SlowPoke

What a trip! I departed London for Emil's place on Friday afternoon and our first order of business was to level out his trailer hook-up and modify/install a part from Lund that converts the walk-through into a casting deck. Emil thought it was going to take 3 hours but we probably wrapped it up in a little over an hour. During this time, Emil's neighbour (supposedly named John) came over to offer his input and 'direction'. I was immediately suspicious of 'John'; there was something about him. Don't get me wrong, I liked him but couldn't figure out what he was trying to hide. We made plans to meet up with 'John' for Saturday morning at the launch ramp. So, casting deck is perfect and we determined a 0 or 3/4" rise receiver was needed to level out the trailer. We used my receiver (3/4" rise) for the Friday night trip and Emil commented how much better the ride felt and seemingly better acceleration. We launched at Bronte, combined our sources intelligence and determined we would set up just short of our intended destination and troll in. We started hitting them within moments; going 4 for 5 in the first 30 minutes and it was a steady pick all night long. Emil clearly had the hot rod that evening with 75% of the hits coming off the starboard rigger. Lure wasn't the only factor either. I matched his setup but didn't see the same results. As Emil mentioned, the fishing shut off and we packed it in for the night. We arrived back at Emil's for dinner and a beverage before hitting the sack around 1AM. We got back up at 4:30 in hopes of duplicating our results. We met up with 'John' at the ramp and he arrived over burdoned with gear. A complete camera crew! It was only then I realized 'John' was not John, but Ron. As in Ron Howard, Acadamy Award winning director! I knew he was hiding something! Okay, perhaps it wasn't Ron but John could have been his younger brother! Great guy to fish with, an entrepreneur and I wish him all the best in his endeavours. Saturday morning results may have duplicated Friday evening but we had to work for it. We set up on our spot from the night before but the fish hadn't. We pulled the plug, moved in shallower and began picking them off. My rods were a lot more active today so Emil decided to move again. Okay, perhaps the fishing shut off when the rain started. The rods were silent while endure a light rain and we thought we try our spot from Friday again. They were there! It was a steady pick from about 10 until noon when the meter ran out at the launch. We enjoyed some doubles and nearly triples. Resetting rods only to have them fire again as we sat down. It's been a while since we've had a day like that. It felt like the Blue Zone but with bigger fish and a tenth of the gas burned! Good times, Emil and thank you for your hospitality.

I think you're going to be fine for this trip but you should correct it... as said, you want the trailer level. One of the problems with an unlevel trailer is weight transfer under braking. Too low at the ball will transfer weight to the rear wheels of the tow vehicle and lighten the load on the front wheels (where 80% of your braking power comes from). Too high at the ball will try to lift the rear wheels under braking and cause sway. I think you will be fine because you have a light load and a big tow vehicle but for $30 at Princess auto, you can put the odds in your favour. With that said, I'm off to Emil's to help him with the same issue!

I was reluctant to join two years ago due to my work schedule. I was encouraged to join even if I could not attend any meetings and I'm glad I did. As a relative muskie newb, I don't have much to offer the club other than membership fees (which go a long way) and I've gotten so much in return. They're okay with that! Once you're enlisted, you have access to the MC forums. From there you can learn much more and make arrangements to get out with other members. Your membership will pay for itself; not only will you receive a wealth of knowledge, but gain access to 'members only' deals on tackle.

If anybody has a late model Yamaha F115 laying around.... I'm just sayin' Great score on the motor and kudos to Davo!

Classic!

Were you trying to qualify for the next "Boat launch bozo" thread?

I'm surprised it took this long after all the Lakair chili and beans! I woke up around 1:45 but I don't recall any shaking in London. I asked my daughter and her tutor preping for exams in the kitchen and they didn't notice anything either.

This might be one of the times a front wheel drive might help at a ramp! The water is low but your front drive wheels should still be on the concrete. In any event, I'm sure Kevin's big Dodge won't be too far away to lend a hand.

Or two in parallel connected in series to two in parallel... just sayin'. Easier to charge two 12 v banks than two 24 v banks.

Good to see you and the family again! And stop following us!!!

