CrowMan

"find something similar from a well known manufacturer" Unfortunately none of the " big guys" (Shimano, Daiwa, etc) are making in-line ice reels (yet). I do like this style for ice fishing...simple and effective (less stuff to freeze up), also easy to control the free-fall rate. Easy to use with heavy mitts or gloves. Back in the day, I used to use a Martin Multiplier fly reel on the ice for the same reasons. I have found the higher end 13 Fishing in-line reels to be pretty bullet proof....so far. Not a lot of mileage on them to see if they hold up over time. These days my hours fishing open water vs hard water are probably 12 to 1. Now that I'm mortgage and kids free, I try to get in at least one trip down south each winter. Much prefer to be wading the flats in Belize, than standing out in -20 with a 40k north wind. The older I get, the less appealing the ice gets...but that's me. Even so, I still get out trying to turn the lake into Swiss cheese at least 10 times a winter. I grew up at my Grandmother's cottage on Long Point filling up a bucket with Perch. There's just something about staring down a hole waiting for a tug that never gets old...

My buddy bought one last season from Amazon. Within an hour of it being on the ice, it sounded like it was grinding gravel. At the end of the day, it's a $50 reel from China (yeah I know, every thing comes fron China). As the old adage says...you get what you pay for. I've paid more than that just for a set of bearings (ABEC 7 mind you) for a centre-pin reel. Same buddy (cheap bugger) also bought a Picsifun spinning reel from Amazon last spring...didn't last the day before he took it off his rod and tossed it in the lake... lol... I've been using a couple of the 13 Fishing BlackBetty Freefall in-line reels (not that I'm a big fan of most of the stuff from 13 Fishing) ...but they spin nicely even in sub-zero F temps, and the drag is pretty decent. There's also a Pflueger in-line reel that another friend uses...haven't heard him swear at it yet..

A few folks have recommended the Fireline Ice. Does anyone know the difference between Fireline Crystal Ice and Fireline Micro Ice ? Yeah, NanoFil is definitely my favourite line on a spinning reel the rest of the year. I'll keep switching it front to back between reels...just keep on putting on more backing. I did try Sunline XPlasma this past year...so far I'm really liking it, especially in finnesse applications. However, just like NanoFil you have to be very careful with the knots you use.

I'm re-loading some reels for the hard water season. Most of the lakes I fish are quite clear, so I prefer to use FluoroCarbon line....4 or 6lb for Crappie/Perch and 8lb for Walleye. If I'm going deep for Whitefish/Lakers, then it's 10lb braid with a 6 or 8lb. FC leader. I like the no-stretch qualities of braid for the sensitivity when deeper than 25 ft. Last couple of seasons I used Sufix Ice FC and Sufix 832 Ice Braid....however both these lines can get stiff and springy when cold and wet...and don't necessarily shed water as advertised, they'll get sticky on the spool. I know there's a bunch of ice fishing specific lines on the market now...any experiences and recommendations to share ?

Yeah, Pike is actually perfect for this...like you stated in your video...the secret is to only add the fish at the very end for no more than 5 to 10 minutes at a simmer. Otherwise, it will fall apart and you'll end up with a bowl of fish mush..

Great recipe ! Thanks for sharing. I do something very similar...in a white wine and tomato based broth. I throw in whatever different combinations of fish/seafood and veggies I have available...fresh mussels and/or clams really takes it up a notch...scallops and crab too, but almost any firm fish works. It's a good way to use Pike...because after I'm done trying to get boneless fillets, there's only small pieces left...lol The French call it Bouillbaisse, and the Italians call it Cioppino...but to me it's simply Fisherman's Stew. Perfect on a cold winter night. Thanks again...always enjoy your videos !

Striped Bass season closed on October 15th in NB. Ive spent some time there myself. I'm not sure what's in the river in Moncton, but it looks like chocolate milk all the time. For future reference, a short drive will take you to Shediac (home of the Giant Lobster !). The Shediac River gets a good run of Stripers. Further afield, that entire coastline of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is Striper central, especially the Miramichi. Miscou Island probably has the best Striper fishing on the planet.

