Old Ironmaker

Adam, boats are not pickup trucks or trailers. Look at the capacity of the trailer and know what the gross weight of the boat is if you can with the motor. Boats coming out of a dealer are very closely matched to the weight of the boat. A few extra items in a boat like a few coolers is reasonable, loading it up like it is a mini van is not recommended. Go to iboats.com and read the sticky at the op of the General Forum page for buying a used boat. I have copied and pasted it here numerous times. Go to NADA.com which is the Blue Book for recreational vehicles and find out the general worth of that boat. Boat prices vary from county to county let alone country to country. My opinion, rent a trailer and take your time buying a boat. I have a rule, never buy a snowmobile in the Yukon or a boat down south.

Mushroom Risotto, what do ya think?

You can do that too. It's called a boat ride.

It was fun Rick. My pal since grade 9 and father to my God Daughter Dominic was complaining about having to put minnows on steady because the water was cold, 48F. I would complain if I didn't need to.

Took the run to Georgina from here yesterday AM. Haven't been on Simcoe since Wayne Gretzky's first game with the Oilers, a long time ago. We went out of Bonnie Marina after picking up 6 scoops of minnows at the bait shop in town. She puts them in good quality plastic bags which I like, varied sizes from 2" Emerald Shinners to 3" ers. Very lively, only a few floaters all day. We did't go but 200 yards from the slip. Between the rock outcropping and the Ramada. Only 3 boats there all day and a dozen folks fishing the pier. 2 men in each boat and 50 each from 8AM to 1PM, not fast and furious but steady. The small guys that we tossed back unless gut hooks hit like Musky, the fish 7" plus hit so soft you had to be sharp. More than a few 12". I'd say average was 10", nice eaters. I found best was to hook them through the back. Dead headless minnows worked as well. We set up in 8 feet of water and never moved once in 5 hours. Buddy in his Lowe moved every 20 minutes. He's an antsy kind of guy. I have pictures but you guys know what a big recycle box of perch look like. We gutted and cut the fillets off in the park. I need to clean the rest of the fish now. Fun Wow!! A local said there will be 100 boats in the area on the weekend. Simple, easy fishing. I'm used to taking a 10 mile run out to get to fish. A long Bass boat with 3 guys pulled up when we were leaving and were tossing jigs and spinners and were hauling them in before we hoisted anchor.

Whom ever "owns" the boat decides. I would say that you aren't letting enough line out for starts. At 10 meters your lure is close to the prop wash that will effect the swim of the tackle and may spook fish. Now on the other hand if you are trolling for Musky you "might" want your presentation in the prop wash. Like has been said here "it all depends", many things to consider. A Dipsy simply takes the lure to the side of a boat and controls depth. They are not only for big lake longlining. Invest in a few "mini" Dipsy's, I don't know why more inland lake guys like on the Kawartha's don't use them. The small ones are about 2" in diameter, not sure the number 1 or 3. Speed is so important in trolling I can't stress it enough. But what speed, 1.5 miles an hour, 3 or 4 MPH, or anything in between. Before you let line out, don't cast the line out let it out beside the boat. I don't know how many times I trolled with a bait that wasn't tracking properly because a hook or swivel was fouled up. Before you let the line out let enough line out where you can see how the plug or spinner etc. is tracking in the water. If you like it look at your speed, if it doesn't look right adjust your speed. A ruke of thumb here longlining on Erie for Pics and Trout is 1.5 to 2.0 MPH for worm harnesses, for minnow baits and spoons 2.3 to 3 MPH, of course that all depends on what the fish want. Play with speeds and when they hit make note of your speed. Don't pick a speed and stay with it, change it up, speed up, looks like a bait trying to get away from a predator, slow down, looks like an injured baitfish. Make subtle turns, zig zag, stop the engine and put it back in gear. I have never seen baitfish go in the exact same direction for long periods of time and maintain the same speed. Think like a baitfish and think like a predator fish. Trolling isn't going for a boat ride.

