craigdritchie

steelhead. No question.

If you're fishing from shore it's best if you have two rods - a regular seven-foot spinning rod with a 2500-series reel and maybe 12-pound mono, and the biggest, heaviest stick you own with the largest reel you cast with (Ambassadeur 7000 or a big Shimano Triton is ideal). Bring some largish hooks, big split shot and big slip floats. Keep it simple so you don't have too much stuff to carry around. When you get there, buy a bucket of live shrimp for bait, and use the light rod to fish a shrimp under a slip float. On this outfit, you'll catch the saltwater equivalent of panfish - blue runners, pompano, jacks, spanish mackerel, mangrove snappers, baby snook and grouper, pinfish, ladyfish and the like. These fish range from 10 inches to maybe five pounds, and will generally fight hard enough you'll think they were twice that size. It's the most fun you'll ever have with a standard walleye rod. So what's the second rod for? You can use some of those smaller species, like pinfish, as bait (check seasons, slot limits etc first). Hook it right through the back on a big hook with a long wire leader, slice the fish a few times with a fillet knife so it's bleeding, then huck it out there and leave the reel in free spool, with just the clicker on. You generally don't have to wait long till something picks it up and swims off with it. Put the reel in gear, set the hook, and hold on for as long as you can. You may land the fish (adult snook, redfish, rays, small sharks) or you may not (hook a 10-foot hammerhead and just watch how fast you get spooled). Couple of tips learned from many Florida trips over the past 20 years: One - get out of Miami, it's an over-priced, crime-infested dump. I can't even imagine how much worse it will be during Superbowl week, when it will be loaded with every hooker, drug dealer and pickpocket for miles. Seriously - the best part of Miami is seeing it in the rear view mirror. Get out of there ASAP, and spend your entire week in the Keys. Two - look into flying out of Buffalo rather than Toronto. It isn't always the case, but at times you can find flights for half of what it costs to go out of YYZ. That applies to any destinations in the US, by the way. Best rates are always if you book way in advance. You're a little late now, to be honest, but you may still be able to find deals if you hunt around. Three - the overhead bins where your carry-ons go will be stuffed to the gills because everyone is trying to beat that $25 checked bag fee (which all airlines now charge). Don't try to stick rods in the overhead bin with everyone else's stuff unless they're in a strong rod tube (and you'll have to check with the airline to see if it meets their carry-on limits). If so, then as soon as you step aboard the plane, when the flight attendant greets you, politely ask if she can put the rod tube in a closet for you. If you're lucky, she will tuck it into the crew closet by the front door, where they hang their coats (they sometimes do this for musical instruments, expensive broadcast TV cameras and such). Four - as you drive to the Keys stop at a Walmart and buy a ton of extra line, some wire to make leaders with, and a tide chart. If you're on shore, you fish when the tide is moving. It doesn't matter if it's flowing in or out, you just need current. It's best for about an hour either side of the times indicated on the chart. When it's slack tide (i.e. there is no current), you may as well pack up and go do something else, because that’s normally when fishing sucks. Five - make certain you thoroughly rinse your rods and reels off in the shower each night after use. Same goes for anything else metal, like pliers, knives, even your sunglasses. Salt water corrodes like crazy. Maybe you're better off to just buy a cheap throw-away rod down there, with no intention of bringing it home? Six - forget the Powerpro. Buy inexpensive, heavy mono in bulk spools while you're at Walmart. You're going to go through a ton of line, so don't waste the expensive stuff. If the barnacles don't shred your line to bits, you'll just lose it anyway when big fish spool you. Get some leader material too, either wire or 60 pound mono, and make sure you have pliers to finish the knots. Seven - never, ever, tie the line directly to the reel spool. Use a piece of masking tape to secure it, then wind on the rest. That way, when you get spooled (note I said when, not if) the end of the line just goes up through the guides and waves buh-bye to you, without subjecting the reel spool to massive shock when the knot breaks, or risking you losing the whole rig when it gets pulled right out of your hands. Saltwater fish aren't just stronger than freshwater fish, they're also much, much faster. Hook a big tarpon from shore and you will say goodbye to all your line in about 14 seconds. Those YouTube videos showing smoking reels are completely legit. Eight - be aware that many types of saltwater fish have teeth like a Doberman. I don’t suggest you try lipping anything, except perhaps snook. Nine - sometimes peak tide is at night. That's when it can be really good to fish under bridges that have overhead lights. Caution - do not even think about attempting this in Miami. Unless, of course, you really like the idea of being knifed by drug dealers. Ten – bring some hardware. Gold coloured Cleos work really well at times, as do gold and black Husky Jerks. Have fun! It beats yanking perch through a hole in the ice any day!

