msp

Sounds like a great flurry ! I don't use nets. I don't like the way they roll around and get all tangled in the line and net. Hand landing is the way to go

Simply amazing Steve ! I look forward to your opener post every year. You did not disappoint yet again. BTW, seeing deer in the morning is always good luck for me.

I towed a 16 ft sylvan for 4 years with an 03 Grand Caravan with no issues or problems. You will have to choose you launch ramps wisely.

I was invited up to a cottage on Long Lake ( Frontenac ) for the August long weekend. Searched for some info but didn't find much. Im wondering if it worth bringing the boat. If anyone has any info about the lake it would be much appreciated. PM if you prefer Thanks

Awesome ! what are you using ?

Looks like you guys did well. Good job on the skiis !

Well done. That must have got your heart pumping !

At around noon we decided to abandon the musky. Only 1 small fish boated and some OOS bass. Went to a different lake and targeted pike. The move paid off

I guess it really depends on what you are fishing for and what time of year it is. I would recommend searching your lake on Google earth first. This will give you the general layout of the lake. From there, I would start looking for spawning areas ( usually shallow back bays ) after searching out those areas with some kind of horizontal bait like a spinnerbait , jerkbait or maybe a topwater. Good green weeds are always a good starting point. If you start finding fish using these techniques, you can slow down and pick apart the area with something slower and more vertical like a jig. Once you are done checking some of these areas. move out to the points outside of the bays. Start the search process over. After you have exhausted these areas, then I would suggest moving out to the main lake and use you electronics to find any main lake shoals , islands ect. Repeat the same process

hopefully some kind of topwater

Great report Mike. My little guy ( about the same age as Bren ) is loving his fishing as well. He is learning how to catch bass and steelhead on his own. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Would love to take my guy on a trip like that someday. Thanks for taking the time to post your trip

After doing a little research and asking a few question about a new jerkbait rod here on OFC, I decided to purchase the newest generation Shimano Crucial. I loved the old generation Crucials but did not like the last generation ( foam split grip ) models. I looked at a few different models of jerkbait rods but I could not find exactly what I was looking for. Some mentioned the Dobyns rods. Very nice rods but a little out of my price range Looked at the St. Croix rods but found the tip to be a little too soft fore my liking Decided on the Crucial 6ft. 8. medium/extra fast.( full cork handle ) This rod will be primarily used for pike and smallmouth fishing. As well as topwaters once bass season starts. This rod has plenty of backbone with just the right amount of softness in the tip to launch small to medium size jerkbaits. The balance with a Chronarch is amazing. A very light comfortable combo. Very happy with the purchase

The bite was amazing on Friday. 20km north winds. Boated 17 in 5 hrs. Bucktails and jerkbaits

Well done. Always look forward to your spring report

for pike fishing I use 100# seagar blue label premium as well as 40 titanium tieable for bass and walleye finesse presentations I use seagar 10- 12 #. ( only for dragging tubes and grubs ) For trout I like raven 5.6 and 3.4 # Back to back uni knot and Albright knot

Looks like fun on the spinning gear . Well done dude !

Im going to check out some volleyball events

What goes around comes around. One day when you need some help put on the water it will be there for you. Nic job on the trout

Nice. Well done

Please be careful when reading the regs. Lake Ontario is closed for pike right now

Nice.

I use scent all the time. I believe it works.

I have found over the years that its the smaller pike that pose the biggest risk to the angler. The larger fish seem more intimidating but are much easier to handle. We have never used a net in all my years of pike fishing. The nets are a pain in the a$$ when the fish rolls around and gets tangled in the line and the lure gets snagged ect....

My apology for " bashing " the safe handling practices. I may have been a bit out of line. Its basically the same when steelheaders freak out when a guy keeps a fish to harvest for the eggs or lets it flop around in the mud. It sounds like the guy who posted the video is learning from his mistakes and is trying to correct his fish handling practices

PUMP KNOWS............ 1. how to show everybody his fishing spots 2. how let a fish roll around in the grass and net for way too long 3. the improper way to practice catch and release