Old Ironmaker

Because of the carp? Not really, I haven't seen a bed abandoned by a male bass here in a long while, none this year. The odd small carp will get too close and the male just hammers them in the side. The rest of the carp are too busy making little carp. The same goes for sheepshead and gar pike when they get too close. I'm not saying this because I read it somewhere, I watch them like they are in an aquarium, counted 17 beds this year out front. Biologists should get into the field a bit more and look for themselves, this invading bass beds from other species is overblown. 5 years ago a group of students from Guelph spent the spring here watching, counting and tagging. They came back the next year to ascertain whether the fish returned to spawn in the same area. They did not. Sorry to hijack this thread.

The bass are off their beds here in my area of Lake Erie, saw the last jumper Friday past. Based on water temp I was sure they would still be on the beds. The water was very clear this afternoon and I don't see any. It has been a strange spring. Only saw a few carp last month, they are so thick here they can keep you awake at night with all the commotion. None this year, which is a good thing.

I knew you could tell it better than I Albert, besides I'm so tired from watching my wife shovel and rake 4 yards of topsoil. It was actually Pt. Bruce that we launched from. But I know you might have bumped your head in the way overboard. Do you remember me asking if the water temp was actually 62°? The look on your face lad is something I have witnessed only a hand full or times in my life, usually after a large explosion at the plant. We will get together on the water soon. I will however be checking the butt seat on your Ranger. I checked today and with enough wieght the post did come off the mount. I'm thinking of welding a pipe on the mount, then I see someone tripping on it if the seat is out and going for a dunk. Then again I don't tip the scales as much as I did years ago. Two words for you kid, Jenny Craig. I can be such a smart ass, sorry couldn't resist.

The first new vehicle I ever bought was my Silverado in 2011, probably an impulse buy on the way home from the Oncologists with not great news. I'm looking at them at Haldimand motors now with slightly more K's and based on what I paid after all the PDI, etc etc. I want to cry. I have always bought slightly used and not regretted it. Do the math, next time around if there is a next time it will be slightly used again. The most impressive vehicle I have ever owned is the 07 Nissan Altima my wife is driving. And I have owned them all, from Jags, Benz's, Caddies, BMW to Pontiacs. Bought it in June 08 with 29000K's, so about 16 months new. What a tank, and it flies with the 300 hp 3.5 L. Basic maintenance and that's it. Never had a mechanical problem, ever. Now has 240000 K and it looks new. We live on the north shore of Erie and she commutes down these poorly plowed country roads, with real winter snow tires it's the energizer bunny. If considering a Altima you must get the 3.5L engine. 8.5 L/100 K averaging 60K per hour. Please take one for a drive. With all the extended warranties today a year old car will have 4 to 6 years left on the factory warranty. Just make sure it was never a fleet lease or rental. A Kia Soul? My 83 year old next door neighbours bought one last fall, she thinks it's so cute. Like a steelworker driving a Miata, Soul, Na Cliff don't do it, you will lose the Big in Big Cliff.

I would like to know too. I copy and pasted the article from the Globe and Mail.

Big miscommunication, I didn't get any PM's after the first few, maybe when they were changing the site format? Anyhoo no harm no foul. We'll get out soon. Johnny D.

HTHM, Should you tell them or shall I? Met Albert for the first time yesterday and set out from Pt. Bruce for some jumbo perch, which were fortunate to find a few. I knew the trip was going to be memorable when we had a fire on board after 2 minutes in the water. So that really would be 2 attempts to end his life after knowing me for a few hours. I'll let Albert tell the rest. Should make for a good read. Johnny D. No way I can get that seat to come out today, no way.

Sorry tablet has gone nuts. Lost post. Hook them through the eyes. Man I hate windows 8. Or it's the Asus tablet.

Ppp'pppppp

I can't wait to see what you've done. Another guy on the tube on Saturday mornings I can yell to my wife, " Look, look, I know that guy!!!!" and she will say " sort of right?".

Jerk baits are the guys I didn't really like when I was younger but were chick magnets so I let them hang around.

Rich, I PM'd you a while back when my barge was ready and was BLOCKED!!!!!!! I can get a hint. I was out to PT. Bruce today with a member from here for jumbos, actually the Ranger man, and he broke my bow butt seat, ask him. He didn't block my PM. Maybe a computer error? Seriously Albert is the man to talk about bass boat rehab. An expert right here for you to soak up real info and lives very close by. He is the type of guy to mentor you. Saving money on a restoration might be an oxymoron. It can be done. I have turned sows ears into silk purses on some homes over the years. If I hadn't I'd still be making iron somewhere probably. Don't let anyone tell you it's impossible. A few OT shifts would help but nothing is impossible, look at Albert's Ranger for example, before and after. You just have to decide what your budget is, where can you do it, what do you have at your disposal in tools, time and barter, and how much sweat equity you can put into it. I'm not the guy that will help you sand and paint but am the guy to get you the sanding pads and paint at cost. I know a guy that did a body off resto on a 55 Chevy and his girlfriend had left him for 2 weeks before he noticed. And took his headlights. How did you make out with the inflatable Sea Eagle by the way? What did you think about Albert's Ranger project?

Carbuncklements, Ozzie Giacomelli's term for backlashes. RIP.

http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=40590&hl=+here%20+1985%20+ranger&page=4 Read that post. HTHM's resto of a basket case Ranger. He is the man! PM him. He made a silk purse out of a sows ear. You won't believe how this beauty turned out. Johnny D

Spray 9 cleaner for light water stains. Cap't Phab if that doesn't work.