Even if the fish is found dead, the guy will still need a valid fishing license to be in posession of it.

In a small boat I almost always prefer to backtroll, just to have greater control, so low speed has never been an issue.

If you're looking to save a few bucks buy a Tohatsu outboard. They're identical to the Merc (Tohatsu makes small outboards for Merc, including both the 8 and 9.9 hp models) and may be a bit less expensive. That said, there are a lot more Merc dealers out there. Totally agree with Porkpie - between the two I would take the 9.9 over the 8 every time. They're the exact same engine ... the 8 hp is simply de-tuned down to 8 hp. The 2014 model year 9.9 is 84 pounds. Merc also offers a "Bigfoot" 9.9 with a larger gearcase and four-blade prop. It's heavier (96 pounds) but gives more grunt if you'll often have heavier loads in the boat.

Mike that's probably the most enjoyable post I've seen in the past couple of years. It looks like you had a fantastic trip. That's awesome ... thanks for sharing it :-)

Not really. I've made my annual prediction, so that's it for me in this thread. Come April, I guess we'll see if I was right or wrong. Between now and then, there are too many other things to focus on, including slippery things with scales.

Uh huh. To truly hate the Leafs, I would have to care.

Once again I will boldly predict the same thing I have predicted every year for the past eight or nine seasons. The Leafs will play like crazy in October and November, and probably hold first place at some point before Christmas (when it doesn't really matter). But come the new year, the injuries will begin, play will slump, inexperience will show and once again they will finish the season by watching the playoffs on TV. But they will play well enough in the dying days of the season to ensure they don't even get a decent draft pick. And Leaf fans will all say, wow, did you see how they got it together at the end? Next year, baby, next year!! Sound familiar? It should, because that's exactly what has happened every year since Ed Belfour was in net. Is that now 10 years and counting? There - I said it (again). Let the flaming begin.

Possible to do? Probably. But so far as I know only the original vehicle manufacturer is able to certify a GVWR. If you want a definite answer, call the Ministry of Transport and ask them. Even if there is a way to have this done legally, so your insurance won't be voided and you aren't exposed to lawuits in the event of an accident, it's still probably cheaper (and definitely less fuss) to just trade it in on a different truck.

Forget the plastic board for the reasons mentioned - it will require a lot of additional support to reduce (you never eliminate) sagging, it weights a lot, and it is pricey stuff. Marine grade plywood is the way to go. To maximize its life, do NOT cover it in carpet. Use sheet vinyl instead, which will greatly extend the life of the deck by keeping water away from the wood. Carpet absorbs water and just accelerates rot. I once saw a boat with a floor redone with synthetic deck boards (as you would use for a deck outside your house). I have no idea how well it worked, but it definitely had a unique look to it.

I was out fishing as a very young man, with my first-ever baitcasting outfit, and I tied on a floating Rapala. I cast, the bait traveled about 20 feet and my untrained thumb blew it, instantly resulting in the biggest birds nest of all time exploding out of the reel. There's huge coils of line everywhere. Crap. And to add insult to injury, right on cue a gull swoops down, grabs the Rapala, and tries to fly away with it. My fishing partner, Marty, was laughing so hard I half expected him to keel over from a heart attack. Without much choice, I hand-bombed it into the boat, popped the hooks out and sent it back on its merry way. It didn't put up much of a fuss at all.

Nice walleye indeed. Great catch. I also highly recommend Advanced Taxidermy. Their fish replicas look like they're alive. I have a 37-inch steelhead they did for me almost 15 years ago ... it still looks like I just slid it up the bank. And the stuff they do now is even better!

I'd rather not drive farther than necessary, but if it's really worth it, I will travel a long way for a good bite - especially if it gets me away from the crowds. I have 2014 fishing licences for Ontario, Quebec, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, Kentucky and Arkansas. I like taking advantage of opportunities to catch different kinds of fish, or enjoy open seasons when things are still closed at home. Driving 3 to 6 hours one-way for a good steelhead bite is not unusual. Yes, I know I can catch fish 100 yards from my house. But if I can catch a lot more fish somewhere else, and do it without standing elbow to elbow with other people, then I have no problem gassing up the truck. I've driven to Florida for a weekend of fishing many times. No better way to beat the winter blahs than by catching a bunch of redfish, pompano and small sharks out in the Gulf. A day fishing is a pretty important thing. I have no problem driving farher if it makes that day even more special.

