CrowMan

When you said "east" Hollywood, I knew exactly where this was going...lol

It's a vertical jig/fluke presentation basically like ice fishing....fitting technique for a Canadian with the nickname "the Snow Leopard" Gussy's "go to" is a Z-Man Jerkz Shad on a guppy style jig head. https://www.in-fisherman.com/editorial/gussys-guide-to-moping/461264

He was definitely in an aluminum Pro-V. At the end of the day, these tournaments are about marketing...it's the sponsors (ie. manufacturers) that pay the bills and keep everyone "employed". And marketing is all about branding. Gussy's brand is the "northern angler"....hence, the tin boat, finnesse presentations on spinning gear more often than not...right down to the plaid Kenora Dinner Jacket. There are plenty of good ol' boys from Texas, Alabama and the Carolinas on the tour...power fishing with baitcasters in metal-flake glass rockets. That leaves Jeff (and a few others) with a certain subset of sponsors that tend to specialize in " north country " gear to himself...Lund, Northland Tackle etc.. so he doesn't have to directly compete for those sponsorship $$$ from the majority of guys that are mostly south of the Mason-Dixon Line. So far that branding strategy has served him well. However, now that he has reached an altitude where he's at the pinnacle of the sport...that very well may change. We'll see what the future brings.

I know it's all about the sponsorship $$$, his long time ties to Lund, and his rep as a "northern angler"...but he seems to actually prefer aluminum. Obviously, he's going to pitch that angle because of who butters his bread...but he seems pretty genuine about the choice.. https://www.wired2fish.com/boats-maintenance/aluminum-bass-boat-machine-gussys-full-2020-setup

I went to Ancaster too. Bought some Keitech swimbaits and tungsten drop shop weights for a good price...but as LAO said, a lot of "didn't work for me, so you try it" stuff on the tables.

I don't know about rougher, but definitely slower. That Lund Pro-V hull nearly cost him the win...when Gussy got to his first spot this morning, Benton had already been there for 10 minutes...and promptly landed a 4 lb. Smallie as Gussy left in search of other water. Benton's more hydrodynamic glass hull was that much faster over the 45+ minute run from the launch.. Anyway, it didnt matter in the end, and he hung on for a historic win !!

Yeah, I guess growing up on LOTW is also why you see a spinning rod in his hands more often than not...and of course he completes the look with his "dinner jacket"...

I always find it interesting that Gussy is one of the few on the tour that runs an aluminum boat in a sea of glass..

Good to see the "Snow Leopard" on the prowl...killin' the brown fish with his signature "moping" presentation. That kicker Meanmouth Bass was a beauty..

https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/2-newmarket-residents-fined-by-ministry-for-illegal-fishing-6753626

I don't have any first hand knowledge of this brand (all I know is their anchoring gear)...but when it comes to electric motors, ECM (brushless) is definitely the way to go. ECM's are better in almost every way except initial cost. Lowrance and Garmin both also offer brushless/ECM trolling motors, with the advantage of being able to seamlessly combine it with their respective sonar/scanning/GPS systems. Don't think Power Pole is in the "fish finder" business as far as I know..

I've always found the freshest fish & seafood and best prices (based on quality) at St. Lawrence Market on Front St in Toronto. There are 3 different vendors that all have been there for a very long time...they all compete with each to keep prices low and bring in the best quality product. One of my favourites are the Crab Cakes from the Seafront Store. I've also often bought large size Malapeque oysters from PEI (the best on the planet) for 75 cents each.. The only headache is downtown traffic and parking....but it's also an excuse to get the best peameal bacon sandwich in town from Carousel Bakery.

This is their current Canadian flyer. Not sure if they're doing it again, but last year the "Spring Classic Sale" was April 7 to 29.

Killbear, Kawartha Highlands, Sandbanks (West and East Lakes) and Charleston all have good fishing.

I assume this is a I/O sterndrive motor, not an outboard ? Just curious if you can seperate it out for tax purposes ?

Take a look at Tumblehome Lodge on Crotch Lake. Even though it's not "way up north", the lake feels quite remote as the shoreline is over 95% crown land, with only a couple of cottages on the entire lake. Rugged granite topography with lots of islands and structure. Excellent Smallmouth fishing, and there's a couple of really good year classes of slot-size Walleye in the lake right now. There's Pike, Largemouth and Perch too. The lodge just got some brand new Bennington pontoons with Yamahas and fishfinders last year. The lodge owners runs a top notch operation. http://www.tumblehomelodge.com/

+2...Dave only says what needs to be said that's for sure. I'd like to spend a couple of hours sniffing around that basement...it's like a "closet of curiousities".... ..and the Philipino food next door is pretty good too..

Hence my wish...

If you're primarily a Walleye angler, you may want to consider the new MEGA Live Imaging Target Lock feature from MinnKota/HumminBird. This allows you to spot lock the TM, but still independently aim the MEGA Live scanning...and even keep it locked on a target (fish or structure) even the though the boat is swinging around maintaining its fixed position. Nice option, as it negates the decision whether to install your scanning transducer on your TM or on a seperate pole mount. I may be wrong, but I believe it's currently only available on the Ultrex....however, Ultrex also offers cable steer if you want to "hunt" Bass. Wish Garmin would offer this on their imaging transducers and TM's.... as I've been kicking around what to do...

If your battery runs out of juice while the Ulterra is deployed, it can turn into a bit of a nightmare. That was case with the first generation, not sure if they have rectified this issue.

I'm not sure about the figurehead, but a set of these hanging from the transom of the boat might be fitting...😆 Reminds me of a guy that I sometimes see fishing out of Bronte for Chinooks. Nice Wellcraft with four sets of riggers on it...the name of the boat written across the transom...BALLS DEEP

So true...it's just like Canadian Tire..does anyone actually but their tires there..

BPS must be doing something right, because they continue to open new stores. However, I think fishing gear has now just become a sideline for them...they don't make much effort into stock selection or marketing of tackle. It's become a 'lifestyle" brand...the greater profit margins are in clothing, bedspreads, BBQ's, deer antler chandeliers, etc, etc. I often see suburban soccer moms in the check out line with a shopping cart full of stuff...and not single item has anything to do with catching a fish. The same ladies that wear LuLuLemon pants but have never seen the inside of a yoga studio.

Not uncommon for fish in captivity...usually the result of poor water quality. https://www.acaquarium.com/tips/popeye-fish/#:~:text=What is Popeye Fish Disease%3F&text=Popeye disease (otherwise known as,as well in certain circumstances.