CrowMan

We went out for an ATV ride to some new waters and ended up with some dinner..

Yes, the city's changed since I was kid growing up in High Park in the 60's & 70's, but it's still the same town in a lot of ways. 3 million people, but it remains a city of neighborhoods. The horse stables at Sunnybrook (Leslie just north of Eglinton) are still there...my daughter used to ride there when she lived in Leaside. A little bit of the countryside in the middle of a metropolis.

Vito is one of the best on the lake. Runs a beautiful 38ft Tiara. https://lordofthekings.ca/

I agree Lew....but the photo should never have been posted on the internet in the first place. Some of the responses and reactions to the photo of an OOS fish were entirely predictable. As Smitty55 noted, these kind of photos usually result in instant deletion and even suspension of the OP on most fishing related forums/sites. I don't have a problem with taking a quick photo in this instance...but put it in the family album, and explain to the young lad why you can't post it where 3 billion people may see it....and it becomes a teaching moment around the respect for regulations and ethics. As a father of 2, and a grandfather of 4, that's what I would've done.

The second Saturday in May is always a great weekend in Southern Ontario. Pike and Walleye also open in most zones...but the powers that be really need to move Mother's Day to another weekend...lol

Agree. The problem is how do you define "quick photo". It becomes a grey area...5 seconds out of the water can become 5 minutes. Allowing people to take photos of fish that legally should be immediately released becomes a slippery slope..."the sun's behind me, let me get a better grip, make sure my buddy is in the photo too, make sure the lure is showing"...and the next thing you know it's a dead fish. The reg's as they stand now are simple and straightforward...if the fish is not eligible for retention, then no photos at all. Period. I understand that there are changes coming to the reg's to allow photos during the C&R seasons. Like the new Bass season on FMZ20...you can legally target Bass, but you just can't keep them. Though that won't apply to OOS fish. As for the photo in this thread...yes, if it was my grandson I would take a photo so he can always remember the moment...but I wouldn't post it on a public forum. As the last sentence below notes..."self-incriminatinion, especially if the image appears on social media ".

Congrats on the fish. I have a grandson that age and he would have the same ear to ear smile ! Just a friendly heads up...you may want to share that photo with just friends and family. Posting a photo of an out of season fish on a public forum is probably not a good idea. https://oodmag.com/qa-can-take-picture-caught-fish-closed-season/

I have a Lakewood box (fool and his money), but there aren't a lot of choices in pre-made Musky boxes. I've seen the downspout solution before, my only suggestion is to cut some slots in each "tube" with a jigsaw, so the hooks don't tangle. With my (foolish again) thought that the more baits I have, the better my chances are at hooking a Muskie, I now have two baits in some of the individual tubes...at least the slots keep them apart to some extent.

Stoney has always been my favourite for Walleye in the Kawarthas. Lots of structure and some good current areas. And if they're not biting, the scenery's nice...

Get out quick, they came early this year in my spots. Over half of them were already unfurled.

That time of year...Speckles and Fiddleheads. Both require the same 4 ingredients, and nothing else. Butter, Lemon, Salt & Pepper.. Looks like Morels need another week.

Zone 12 is the Ottawa River, I believe that's to fall in line with the Quebec reg's on the other side of the river. As you know, weekends start on Thursday night in La Belle Province...

Additionally, there are some specific locations that are sanctuaries (no fishing at all) until June 15

Zone 11:

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.