EC1

WOW. I felt that all the way up in Markham. I was just finished toying with my rods and rested them onto a ledge on my cabinet. Next thing you know, I felt a shake for a second and all of my rods fell over! Where I was, it was probably one shake, and maybe another 2 seconds to follow.

Wait a sec, can someone clear this up for me? The exceptions in Balsam and Mitchell goes along with the normal zone 17 rules? So this means you can only keep fish 13.8 - 14.6" long? Or do you just follow the exceptions?

Thanks for the insight gentlemen! I am supposed to be left handed, but was forced to use my right when I was young, so I still have some of that left in me. I seem to be pitching more accurate with my left than with my right. But now that I get why sometimes you palm a reel, it's going to be awesome next saturday!

So this is my first year of using a baitcaster, and I think I have down most of it, but my time with the baitcaster out actually on water has been quite limited. I wanted to ask you folks how you guys are holding it. I find that with one finger above the trigger, my pitches are most accurate. With two, I seem to lose some accuracy in pitching, but it seems to be quite comfortable. And with three, it seems that you get to palm the reel...but what benefit does it offer?

One line that seems to never get the mention is Tuf Line XP. I love that stuff, and it's a fair bit cheaper than PowerPro. Then, you can even go on to trying Daiwa Samurai Braid, and Fireline Braid. For Fireline Braid, buy 30#+, from that weight and above, it is super smooth. Only problem was that they did knot easy when fishing it on a windy day. I just got some InvisiBraid too. And don't listen to the package about it being translucent...I don't buy it a single bit. But anyone who buys braid knows that they are sacrificing visibility for strength. The white braid looks awesome though

Well, let's look at it this way, you've ordered the rods already, so use them for the coming days, and if you do ever feel the need to upgrade..then do so. As long as you like the feel of the rod you're holding, doesn't matter if it's a steel rod or a $500 dollar muskie stick. Since you've ordered, try it and see if you like it. My first thought was that I didn't like the action of Medium Ugly stik's all that much, so I was worried about the muskie rod. You will probably learn a ton more from that guide than you will from me, so I would probably learn and see what he has to show, and try to replicate for the days after. Good Luck on your Muskie Trip!

I guess since you're not going to be feeling light ticks from muskie anyways, your rod should be more than enough. Only thing I am worried about is that the rod does not have a good action (whippy). You are using this for muskie right? I'm thinking you'll want to be upgrading very soon because throwing big baits all day is going to be killer on your arms.

I don't like the season much this year..I witnessed some decent fishing the first couple of weeks from shore, but then the fishing seemed to go downhill all after that.

Eastern Ontario fish are less pressured. I always feel that they will bite better under poor conditions, but hey, I've only gone there a handful of times! I also feel that you that you can probably catch fish of a larger average size than the Kawarthas!

I'm probably gonna try for Largemouth in Eastern Ontario. Going to be throwing some frogs, jitterbugs in thick slop! Probably will be taking my pitching and flipping skills to the test once the topwater bite is over! I am VERY EXCITED.

nice fish. Love crappies when their mouths are not paper anymore!

awesome fish mike! I should be ready to take you out on the crappie trip in 2-3 weeks!

From what I know, it's a JDM Daiwa S O L(Dont know why it turns to be outta luck without the spacing). Handled it once, and it's pretty awesome. For anyone that bought 2 out there, I'll definitely be willing to pay you more than what you paid for it

I have 2 lost muskies under my belt, one on a small piece of worm while fishing for sunfish, and the other time it hit an xrap while trying to catch some walleye. Both ended up being able to shake off the bait, and I am glad they did because I don't think I would have handled them as well as I should have. Heck, but how will anyone know you are fishing for muskies if you are throwing small baits? You'll get people screaming at you for targetting OOS bass now, and you instantly become a fisherman that is fishing for anything that bites!

Especially for fishing walleyes at dams, minnows and waiting until your rod moves is a given, but if you want to have a bit more fun, I suggest jigheads and plastics - I usually use a 1/8oz (heavier as the water is more turbulent) with a gulp minnow - or a crankbait. The type of crankbait really depends on which dam you would like to fish. Rapala Countdowns are always a safe bet because you can pretty much fish any depth, but I notice at dams you can even use a floating rapala as the fish are often willing to chase down your bait.

Some very nice fish there! May I ask though, are those spinning or baitcasting reels that are being blacked out? And do they match the rods you guys are using?

Nice gear dude! I just ordered a bunch of gear online too, and am waiting for it to ship! Can't wait to be able to throw some of these bass baits in a few weeks!

Nice job man! Wow, if the spawn is pretty much over for you all the way up north, the Kawartha's and Southern Ont lakes must have been done for a long time! For crappie fishing, you shouldn't need to use minnows. They are much more fun with a jig

nice poem writing to go with it too! awesome fish man!

Looks like I've got another knot to learn. The fish n fool knot was good, but I didn't think that it deserved a name like that. The guy just also went all over the internet to (brag?). I'm looking forward to seeing the line to line knot wars. I only know how to tie uni to uni, but there has to be a knot with better strength and lower profile.

By far the funniest pet story I've ever read. Thanks! You made my bad work day freaking awesome!

I have an interstate deep cycle that I've been happy with, although Im running a 32lb thrust on a canoe. It can easily last me a day, but obviously not to the use that you guys do in a boat. I think you honestly cannot go wrong with the Optima batteries (6 pack looking ones), although I believe they are quite pricey

Hm, I didn't have to pay brokerage, but I was hit with a small fee at the door when the UPS guy came. It came up each time at around the tax prices, but I can't remember for sure.

Mike, you have got to take me out on another fishing trip again! I'll trade it for a crappie guiding trip once I'm onto them again

Ahh, is the Bucoo in your hands yet? Anyways, both reels should do you fine for most applications. I heard this from someone else, can't credit them, but bring your rod to a store and ask to put the reels on. After that, you can decide which one feels better in terms of balance, weight, feel, etc. It will beat having to bring the reel home, finding out the balance point is close to the first guide(Over-exaggerating but you know what I mean.), or you don't like the way it feels in your hands.