerkbait rod down the line.

Thanks Lew.. I actually read your post on that combo when I was doing some searching through old OFC posts earlier today. Looks like a sweet setup. The rod I'm getting is the Lone Ranger St Croix Legend 8.5ft MH 3/4-3oz. I've handled both split grip and full and the split grip feels nicer. My issue with split grip is bruised ribs! The rod will be used 85% of the time for lighter bucktails, spinnerbaits, topwater, which split grip is a fine choice for. BUT I also throw cranks on this setup and some I like to fish like a jerkbait, on split grip I end up with a sore side after a day of fishing. So 85% of the time the split grip will be nicer... 15% of the time I'll have a sore side. My solution is a combo strictly for jerkbaits only but not in the budget for this year.

Thought I'd get a little debate going over this as I'm in the market for a new combo. What does everyone prefer and why?

First cast of the day fish always make me a little nervous.

What a beaut!!!

Just curious why these specs make it a cranking battery? And what's a true deep cycle as I've noticed other batteries with the same specs called deep cycles. I don't know a lot about batteries and trying to figure it all out....

They all work but I think I like the owner hooks over the gammys, they seem thinner gauge and are super strong. I haven't bought a pack in well over a year so times may have changed.

I think the issue other than competed for food and spawning grounds is that pike spawn and hatch earlier than musky, and juveniles eat musky fry potentially impacting the population. It's happened on other lakes like canal, crowe, where musky fishing used to be good until pike invaded... Now the musky fishing sucks. Look at what happened to Elephant and Baptist!!! It's scary to think that could potentially happen on Balsam, really scary. However I can't really notice an impact on musky fishing yet other than catching lots of snot rockets and seeing the odd tiger. Let's hope they coexist fine. I remember 4-5 years ago pike in Balsam were kind of rare, now we see them every trip. It's really interesting how other musky fisheries were destroyed with the intro of pike.. I'd love to know exactly why and how long that took. Fingers crossed this doesn't happen on Balsam! I pray they stay out of cameron, sturgeon, pigeon and the others but realistically it's inevitable.

I have an affinity for big pike. Big Pike are totally different than small pike, it's like fishing for totally different species. In the lakes I fish big pike are not easy to find and catch, especially once the water hits over 65 degrees. It's especially a challenge finding them in the summer, sometimes not even worth the effort but is possible. I've had success trolling big baits 25 ft+ down and landed some nice ones, but you will never go out and land 5 in an evening. They are spread out, roaming, hard to locate. Most of my pike fishing is done after spring opener until musky opens then very late fall and winter. The challenge in catching big pike and avoiding the small pike in the southern ontario waters I fish holds a certain allure for me and what I like about the species. Here's one of two 38"s from this weekend. Could not break the 40" goal. The water temp was prime around 54 on Saturday we ended up with 62ish when I left on Monday. Next weekend should be good fishing again.

Cabela's would be awesome. Couldn't care a less about BPS!

Sorry to dim the mood again but this is amazing songwriting for contemporary alt country. One of the best around

This is the man right here...

What you fish depends on your interests but also where you reside. I'm with the guys that do multi-species, there's just too much opportunity out there! And living in the GTA, there is so much close by. Lakers on the ice, pike and steelheading all winter, spring browns and shallow big pike, then comes musky opener the weekend after a few spring pike tournies, that takes you to bass opener, etc.. you get the idea. I find myself fishing much less for bass and walleye then I used to however nothing like taking an hour or two after a long day musky fishing in the summer to pick up a few eyes for dinner. Or hitting the best walleye fishery in the world in the fall for some world renowned trophies, same thing for the simcoe smallies. I haven't even touched the Lake O downrigging scene yet, haven't had the time with all the other great fishing opp's. So yeah, switching species all year long. After a while, you get a good handle on where the hot bites are depending on the time of year and species and concentrate on those. The other night, I was casting for browns from shore after a day of steelheading. Browns were slow so I decided to take my float rod out of the car, pick some worms and get a carp to bite. After I caught a carp, went back to the browns after dark and nailed one of those before calling it a day. Typical spring Sunday

One of my favourite ice fishing video's of all time., thanks for sharing.

I'm no expert but I've looked at both and I don't think you can go wrong with either. I know how it is.. making the final call can be tough! Personally, I like the Alumacraft better and the extra 7in might be nice considering the big full windshield! On that note, I think my next boat will be a tiller. I have a wide single console now, however sat in a few tillers and I gotta say the fishability and room is awesome.

It's a late spring, haven't noticed them move right in yet. They're still in late winter mode and deeper however they'll probably be moving in really soon now.

I'm not a huge bass guy but I've had enough too. Hopefully be on the casting deck in a few weeks again. This pic below was taken Jan 12th, remember the ridiculously mild weekend?

Renewed mine end of the year and I as well was surprised to get it in the mail around two weeks later. Give them a call, however don't think the printouts have expiry dates?

Thanks for this tips. I did up a batch a few nights ago and popped into the fridge for this weekend... let's hope they get eaten!!

Thanks. Tried few like this last night and they're draining as we speak. Put them in a ziplock full of salt and hung outside with holes in the bottom to drain. I'm guessing when freezing, the salt prevents them from freezing completely and becoming mush when defrosting.. I was considering this method: http://www.lakemichiganangler.com/tips/general/how_to_make_salted_minnows.htm But seems a little overkill.

I've have just over a dozen big pike-size shiner and sucker minnows on their way out. I've done some research and there are so many different methods to salting. What's your favourite technique for salting big bait? Also, does anyone know where to buy large frozen cisco's in the GTA? I used to buy bags in quebec but cannot find them anywhere! Hit a ton of supermarkets, fish stores and asked around... nothing yet...

I don't think Charlie's show is bad and at least it's somewhat informative. There's much worse out there. I lean towards shows like next bite, extreme angler, musky hunter, simply fishing etc, where they centre more on technique... as opppsed to watching a couple guys on vacation.

Awesome fish!!! what a pig

I don't use them a ton but when I do it's generally a white or salt'n pepper single tail for walleye. Sometimes pumpkin/chatruese tail or smoke during the day. The key to a good grub is nimbleness!

Gotta say I liked the old look too but I'm sure changes are to come. Other than that the site upgrades look good, good job!!