JoshS

Thanks for the input. It seems like a decent deal for a custom cover. Think I'm going to place an order today for the weathermax.

Cool tent! I like the vertical walls.

I'm looking for a fitted boat cover and am close to ordering one from www.boatcovers.com. Anybody have any experience with them and their products?

Happy Belated Roy! All the best!

I think you need a tow vehicle first if your vehicle is rated for 1200lbs. And for the money you are going to spend on that legend, I'd cut that 15k budget down to 10, shop around diligently and buy used. You'll get a lot more for less. I also agree that it's crazy to finance like that. As an example, I spent 6k on an '04 1600sc sylvan expedition with a 75hp merc. Drove to Michigan to get it. I spent four months shopping around. It's not top of the line but serves me well, was in decent condition and inexpensive for what I got IMO.. my first rig. I was able to save money from my budgeted amount and eventually get a truck to tow. Now I want to upgrade and will sell this boat next year for what I paid hopefully and look for another used package in the states. Might want to consider your method of towing first if your planning on towing with a car and seriously consider looking for a good used package.

The reel you buy all depends on what kind of fishing you're doing. You say you mostly fish pike - pike require bigger lures - then I'd go with the 4000. 4000 is not ideal for most applications for bass, walleye etc but for pike, 4000 is a better bet. I wouldn't worry about casting distance. If you spend a lot of time fishing bass, walleye, panfish, trout, I'd get a 2500 because it is a better all round size. But for pike only, get a 4000.

Wow. You should see my reels paint... That's a pretty reel if it's your thing. Looks good.

Cabela's would be sweet. I like SAIL better the BPS however. Still nothing beats going to the small retailers if you can.

I've been a advocate for cheap glasses but I think the general consensus is that making the switch is a worth it. After reading this thread, I might try to learn to be more careful with my stuff and get some nice new glasses! I use cheap rapala's now b/c they fit best and don't break the bank replacing them.

I didn't know you could get 3000 spools on 2500 reels!! Didn't even think of that! To the OP: 2500 is the best all round size for general fishing. I'd keep that if you're just starting out. Once you find yourself getting more into the sport, you'll get a baitcasting reel for bigger lures and want a few reels in the 2500 size.

I think we've all seen it way to many times. I wish the culprits would get what they deserve. Nothing is worse then litterers, especially in the country.

I'm guessing you wouldn't have a problem fishing the waters around the park by boat. Goodluck out there!

Was out there on the weekend for half of Sat and we boated one nice one and incidental walleye. Was my first time fishing the lake for musky so not sure how the population compares to other lakes in the area. Looking forward to exploring more of it, there's some nice looking structure.

Beauty, congrats!

I just lay my rods down in the boat. Probably should take better care but can't imagine fiddling with rod gloves all the time. I rarely have equipment comprised doing this, have only had a few rare guides crack and I'm on the water a lot. Would be curious to know what people do with their rods. My boat is 16ft SC and my rods lie on the passenger side floor angling up onto the casting deck. I let them bounce around when running in the boat, can't think of any other convenient options.

Yep, the Sandman Inn is the one in town there. Fishing was decent last weekend.

Also remember that most fisherman on the lake trolled the north basin of Benoir for walleye. Didn't work for me but seemed to be the pattern up there with the locals.

I've fished Benoir and Elephant before, beautiful area. If I recall, Benoir has three basins with narrows between each. There are weedbeds leading into these narrows, try those weed edges for walleye. The south end of the lake has a nice bed that held some eyes as well. I remember tossing cranks to these edges as well as slip floating leeches and getting into a few eyes. I didn't find the walleye in Elephant but did get some largies working the weedbeds (I recall most of the lake shallow and weedy). Smallies where caught in the north end where the rock channel lies. This was back when there were no pike in there. The narrows between Elephant and Benoir hosts a lot of cover to work for largies as well (used to be the case). Goodluck!

Could of been the tale I was recalling. I still can't get over the catch. If there was a decent population I would have had a follow or caught a juvenile with all the time of spent down there fishing pike and browns. Coaster brookie at Streetsville - that's awesome!

Haha, no Highdrifter. The fish was in and out quick and took off like a champ apparently. That pic was taken by an innocent by standard. I went down to see the pics asap b/c it's a huge rarity and quite the surprise to see!

I've fished there for years and years and have never witnessed a musky around. I think I recall some talk about one caught on the islands but nothing confirmed. I wonder if this guy traveled here or was born here. Whatever musky are around couldn't find a musky mate and chose a pike. Very cool for sure!

I received a frantic call yesterday aft while at work from a friend who was fishing. He said he thinks he just caught I tiger. I couldn't believe this so I left work, grabbed some gear and headed down to meet him and scope the pics. I've never caught a tiger before but this definitely looks like one. Unbelievable to have caught one in this area. What do you think? Tiger?

Mike, great report and amazing photography. Thanks for sharing.

Incredible trip!!! Thanks a lot for posting that awesome report, couldn't help but read the whole thing in Awww. Sounds like heaven.

Gary, think we might be on the same lake if I recall your home waters. I'll be starting out of the west. Good fishin!