hutch4113

Sorry - it is on the Positive. I had red on the brain - but said negative by mistake - must have been my mood. Will take a look based on what Ernie posted, and PM. I have been sick for the past week and 1/2 so boat has been last thing on my mind.

Darn..that is right. Sigh

Thanks to everyone for the replies - but it just donned on me. I have a Fuse on my trolling motor batteries - which I never checked (it is on the negative lead). I will start with the simple and go from there, but that would explain why my battery gauge/test shows no power on the Motor. That was the part that bugged me, and I have been letting it peculate in the back of my mind. I could not figure out why a non-functional pedal and/or motor itself, would impact on the test meter. Guessing i will look and notice that the fuse is blown - which sort of makes sense. I was at full power when it went, fighting the wind.

I was thinking the foot pad. However - when I plug the trolling motor itself into power, the Test Guage on the motor does not light up when pressed. I am wondering than if it is the motor itself.

By shaft turning - do you mean left/right? If so, yes it would turn left or right when I hit the pedal. But no thrust/prop turn - either with the pedal or with the thrust set to on.

One question to ask that often gets over looked - what other devices do you use at home? For example, I have a Samsung Smart TV -> along with two Android Tablets, one being a Samsung Galaxy Tab S. So it made sense to buy a Samsung Phone, as they are all fully compatible with each other. Of course that may not matter if you do not use the devices with each other, but it is something to think about.

Out on Balsam yesterday (notice there is no fishing report to go along with it ). Using the trolling motor - going into the wind, so the speed was set to 8 I think - when all of sudden the motor died. It still turns left/right with no issue. Noticed a distinct electrical smell, but the plug itself was not hot. When I hit the "test" button nothing shows up on the battery gauge - but I had a full charge/batteries are brand new. I am guessing something on the Motor burnt out - any thoughts?

I took a piece off the back end of my boat on that end. Hate when I have to load on that side, as the angle throws everything off.

Annoying to say the least. Stay out of downtown period I guess.

Sounds like they may also have gotten Ben Revere (Phillies) - which gives them a lead off guy - and an outfielder.

Nice fish and post. Looks like a good time had by all.

2nd for the Provincial Park launch. Will be there on Monday - hope to have good time on the water. Not sure when you are going, but hope to have a good report next week. Will see though, as I have been pretty much skunked there the last couple of years.

I hear you. Check out Bucks Bay on Bobs Lake. Never made it in there, but I think a lot of guys were having good success there. When I pulled up to load, there were some guys with a couple of SM, and a big LM. They were using Leeches. Not sure where they were fishing, but I suspect Bucks Bay (I was loading at Sunset Campground - the Bay is just around the corner).

Ouch...hope you get it fixed in time.

Nice fish.

Forgot to add a mea culpa. You will notice there are only pictures of me. That is not because my Bro In-law did not catch anything - most of what he had were hammer handles, etc. But he did get one good Pike - and I lost it on him . We had it in the net, and the hook was out. I had watched him pick up some other pike, and he didn't look to comfortable with it, so I grabbed this one. Taking it over to the side of the boat to measure it - and "flip" - there it goes. So - no measurement, and no picture. Sigh.

Thanks for sharing.

Thought I would share a recent trip to Bobs Lake. Total round trip mileage was 728 KM's - Barrie to Bobs Lake, and return. We went highway 12/7. Did the trip on one tank - though I was getting worried as we got back to Barrie (low fuel light was on - and you don't want to run out of Fuel on a Diesel). Fuelly numbers - 19.1 MPG, which is about what I usually get when towing. (18.5 Smokercraft). I got better mileage then my Brother's F150 Ecoboost - and he was not towing