Some of the best fishing we ever had was on the Ottawa when levels were so high we were fishing on what is usually Islands in 3 feet or less of water. The bait available to them, grubs, worms, frogs etc. that usually wasn't available must have been like a smorgasbord for both Pics and Pike. I'm talking double headers one after another. I like higher than normal levels unless the water is like mud soup. Then it can be tough but not impossible. My go to for Pike this time of year are "Bushwhackers" with some trailing rubber, now known as Spinner baits. You can't beat the old tried and true Red and White Dare Devil. Eppinger brand, no Chinese knock offs. Good luck my man. Hammer em' real good. A bit off topic, of course, can you use 2 rods per person on Georgian bay as is Lake O and Erie?

Yes Siree. Troll to locate then cast away to your hearts content. This time of year trolling for Pike can be snaggy where Mr. and Mrs. Pike are sunning them selves in shallow water. Now when you get to be as old as your Dad and I ask me then, well I probably won't hear you, why old fellas like trolling? Especially when casting those bricks the Essox guys call lures.

I'm a Scotty guy. Never a problem. They are mounted right in the gunnel. Easy in easy out and like others have snagged up on bottom more than once. For under 30 bucks each I don't think you can beat them.

The truck is parked with the StarCraft Superfisherman 190 (nothing precocious about that name eh?)all hooked up and pointing towards Lake Simcoe. We are leaving from Hamilton at 04:30 to beat the traffic so we don't use the 407. 2 boats going, 2 men in a boat. Being the morning person I am I had to ask my wife what time the Sun's up this time of year. I think we will be waiting a bit before we start dip netting for minnows. Man these retired guys are cheap. Buddy says to me "If we do really well we can spend the night and hit them again in the AM". "Do you know of a motel Jackson's Point way?" I inquire with a bit of surprise in my voice?" he replies "Oh we can just sleep in the truck". Have a nice rest Dom I will wake you in the morning and I will have some coffee on in my room. This is a guy that I have known since the 1st football practice day 1 of grade 9. He collects classic cars. His newest purchase was the same model car he drove in high school. 65' Malibu, mint, black on black leather with I can't imagine how many clear coats, you can use the hood to shave, like a mirror. Better have shades on when you open the hood with all the chrome on that Chevy big block pushing 400 HP, I think his had a 283. Now I know why he has done so well, and I'm so proud of Mary the girls and he, he catches his own bait and doesn't use toll roads. I should have thought of that 40 years ago. Jumbo's here we come!!!! I sure hope. Johnny D

I find it hard to believe anyone would take both the boat and the dock, any pro POS thief could easily break the largest chain with many of the battery operated tools out their today. Like it was said here they aren't the easiest boats to trailer. On the other hand like Chris said it is very unlikely a pontoon boat would sink to the bottom so quickly. The lake being only 15' deep some of that boat would be sticking up out of the water. Are there any back bays it may have drifted into? Strange to say the least. We live in the cottage full time now. More and more folks are downsizing and winterizing and doing some big remodelling and are living here on the point full time now. No one lived here full time when we bought 21 years ago. Theft back then every winter was a regular thing. It was mostly country kids with nothing better to do looking for booze and a party. There hasn't been a break in in the last 17 years since we moved here full time. Most that come on weekends are former owners of northern properties and I would say 75% are from the GTA. There is no better theft security than neighbours. When we weren't here years back I kept lights on timers and a car that didn't run well but looked like it did in the driveway at all times, I went so far that a current sticker was on the vehicle and moving it occasionally. A local High School kid cleaned snow to the doorway and kept the driveway clear and the car cleaned off. In exchange I gave him a key and he and his pals could have a place to hang out and they left the place cleaner than they found it. My brother does the same thing at their cottage on Georgian Bay as do many here now.

Not good news. What's the hull ID number?

There's enough vehicle theft where Tom S. a I live has the highest percentage of vehicle theft in the country according to a recent Hamilton Spec. article. The Cops know exactly who steals them and where they end up. 5 vehicles have been stolen from the lot at my wife's store this year. I wonder why my phone can take HD videos and store security cameras take grainier pictures than a 1910 silent movie?

Not all successful people are the sharpest tools in the shed. In fact some of the most intelligent people I have been around have zero common sence.

