SlowPoke

Great picture from Ron, I was hoping you would post it! Congrats to your daughter on the PB and I bet that will be upgraded soon, closer to home. -Brian

I think I heard October from Jos at Angling Outfitters in Woodstock. He doesn't have a lot of faith in the newer Shimano lines and prefers the old Curado B (green) to the current Curado D (silver). I don't think he is anticipating anything better for the new Curado E. I tend to disagree with him regarding the B vs. D, I really like the D series but I did see his point with the new Stradic being a downgrade over the old one. -Brian

That's too funny! I can almost picture it... you're doing bird calls and checking your watch while Dan is browsing for fishing tips! LOL -Brian

Just make sure you use a good quality ball bearing swivel!

I bought a Helly Delta for my wife but it fit a little big so I kept it for myself I don't regret buying it because I very seldom use it and think of it being "better than nothing". For my level of usage it's ideal but if I was requiring a float suit more than once or twice a year I'd opt for something of better quality, fit and function. It's impossible to argue with Peter's point of view of 'what is your life worth to you?' so I have to limit my risks through frequancy and timing. I don't fish frigid softwater very often and never alone. I don't fish early or late hardwater. I don't go out in rough seas. I don't fish fast water. And I certainly don't get calls on a cold winter night to go out and rescue someone on the water. I'll leave that to those with a bigger set of cannonballs than I have! -Brian

I won't be trying that anytime soon. I have levelwinds for trolling and your method doesn't appear to address the line rubbing the gunwale issue. If it works for you, have at it. -Brian

I have a much larger chunk out of my skeg... picture the curvature of a tennis ball extending into the skeg about 7/8". No perceivable issues. I inquired about repair and the over-the-phone estimate was $85 and they said they could likely fix it without removing the lower unit. If the skeg is bent, it's possible that it may cause the boat to lean or turn but it doesn't look that significant in the picture. I would take it back to the dealer, swallow your pride and ask if they are prepared to do anything about it. They might have a guy in the shop that can weld it up and not cost the dealer anything to fix. I think it's worth asking. They should be able to tune the steering for as well by adjusting the trim tab anode, or at least walk you through the process. It's not difficult but could be time consumming if you want it perfect. Trial and error. It might also be a weight balance issue or perhaps a wind issue. Be sure that it isn't a tilt/trim issue. My boat for example will exhibit heavy steering effort in one direction until its planed out and trimmed correctly. At that point the steering is as light as if you were sitting still. Congrats on the new boat and lets see some more pictures of it. It sounds like a nice ride. -Brian

I'd be inclined to use as pictured in your first image BUT with the rod tip facing forward to the same degree instead of rearward in your picture. As the rod bends while trolling the tip will be straight out from the holder at boatside. I would also tilt it up slightly, maybe 15*. What this will accomplish is putting the load against the holder and far less prone to slipping out of the holder. Now that I re-read this, maybe I'll go take a picture... be right back. Okay, I'm back. Excuse the image quality, it's taken from my phone at 5:30AM... I would want to avoid what Raf was suggesting because of where the holder will contact the rod. His idea is fine for muskie rods or trolling rods with 6"-8" foregrips but not for your average spinning rod as you can see here. -Brian

You know it's hot when the fish are sweating. Nice report Dawg. -Brian

If you're suggesting that the reel and rod butt are behind the holder, I disagree. Ideally you want the reel seat in the holder. Having it behind the holder shortens the action and puts strain on a weaker section of rod. -Brian

You've been into the Junior Johnson kool-aid again Glen. That trigger will bind against the back of the holder. If you don't believe me, bring your Snoopy level-wind and meet me in Saskatchewan on Saturday and we'll have Holdfast take us out. -Brian

Roy's picture is correct. The rod/reel won't fit in the "saddle" because of the trigger on the rod. A downrigger rod (no trigger) would fit. You guys with your salty's need to get out to the gym more -or- do what I do, twist the top of the rod towards the front of the boat while pulling up. This takes the load off the holder (binding) and it releases easily. -Brian

For me, the good days have been great. The problem is, there hasn't been that many good days. When I've had a chance to get out, I've spent long hours on the water. One thing I have noticed is the forecasts seem to have been more accurate. I recall last year being a total crapshoot each and every outting. At least this year the good weather windows have been 'as advertised'. -Brian

GCD & Danbo, separated at birth! Studd, that knife is pretty cool! -Brian

So did I LOL!!

Thanks Mike. I've googled kijiji before (kijiji.ca shimano) and yielded great results. I just tried it your way and... "kijiji.ca shimano" = 18,200 results "site: kijiji.ca shimano" = 18,200 results "site:kijiji.ca shimano" = 17,100 results (note no space site:kijiji) -Brian

That's an Atlantic. Someone had to say it. My 40"er in May looks like a missle compared to that nuclear submarine! Great photos Dan. -Brian

Safe trip Mike and good luck. While you're in the area you should drop into Lakair. There will be several familier faces during the Aug. 15-16 weekend. I'd be there myself but I'm stuck fishing Simcoe for that weekend. -Brian

Fan-freakin-tastic Dan, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy! -Brian

Cliff, there's no need to lie, we were running stackers. Your lovely bride knows all about them. Pay attention!! Joey, there are two types of stackers. This type requires the snap to be fastened to the rigger cable and the short release fastened just below the snap to limit travel on the cable. The second release is for your line. This type clips onto the rigger cable very easily and with a single hand. I also find that if you forget to turn off your rigger on the way up, they don't get tangled in the rigger pulley. I much prefer this style. Stackers should be spaced apart a minimum of 10' running spoons. If you plan on running flashers, 10' may not be enough even with a tight lead from the release. If you're running a diving crankbait, be sure to run it on the lowest release and a spoon or worm harness on the stacker. -Brian

Love 'em. I have the older LVR-850, great radio. Icefisherman has the newer LVR-250, it's even better. -Brian

I was out there on Sunday reeling in the monsters but I was not in my boat. Dan, congrats bud! I think you might have to re-think your stance on consoles, that's a heckuva fish. -Brian

I'll keep looking for the numbers, I know I have them somewhere. You are of course welcome to drop by and go for a walk with the leader in your hand. You might also consider segmenting the colours for p-board applications... a mono or fluoro lead in between colours to tuck into the p-board release. Ideally, 20yd fluoro leader, 3-colours, 1yd fluoro, 2-colours, 1yd fluoro, 1-colour, braid backing. This will give you 15', 25', 30' flexibility off the boards without destroying the lead and the fluoro will release easier for the light bite. -Brian

The 'bows are fragile and I'm not sure if it's just the warmer water at the surface. Many of these 'bows will rocket from 80' to your lure at 35' and break the surface within seconds and fight themselves to near-death. I tend to think the warmer water is a contributing factor and makes revival tougher but not the sole cause of death. On sunday we got one in cold (62*surface), reletively shallow water (100') and we were unable to revive it. We picked up 10 more in warmer (74*surface), deep water (320'-360') and had to take home five that wouldn't revive. Many of the non-survivors were breathing fine but kept rolling over. Lakers and salmon tend to fight more at thier depth, come up slowly and are much easier to revive. -Brian

I have a couple 5-colour 209's with lots of mono backing and they work fine. I thought I had the backing information recorded but I can't find it. Braid backing is great and might allow for another colour or two. As UB said, the gear ratio is low but not overwhelming with 5 colours... 10 colours on a 309 is a real (reel) workout. Keep in mind, these setups will catch a lot of fish but be prepared to keep what you catch. The weight of the core and distance back really exhaust the fish. -Brian