Want

I didn't want to read this post because our dog is a "senior" fellow. I'm beginning to see signs of age in him and it's kind of hard to see that happening. I love him very much. But sharing is the best way to deal with stuff like this. I'm sure your dog had a good life and if there is a doggy heaven, I'm sure he's smiling down, wagging his tail, and all is well.

I bought a 301 a couple of weeks ago. Shimano's rebate makes it a very attractive deal. Bought it for throwing #5 to #7 bucktails. Have to wait a while to use it but I bet it handles those sizes very well. The reel is smooth and very well made. The gears are huge. Reassuring to read Marc's post.

Become a lot better at pitching, flipping, and fishing weeds.

I was there for a few hours today. It seemed kinda small to me this year. And I agree with the other comments about more boats than fishing stuff. Just had to add that I bought a new flipping rod from J&B's Fishing Depot while there. Very good experience. A Mfr's rep called Shaun helped me out a lot, even to pointing out some baits that worked well in a tournament last year at my new home lake (Scugog). That made my trip to the show worthwhile. I think going is more of a tradition for me than anything else.

I've been a subscriber to In-Fisherman for quite a few years now. Good mag covering multi-species though some of the issues the past few years have been a bit thin and repetitive. IMO In-Fisherman took a hit when the Lindners left, but all in all, still pretty good.

Good point. But I think it will be the other way. The Pats have had a second look at the Giants and will, as always, adjust. Pats have it.

Thanks for the answers guys. Yep, with the $50 Rebate coupon, it's a pretty tempting offer. I never could refuse rebates anyway.

I throw a lot of Mepps size 5 bucktails and 6 and 7 sized spinnerbaits on traditional Muskie reels: (C3's, Calcutta etc. but all retrieve "right". So I'm thinking about getting a leftie. The main gears of the 301 are apparently a bit bigger than a Shimano Tiagra 80 saltwater reel and that should mean a lot of torque (or so goes the ad copy). My concern is that the IPT is 28" at 6.2:1. That seems kind of fast for blade bates around size 5 and up. Really would like hearing from somebody who has actually used this reel for bucktails and spinnerbaits. Thanks.

I too have always enjoyed the show. I like the timing: mid-February. That helps out a lot with Cabin Fever.

I really like the size of that boat. AND it will boogie with that motor. Congrats

I've been looking at pontoon boats the past few years too. Thinking about trading in my walleye boat and hitching my 13 ft. tinny behind it when on the lake. Take the wife and the dog out to some quiet cove or bay on the pontoon, anchor the pontoon and go out in my Tinny; fish, go back and relax. Or maybe just leave them there. To think, 12 years ago I wouldn't have dreamed that a pontoon would sound kinda nice.

Mistaredone wrote: I could not resist and picked up the C3 6501 IMO you made a pretty good choice. I have a couple of 6500's and some other ABU's that are reaching 12 or so years old. They have never failed me. Should you ever decide to "upgrade" the peformance of your reel (C3's are easy to work on), you can pick up some pretty neat parts at www.mikesreelrepair.com to make that C3 smoother and cast farther. Enjoy the reel and good fishing.

Yep.

Well I joined again. Used to sign in under slowhand but with a number of changes in computers, email accounts, and lost passwords over the past few months, I decided to start over and rejoin. My new handle is Want. Chose 'want' because it basically sums up my attitude towards fishing tackle and fishing: want, want, want....etc. I am a confirmed tackle junkie, especially stuff from Japan. Kept my boat up at Glouscester Pool for about 10 years and moved it down to Lake Scugog last August. Don't know the "Bog" all that well yet, but one thing I know for sure. Scugog is very different than Gloucester Pool. Anyway, I fish for everything and anything the lake holds. Love fishing for Muskie as much as for Bass as much as for Walleye. It feels good and right to be back. Hope I will be able to make some meangingful contributions as we go along. Thanks, Want.