Moosebunk

Wrote a rather extensive piece last fall outlining the advantages of a tiller. Not to say there aren't days I wouldn't mind the comforts of a full consoled boat and eventually I'll go there, but for many reasons explained in the article I feel the ultimate multispecies option providing best boat control, space and yes in some ways comfort too, is a tiller. Click the link below to read more about those thoughts if you like. THE TILLER ADVANTAGE

Thanks Lew! Hope all is well with ya. And... yeah, there is all these great points. Gotta love the ProV for all fishability. Both options are awesome RN! Still believe that 18 for around here, on inland and big lakes is more than enough boat. Unless it's the fish being caught, bigger is not always better IMO. The 1875 ProVM has 4 more inches beam than my 1875 ProGuide's 92", which anyone who gets in the big tiller with the wide open dance floor (like the ProMusky does have) will often comment how much space there is. If that's what you're looking for, I think you've found it in that boat and without there being need to haul around even more space and weight with the 20.

85% casting... surely that is a great boat layout either way 18 or 20... Ask yourself what scenario you'd need that 2 feet of extra boat if you're casting? 2vs3 guys maybe? The digital RPM sounds interesting. The best muskie guide in the biz, Lazarus, is said to never, ever have his hand off the throttle, constantly adjusting to keep the desired speed trolling. You considering a trolling motor tells me you're more interested in doing that more than 15% of your time because otherwise on the 18 foot boat with RPM limiters you can achieve quite slow speeds or run all day at muskie troll speeds effortlessly. I'd say, forget that trolling motor, go with a big Terrova, and beef up your electronics even more. But I can't put myself in your shoes and am actually not sure what your thought process is behind your choices. Fishing muskie alot myself nowadays predominantly trolling but moving more into casting each season, 2 to 5 days on the water a week while home fishing multispecies each season, plus having kids of my own come along, doing camping trips that loads gear big time, fishing big and small waters, having friends aboard... if looking to a new boat for muskie with friends and family but alot of solo too, to mainly cast and do some trolling from, fishing big or small waters, then this rig in 18 feet would be mint, no trolling motor needed, big electronics with sonar, sidescan and chartplotter included, panoptix (if affordable for the added bonus with casting in any depths) If not panoptic then a Bird or Garmin for autocharting (a bonus more for trollers) a solid Terrova or the like upfront.

You fish alone a lot eh... 18.75 in that boat is plenty enough space and vessel to handle you and others on the days you'll choose to fish. Unless you're guiding or in dire need to fish GBay, St. Clair, the open Erie or 40 acre area on days it's kicking up, you don't need all the costs included with the 20. It'd be overkill. Gonna presume you're predominantly a caster? All that deck would be mint for you and a buddy or two. But, if you're a troller more often fishing alone or with just another angler then this boat is all wrong IMO. Same if it's just you and kids. Wouldn't matter the size either, for a standard Pro-V would have a number of advantages in comfort, safety and even musky-fishability. Two best all-purpose, aluminum musky fishing boats in my opinion if you can afford 'em, any normal-ish 18-19 foot dual consoled boat, kicker or not, or, the same length boat in a big tiller giving up comfort for some boat control and fishing style advantages.

I like the part when you said, "never saw it so I guess it was a new world record." Made me chuckle. Nice to see fishing reports on a fishing site. :)

Not cancelling camping if any ban lifts... and may still head north in June but just travel smart by fueling once for the entire road trip there, then once to get back. All food can be picked up and prepared at home and I'll just eat sammies in the truck. Could camp right at the waters edge on a buddy's property I suppose, not even see him if it's best to avoid. All depends on the rules come time. Otherwise if early season is dicey, to open up later summer for some chance, the July-August Arctic work may move to June-July. Get a little ice our char fishing in on evenings off work, then maybe have better chance to escape late summer for camping. All just dreaming right now... The missus will have some input I imagine.

The 600's are the best. Just awesome. And really, the 500's have same gear ratios and drag strength (older models do) Put my 600 to the test on skis 40-50lbs pulling big baits fast and hard for days on end, and the 500 for lakers to 47lbs and sturgeon to about 80lbs. A 100+ days for sure on one of my 600's, and still going. Spool with plenty 20lb mono backing then load up the 80lb braid to fill.

If my wife was game for it, the kids too, I'd leave straight for a remote island on a favorite big lake and camp out a month. Just go back to town half way between for gas and food. If the wife isn't up for it, fine. Kids are coming with me. lol. (they'd hate that)

That sucks! March/April is a great time in YK. Love touring the ice castles and sculptures when going through.

