Alumacraft

addikted you have too remember that all the hook makers use the system of the larger the # the smaller the hook but, their sizes will not be the same. A # 8 mustad 92141 is actual smaller than a size #12 raven specialist. There is even a difference in size from the same company if you look at a # 12 raven specialist and a #12 octopuss the #12 octopuss hook is much smaller.So depending on the hook maker no a #8 is not too big. I personally run Mustads 92141 in #8's also mustad 9523 in #10,12, and14's I also use Raven's specialist #10 & 12 and a #12 octopuss. Hope this clears up your confusion Rob

KW Mike it's nice to see another papermaker on here. I've been a proud canadian papermaker for 28 years and counting. I've worked in 2 different mills for 6 different companies. I'm currently at Abitibi/Bowater in Thorold. I work on the paper machines as a 5th hand(mike will understand what i mean). We produce newsprint. Mike what do you do at your mill ? Rob

Not too highjack the thread but I also had a Gulp ??? are these bait fairly durable or are they a 1 fish bait

Topwaters crankbaits and spinnerbaits try fishing fast first to see if there any aggressive fish around if not slow down let the fish tell you how they want the bait presented

quote name='jwl' date='Jan 24 2009, 10:06 PM' post='296915'] . I got late this afternoon for a bit on a friends boat and man was it freekin cold, first off had to shove some big ice chunks out of the way at the launch, The launch could not have been too bad as I spent at least a hour on friday busting it up with a spud. I cleaned as much as I could till I thought my arms were going to fall off. That ice right at the water had to be 8" thick and hard as a rock. I was 2 for 4 and my dad lost one at his feet. Heres a pic of one of mine on Friday [

Cram I went thru this last year about this time as my buddy had purchased a cottage on Nosbonsing. Unfortunately there are no actual hydrographic maps available (not that I could find anyway) but I did find 2 maps online that I ordered. I don't know if you were looking for one to download but I could not find one of those either. Of the 2 that I ordered the best one was from here http://www.fishingmapsplus.com/.On this site click maps and look for Nippissing county. I also found this one http://www.adventurefishingmaps.on.ca/. On this site click complete list and prices then click on northern Ontario. I believe they both sell them for around $10, they are both laminated and waterproof (that is until your kids damn cat chews on one of the corners). The one from fishing maps plus has much more detail than the other one from adventure fishing maps. If you are going to order one I would definitely recommend the one from fishing maps plus.Cram I have only fished this lake a couple of times but if you have any other questions about Nosbonsing I'll do my best to answer them. I hope this helps you in your search Rob

The coldest I've fished was -29 with the wind chill and that was after climbing down the Niagara Glen fishing at pebbly beach for steelhead. I lasted about 4 hours my buddy wimped out after 1 hour. If I remember correctly I ended up with 6 nice trout. Now I pick and choose my days.

My dad is going too be 82 years old in April and he is still going strong.Here he is this past week fishing Port D for trout ( he went 5 for 10 1 bow 3 browns and 1 salmon) He has his aches and pains but he loves his fishing, he still goes on his walleye week with his old fishing buddies up too Horwood and still walks the Bluejay in the spring for Bows. We get out as often as possible on the Niagara all winter for the Bows. Here's a shot of him wading the niagara a few years back That picture was taken by a friend of mine Loonie King who writes for Ontario Out of Doors and that picture was used in the magazine for the destinations advertisment for Niagara. That is my dad on the left side in the green shirt if you look close I'm right behind him you can barely see me and thats my buddy Johnny on the right. My dad was so thrilled he was in a magazine, We got in touch with OOoD"s and the sent him a beautiful 8 x 10 which he has framed in his den. I have him to blame for my fishing obsession and love of the outdoors and I can only hope that I'll be able to keep fishing into my 80's. Thanks Dad

I prefer the Michigan handle I find it lets me fight the fish with less strain on the wrist and in the uber cold months your not holding onto metal reel seat which can get very cold.

Hdefjunkie the difference in construction maybe the gauge of almuminum used. Also there is probably a second bottom hull plate and bow plate on the trophy. Some models have double bow and hull plates some only have double bow plate depends on the model and length.The Dominator 17.5 probably has a second bow plate and hull plate the diference maybe the thickness of the second plate. Ask for a cataloge from Alumacraft and read the spec's section you'll get all the info you need to compare the different models. I have had my Magnum for 5 years and I love it. It handles the water great nice dry ride. No feed back steering is awsome, mine has a huge livewell, lots of well layed out storage, nice wide carpeted gunnels. Which ever Alumacraft you decide on you won't be disappointed. Rob

I picked mine up at Seaway Marine in Whitby

Here is mine 2001 Alumacraft Magnum 165 /2004 90HP Yamaha 4 str.

