CrowMan

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.

https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/anglers-upset-with-proposed-changes-to-fishing-regulations-6079122

"I love talking about the nuances of stuff, thats the part of fishing that really gets me going. I could sit for hours and talk about these little details." Same here. Obviously "the tug is the drug", but it's the details and strategies of fishing that keep it fresh and interesting for me all these years. The Addermine is not necessarily a drop shot rod...although I do sometimes use it for that. It doesn't have that wimpy "hinge tip" of a NRX or GLX DSR or St Croix LE or LT. It has a surprising amount of power through the middle of the blank, but the tip just "talks" to me. However, it's versatile enough to fish everything from Ned Rigs to small Swimbaits. It's just too bad they stopped making it...hard to find now. It's the one rod I would never give up. Completely agree....the Expride 7ft Medium is the best bang for your buck on the market today in a finesse spinning rod. Unfortunately, I never liked the the foregrip on the first generation...I like most of my fingers in front of the reel and there just wasn't any cork. However, with the new generation, Shimano changed that...it now has the grip just the way I like it. I tried to get the new one back in the spring, but I was asleep at the switch and they sold out everywhere before I knew it. I'm on the waiting list for the next shipment, so you may see my old ones for sale.

Most definitely agree...Good equipment will put more fish in the boat. My favourite finesse rod is a MegaBass Addermine. I've tried NRX's, St. Croix LE's, Daiwa Steez...but nothing "communicates" like the Addermine. There are more expensive rods, but there's just something about this blank that makes it special. I can tell if a Bluegill even breathes on my bait...nevermind bottom composition or weed type. Just an incredible stick for bottom contact finesse applications but still has plenty of backbone to haul them out. Also the handle/grip is perfect for the way I hold a rod...with most fingers in front of the reel. I'm sure others have other opinions, but I've asked my wife to bury me with this stick...lol. I take care of it with kid gloves, because unfortunately MegaBass stopped making this model.

Yes, I'm aware of the weed guard options. You can also " Chicken Rig" the Neko to make it somewhat weedless...1st image My question was more about hook point direction. Mike Iconelli is a proponent of rigging it like the 2nd image. I've always hooked it as in the 3rd image. Just wondering what folks thoughts are ?

I like the Neko rig too, especially when I'm in "search" mode...it covers more water than a Wacky which is often fished "spot specific". Not only worms but I also like fluke style baits with the Neko...looks like a minnow feeding on the bottom. The question that comes up for debate with the Neko...hook facing up or hook facing down ? Seems to be different opinions...snag resistantance vs. hook up percentage...

For Bass, I like a 1/0 wide gap finesse hook...that's with a standard 5" stick worm like a Senko. I like Gamakatsu hooks but all the major manufacturers have versions. Also, every plastics manufacturer has a version of the stick worm. Lately, I'm partial to MaxScent Generals. O ring or skin hooked, I haven't noticed a big difference in hooking percentage...although the O ring method tends to save on baits. I also like to fish wacky style worms on the drop shot...not only for Bass but Walleye inhale them too. Since Gary Yamamoto invented/developed the Senko in the early 90's, soft plastic stick worms fished wacky style have probably hooked more Bass than all other presentations combined. Even beginners can easily catch fish...it's what I started my kids with, and now my grandkids. And...a bubble gum pink worm hooked wacky under a float will trigger Steelhead, especially after they've seen roe (or imitations) float by all day...

LOL https://youtube.com/shorts/3ma5RY8id2o?feature=share

I'd put my money on eastern Lake O for the next record Smallmouth. Between the Gobies, Alewife and Gizzard Shad they just keep getting bigger every year. This spring, during the new C&R season, the number of big tanks we hooked was incredible.

We got over 100 big Smallies the past 3 days. All 25 to 40 ft deep on fast breaking transitions from shallow feeding flats to the deepest parts of the main lake basin. You're basically looking for the "elevators" adjacent to the any remaining green weeds (especially Cabbage) or boulder fields. Water temp was 52f. Most fish came on dropshots with minnow imitations in natural colours...this was a clear water lake. MaxScent FlatWorms in Black Shiner and Z-Man Jerk Shads in Smelt got most of the bites. This is my favourite time of year for big brown fish.

Up in your neck of the woods... https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcu6YWlF8b3/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= I heard the term for first time on LOTW many years ago...and just this September I was at Lac Seul Outposts and heard it from the owners amongst others..