Hey Doug... I don't mind the heat as long as there is: a. a swimming pool or lake or ocean nearby b. a cold beverage in my hand c. an air-conditioned room to sleep in Yep...Crow has been known to cough up some tasty fish through the ice and some ugly ones too...🤞 for some early hard water ! Rick

I have several watercraft...stand up paddle boards, canoes, paddle boat, kayaks, rubber dinghy, SeaDoos, aluminum outboard, fiberglass stern drive...all of them at some point have been used for fishing. I have a cottage and a big family...everyone wants to be entertained

If there's a good stiff north-east wind blowing...you can get a similar effect at the mouth of the Niagara. Launch in Queenston, nice flat run to NOTL, and then try to get to the bar or the green can.. it's big tight swells over your head, with a cross chop. Good wet fun when you're in Miami and the water is 83f. A little different on Lake O in April when the water is 45f....hehehe

We sometimes forget how simple fishing can be...

Yeah...dude has some serious improvisational skills.

This may sound a little bougie (probably because I am)... but on the couple of occasions I've repaired a broken rod tip, the rod has never felt the same afterwards...especially if I'm using it for finesse applications where sensitivity is paramount. What used to be a favourite, now becomes one for the grandkids to play with.. For me that would be an excuse (not that I need one...lol) to go out and buy a new rod.

To clarify...my thought was if the transducer was on a pole mount, would I see the TM shaft if it was aimed in that direction.

Good info guys, thanks. Two opinions...both reflect exactly my thoughts and the debate in my own head. Currently, I'm running a Terranova and considering I do use spot lock quite often, I'm leaning towards the pole/hand mount. Just don't like the idea of one more thing to be manipulating especially when I'm in "search and destroy" mode. Also, I would imagine the TM shaft may show up on the imaging ? Maybe need to look at a Force TM or similar too...as usual with technology, one upgrade leads to another...lol

I'm planning to install LiveScope on my boat this winter. Debating whether to mount the transducer on the trolling motor or on a seperate pole mount. I'm a multi-species/presentations angler...I'll cruise shore lines pitching for Bass... I'll spot lock and vertically jig Walleyes and Lakers...I'll hunt down suspended open water Crappie...I'll troll with downriggers and dipseys...etc, etc... a bit of everything. Opinions ?

Nice set up !

Unfortunately that Grandma might be one of the last of her kind... https://bluefishcanada.ca/the-death-of-the-st-lawrence-musky-fishery/ Interesting opinion by John Anderson that long line trolling is contributing to their decline...as opposed to casting

https://www.in-fisherman.com/editorial/worldclass-mega-muskie-from-lake-ontario/466685

According to the Cabela's listing it comes with a suction cup mount, which should be fine for casual use...especially if you're using it on different boats. Sounds like a great deal...I can't believe how much the technology has come down in price for what you get. I remember buying my first Hummingbird over 40 years ago (which had the resolution of Atari PacMan in black and white) for which I spent a small fortune compared to my salary back then. Some of you may even remember further back...the Lowrance Fish-Lo-K-Tor...the famous "Little Green Box" that started it all.

Like a lot of folks, my first experience fishing was when I was 5 years old. Catching Rock Bass and Sunfish off the cottage dock...piece of worm, red & white bobber, push- button Zebco spincaster...simple times, but with that first taste, "the tug became the drug" 60 years later and 100's of 1000's of dollars spent on gear, boats and trips...I'm still hooked (excuse the pun). Welcome to what I hope becomes a life long passion.