You know, Bill's right! Really, no portages is a pro. Weather is weather regardless. Other people travel the river so there's more safety in that. Think maybe I just found it a bit more rugged than usual cause I lost like 12-14 pounds in as many days. You're working out there... and eating less junk too. No Netflix either.

Unfortunately work restricts watching this, otherwise I'd be all over it.

Thanks for the mention Andrew. Don't imagine anyone would ever be disappointed having the Sutton atop their fishing bucketlist. That trip sat at the very top of mine for years and I know some other anglers, likely Mike, Bill, and Bradley here at OFC included, who would agree it's difficult to find a better truly rugged, outdoors fishing trip experience.

Those are bead and conehead Whooly Buggers bud.

Cool pics. Like that blade bait too.

Big Diamond Lake is a stocked lake trout fishery. The lake is just over a mile long and about 3/4s of a mile wide. Methinks this fella was lucky enough to catch a tank fed and raised brood stock fish that was released to live out some final days. Because really, there's little chance a lake that size, that receives all season angler pressure, could grow a 37 pounder over the past what... 30, 40, 50, 100 years. Records today are being shattered by fish tank fish... Kinda silly. But for this guy, it'd be hard to imagine days, years maybe a lifetime of catching 1-2 pound stockers, the odd 5 pounder then all of a sudden hook a 30+ . What a rush. lol

This Wednesday is gonna be soooo boring again. Really enjoyed the show, all personalities and the great showcasing of so many fish. Would love to see more but do agree with said above, that too much of it too often and it may get overplayed. I'd think a good and easier step for these guys for something different, would be to pick some place none have been, that has plenty big fish in a few species, and make some kind of three day tourney out of it. Bill... snagging pike in murky waters is an art. I'll give 'em the point for ganking, but only on one fish. lol.

No one really goes to Temagami for the fishing... lol. It's such a beyotch of a fish even when it's on. Would like to give it another crack some winter... and yeah Chris, something about the south end calls ya down there.

It's an advertisement really...

Medically... Worked for years with this Doctor nut who was convinced Vitamin D supplements were the be-all-and-end-all to soooo many things. I'd get tired of consulting with him on patients cause he'd want to prescribe it for just too many things. Even 5 years ago I'd think phewy about it! Until I began working in Nunavut and found that some other co-workers were taking it to help them through the 24 hours of darkness. Every November/December for years, to some degree some things would start to bother... and sometimes some things could last the winter. I'd self diagnose maybe a mild S.A.D. or just think I was down for this reason or that. But, in Nunavut 4 years ago I began taking Vitamin D daily through the dark months, 2000-3000 units each morning, and I honestly do believe it helps. First and foremost with mood, second to that cognition and energy too. In the summer nobody soaks in D from the sun better than pale faced gingers. That's good for feeling vital, (bad down the road for cancers) but honestly the sun and D do much to make people feel good. The more dark the skin, the more clothed we are (like my patients in the Arctic) the more masked we are from soaking in adequate D. Do your own research on it and find out for yourself how it can help. Again, in Nunavut during the 24 hours of dark, the insane cold that keeps me indoors for a month, dealing with sick patients one-after-another daily, and the sleep deprivation that can come with a work/call schedule of 24 hours a day 7 days a week, any legal help I can get from a harmless pill is welcome. I find some benefits to Vitamin D for the winter blues.

Agreed! Those fish make me jealous too. lol

Get that back in shape, keep it in shape and get more of those fish. Docs orders!

Won't ever forget all the fun I had in this one... The WarCanoe.

Stick around awhile eh!!! Nice to see ya kicking around back this way.

Yeah... Aaron flew through with High Arctic Lodge. Lucky guy was staying with them for a week, and it's quite the outfit being that every day they fly to a char location to fish. Alex had missed his original flight out of the USA. By the time he arrived, 4 days of fishing had been lost to his week long trip. Yikes! Anyways, again I really enjoyed Aaron's company. Being that my 5 day trip had fallen on unlucky timing and I was out there alone sometimes dwelling on that difficult fishing, his day three appearance really lifted my spirits. Should be another solid episode tonight.

WOW! Wasn't expecting that read at all but thanks for sharing. A serious reminder and especially important with the crap ice season and climate this winter. It's sketchy out there! Drove the skidoo out onto 8 inches of ice on a tiny back lake this week. Cruising around later in the day to punch different holes found an open spot in the middle, likely where a spring is. Realized when I stopped the skidoo I parked on 4 inches, that open water barely visible was maybe 75 feet away. Gotta smarten up and stay that way out there. Glad you and the dog are all good!