J Roelofsen

I was out last night in one of my little boats off port credit....theres zero boat traffic at night this time off year. Got into a few salmon too I'll be out again on another part of lake O for an all nighter tonight as soon as get off work... Know your abilities and have a safety plan. If your comfortable and competent go for it! Josh

Better yet, go out between dusk and dawn and throw some glow spoons or maybe rat-l-traps. Watch the winds and stay close to shore, you don't need to go far Offshore winds this time of year = cool water and hot fishing. Josh

Another vote for Cabelas guide wear here... Josh

I've got a couple Scadden 'toons that are similar to this. I don't bother with the leaning bar, haven't found that I need it. The platform slides under the seat when not in use. It's definitely a handy feature;)https://flic.kr/p/WsLPNx Also have a set of tubes that I can put my solo frames on and convert to a big 2 man boat. I find most passengers appreciate the leaning bar on this boat. A higher seat in the front allows for easier sitting/standing transition. I also built a detachable motor mount that serves double duty as a battery bay for days when rowing would be difficult or ineffective. I plan on building a custom one piece frame with a full floor for these tubes in the future. https://flic.kr/p/WsM75v https://flic.kr/p/Xrp6sE https://flic.kr/p/XGhM2X I also have a Colorado XT I use as a lender boat. Great little toon to get started but the price is getting rediculous! I paid $250 for mine years ago. Josh

The oars may leave something to be desired on those boats. If your primarily gonna use a trolling motor that may not be an issue. You can always add a higher seatpost to the toon you have if you want a higher seating position. Speaking from plenty of experience (I own several toons and other small watercraft) I usually prefer a boat where I can kick my feet to orient myself for casting. 2 of my solo pontoons have pull out casting platforms but they rarely get used (except to relieve myself without going ashore). I think those boats would be plenty stable for standing in with the solid floor. Your fishing situations may differ from mine tho, just things to think about... There's one for sale on kijiji right now with a Shakespeare outboard, you may be able to swing a deal without the motor? Josh

Welcome back. I believe I ran into you several years back.....thought you were a potential poacher on a creek south of Goderich I rarely post here but have been reading the board for years.....pm sent;)

I recall them being called 'nitro worms'....they did a number on Lake Huron coho $12/dz is stupid tho, just dump some food coloring in the container or pick up one of the instant bait dyes/markers they sell now Josh

I agree, definitely a color mutation....they are cool looking fish! Josh

Do you hear the trim motor working? Is there a trim button on the motor itself or just an auxiliary toggle in/on the cockpit contols? Josh

What a way to break the curse! we'll all vouch if you call her an even 40" Good looking fish... Josh

Obviously you guys aren't the ones to preach too! Lol! It's a topic that gets me very worked up... Josh

The dude USED a youngster that would have had an indifferent opinion to intentionally harass a law abiding angler. Comparing fish to a human child!? Really? I definitely would have felt very provoked, confrontational and ready to lay into the PETAphile behind the camera. Science my ass.....where do these people get off hurling this Bull? You want to eat plants, cool.....I like a good salad just as much as a big hunk of meat I cut off an animal I selectively and humanely harvested like my ancestors have done for millenia. My body naturally thrives on a mix of red meat, fish/chicken, vegetables and fruits. Don't f#$k with my health because your too much of a pansy to kill for food. You wanna eat veggies only, cool, just don't push your views on the rest of us. Imagine this, move a few of these Aholes to the artic and see if they can convince our northern indigenous peoples to cut the meat from their diet Teach them to farm veggies on the tundra and ice floes! Lol! Those vegans would rather see you starved to death than harvest your food responsibly like our ancestors have for tens of thousands of years This shouldn't even be news! Sometimes I wonder how delicious those fearless, free range, vegetable grazing loudmouths would be on the BBQ..... Josh

Pretty common deformity. Ive seen many 'merps'over the years.... https://flic.kr/p/WjxQkX Josh

The daiwa Lexas are bulletproof reels for well under $200. They aren't the best distance casters but they are the best bargain going IMO. I agree with the above, don't go below a curado in the shimano lineup. The situations you intend to use the reel in I'd say you should stick to a spinning reel tho Josh

Lots of good info here on the flow rates at the major great lakes control systems..... http://www.ijc.org/en_/Water_Quantity Josh

They've been allowing significantly increased flow through the gates on the St. Mary's River the past few years. It's had a huge impact on downstream water levels, and in a good way! Josh

You can't be afraid to do some driving when after a deal on kijiji either. Bigger markets means more potential buyers. If your willing to expand your search area beyond the bulk of big city buyers (particularly this time of year) it can be rewarding. Josh

Nice work Tom! Looks good Josh

Believe it or not there was people on both Wildwood and Pittock lakes in my area last Thurs/Fri. Lots of good ice on the usual areas of St Clair and a few guys fishing the Thames already. Most smaller, shallow water bodies are GTG for this weekend around here (London area). I'll be on a favorite Crappie/Gill pond tomorrow night that should have around 6". The coming thaw will put any hopes of "safe" ice to an end by Monday and hopefully flush some ice from the local creeks to allow for holiday steelheading:) Josh

I agree 100% with the Pflueger recommdation. The Supreme is right in that price range and worth every penny. I'm slowly converting my spinning reels over to Pflueger from Shimano. As someone who beats on their gear and does thier own reel maintenance I have nothing but good things to say about Pflueger products. Their designs are very simple, clean and efficient.....to me that translates to reliability. I used to be a Shimano fan but the quality of thier mid range products has taken a big crap. Daiwa makes some nice spinning models but tear one down or try to get service and you'll be flustered. And I won't even go near a Quantum product. Best value = Pflueger IMO Josh

The Curado 300 is not a do it all reel IMO. Consider a Calcutta 400 or if your stuck on a low pro reel, Lexa 400. Josh

They were gizzard shad, not American shad. And they aren't exactly receptive to hook and line tactics. Not sure I've ever seen one hit a bait. Josh

The lexa 400 will throw big stuff no problem....MUCH more solid reel than either the Shimano or Abu.... Josh

Bleach and rag does the trick for me... Josh

Sounded like it was an option for him;) Josh