My wife and I were down in the Turks & Caicos last week. The son of my fishing buddy of 40 years was getting married at The Shore Club in Providenciales. Weather was a perfect sunny 29c every day, and the ocean a warm 28c. Beautiful resort and a great wedding. Since there were 4 hard-core anglers in the group, we naturally wanted to take a day or two after the celebration to do some fishing...specifically Bonefish, and since Bones aren't really good eating, maybe something for the table too. This was my 3rd trip to Provo, and in the past I had hired a guide with a flats boat, but frankly I didn't find it worthwhile. Besides, the prices for a charter have become astronomical. So we rented a car and decided to do a couple of days of DIY fishing from shore. From previous trips, I had some spots in mind so we weren't going in completely blind. As for tackle, I packed a 3 piece TFO med-lt 7ft spinning rod (30" in the case so you can carry on the flight), reel with 10lb braid, some 8lb FC leader and a small box of 1/8 oz bonefish jigs. We found some nice shallow sandy flats and simply wet waded stalking the silver ghosts. We very quickly all got into a few on the rising tide, but after that they disappeared. Timing is everything with Bones. Bonefish pull like no other fish that swims (pound for pound). A 4 pounder will peel off drag 50 yards at a time. They typically live in skinny water (often less than 12") and their only real predators are Sharks and Barracudas...so the only way for them to escape is to swim like hell. One of the fastest fish in the ocean...they can reach speeds over 65kph. What makes fishing for Bones so much fun is that it's more hunting than fishing...it's sight fishing at its best. You're stalking them in very skinny water, hoping to see them (often just a shadow, as they are pure chrome and mirror the bottom) before they see you. Then it requires a soft accurate cast to "lead" them without spooking them. After having some fun with the Bones, we then found a rock jetty and decided to do a little bottom fishing. Using some shrimp we "borrowed" from the resort, we quickly filled a cooler with Strawberry Grouper, Snapper and TriggerFish. One of the Snappers lost his rear end to a Barracuda as it was being reeled in. On the way back, we stopped at the harbour and negotiated a great deal on a bucket of freshly caught lobster (Caribbean Crayfish) tail from a local fisherman. One of our group had rented a villa with full kitchen and BBQ, so we cooked up a seafood feast fit for Kings and Queens that night...all washed down with local rum cocktails. I have fished the flats in many places around the Caribbean (Mexico, Belize, Roatan, Cuba) but if you're looking for a winter destination with direct flights, beautiful resorts, the best beaches, very clean, safe (no need to look over your shoulder), great food, English speaking (its a Commonwealth country), and good DIY fishing...I highly recommend the T&C's. I'd be glad to point you in the direction of some fishing spots if you go...it's not a big island.

Very nice job Canuck...impressive handy work. As I mentioned earlier, I already have a Flambeau Rod Bazooka that is lockable and expandable to 102". It has served me well for air travel (I also protect each individual rod with mesh sleeves) and from flights to northern Saskatchewan to the Cook Islands, my rods have always arrived unscathed. The final solution I decided on is to install racks on the truck. I found some relatively inexpensive aluminum ones that will work with a tonneau cover. They should arrive shortly. I will then secure my Bazooka to the racks with stainless steel reinforced lockable straps. Not a completely theft proof solution... nothing really is...but someone will have to go to a lot of trouble if they really want my rods.. BTW, I found it really difficult to find 2 PC rods that fit my needs. Anyway, something like this..

Those photos are of a NEKO RIG...a variation of the Wacky. If you read all the posts, you will see that the conversation on this thread turned in that direction.

I agree. Not sure how he or that organization has come to represent and be the voice of anglers. Just another note...a pet peeve of mine. I know its common for us anglers to call fishing a sport, but we tread on dangerous waters. A "sport" can easily be banned through legislation. Nevermind the "anti's" trying to ban it by arguing we're depleting a resource...or even with catch & release that we're harassing and torturing living things for fun or sport. Angling should be defined by us as a "cultural activity". My grandfather fished, my father fished, my kids fish, my grandchildren fish...it's part of my family's "culture ". Culture is protected by the Constitution, sport is not. It's also why we should always eat some (selective harvest) of our catch. Again, It's my family's heritage to eat wild caught fish. I know this all sounds kind of esoteric given that we live in Canada which has long storied history of fishing and hunting...but just look at what's happening in Europe, where in Germany catch & release fishing has been banned outright since the late '90's. A few P3TA types get into political office, and it quickly becomes a slippery slope.