tonyb

The problem is inexperience, many guys will go out just because someone else is out there. It's never a good idea to be on ice adjacent to open water first of all, and more importantly not when the wind is blowing hard (40KM/Hr today) towards open water! Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I cut off the factory hooks, then add a small split ring (size #0 or #1) and better hooks on Panther Martins, I'm sure you could do the same thing on the Foxies I had a hard time finding small split rings at local tackle shops when I looked, but you can certainly order them in-store or online.

If you can't find a good deal on eBay or at your local tackle retailer , Cabelas happens to have an attractive offer on them right now. 6x6 Pop-up Ice Hut - $129

I also like the idealogy of supporting the local guy, and I do when I can. However, I can tell you that nearly every single time I try, I end up frustrated and have to source multiple local shops to complete my shopping list. The local guys just can't stock everything all the time, the same way the larger warehouse type places can. Heck, I've made 'tours' in a single day to Angling Outfitters, Fishing World, Burns Fishing, Grimsby Tackle, Tall Tales and Natural Sports trying to find everything I need at that time. That's a lot of miles in support of the local guys! and those are all really great shops just mentioned by the way! For example, you'd think that in April/May when many great lakes salmon and trout anglers begin their season, that stores would stock the likely items these anglers will need replenishing. Something like size #4 or #2 2x strong treble hooks would be a pretty common one, as guys look to beef up their stickbaits for those powerful Kings. That being said, give it a test...try to find a good selection of Owner ST-41 Black Chrome treble hooks at your local tackle shop the next time you are there and post your results. Another recent example was when I wanted to replace my crappy old winter boots with a pair that will serve me for the next decade. I tried, but could not find a high-end pair of winter boots that compare to Cabelas Trans Alaska 3 I looked at Marks Work Warehouse, Canadian Tire, BassPro and some other retailers and there was nothing of comparable quality, and we're in CANADA! where winter is supposed to be coldest haha It's not always just about the price...but when product selection and availability factor in, it's hard to ignore the benefits of online shopping. I am always satisfied after shopping with Cabelas..what can I say...they serve me well.

I was going to say, that place will be minutes from my house, but I'll still make most of my purchases from Cabelas.com The wide discrepancy in pricing from retailers in this province compared to U.S. retailers is mind boggling, and not just on fishing tackle! Example on a Rapala X-Rap Shad 6 Canadian Retailer - $10.99 U.S. Retailer $8.99 (On Sale for $4.99) Spend wisely

Looks like Yellow Grub Fish Parasite...common and safe to eat once cooked. In fact, nearly all parasites found in fish aren't harmful to humans once cooked. It's just getting past the thought for most...

Looks like a great get together with the lads. That's quite the Laker Wayne, either it was very aggressive or you're maybe getting old and slow on the hooksets if it had time to eat both your lures Great pictures everyone

Interesting topic fishdawg! I have been thinking about this recently as well. Last year we saw many 'above-average' sized Alewife in our spring nets. As a result, the Salmon also seemed to be larger as well. My thinking is that with last years fat baitfish, and this lack of winter/mild winter it is having less of a detrimental impact on the fish in the lake. An easier winter on them, should theoretically mean better numbers and size as fish survive well over winter. When's your first Brown trip? should be right around the corner now... I'm looking forward to trying my luck in the derby again this year!

Looking forward to hearing the outcome, nice to have Mike alongside you to add to the perspective. Good work Ron!

Some great stories here already! I thought I would share my best year fishing. It's definately 2009. It all begain in 2004 when I decided that I wanted to own my own Lund ProV tournament boat, so I began a 5-year plan that involved saving cash, flipping a house, and buying one that had room to store a boat (once I built a garage for it)...and really truly appreciating my wife for being so understanding and supportive! I did it! and in 2009 with the boat rigged properly I began to realize that not only was it a great boat, it is a lucky boat. One of my first trips was for Channel Catfish on the Grand River in Dunnville, and the result a new Personal Best! 21.36lbs Shortly after that, it was Salmon time and the first salmon derby I competed in with some friends, we won! Lake Simcoe's residents would become harassed more than the year before... Returning the favor to Grandpa for taking me fishing when I was a kid... Highlight Moment! I have fished the Salmon Derby annually for many years, even back when it was run by The Toronto Star. I had never 'seriously' competed in it and this would be my first year giving it a serious try, in my first year with the new boat to boot! Result...33.76lbs of 1st place salmon! And the irony being that the prize was...a new boat! So it seems if you want to win a boat, you must buy one first hehe Once the Sun derby was over, it was time to take a moment to catch my breath, relax and share some time with others, like my nephew who did great for his first time out trolling! Ok...I couldn't not compete in yet another small derby called the Skyway Salmon challenge, taking home more cash! I even filmed a Perch fishing show for T.V. with my good friend Aaron, we had one of the best days I've ever experienced for size and #'s of Perch that day...this boat is Lucky! I tell ya Time to get simple, and return to my own two feet for some fun...getting to meet and fish with Solopaddler and Bunk for the first time, solid lads. Thanks to a couple generous OFC'ers, I was invited to film a TV show with In-Fisherman and Doug Stange, I also caught my first swimbait Quinte walleye. It was even my suggestion that once the trolling segment was over that we toss out the drift socks and cast at the fish we were connecting with on the troll...it worked! I think Doug was impressed by my lucky boat even And finally, ending the year off at the Niagara River, and this beauty Brown was the fish of the day for me. What an incredible year! Tony