Was that you? Shoot man, I was the guy just down from you with the Coleman stove going. After you left they turned onto foam rubber ear plugs in a big way. We got six and the last one broke our net. But sorry for the threat hijack, all. Gallie ... very nice fish. That last one is a tank.

About the only thing I would add to the above is a little set of tiny screwdrivers for on-the-spot repairs to reels, sunglasses, and all sorts of other stuff. Amazing how often they come in handy. And though it's been said, don't forget the duct tape. Greatest stuff ever.

Catfish. Not much question about it, IMHO.

Mr. Pike was an excellent boat, one of their better ones IMHO.

Try a Mercury dealer. Tohatsu doesn't just build engines for Nissan, it also builds small outboards for Merc. They may be able to source parts for you.

Hooked in the mouth, fish do not feel what we would call "pain" because the requisite nervous structure simply doesn't exist. A bass or pike eating perch or sunfish clamps down on spiny dorsal fins every single day without a second thought. I wince when a bluegill nails me with one of its spines, but the bass doesn't even feel it. If fish felt pain, those bass and pike would never eat. Do you feel pain when you cut your hair or your fingernails? It's no different. The nervous structure to sense "pain" simply doesn't exist in those parts of the body. Hook a fish somewhere other than inside the mouth and I don't know the answer. I'm not aware of any research on whether a fish snagged in the back senses discomfort. I don't know that anyone has ever studied it. Fish "fight" because they resist the force of us dragging them through the water. They feel the drag of the line and they react to it. If you just hit the free-spool in mid fight, more often than not the fish will settle down and go right back to what it was doing before. It only starts resisting again when you resume trying to haul it into the boat. Try it. The fish may continue to scrap because it has a mouth full of Zara Spook and can't close its yap ... but most of the time they settle down pretty quickly.

Today (yes, a Saturday) BRP formally introduced its new second generation, or "G2" E-TEC outboards at a gala unveiling in Milwaukee. There are six new engines - a 200HO, 225, 225HO, 250, 250HO and a 300. All use the same 3.4L V6 block with direct fuel injection. BRP says the G2 engines produce up to 75% fewer emissions than current generation four-strokes, 15% better fuel efficiency, and 20% more torque. They have digital throttles and shift, use a new power steering system and - wait for it - come in a choice of colours. The side panels and top panel of the cowling can be removed, so you can order the engine with the colours that you like best or that match your boat. Present choice is five colours, and 14 different accent colours. No word on retail pricing. They're apparently going to be available in early fall. Click here to read an article in the local Milwaukee paper on them. More info to follow.

I agree Horwath was put in a no-win situation over the budget. Wynne tabled such a ridiculous farce of a budget there's absolutely no way anyone with half a brain could support it, and Wynne knew that. Horwath didn't force the election, Wynne did - by tabling a nonsense budget that she knew would be thrown out. I guess we'll know for sure when she brings out her new budget next month. Will it be the same thing all over? Or will this one be tempered to reflect reality? My guess is it will be toned down considerably, because now she has to make it work. It was a risky move, but I guess the Liberals felt their best chance was to force an election now while the Conservatives were still split over leadership and the trade unions were miffed at the NDP. The timing was definitely in their favour. Still ... it was a manipulative and underhanded move, IMHO. And yes, I do think political discussion has a (limited) place on a fishing forum. If we can have 256-page threads devoted to hockey, why not discuss things that directly impact our ability to afford to go fishing?? Or that potentially impact MNR's funding?

We're all screwed. Absolutely screwed. To those who actually voted for these criminals - whoever you are - thanks for committing us all to four more years of higher taxes, rising costs, billions in spending on idiotic programs, backroom deals, incompetence, arrogance and outright theft. To Tim Hudak ... you should have learned from the last time. You know, when it was also your election to lose. And you did. To those who didn't vote at all - well, your hands are just as bloody. Because not voting isn't rebellion - it's surrender. Thanks for throwing in the towel. Oy vey ... I'll be drinking early today.

This store should be opening soon. When I drove past a few days ago I think the sign said June 17? Can any of the Barrie folks confirm that?

Did my civic duty over lunch break. Now, if there's any justice in the world, Wynne will be unemployed by the end of the day.