CrowMan

I don't know about "un-educated". Jon Anderson is one of the most respected Muskie authorities on the planet. And the list of names signing off at the bottom have a bit of experience too. BTW, it's not planer boards so much as long line trolling with mono, which remains a common practice on the US side of the river.

I do. We were living on Durie St in the High Park neighborhood of TO. At the final buzzer everyone ran out into the street to celebrate. Car horns blaring everywhere. I remember by Dad walking around and pouring shots of Crown for the neighbours on the front porch. As a 9 year old, I thought I'd see that sight again, at least a few more times in the years ahead. Still waiting. Hope I see it while I'm still upright on this planet. When or if it happens, it'll probably be the only time I'll miss being back in the city...just to experience the collective jubilation. Never mind the World Series, NBA Championships or Grey Cups...Toronto has and (hopefully) always will be a Hockey town. There'd be one hell of a hangover afterwards..

Congrats...looks like a great deal !

Like you slwndwn, I still have a couple of old Fenwick Rigger Sticks with the twist guides...great rods, but a little heavy for my taste too. Over 20 years ago, I bought two Sage 10.5 ft GSH 3106LB rods. They're essentially west coast style centre pin rods. A little heavier than we typically use here in the Great Lakes. I have used them for exactly that with float reels on trips to the Skeena system, and one especially memorable trip to the Dean. However, the primary reason I got them was to use them as rigger rods here in Ontario. I have Islander Mooching reels on them. The fight with a single-action reel, and the ability to "palm" the reel when a King decides to head for the other side of the lake, makes Salmon fishing a blast. They really won't handle heavy set-ups that well....like Spin Doctors or Twinkie Rigs, and I certainly wouldn't run wire or Dipsy's on them...but for straight up spoons or body baits off the riggers they're perfect. A lot more fun than cranking on a Tekota. Anyway, you may want to take a look at float rods...they certainly have that desirable slow action...and there's a number of models in the 11ft range. An old school 9 to 10 ft noodle rod would also probably be something to look at.. I will say, that if you're using the "baitrunner" function of your spinning reels to let out line when you drop the balls, it can become problematic. Line twist will become an issue. Just speaking from my own experience using a Shimano Thunnus that I own during some offshore salt water trips down south. It's better to just open the bail if you're letting out any considerable amount of line...but then again, it's the same problem when a fish makes a long run.

Agree...Bertuzzi too. Let's see if the the "snot and vinegar" that Treliving talked about comes to fruition.

I'm just having a second look at your photo and something else came to mind. At a few of the lodges/outfitters I have been to on the West Coast, they use a brand labeled "Trophy XL" for their mooching rods for Salmon. I believe it's a local Canadian brand mostly sold in the BC market. They also make conventional and spinning rods. Perhaps "Omni" was their distributor in eastern Canada back then ? Fred's in Abbotsford BC carries them. https://shopfreds.ca/trophy-xl/

Have you looked at the new "Onchor" rods from St. Croix ? Nice sticks...they're replacing the Avid Steelhead & Salmon line-up. They have a 9ft MH spinning rated for 10 to 20lb that sounds like it may fit the bill. Fishing World in Hamilton has a few models on the rack if you want to wiggle one...in fact they have a big sale on until tomorrow. The issue with most spinning rods in that length and power is that they are fast action....and for downrigging you really want more of a slower parabolic action. Having something tied up custom may be your best solution.

I have the MKA-32 quick release mount for my Terrova. It's solid aluminum and can be locked with a small padlock. The mount is so rock solid that there is virtually no play at all. The tolerances are so tight, that sometimes it's difficult to easily slide off the top plate when removing the motor. I have learned to periodically rub a beeswax candle on the grooves before sliding it back on. Make sure you mount the bottom plate securely. I have heard of some fails where the bracket has ripped right off the bow. Depending on the composition of your bow deck, you may want use a 1/4" aluminum backing plate under the deck, or at the very least oversize SS fender washers. T-nuts will also help keep it secure. As you can imagine, there's considerable stress from a heavy TM when trailering over rough roads or bouncing through rough seas. I have read reports from Lake Erie guys, that regularly fish big water, of the composite material QR mounts cracking...but could just be internet Bull.

Yes, Minn Kota parts are widely available and some excellent repair shops around...Prop Shop, Aikman's.. A foot control (not a necessity, but a must have for me) is $350, if you add it to that used one. Complete package on sale at Cabela's :

Yes, the depth the motor head/prop sits below the surface of the water is completely adjustable on a TM. Longer is always better than shorter. If too short, the prop may not get enough "bite" for maximum power/control. If the water is shallow or extremely weedy where you're fishing, you can bring the motor up higher, as needed. Not sure how high the top of that bow is off the water, but 45" is probably the bare minimum for that boat. A 60" should be fine, if not preferable.

The off brand ones are less expensive.

