JoshS

I'll be fishing the same north kawartha lake I've been doing the past 4 openers. Although bass has taken the back seat for me the last 2 years, I'm loosing sleep this week in anticipation of that sun rising Saturday. My first cast will be a wacky rigged senko to a rock ledge that I know will cough up a few smallies. Then top water and spinnerbait over some weed flats then on to the pitching. Can't wait!!

Sounds like it's a bad idea. I am thinking this would be a very last resort if necessary. What do you do if the fish cannot swim back down? Anything that can be done to help?

I think the 401 to 115/35 route is the best. The 401 is always going to have traffic starting in Pickering in heavy travel times where the express and collectors merge but usually can get through it in 20 mins (depending on when you're in it) and the rest you're cruising.

Very cool. I've never fished Gar but now really want to! That first one is a pig.

Sweet ski!! Sounds like it was an awesome trip.

The fish came off an edge, probably was sitting at depths over 15ft. Water temps were around 68 that day. The stress from the livewell and boat ride probably did it in however the reason why I thought it was a bladder issue was because the fish tried to swim down numerous times but would come back belly up, it definitely looked like it had a belly full of air. It still had a lot of kick in it coming out of the livewell and weigh-in was quick. Still going to have to re-think that tourny and making the run to weigh in the big ones before it's too late.

Just found this on youtube if you want to see it in action:

Has anyone ever had to fizz a big pike or musky? I caught some big pike at a pike tourny a few weeks ago and one fish looked like it needed to be fizzed. I did not want to mess around poking holes into the fish, nor did the tourny members (or they didn't want to show us to bump us down!). I guess I should of at least tried because the fish had to be given away for dinner unfortunately. It was in the livewell for 30 mins and went on a 15 minute run in the boat back to the weigh-in. I've heard of this happening to musky too however it hasn't happened to me yet. I'd love to know what to do if it does. Has this happened to anyone and what do you do if it does?

I've actually seen this twice! Once 12 years ago and again 4 years back. Both times on the same body of water, at night, and both times large thick female pike over 35 inches. The second time I saw it, it was a super calm, very bright night and I could see the thing coming from a mile away toward the dock, I thought it was a beaver until it almost ran into the dock. It must of had it's head out of the water for close to ten minutes. The digesting theory sounds good but the fact this happened at night with Pike kind of discounts that because doubtful those pike are eating (although it was a very bright night the second night, cannot remember the first). Very strange sight for sure.

Nice boat man!! I got mine in Michigan too for (what I think was) an awesome deal, way less expensive then what used boats were going for north of the border. The site I used the most was jaxed.com which used to scour ebay, craigslist, kijiji - but I think craigslist is now banned on the site. I used to type "sitemash lund" into google - for example if I was looking for a Lund - and use the first jaxed link that pops up. Where did you get the cover done?

We did ok last weekend. I managed 5 out of 6 in the boat but only 1 in the 40s. Took a lot of time off Saturday to do some stuff around my friends cottage and take a drive to grab my boat in the afternoon which cut into the time out on opening day unfortunately but fished all daylight hours Sunday. Fished through some decent rains all weekend but all fish came in the calm before the storm. My friend threw bucktails quite a bit but spinnerbaits were getting more action and the bulldawg took the two biggest fish. My firsts on the bulldawg! It was strange, I threw it on and had a lot of confidence in it for some reason, and it's a bait that you need confidence in if you've ever seen one, which kept me from switching baits for around 45 mins, and it then took two fish 15 mins apart. Now it's all I can think about haha! I had to take a weekend off fishing but I'll be out there next week and can't wait.

I got the TJ Skip.. 2003 with 94000km on it.

Thanks guys. It's been a dream of mine for a long time to have the boat+truck combo and freedom to fish whatever waters I choose. I got all excited about my new ride and just assumed it would handle towing, which it sounds like it does just fine. I'm just getting into the truck+boat game.. and MAN DOES IT FEEL GOOD! Got into some nice ski's this weekend bc of that truck! Looking forward to a lot of km's and a lot of fish this season. Andy - enjoy the new ride as much as I will. It seems to tow ok, not a ton of power (i.e. I put it in 4th going up inclines on the highway) but seems to do the job just fine. Plus it's a fun little truck to drive! Your son will like it.

How are TJ's for towing? I went ahead and bought the car Friday. Got a good deal on it and needed a ride fast lol and everything looked good and checked out mechanically. Maybe I jumped the gun a little bc after researching the towing capacity, it states 2000lbs... It's the full size wranglers that I previously looked up, not the sport TJs. I'm towing a 16ft aluminum with a 75hp two stroke. My boat weighs 730lb dry and motor 280lb. Should I be concerned? I towed a little this weekend and seems fine but want to be on the safe side.

I put my rods on an angle going back from the front passenger side. The car I use now is a honda fit and I can get my rods in but barely. Hoping the Jeep has more room.

Thanks Skip, will do. I know you're up that way and collect those things so don't go buying it now! Here's a good question: Do 8 foot musky rods fit in a TJ?

That's a nice offer Dave, hope someone took you up on it... Could learn a lot from you. How'd you make out?

Thanks Slayer, the seller is arranging for this. Good tip.

I'm not comfortable with anything.. I honestly have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to cars Apparently it is the wifes car, body is in good shape, never been off roading etc. It has less than 100k on it in 9 years so not driven a lot. I'm going to get it checked out at a shop Friday and still shopping around... But comparable to what I've seen out there, this ones seems to be the best.

Glad to see you guys are having a good time on this thread Think this is the one: http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Jeep/Wrangler/ORILLIA/Ontario/19_5437645_/ What do you guys think? I'm kind of sold on the Wranglers look and always wanted one. I've spent many hours online researching and going back and forth with sellers. Hopefully it checks out. Price seems right. Wish me luck. Thanks again for the help, always can count on some good advice here...

The Tranx look and feel pretty sweet... But the Calcutta is proven to be great. I have one over 12 years now and can't see it ever dying.

Thought someone strung up a musky for the table haha. Pretty neat..

Use the wind to your advantage and it's all about where you setup on the spot. Use the off engine as a guide to turn you slightly when needed. I can't believe I used to fish without a trolling motor !

Really appreciate all the feedback, some great advice. Still looking hard.... Anyone know how the Wrangler is on fuel in the city?

You should enter the Muskoka pike fishing tourny next year. Nice fish!!!