aplumma

The lowrance extra power source is for the network the antenna hooks to not the antenna. It powers the net2000 that you can expand to include engine monitoring and fuel. This is not an issue and is simple to wire in so don't be scared of it. The external antenna is a small puck that needs a flat place that does not have any structure above it. (canvas is fine) I have mounted the puck on top of an aluminum hard top, front deck,back rail and next to the motor with no problems. If you have the ability to chase the wires to any of these locations then you will be fine with an external. I however havent had any issues with an internal antenna when used thru a canvas top held with an aluminum frame rods. Will you be leaving the unit hooked up all of the time or removing it evertime you put the boat away? Its not a big deal just 1 more wire to hook/unhook. If you bring your boat up to Lak Air this year I will give you a lesson on what info it can give you....you just wont believe what it can do and how much info you are missing. Art

I looked at the tracker brand 4 years ago and found that their were other names out their that had a better end product. I am sure the quality has improved but I wouldnt discard the other names before looking at their deals. Art

Cliff the chances of even getting just an apology are very slim. The letter will be read and they might even take the time to talk to the employees about it but they will have the upper hand because they get to tell their story in person refuting the accounts point by point with no one their to correct their story. That being said if you do write the letter it will the starting point of documenting the behavior of the security personal and the way the are enforcing the policies. If their is a pattern then it will come to light. You might decide to help your friend to send the letter more as a lesson on how to talk to management and document injustice than as a protest of wrong doing. If no names were taken by the police or citations filled out then the matter is most likly closed in the laws eyes. Art

I have the lowrance 527 unit and have found it excellent for finding structure. One of the things to remember when using a depth finder is it is showing you the highest point in the return signal. That means in a 6ft radius if their is a rock that is 2 ft off the bottom then it will show the bottom as being 2 ft higher than it really is. It will read the edges of a trench at the highside and will miss any fish or structure that is within 6ft of the trench. As you get into deeper water or a larger cone your cone increases and you miss more of the bottom. If you are scanning for schools of fish then a larger cone is needed to find the schools of fish but just because you find the fish does not mean they can be caught. I rarely look for schools of fish but rather find the structure that attracts them or track a weedline or depth that is easier to do with the narrow cone. The advantage of the 527 is you can run both cones at the same time thus getting a detailed bottom reading and also the schools of baitfish that the predators are following. The funny thing about the depth finder is that most people use it in the auto mode and don't use 1/10 of the features that it is capable of displaying. Their is a wealth of info that can be read if you take the time to understand what it says by trial and error. Using the color feature and adjusting the gain can yield the info of is it baitfish or is it school of larger fish. You can tell the difference between bottom texture, hardness, weedlines, and rock/boulder fields. If you decide to work with the unit and study your feedback then you will have a better understanding on patterning the areas were fish are in any given condition. Looking for schools of fish are hit or miss at best. Art

good job bud you might want to change your avatar to a much more impressive fish now that you have a reputation to keep up. Have a good summer with it. Art

Actually if you look in the back of the newer cell phones they have a round dot in them if it gets wet it changes color and the warrentee is void. I brought one in to my cell rep and thats the first place the factory made him look before he shipped it in for repairs for me. Art

If you decide to try to make the motor appear as a second item or purchase make sure that it is the guy who sold you the boat that writes out 2 bills of sale. If you do it even though you are not changing the amount then you are committing fraud. That will give them the chance to get the taxes and prosecute you in the court of law. while $500 dollars seems alot now if you have to go to court and defend your self it will be a bargain. I also think that if I were the seller and I was contacted by the officials I would fess up to the 2 receipts right away to keep my butt from getting into trouble for someone he doesnt know beyond the sale. ( called throwing your butt under the bus) Art

Man Catfish done right is one of the best eatting fish we can catch down here in the warm water belt. We dont have many walleye/ the p word down here so we eat alot of catfish and then the saltwater fish we catch. You can skin them if you want but it tends to stretch the meat fibers breaking them and making them soft. You can filet them just as you would a walleye just cut from the front to the back and leave the skin by the tail connected then flip the filet on the board skin side down and run your knife along the side just between the skin and the flesh. You also can seperate the tail from the fish and hold it by the skin with your fingernails trapping it to the cutting board and go from their. While the bullheads we catch here go back into the water the up to 5 # chanels are perfect for the table deep fried with hush puppies and assorted fried vegetables. Art

Bill use the seafoam product regular carb cleaner will strip te oil off of the pistons and you can stick a ring or damage it. The chances are low but why take a chance. Use the seafoam as per the directions to mix it with the gas/oil mixture. A little down the carb will clean the throat but it is not going to clean the fuel passages ie carberator etc.. After the run replace the plug and fuel filter both will be dirty as can be. You might also consider getting a better grade of oil if you are carboning up quickly. I have run Marine amsoil 2 stroke oil for years with no fouling or issues with gunk. Uncle Arttie

