BillM

GBay is closer. Which one would you pick?

I can't eat fish, allergic....

Thanks Lew! I've spent many days out on the water getting skunked

Winds were ripping yesterday, so muskie fishing was a definite no. Decided to see what all the fuss was about on Simcoe. Winds weren't bad until later in the day, got into a few footballs.

New Terrova definitely has better spot lock then my older motor. However you can upgrade the old models to the new Bluetooth setups (New head, GPS, etc) That will give you all the features of the new motor without having to shell out the entire cost of a new motor.

With some of the horror stories I've heard about the Ulterra, it's Terrova all day. I've had my Terrova since 2012. I've had to replace 1 plastic part on it in that time frame. Still going strong (60in, 80lb, 24V with iPilot Link)

That ramp is like a ski hill. Steepest ramp I've ever used.

Call the marina and see if that's a thing. Lots of current in Hartley Bay.

Most guides launch on private property. Goodluck.

What are we fishing for?

I'll make an assumption based upon flyins I have done that far north that you'll have no problems loading the boat full of fish. Can't help with size however.

Just look at Google Maps, it will tell you everything. Big water, a million potential places to fish, etc etc.

I'd love to get up there for a few days of muskie hunting but man that water is even more daunting then the parts of GBay I already fish.

I run St.Croix for the warranty alone. Avid and the Victory line for everything but muskie. Legend and Premier for the big fish. I did have to warranty a new Victory because the foregrip came loose on the blank, but that's about it. The replacement should be here soon enough. For muskie, I don't think there's much better then the St.Croix Legend when it comes to price vs performance.

Impossible. I can't just have one rod

My thumb position hasn't changed, the bottom two fingers however are now on the handle vs wrapped around the blank. I use low profile reels (Toro Beast, Tranx) can't say how it would work with a Calcutta or similar.

As long as you have a record of paying the tax. If not, they're coming after you lol.

Lew I think it just comes down to personal preference. The first day or so I was like 'I dunno about these things!' I noticed it made my hand cramp like it never has before but that only lasted an outing or two. I find along with the bucktails it really helps with the glide baits. I fish my glides by palming the reel and using my wrist (opposed to some guys jerking the entire rod down towards the water or to the slide) to impart action. It was much easier on my wrist by using 2 fingers on the new handle to assist that rotating motion of the reel if that makes any sense. Kinda hard to explain lol. Crowman, I know some guys that use the below. I never have so I really can't comment on how it is compared to the GRASP handle St.Croix uses. That being said I'm sure any rod builder could strip down your current muskie rod and rebuild if the GRASP handle is available separately. https://www.muskyshop.com/en-ca/products/rod-reel-accessories-trolling-outdoor-grips-cork-jig-ripper

All good Peter, we didn't use line counters with the oldman when I was a kid back in the 80s either. Hell, I think half the time we didn't even have a fish finder lol! Still put fish in the boat.

Better tell all the salmon guys running dipsys and the muskie guys they're wasting time knowing what depths their baits are running at lol. Although I guess if all you do is dunk worms under a float, you wouldn't have a use for one.

I switched over to the GRASP handles this year with a 9'6 Slingshot II and a 8ft Switch Blade I use for glides/jerks. Coming from a 9ft Big Nasty and a 7'6ft XHF 'The Jerk' jerkbait rod. I find the GRASP handles much more comfortable and have a lot less wrist fatigue at the end of the day, especially tossing big bucktails. It does take some getting used to though. I gained casting distance going to the 9'6 MH from to the 9ft Big Nasty. It makes the casting even more effortless. And when you're burning blades you're really going to like the GRASP handle compared to the trigger grip you're probably used to. Some guys like them, some guys don't. I was a bit skeptical at first but after a few days on the water, I'd never go back. If you're going to grab these, wait till the Odyssey as Gagnons will have 30% off St.Croix muskie gear the weekend of the show.

Gotta know the depth your baits are running at

Yeah, with a long rod (10ft are getting very popular now) there's basically no effort at all when it comes to figure 8s. Keep the lure deeper in the water, don't have to bend over a much, just easier all the around and when you hook that fish boatside you can let the rod do a lot of the work and not pull the hooks.

LOL!! No smiles from this guy

No, that's short. I run a 9'6 St.Croix if that tells you anything lol.