A crack in the gel coat means the hull has flexed. Not uncommon. The downside is that moisture can enter and over time cause rot within the fibers. Every glass boat will have cracks in it; location and severity will determine the level of concern.

The best Lakair trip yet! It was short but sweet. For those that haven't been, it's not really about the fishing. It's not really about the weather. It's about putting faces to names and catching up with those you don't get to see often. Special thanks to Art and Joe for extending an invitation to their cabin to douG and I. They even went to the trouble of adorning our room with a Canadian flag!!! Two of the finest people you'll ever meet. Some new faces this year and I'm already looking forward to seeing them at Quinte or next year back at Lakair. Thanks again to those that supplied prizes, food and great mammaries! And now for exclusive Lakair photos... ... okay perhaps they're not that exclusive. Anyone that has been to Lakair probably has a few of these photos over the years.

I don't use soft plastics often but when I do, it's Gulp Alive. My biggest complaint is storing them but it seems Berkley has comme up with a solution. A Gulp Alive storage tray that will fit into tackle bags/boxes much like a Plano 3700. It has a double seal and just survived 1100KM trip in the car and a boat ride without losing a drop while being store on end. It does work. Two tips for you; Just when you think it's closed, it's not. It has a double seal. Snap the lid closed firmly all the way around and really push hard to make that second seal. If you just want one of the compartments, the snap out from the back of the tray. They're not cheap at $18 but neither is Gulp Alive. Protect your investment.

Looking good but here's a thought. You should have left over material, enough for 10 2" sections... stagger the tubes and use the 2" sections as spacers. Use the left over tubes to make a third row. tube - spacer - tube - spacer - tube spacer - tube - spacer - tube - spacer tube - spacer - tube - spacer - tube

I'm not an Evinrude fan but there were certain models prone to failure. Mostly high HP models and Pre 2000. My wife's uncle has a 2001 150 on his 196 Princecraft and I'm thoroughly impressed with the power and fuel economy. In the first year he did have plug fouling issues; this was from trolling and not having the plugs indexed correctly. Since then, easy starting and clean running! Here's my take on it; If you were looking to repower a boat with a used motor, keep looking. If you found the boat you want and it happens to have a ficht, don't run away without research. Just be aware that you may have to convince someone "it's the good ficht" if you decide to sell it.

Congrats on your first! Gearing up properly can be expensive; especially through trial and error! Join Muskies Canada and get out with experienced guys. It can really help making your gear decisions when you see the stuff in action.

Keep an eye out at JYSK. Last time we were there they had Queen Sealy's on for $545

Those are nice reviews Roy. For $100, I think I'd jump on it. Never tried the Cruxis myself orther than handling them in the store but they have a nice feel for the retail price.

Great report! As Sinker mentioned, you don't have to have the measurement in the photo. As for the sign, try what I keep forgetting to do. Have the sign laminated at Staples for $1.xx and use a couple snap swivels and a length of line to wear it around your neck.

You are obligated to assist until it puts your vessel in harms way. What puzzles me is why they didn't contact authorities to carry out the 'rescue'.

That's okay Ron, I'm just honoured to be part of the HandleBarZ Pro Staff and looking forward to getting the tournament shirts and boat wrap. Maybe Nissan will sponser me too.

I see your point but; if for example they had purchased a 200x400 property and lost 30' to the neighbour, you might not notice that by eye and up being out a substantial amount of property. Or, they may have assumed they owned an equal portion of property opposite to the encroachment belonging to the other neighbour.

Okay, I had a chance to see them up close. Very nice! Here's a chance to see them in action... HandleBarZ "Confusion" They glory shot And the payoff Nice debut for a bait, Mike! First time in the water and they were enough to win the Muskies Canada Opener with a thick 45"er.

Looking good Mike, I can't wait to see them up close!

No, the handle is on the right side. The bail is on the wrong side! This is why I hate spinning reels! Sure you can swap the handle (nowadays) but the bail is always in the wrong spot for left hand casters. I was buying a Castaic baitcaster with the "Instagage" button at Angling Outfitters last week and Jos was trying to sell me a 201 (lefty). I kept telling him "no, I'm normal, I need a 200". He says "it will feel more natural reeling and you won't have to switch hands". Nay nay I said, I cast with my left! BTW, I'm right handed.