You mean to say it's a company vehicle that is yours to use exclusively? Nice. Usually all the trucks we had inside the plant were OK but zero bling, manual windows, no carpeting not even A/C, yours is bling on bling. A word to the wise Rick, my good friend was in sales and had a beautiful car that was a company vehicle. Hid daughter borrowed it with his permission and totalled it. In the fine print of his lease agreement she was not covered to drive it, him and him alone or another employee of the company. To his amazement he wasn't even supposed to drive it unless on specific company business. After that happened everyone at his office and others I know that had company vehicles including myself for a time got a rude awakening. Ask and if they say yes get it in writing.

Just a sad, sad story. Maybe preventable, maybe not. Rice can kick up without warning, most lakes can in fact, some more than others. Let us all learn through all these tragedies we hear of almost weekly here in Ontario. With the warmer weather coming we will hear about more as time goes on. Don't let these people die in vain. My condolences to family and friends of the diseased. I seem to be saying that too often.

You are going to sell it to your Dad or Brother for what its worth? Wow, nice. I gave my brother a car for his 16th B Day and my father and mother a condo for their 70th. edit, in Florida. edit again, I must be an idiot.

You sound like the guys at the Steel Plant that would never drive their good vehicles in there. OK to bring our frail human bodies in there but never our shiny cars and trucks, C'mon Man! If it's good enough foe me my Vette is fine. That is one nice ride Rick, congrats. A coat of New Finish once every few or 3 years will keep it looking new forever. With the new clear coats out of the GM factories no wax required. Not for the unfortunate, for owners repairing daily (FORD) or the goat trucks. Imagine naming a line of tuff trucks Goats, bhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Ketchin, I am going on 63 years old, hopefully. I can remember being around 5 and my Mother telling me to eat my peas because children in Africa are starving. We obviously have not been doing much good in the last 58 years with the Africa famine problem. What is the definition of insanity again? It will only cost Lucas 15 bucks minimum where we are to go to the land fill, which is really a fine recycling depot. Takes me 20 minutes to dump my 1/2 ton truck of stuff in all the proper bins, and fuel for him to go 25 minutes drive to it and return. No wonder people here dump all there crap on the side of the road every garbage day. I caught a guy dumping his living room in front of my place a while ago. I was almost charged with threating death, long story, good ending. Let the township take it there is what most do.

Man, sounds like rocket science. Learn something every day. All I know is if mine is plugged I can't fill the tank with it not overflowing every few seconds. Diurnal? Not sure. How will I know Spooled?

The 50 buck offer is off the table. The MTD that won't start is under warranty and I am going to bring it into the local MTD authorized repair guy that I actually know and fishes with me once and a while, small world. I found the receipt and paid $199.99 for new with a 2 year limited warranty. My offer is 25 bucks now Lucas including a new gas cap and dip stick. You are going to pay 15 bucks to take it to land fill 25 miles away to Dunnville. Next time you see one, leave it there. I've been where you are before.

People around the lake here are getting Ticks without walking in the high grass. Beware.

If I get wet running (actually walking faster than a crawl) from the truck to wherever I can guarantee I will get a cold now. Fishing in the rain = pneumonia.

Rich a Ford, why oh why, the humanity. I haven't seen those chromed slot wheels on any Chev after 2012. Interesting. Looking closer yes she is similar but has the rear bumper step up that I really need, actually I need a ladder now to get in the box. I'm really surprised a northern boy like you has never had a pick up. Living on the 36th floor in a downtown apt in 76' I had a pick up. Nice ride Bassman. My last truck was a 89' Sierra, she went away with 600,000 K's on her. GM gave me 3500 bananas on a GM loyalty trade in. And other than all the body metal gone it ran like new, the frame was solid still.

Well at least now I know you have good taste in both women and trucks. I drive a 2011 silver grey Chevy Silverado, crew cab, with the chrome package including running boards. First "new" vehicle I ever bought for myself. Actually it was a gift from Tich. Based on the chrome wheels it is close to if not a 011'. Welcome to the F-150 and Ram killers club Richard. I can't give you any advise on what can go wrong because I haven't had to do anything outside normal service every 12000 KMS. Tires, brakes are all normal wear and tear. Changed front pads last week at 110,000 KMS and put new tires on, Cooper Discovery. The Discovery's are more aggressive than the all seasons that came with it new. The only thing hat happened within he first 10,000K was rear brake adjustment and a slight leak in the rear gear case. Don't forget to run her in 4X4 high once and a while as well as low for a few hundred meters. Congrats on buying a real truck.