I have to agree with what Terry and CKRB2007 said regarding the Sonar over a Flasher. I've always used a LCD Sonar and have had great success with it. LCD sonars are easier to read, your jig and the fish move vertically in the water column, like the readout. Flashers on the other hand display movemount around a 'dial', so it takes some interpretation and it's not quite as logical as the easy to read LCD. Another benefit of the new Sonars is that many come with a built-in GPS antenna. Couple that with a Navionics Chip and you have an incredible system at your disposal to explore new and old lakes alike with incredible detail of the bottom contours, and importantly your position on the lake. Simply put, the fish don't stand a chance. It's also an additional safety measure beyond your compass, should you get disoriented in a snow squall or fog. Both systems work, but I thought I would share why I personally prefer an LCD Sonar. Tony

Sounds like a great time ,I've only been once but would like to return someday. The nice thing about Puerto Vallarta that many may not know is that the entire town is on city water that is purified. It makes it less of an adventure to dine out at one of the mainy quaint local restaurants knowing that the risk of encountering contaminated water away from the resort is greatly reduced. Definately one destination that you could realistically just book accomodations and then visit different restaurants throughout your stay.

Explanation 3: CTEK Chargers can only recognize batteries less than 25 years old. Stop being so cheap and just go buy a new one

Hmm what will they be hitting?...oh yeah pretty much anything and everything!

I would recommend a 4-stroke engine whatever brand you decide. Cleaner, Quieter, no smoke fumes, no oil reservoir concerns... I own a 225 Verado for a few years now and can't say enough good things about it, would buy another one again tomorrow. That being said, they are not the only good engine in town, Yamaha as mentioned is another reliable and reputable brand. For me the decision came down to the fact that it was several thousand dollars cheaper to power my Lund with a Mercury Verado than any other 4-stroke brand like Yamaha or Honda. The reason it seems is because Mercury and many boat manufacturers (e.g. princecraft, lund, crestliner) are under the same parent company umbrella (Brunswick Marine) so they offer savings when you bundle boat and motor together. Yamaha, Evinrude, Honda, etc are not part of Brunswick Marine...so you pay more to have a competing engine brand. I purchased my rig and deal with Bay City Marine in Hamilton and overall they've been a good shop to deal with.

If you have no intention of repairing it, accept the neighbours apology and move on, let it go. If you want the damage repaired, report it and go through the appropriate channels. There is no 'grey area' here, as I have learned with a similar experience. Once you start talking cash or working out a deal, you're setting yourself up for more headaches. Tony

Now those are some TRUE deals! Lowrance HDS 10 - $1789 after $200 rebate Humminbird 798c SI - $549 But wait! The Canadian media and our local Canadian retailers are telling us they have their own 'Black Friday Deals' so you don't have to shop in the U.S.! Here's how our prices compare in Canada... Lowrance HDS10 - $2299 after $200 rebate Humminbird 798c SI - $1049 So they say there is no reason to shop in the U.S. yet clearly these results prove otherwise...I say, give me a reason NOT to shop in the U.S.!

Very nice video...hardwater is just around the corner!

I thought that as well, but the Depthmaster Gold are WAY better quality than a Convector. I am still not sure who makes those reels for Cabelas, but I would lean towards Okuma. I just don't know what reel from the Okuma series it is...definately not Convector. Convectors have crap drag and graphite frame... Also, for everyone swearing that Tekota is the be all, end all of trolling reels. It's not entirely true anymore even though they are solid reels and I own a half-dozen of them. Just be sure to check out the Daiwa Saltist and even the Okuma Catalina before making your next Tekota purchase. My only complaint with Tekota's is the fairly quiet clicker, and a drag that is literally too smooth (line slippage when trolling with dipsy-divers, planer boards, downriggers, etc) Both of those problems are solved in the Daiwa Saltist, and you have the option for a very high-retrieve speed/rate on the Daiwa Saltist larger models (eg. 47 inches per handle turn) Hope all this rambling helps others Tony

And, probably the best reel for the money in this category not yet mentioned! $100 - Cabelas Depthmaster Gold Linecounter 1-piece CNC Machined Aluminum Frame Titanium Line Guide Carbon Fiber Drag System Machine-Cut Brass Gears Optional Left Hand retrieve models available

Agreed! Buy the best, first. The Mustang Integrity HX 1-piece is the least bulky and most flexible suit out there. That's due to the thinnest 'foam flotation/insulation' material available, and the 100% Waterproof GoreTex type material makes this the only 'real' severe weather suit in my opinion. Many others will be water resistant, not waterproof! There's a big difference especially during sustained rainfall or spray from the lake. Choose wisely

I believe the underlying data is from NASA Satellites Enjoy!

Here you go: Hunting and Fishing Licenses Ontario

No. 2011 for 2011, 2012 for 2012.

The guide should have re-scheduled your trip if it was Mon or Tues this week when you went. With the high winds this past weekend, the Eastern basin of Lake Erie was churned up and muddy. The result is a muddy Niagara River, and with poor visibility comes difficult fishing. Here is an aerial view of the Eastern Basin and the muddy plume of water dumping into Lake Ontario (top right corner of photo). The file is from November 12th, early on in that big wind storm. It would have been significantly worse come Monday! Best of luck in the future, don't give up on the River so easy though, it's truly world class! (when the conditions allow!)