KraTToR

I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm really impressed with the new Rapala Scatter raps. A guide I ran into while fishing the Kiwanis walleye derby turned me onto them and I can't say enough about them. I've had great success with the shad type on BOQ and Pigeon for walleye and excellent success with the Scatter rap cranks on Long Point for smallies. I haven't tested any of the other models (jointed, minnow, CD,etc) so please share.. The only downfall I've found is that the plastic bill that gives the bait its action does crack and break fairly easily.. Easy to fix with a touch of crazy glue that I carry in my TB anyways.

What is the best deal going for decent boat launch to get quick access to Cook's Bay on Lake Simcoe? It can be Cooks or the Holland river. Coming from KW, I just don't want to start out in Barrie. PM me if you don't want to share...lol. Thanks in advance,.

Picked up a Frabill F Series (F2) last season and I really like it. From Le Baron I believe. It comes in 4 different weights (F1 to F4). You purchase the jacket and bib overall bottoms separately. I really like the bibs as they are warm, dry, and have reinforced knees.

Been to Restoule and rented a cottage close to Driftwood before. Frankly, not that impressed with the fishing in those areas. Do you have any experience at Killbear?

I was looking at Rondeau and it looks like there's some decent largemouth fishing in the bay. Not that far to drive to Belle River for some 'ski's either. Thanks!

Just spent a few days camping at Long Point PP. Very nice and well equipped campground (sand, not withstanding) and excellent launch/fishing. Is there anywhere else this side of Sudbury that can offer a similar experience? Thanks in advance, K.

A couple of things I have my eye on and would like your comments... Shimano CHRONARCH 200 E 7:1 for 189 or... Quantum TEAMKVD 7,0:1 on a Omen Black 6'7" MH. Very nice lookin', don't own any rods by 13.. I'm sure the Shimano is a better reel than the Q.. Thoughts?? This should be a good worn/jig rig.

Spent 3 days on longpoint (Monday/Wednesday/Saturday) this week. All I can say is what an amazing Smallmouth fishery. Averaging 20+ fish a day and several around the 18" mark. My favorite spot is off of Bluff Bar but its quite a trek from the launch at the provincial park. Decent launch btw with lots of parking, a fish cleaning station, and toilets. With the big storm they had on the lask weekend of June, some of the water is still pretty murky but the protected areas are crystal clear. When the bite was on, anything seemed to work but my favs were scatter raps, shaky head jigs with a Havoc Bottom Hopper, and a Yum Dinger rigged wacky. Spent half a day trolling/casting for pike and came up with nothing.. Spend half a day flippin for largemouth and came up with one decent fish. As anyone whos ever spent any time out there the wind is key and anything out of the south or west is best. PM me if you need any more details.

First thing, one caveat. I've only jigged for lakers one time and these are my take-aways.. Use the heaviest jighead you can find 2-3 ounce. At 70 FOW any wind drift will make it difficult to keep it on the bottom or at depth as your movement will cause the jig to lift off the bottom. I would also be this would be a difficult way to fish on a windy day. Thought-wonder what the west coast Halibut fisherman do this? I've been successful with large white (salt and pepper flake) tube jigs and White Bucktails. I've only caught lakers just off the bottom and never needed to know my jig depth as long as you use the recommendation in the first bullet.

Sail is carrying these now and I'm wondering if anyone uses them and what their comments are? Also, do you have both hands, or just one (as they sell them individually). I would like something like these for handling walleye, pike, and muskie. TIA.

Wow, I wouldn't be happy. Have you washed/laundered it? Sometimes that takes the protective coating off. I would call Frabill. Sometimes if you whine a bit (and at $400 you're entitled) they send you a replacement... I have the F2 suit, picked it up for about $250 at Le baron and although I don't wear it much, I hope it holds up when I need it.

If you think this is bad, just imagine if we all voted NDP... It will be interesting to see what happens in Alberta.. I believe the culture out there is less tolerant than we are (Ontario) on such matters of sexuality. Even though as a race we sometimes feel we've come so far, things like this show me how far we've yet to go. To the OP, thanks for the refreshing perspective to what our current reality looks like. Bravo.

Restoule camp ground is pretty decent but the government boat launch in town is better than the one in the PP. I've heard on good authority that the fishing is better in Stormy (more structure) but I'm not sure about the launch... would be interested to find out tho.. One note, my navionics chip didn't have a chart for either lake..