Mine is covered under my homeowners policy. I have a photo of each tray and all tackle in case of loss.

90% of all batteries are made by Johnson controls and marketed by many, Kirkland and Nautilus for example. I don't like dual purpose and my guy at the marina agrees. For your budget you will get a great battery and not worry about it. The difference in a $89.99 and $199.99 is the number of times it is able to take a full charge from dead as one of the main cost differences. There are many threads here with much information to read for buying new batteries, the folks here sure helped me this spring, I know more about batteries now. A marine battery is specific, a general auto battery works but there are differences. Do a search on this site. Something I saves from the Globe and mail The major difference is the ability of each type to discharge. You see, batteries only store energy, they do not create it. They simply accept energy (amperage pushed by a voltage), from whatever device has been connected to it to supply this energy (the charging system or an external battery charger). A car battery is primarily designed to provide a large amount of current to get an engine started, and that's pretty much it. Once started, the battery just sits there being fed by the charging system to supply it with the energy that was lost during the starting (cranking) process. Dave, this is why they are called cranking batteries or engine start batteries. They can pump out large amounts of energy or current or amperes very quickly - but only for a short time. They supply little if any energy once the engine is running. On the other hand, a Marine battery is designed for a couple of purposes - some call it a hybrid - a cross between a cranking and a "house" battery. House batteries are used extensively in recreational vehicles of all types and are not expected to supply large amounts of cranking energy. However, they are capable of supplying energy (or discharging) over very long periods of time. Not only are marine batteries expected to crank over an engine, they are also required to supply energy for lighting, pumps, sound systems and anything else that might be essential for comfort or safety while out on the water. As might be expected, these batteries can supply a combination of large amounts of cranking energy followed by a continuous supply of energy to keep accessories running. The marine battery is capable of doing this through different construction techniques. As car and marine batteries are both categorized as "flood-acid batteries", that is, the internal components are immersed in a solution of sulphuric acid and water called electrolyte, the easiest and cheapest parts to modify are the sets of energy storing plates that are immersed in the electrolyte. Marine battery plates are thicker than conventional batteries. This is one of the contributing factors to the increased cost of a marine battery. But hey, if you really want to spend more, Dave, get the top-of-the-line batteries and shock-proof the plates by imbedding them in epoxy. Anyone that has spent time in rough water will appreciate shock resistance in a boat. Other differences show up on the labels that are glued to batteries. Cranking batteries are rated for the following: Amp hours (Ah) or 20-hour rate is a measure of current that drains the battery capacity in 20 hours to a voltage point of 10.5 volts at 80F. Cold Cranking Amps (CCA), or Cold Cranking Power (CCP) is the maximum discharge current in amps that a new, fully charged 12 volt battery at 0F can deliver for 30 seconds and maintain a voltage of 7.2 volts. Reserve Capacity (RC), or Peak Capacity (PC) is a measure of time to discharge a fully charged battery at 25 amperes, at 80F down to an end voltage of 10.5V. (Almost similar to Ah rating.) Marine Batteries are rated for: Marine Cranking Amps (MCA), which is the same test procedure as Cold Craning Amps except that the test temperature is 32F. (This test is done warmer as a car is expected to operate in more severe operating temperatures). Batteries lose efficiencies the colder they get. Another way to look at it is who in their right mind is going to out in a boat in subzero temps anyway? Previously mentioned ratings other than CCA. This part can be a little confusing as there are often different combinations of the ratings depending on the manufacturer. But, this is one case where Go Big or Go Home really works. The larger the numbers for battery ratings, the more reliable it will be as long as the right battery is pressed into the right service. Oh, a parting thought. Contrary to popular belief, batteries will NOT discharge through a concrete floor. Putting a battery on a piece of wood simply insulates the bottom of the battery from the cold.

Rich, I should have said a drop off in relative close proximity to a weed line or reed covered shoreline. I guess they move to their ambush points back and forth with using as little energy as possible. Fish are lazy to save calories. Like some of us.

Like I said I don't want to ruffle any feathers. I'm glad a parent is going along.

That spot in the middle of the back you can't get to. There used to be a product called Calmitol that worked wonders and can't get it anymore. Shoppers sells something called Afterbite. I don't leave home without it. One in the car, truck, boat, golfbag and tackle box. As soon as you feel a bite or see one put a bit on, no more itch. As long as it's not in the middle of your back where you can't reach.

Why offer this opportunity to a young person only? I don't want to ruffle any feathers here but it would be a cold day in hell before I let my 15 year old go off with someone I don't know from Adam.

I second the motion to try a drop off closest to shore that drops to at least 25'. There is a method I remember reading an article authored by Gord Pyzer, he called it the "do nothing" method. He worked the weeds with large plastics and let the thing sit for 30 seconds minimum. He also dragged it down the drop off with the same do nothing approach for Northerns.

Over power changes all the dynamics of the hull design, both in the propulsion aspects as well as the metallurgical loads on the hull. You do need a new prop but to tune that boat overpowered without auto trim will be a chore. I have seen videos of over powered aluminum and steel hulls twist like a pretzel. Be careful. In fact I highly recommend a larger boat or smaller powerplant. Notice any leaks lately?

I got into the habit as soon as I start the truck while hauling I hit the tow button, switching OD off. I will hit it again if merging onto traffic if need be, but off when Towing, always. I had 500K on the old GMC with original tranny and that beast towed car trailers for years and always had it on D2, hills or no hills. I watched my RPM closely and saw no difference on the highway. I think selecting OD off is a good habit to get in.

A what will get better? Get better for sure. Aaron will you be a regular or is this some guest appearances?