fishdawg

Walker downriggers offers model with a built in temp sensor - get yourself either a Moore Subtroll or a Depth Raider, definetly well worth it

Cabela's has a line of "walleye runners" very similar to Reefrunners, but there half the price and run true out of the package - ive got no problem with that!

I run a 16.5' Crestliner Canadian with a 30hp 4stroke Jonson tiller. It tows great & is overall very efficient. Four years ago I originally bought this boat in mind to fish the lakes up at our trailer on the Kawarthas. But the last couple of seasons I have switched gears & have been focussing my efforts on the close to home trout, salmon & walleye of Erie & Ontario. Each year I have slowly been outtfitting the boat to make it more "big water friendly". Riggers, holders, GPS, a fixed mount VHF,.... I am very comfortable 5 miles offshore

nope not very much last couple of seasons my fishing style has shifted more to the Great Lakes - ive got nearly 8 various launches for Lake O, Lake Erie & the Niagara all within 15-45 minutes of my place the 4 stroke 30HP Johnson helps too

agreed the Safari/Astro was the best mini-van towing wise. '05 was the last year they were produced. I dont know how the Montana/Venture, ect.. compares to it Not really sure what newer "mini-vans" are good for towing these days to be honest.... just stay away from Caravans & if your chosen vehicle is not equipped with a "tow package", have a tranny cooler installed.

Salty Downeaster's - they have a few differnt styles to match the way you want to mount them

curious, where did you get the minnows?? i herd that there was a minnow shortage in the area recently???

definetly!

I use 12 lb mono myself use it for my inline boards for trout & walleye, and it even handles great for those suprise salmon braid/superlines will work, but I personally prefer the mono & the little bit of stretch. I also like 12lb becasue most of the depth curves for trolling cranks are listed for 10 mono.

I enjoyed my day 3 hr salmon seminar, which very well put on & quite informative - then spent about 2hrs more walking the floor & bumping into old friends - first time i'd been to the show since '04

Ontario Fisherman was my favourite back in the day... currently subscribe to Ontario Out Of Doors - great allround mag for the Ontario hunter & angler I also read Great Lakes Angler, Walleye Insider, Essox Angler, Outdoor Canada & IN-Fisherman on occassion I easily have quite a collection of over 15 various mags, probably 300-400 total? love reading old issues and looking back on things... I agree tho, North American Fishing Club is a joke

I am a big fan of the Spirex - 4 seasons with mine & its going strong

last year in May, Vito & Dave Sullivan put on a smaller seminar at JB's on a Saturday night - it was done as a fundraiser for the Ringwood Hatchery. They had such a good response & turnout that they wanted to to do it again this winter. Only at a more centralized location. I think its a great idea Cant wait, as lishtening to these guys is the equivellant of the musky-odysey speakers.

if your able to swing by down this way come May/June I'd love to have you aboard again

once day-light-savings-time kicks in I usually will average 3 days a week on the water - this will vary from an hour of casting at the local pond after dinner to 4-8 hrs of trolling... my fave outings tho are mid-week afterwork & miles of blue all to myself

sounds like a good boat Pete... any idea of the weight? that will dictate how under-powered it would be... as you know my 30hp tiller pushes the light 16.5' Cresty quite well (though its rated for 50 max) i'll agree with Lew tho, dont jump the gun unless your sure...

yup & the day only gets better @ 8pm with NASCAR's Bud Shootout!

no complaints - Petty is allright! much better then any of the pop/hip hop garbage thats out these days

thanks for sharing this Chris - allways appreciate the news pieces you dig up. I gotta say, the boys on the otherside of the pond sure have their priorities in place.

The last "shows" I attended was the Spring fishing show in 2004 & the "ice-fishing show" later that December last did the sportsmens show in 2002? & boat show in 2002? I will be attending this new fishing show however, main reason being that some of the big salmon gurus (Datomo, Sullivan, Santoro, ...) are putting on a salmon trolling seminar for a few hours. Very much look'n forward to it. Attened one of there seminars last year @ JB's. Top notch.

can be ordered from the Lake Michigan Angler site, but yes Jos should be able to get 'em in for you - there is the regular spoon sized box & the magnum.

new ownership this year I heard - look forward to your report

correct me if I am wrong, isnt Lund & Ranger both under the same "company umbrella"? Or at least they used to be? Genmar i believe was the name...

you should be allright Gerritt I am sorta in the same situation - adding some more various electronics to my boat in the next coupla weeks currently my bilge & livewell pumps, nav lights, 2 cigarrette plugs all in wired in the fuse pannel + my sonar & VHF radio are running off my starting battery. No issues thus far. I'll be adding a horn, electric downriggers & a stereo soon & it will all run off the same battery. I have asked around & have been assured that I'll be allright. keep in mind I do alot of trolling so the main motor will allways be going & keeping things charged. My bowmount has its own deepcycle battery, and my bowmount sonar runs off its own gel cell battery. I'l throw some photos up of the completed project in a few weeks for ya.

glad to hear you got what you wanted Gerritt ive herd nothing but positive things about Jos & his shop from many folks - i'll be paying him a visit or two before spring for sure