Sunday nada... Monday Long Point... YEA! :D

Its either the Scotty Orca (I have 2) or the Folbe. The Folbe's are spendy but the best you can get. They make this configuration in 2 sizes. I use the Orcas for big trolling rods.. IE. Muskie.

Thanks everyone. Top notch information as usual DanD, good idea and you are absolutely correct, doesn't take much to move the boat back and forth from the campsite. It looks like the plan will be the week following the opener anyways and I'm sure it will be still busy. About the marathon timing..

I would like to go to Long Point sometime in the near future, preferably a Friday to Sunday sort of thing. Camping, etc.. with my 2 sons. A few questions for the experts Is this a good idea? Are there bay-side waterfront campsites so I can beach the boat at my camp and go out at will? Notwithstanding the 2nd bullet, is there a nearby marina where I can leave the boat and chg the batteries. Boat launch location, noting that we'll be camping in the park. Thanks in advance :)

As there seems to be an abundance of Musky fisherman on this site, who would be interested an a OFC musky hunt on LSC? I was extremely impressed with the launch at Belle River Marina plus they have a few picnic sites. I could negotiate room rates, launch rates, etc. Maybe even have a little swap meet in the afternoon. We could even do a bit of a tailgate party... Just some food for thought, get some like-minds together and have an informal derby?... No prizes just braggin' rites ... :worthy: Thoughts? Patrick.

It was strawberry...lol I have perch as well and did get some strikes on the perch Jake. The rap I was using is what Rapala calls the Original Pearl Shad and it comes with galvanized hooks (SW?) which are in the process of getting swapped out. As they usually come from below, the orange belly stripe may be the trigger. Rapala also have a new "Walleye" pattern that I've heard gets good results on LSC.

And that anchor works great! I've never fished LOTW - the fresh water fisherman's holy grail. And to lose 2 monsters back to back... I can't even begin to feel your pain. Sounds like it ended well tho..

Thanks for everyone's input! Some great advise here and a lot to think about. I'm usually diligent with hook sharpness, something from my steelheading days but I've already started going through my baits just to be sure. A little story on my very first intentional interaction with a musky.. Again it was a Super Shad Rap.. It followed the bait right up to the boat and hit it broad-side with his snout. I guess they do this to "stun" the bait for an easier grab.. Well I was so excited with actually seeing one of these beasts that I didn't even think to figure 8... Another one that haunts me..lol

Thanks Lew, that's a great idea... As my trolling rod has plenty of action (bend) I'll swap out the braid for mono on the next trip. You say you use 50lb. What brand? Big Game? XT? Thanks!

Thanks to everyone.. After reading the feedback and talking to my fishing buddy, I've concluded that with the no stretch line and pool cue rods we were just too aggressive. I've done a ton of drift fishing using 6lb mono on a 13' pole, landing 35lb salmon.. Lots of line stretch and lots of give to the rod. I have to start relying a lot more on my drag of course, learning! Being only 2.5 hours away from Belle River, I'll be giving it another go in a few weeks.. with sharpened hooks and a whole new plan. Cheers!

Hiya Pete, its Patrick and I think we planned on hitting LSC together once this year..lol Anyways, these are my muskie setups. 1 - SC Mojo Musky 8' MH w/Revo Toro Winch and 65lb braid -> this is the rig I lost the big one on. Floro leader and a brand new Super Shad Rap. 2 - Fenwick Elite Tech Muskie Glass trolling w/Diawa Millionair II level wind -> this is my trolling rig w/36" floro leader and 80lb PP. This is the rig that lost 2 others on a Medium sized Jake in Perch. 3 - SC Legend Tourney "The Jerk" 7.5' XH w/Abu NaCL 60 HS. 80 lb PP with Musky Husky JB leader. 4 - Shimano Terez Waxwing SW rod. XF 8' heavy action w/Calcutta D 400 with 80lb PP.

Its well known that there are several very successful Musky fisherman on this forum, can you please help out a newbie!! What's your style for reeling in the fish once it's on? crank it in hard so It cant put up a fight or play it so it doesn't go nuts boat-side? I have all the right gear but i'm wondering if the fish is ripping the bait out of its mouth because the rods are so stiff and the lack of stretch in the braid.. I lost a fish of a lifetime yesterday and 2 others when they were 1/2 way to the boat I really need to start increasing my landing success... Thanks in Advance.