I am a big fan of nets I carry the net that will land the fish that I am fishing for according to the size of the expected fish. I have a med large net that is made of rubber that works well for fish under 20 lbs. I also have a big frabil that I use when I come up north for the bigger fish that I hope to catch that day. I also fish for big catfish from a 28ft boat and it is very difficult to use a net due to the railing and the height from the water. I have been using a boca lip gaff to hoist them from the water. The mouth of the catfish and the jaw structure are very friendly to this device and I have released many large fish without damage. I don't feel that this is a good answer for fish like pike and muskie or fish with teeth since their jaws are weaker and you have a chance of damaging their teeth with it. I have seen more fish damaged from a gill hold for the camera than the abuse of a net so if you do want the picture please don't slip your hand in the gill plate it is a slow killer even when done carefully. Art

My wife has an 05 leather and loaded and it has no issues at 65000 miles. Actually one issue that was a leak on the sunroof gasket that when it leaked showed up under the dash. They fixed it for free but I am not sure they fixed something else and told me thats what it was..... I like the ford but hate the dealer. Art

I carry my cell always it could save someones life. I was fishing one day and a guy was fishing in the rapids fell and was knockedout. With the cell phone we had him airlifted out in 30 minutes. Without the phone it was atleast 30 minutes back to a phone then another 30 minutes for the air lift. Because he got to the hospital before swelling did any damage he lives with no after effects according to the doctors. If you want the peace and quiet of not having a cell phone then turn it off but it is a good idea to bring it just in case. The life it saves could be yours or a complete strangers both will make you feel good if you can place the call. Art

You might want to reread the Rules at the top of the page they have some words of wisdom that will explain what to do if a post/thread or poll is locked or deleted. Art

He said he got hit in the rear of the TRUCK T.J. so his ass shouldnt be in pain..... Glad you were able to walk away Cliff and get the process started towards getting back to normal. Art

wow she must have alot of baggage if you need a trailer. I think I will pass on this bidding. Art

Can't you all see that the lady is just paying her bill. Art

nice work bernie you would fit right in here on the farm. Art

yup I reconize that look on their faces I had a beagle eat a small jar of mentholated vasoline once. Put her outside all day and brought her in just before bed. As soon as the lights were out a fart noise sounded from the hall and it was alittle more than a noise. The bad news was the dog wanted to see were the noise was coming from and went in a circle lookin for it. 30 min. with a carpet cleaner was my reward for that blunder. Art

bump

Bernie have you looked into the ventless freestanding gas fireplaces. I have a Vermont castings unit that looks like a woodstove that has fake logs but burns propane. It also has a remote control that turns it on and off or you can set the thermostat to auto and it will cycle. It needs no external venting or make up air and eliminates a condensation drain. This is not one of the wall mounted units it is a cast iron unit with a glass front and a catalytic converter it so far has not produced any odors or smoke in the house. The secret is to get one that is made of heavy cast iron because it bleeds the heat off into the run between cycles at a slow rate unlike the thin sheetmetal units. If you need more info give a holler . Art

cheese and beer will be served if you have it in the refrigerator. Art

It would improve my chances of catching a muskie if you did start putting them in the garden..... Art

So glens going to be giving japanese lessons at lak air. Sign me up get me a lawn chair and a beer I got me alot of laughen to do that day. Art

Rich just because you have a new member in the house does not mean you are disrespecting the departure of your friend. I have had many friends over my life and each one of them living and or departed have a spot in my heart that will be their till I pass on. You should be proud that you can fit another puppies well being into your life and give him a good home were he will be loved and taken care of for many years to come. I am sure Nikita is lookin down saying way to go pop's. Art

If you are on a lake and you don't catch as many fish as you think you should does that mean that the fish are not their? It might be that the fish are on different structure or have learned that certain things in the water are not edible. It could be the forage base is so plentiful that they feed on it instead of a crawfish pattern they are a shad pattern feeders. I have more faith in the MNR's research and scientific procedures as to what the zone or region can support as far as harvesting than I do for any fisherman's guess as to whether or not X amount of fish should be harvested. If you have a concern as to whether or not a lake has a healthy population then you can make a difference. First read the information that is available from the MNR and see if the lake falls within the guidelines that are ecologically set for the type of water and fish that you want to pursue. If you feel that it is does not contain enough of the fish that you personally want to catch then join or start a program to raise fry using the guidelines that MNR has set and start your own stocking program. I personally donate money to the grass roots program that Lak Air lodge and a few other lodge owners have started and they raise Walleye that are returned to lake Nipissing every year. I personally have bought thousands of fish but to date have harvested a total of 15 fish over the years and they were for the fish fry. If you feel that by writing a thread here at OFC will help... you may save a few fish if on the other hand you decide to take some of your time and invite others to follow you on a structured restocking program you can contribute thousands of fish for future fishing. So call the MNR and volunteer or make a donation to them for restocking you will be helping the environment and you might feel good after doing something that will help people who don't even know you exist. Art