Beavertail

Best way is to know what your RPM are at WOT and if the motor is operating in the optimum range. By the sounds of it though I think you're in the ballpark.

Yeah, pretty vulnerable for the first couple weeks while stuck on the ground. Survival rates go way up once they start flying. I heard some can fly by 10 days.

The young are very strong fliers, no problem at all getting into trees to roost. They make it look easier than the adults do, after all they are only a fraction of the weight of the adults....any 20lb+ bird has to work to get airborne!

That Loon pic IS amazing, I've never seen that before. He musta been raised by Gulls!!

Try giving "Aikman's" a call. I've ordered quite a few parts from them in the past, for Abu's as well as Daiwas. If you know the part number he should be able to get it for you. 1 (905) 277-3595

For my style of fishing, Shad Rap for me...perch or chartreuse.

What an action packed trip for your little guy, no wonder he likes going up there! I always get a kick out of seeing young kids develop a fascination for their natural surroundings, good job. Doesn't look too shabby for yourself either, thanks for the report.

Thanks for the very enjoyable read, what a great story. Getting to fish with uncle and grand-father must have been pretty special. I can't imagine still fishing at 90, talk about inspirational! Fishing that creek for specks, driving the quads, exploring pool after pool AND the shore lunch...you must have been like a kid in a candy store!

Catching lakers on the jig bite while getting a tan...how great is that!?!

I feel really sad for his family, especially his parents. What a way to lose a son...such a waste of life.

I just wanted to give a shout out to Ron Bankes Marine down in Port Rowan. Picked up my boat today after he repaired my transom and I couldn't be happier. I suggest anyone looking for boat repair whether it's Fiberglas or aluminum to give Ron a call, his operation is top shelf.

Sorry to hear that. 13 years is a good run, remember the good times.

Right on, sounds like you had a great trip and caught a nice, mixed bag.

X2. One of my favourite tactics. Some of my go to's are the smaller size Williams, (half and half) I've caught everything on those. Also have had success with Crippled Herrings and Vibrados.

Don't let them off the hook so easy, I would definitely go back and talk to them about it. I have limited experience dealing with marinas but so far they all have been serious let downs.

Crappieperchhunter, I hear what you are saying....but honestly, you don't see a difference in putting a frog in a bucket vs what these guys did?

The guys in the video are a bunch of clowns, no doubt about it. I'm sure they didn't hurt the moose though (maybe stressed it a little) They are big, tough animals that have to deal with a lot worse. Unreal what some boneheads will do for a laugh.

Thanks for that, very cool video...especially seeing the fish on the sonar screen. Definitely my favourite method for catching Walleye(or any fish for that matter), soooo much fun!

Even though my Dad isn't a fisherman, some of my earliest memories were of him taking me to small pond just outside of the city limits to catch Rock Bass. We'd start in the garden with a spade in hand to dig up earth worms, which to me at the time was half the fun. Our equipment consisted of an ancient level wind, Dacron and steel rod. That was about the only time he took me fishing but there was enough of a spark to light the fire, there has been no looking back. I thank my stars he's still with us, and plan on sharing a couple cold beers with him tonight. Now, soon it will be time to pass the torch and take my little guy fishing, wonder if that small pond is still full of rockbass...

Crazy how bent outta shape I can get when this stuff happens, I realize it's not a brand new $60k Ranger but it's still my pride and joy I guess. After all, the level of workmanship IMO should never be determined based on the value of the boat, it should be the same regardless.

I'm hearing good things about Ron Bankes Marine Repair in Port Rowan. Spoke with Ron on the phone and he sounded very knowledgeable. Anyone have experience with them? The repair is going to be drilling out the holes larger, inserting dowels, sealing and re-drilling. Using proper sealant this time too, either Sika Flex or 3M. Also replacing the stainless plate on the outside of the transom with a new 3/8" aluminium plate for extra strength and a new transom stiffener plate on the inside. Not a "new transom" but definitely enough to make me happy.

Aplumma, what am I after? Just a job well done, nothing more nothing less. I'm not out for revenge, if I was I would have pasted his name all over the place. Turns out we had a civil discussion this morning and he agreed to pay for my transom repairs. My hats off to the guy, and my faith in people restored. Now he just has to stay away from the power tools!!!

Funny thing, I brought a tube of 5200 with me for him to use...I was too late as he already starting applying the silicone before I noticed, when I asked him to stop and use the 5200 he looked at me like I had 2 heads. This whole experience was a cluster from the get go. Why is good work so hard to find?????

Brand new motor. Boat is used, but barely, Lund Rebel 1440v with barely a scratch on it. Only had 2 previous holes in the transom (maybe 2" from the top) for a Yamaha outboard with different bolt pattern. I was re-powering it.

Next question...how feasible is it to replace the transom? If done at a reputable dealership can I expect a finished product comparable to the original?