This is what I use. There are also non OEM ones like Blue Sea at a lower price point. https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/battery-chargers/on-board-alternator

I agree with Akrisoner, an 80lb electric TM with a couple of lithiums might be a better investment than hanging a gas kicker on that boat. A lot more versatile...you can still troll with it, and if you wire it up so the big motor charges it when running, should always have enough juice to get you back.

Refers to "re-building" the motor. In layman's terms: Hone....re-surface the cylinder wall (where combustion takes place) by removing a slight amount of metal and "polishing" to create a new surface Re-ring....replace the piston rings to create a better seal to prevent combustion gasses "slipping through" The end result is to restore the compression so you're back to the original power and fuel economy Unless, you have a decent amount of mechanical experience, not something for DIY.

Great show. Met some long time friends, and had some enlightening conversations. Ended up buying a new St.Croix LT stick with the new full pistol grip...hopefully it extends my casting day...before I turn to my fishing partner and say "let's troll for a while". JB's had 25% off on all St. Croix rods. Musky guys are certainly another breed. I often hear the comment on here and elsewhere..."I would never spend more than $100 on a rod or a reel". Meanwhile, I see Musky lures selling for up to $175 a piece...just the lure...lol

https://muskiescanada.ca/en/odyssey/

I Do you have a sub 500fps air rifle or one of the high powered ones ?

Assuming you didn't need a permit to buy that gun, so it shoots at under 500fps. With low velocities, you probably want to get the heaviest pellet possible. I believe you can get .177's over 8g. At that velocity, a pointed or hollow point pellet really isn't going to make a difference, a domed pellet will probably actually have more knock down power. Even then I'm not sure how lethal a .177 at sub 500fps will be on larger blacks or greys...it will definitely have to be a head shot. As a kid, I once shot a rabbit with a .177 Crosman air rifle..didn't kill it but it was stunned enough where I could walk up to it. Fired another pellet between the eyes at point blank range, and it didn't even penetrate the skull. Ended up having to "manually" put it out of its misery. Not sure if you're in the city, but if not, I personally find a good ol' 22LR with 38g hollow points the most effective way of dispatching pests, without getting the neighbours excited...reliably deadly and reasonably quiet.

Beautiful photos. Wow ! That's a huge Bull Trout. I guess your record will always stand as I understand there is now a zero retention limit for that species in Alberta. I've caught them in BC, along with Dolly Varden Trout that look similar. As you know, they're both actually Char...very pretty fish. If you can find a photo of it, please share.

I saw this, and couldn't resist adding it to the thread...

Originally Chrysler, but then in the 90's they became a stripped down Mercury, usually sold with "value priced" boat packages like Bayliners. Common quote that you hear..."may the Force be with you, but not behind you".. I believe that Evinrude "Tracker" in the photos is the same...a value version made for Bass Pro Shops. IMO the brand's not as important as if it's been well maintained and parts are readily available. At the price point you're looking at, I don't think you're going to find Yamaha, Honda or Suzuki. If you're reasonably mechanically capable yourself or have a relationship with a trustworthy mechanic, then go for it. If not, you may want to save up and "cry once"..

Yeah, I've heard a liitle about this on the news...sounds like a pot that's ready to boil over. I guess when there's that much money involved it turns up the temperature. Doesn't sound like there are any easy answers. Who knew that baby Eels were fetching $5000 a kg ! Here's a quote that speaks to the situation: "It is the most wicked fisheries problem I have ever witnessed in my life, because literally you can go and buy a dollar store net and you can make thousands of dollars," Fuller said.

From your description, it seems you were up the Lower Moon River heading to Moon Falls. Yes, there can be a substantial current in that stretch, especially in spring. And yes, Walleye do come in there...that's why it's a sanctuary. There are more subtle currents throughout the archipelago, in neck down areas and channels between the islands. G Bay experiences a phenomena called a "seiche"...it's like a freshwater tide caused by the wind. A prolonged west blow can temporarily raise the water level by over a foot, a prolonged east blow can drop the level the same amount. All this water rushes in and out of the myriad of channels creating current areas...these spots attract predators feeding on the baitfish (in turn attracted by zooplankton) being swept by. If I can give you two pieces of advice....First, journey out and away from the Lower Moon and Woods Bay...it gets pounded. The further you get from the marinas and launches, the better the fishing. Those reefs out by the outer band of islands always have consistently good fishing..On a calm day, go out even further to those offshore reefs...few complaints about slow fishing out there.. Second, a lot of the reefs/structure is smooth featureless worn rock...ignore those. Look for structure that has broken rock, preferably boulders of between softball to basketball size...if there's cabbage weed nearby, even better... Enjoy....there's enough fishing and places to explore in that area to fill several lifetimes.

Barry, I think you need to get out fishing. It sounds like it's been a long winter in Alberta.

Lots of Cisco in G Bay...usually mark them right around the thermocline. How do you think the Muskies get that big in the Bay ? LOL