Mike good luck on getting that first one. If you get your first one your going to become obsessed with them just like the rest of us Musky nuts. You may have to change your name too "Mike the Musky" LOL. Good luck and have a great vacation. Rob

Ken I'll be staying at my buddies cottage on McConnell point. He does rent it out PM me if you want some info on the rental prices. Have you found a preference as to what the Muskies like bait wise? I'm not looking for your hot spots I've been studying the map and have lots of spots I can not wait to fish. Just wondering if theres a local hot bait or a color pattern? Mike I'll be launching out of Astorville we,re closer to the west end of the lake. Mike maybe when you get back you could send me PM and let me know how the weeds are and the water temps. Thanks for the replies guys Rob

Heading up to Nosbonsing the first week of Sept. for some Musky hunting and family vacation.It will be my first time fishing Musky on this lake. I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction as to local favorites on baits. Are there any baits and or color patterns that the Muskies prefer on Nosbonsing? Thanks Rob

The most fun you can have is when your musky fishing and dragging a 9"-2 3/4oz storm jig on 80lb Power Pro with a 90lb seven strand leader and snag bottom while drifting in the current(3-4 mph or more) of the Upper Niagara river by yourself. It's just insane you get sucked into the snag try to pop it out real fast if that does not work then the real fun begins.I have to back off the drag as fast as possible and get the main motor started and into gear and get the boat going up stream faster than the current is trying to pull you downstream. When I've got the boat moving against the current I've got to get the drag tightened down and start reeling in my slack line, but while your doing that your not steering the boat which is still in gear and moving upstream.You have to becareful the current doesn't turn the boat into your line.Once you have control of your line and your boat you just jam your thumb into the spool to stop any line slipping off and with your rod pointed staight at the snag keep driving upstream until you pull the jig out of the snag or your line breaks.I would say I get 90% of my jigs back, but sometimes without the hook.The first few times you have to do this it's alittle scary but after you do it a couple of times you get used to it and everything becomes routine. Rob

Don't target Musky unless you have all the proper gear (heavy rods,heavy line,heavy leaders,proper net,proper release tools). Muskies will become too stressed out when fought on tackle that is too light and will most likely die even if it is only a Scugog Muskie.

just a word of caution do not trust those lund rails and rod holders for grinding bottom with big musky baits my buddy has broken 2 of them.

I fish topwater baits all day long doesn't matter if it's cloudy or sunny I'm addicted to them.I like Spooks,Jimmy's,Sammy's, Boyhowdy's,Dying Flutters, Devilshorse,Moss Boss's and Buzzbaits. I have some popper stlye baits but I don't seem to do as well on those. Colours don't matter as long as it has a white belly. I like to throw them on a baitcasting setup med/heavy rod and 20lb power pro. I'm hoping for light winds on Erie sat. for the opener. Last years opener was great no winds topwater bite was on all day I think I landed 60 smallies and can not guess at how many blowups I had. They are the most fun way to fish. Good luck to all fishing the opener.

I was hoping to hit Erie for a day of topwater fishing but the forecast is for 40k winds from the south west, so I grabbed some O/T at work instead. I'll find some calm conditions thru the week and go.

I believe the original poster deleted the thread because it was pointed out that he was fishing for muskies and the season was infact still closed.

They are the best boats on the market bar none. I've had my 165sc Magnum 5 years now and have never had one problem with it. I will be an Alumacraft owner for life.

Bill I used to feel the same way you do about the rod position with a shorter rod, but I picked up a 7'6" Compre last year and I love it. Now I find that I move the rod less to move the bait the same distance, which is alot easier on the body. Also with the longer rod the extra length leaves the rod in a better position for a hookset at the end of a pull. I run a high speed reel for my jerkbait rod so I can pick up the slack line faster between pulls. I run my WTD topwaters on one of my bucktail rods which is 7'3" with a softer tip than the jerkbait rods.Give it sometime before you give up on the longer rod you might just find that after you use it for awhile you might like it. Rob

They were anywhere from 26'- 15' deep

The bait was maybe 2 1/2" - 3" .