I have not managed to make it out fishing a lot this year. Been too busy (well, actually probably too lazy) and also had some work on the boat that I wanted to get done first. Most would have done it in early spring (remember - to lazy) but I waited until June to get started. Bought a used LSS unit last year, and wanted to get it installed before the boat went in the water. So I was really looking forward to the annual Family Cottage Week. Every year we rent a Cottage throughout Ontario. I look after finding them, researching them, and then booking - usually looking for the following: 1) Allows Dogs - I don't really care myself as we do not own one, but 2 of the Family Members do - and so this is usually a must. 2) Sleeps 8 to 10 Comfortably -> So nothing Rustic 3) On a nice lake - good for sailing (for my Dad). 4) Finally - has decent fishing. Over the years then, we have been on Little Redstone Lake (twice), Loon Lake (Kearny), Healey Lake, Big Clear Lake, and Mississippi Lake. They have all had their Pros/Cons - for instance I was really looking forward to Mississippi Lake - heard it was great for Bass, and had Decent Pike. Unfortunately due to drought conditions, the lake was down 2 to 3 feet - Average - when we were there. So it really messed up everything. Healey Lake should also have been good, but that was Hot Summer -> Water Temperature in some places was reading 80+ degrees - I kid you not. Anything I caught - well lets just say it did not smell right and move on. Anyway - on to Bobs Lake, which has moved to my all time favorite Lake for Family Cottage Week (followed closely by Big Clear Lake, also in the same area). Hooked the Boat up on Saturday, and made our way from Barrie to Bobs - going north around Orillia, and over through Highway 7. Could have taken the 401 , but really the drive on 7 is great. The landscapes you see as you drive are really great - particularly once you get past Peterborough. We arrived that evening, got the Boat Launched - and I was ready. The 2nd part of this story involves Mystery Tackle Box. For those that have signed up for the service, I had about 10 boxes of lures to use. I had been saving them stricly to use for a trip somewhere. Not for any other reason, then I realized I was continually buying lures - and never using them . This needed to stop - so when I cancelled mystery tackle box (not for any other reason than I was addicted) I made it a goal to fish them all, so I could justify why I joined. The lures fit nicely in the a cheap tackle box I bought at Cabelas (my other other addiction) and contained all my go too's for Bobs Lake, whether they worked or not. So that evening I tied off my first Lure (Live Target Wake Bait - Tilapia) and started casting from the Dock. Couple of casts - couple of small fish and I thought this lake might be good. That is my normal tradition, and it usually proves true - if I catch from the dock, fishing is good. If I do not, then fishing is generally bad. Sunday proved to be a lay around day. Not sure why, but I really did not feel like going out, nor did anyone else. But around 5PM I decided to give it a try. There was a line of what looked to be bad weather coming (turned out to be Thunder Storms) and I figured I could get a quick troll in. I was glad I did: Now the weather was coming in quick, with Fork lightning seemingly a short distance away. So I put this beauty back (caught him on the same lure I was throwing off the Dock) before I took a measurement. I am still kicking myself, but I tend to do this on my first big catch of the season - adrenaline seems to short circuit my brain. But based on what I caught the rest of the week, will give an estimate of 33 to 35 inches - maybe 8 to 10 pounds. It was a lovely fight and he was pretty thick. The other awkward part - I am in the boat by myself, so my first Pike Selfy . This generally set the pattern for the week. I would throw lures looking for Bass (every lure from MTB was for Bass) and catch Pike. 25 Inch 23 Inch [/url] The other thing this lake has lots of is Pan Fish. I caught my first Sunfish - I dunno - since I was 10. Also caught this (again on the wake bait). My Brother Inlaw ID it as a Black Crappie - so that is what I will go with. Loved the color. But would I catch any Bass? On a real Windy day, we tried this back bay. Lots of logs/stumps, with decent weed cover. Was basically throwing a crankbait as we drifted with the Wind, and I tried to control the boat with the trolling motor. To give an idea of the wind, I put the boat into the wind, set the trolling motor on full - and we moved no where LOL. Moon Phase suggested a lively bite between 4PM and 5PM - and it was correct I rattled off 10 or 11 bass in a row. Nothing really big but it was fun. Example of general size below. But where were the big boys? We went back to that same bay the next day - and got Skunked. I tried everything, from Crankbaits, to Wacky Worms. Wacky seemed to work somewhat, but the fish were extremely sluggish (it had rained the night before, so guessing a slight cold front). They would hit the worm, but not really take it. I was getting frustrated, so figured - I know where there are some good size Pike - let's try that again. So I cheated a little, and pulled out a 5 Diamond Spoon, tipped it with a white grub tail - and of course caught this: I never did catch any big pike on the big pike lure - go figure. Rest of the week went by too quickly. Soon it was time to pack up, load the Boat, and head home. But as is my final tradition, we do the boat last. Wife takes the truck, and I drive over to the launch point - trolling and casting as much as I can. In what really was my go to lure, I had the wake bait on again. In the channel from the Cottage, there are a number of weed patchs - so it really was the best lure to use. But would it catch a Bass? Yes Sir it would, as I had probably the most enjoyable fight of the week. I had it tied to my Ugly Stick - and Bammo. I am a catch and release fisherman - so I let him go, whispering in his ears - > go forth, get bigger, and I will see you again . Not much else to say, other than we barely scratched the surface of what is on that lake. Between myself and my Brother Inlaw, we caught 7 different species of fish. From what I understand Crow Lake, which joins to Bobs Lake is even better, but we never got there. Oh well - it definitely gives me a reason to go back.

Hi Everyone, Finally got Structure Scan installed on my boat. Really excited to try it out at the Family Cottage this year (Bob's Lake - towards Kingston). Since I have never fished this lake (we rent cottages every year) I really wanted to get the LSS unit installed and working. Now that it is - what can I expect? Do you like it? And tips I should watch for? I will have a map of the lake on my Chip (I hope anyway) so will have the contours and depths. That will give me places to look. I am really interested in using it later in August as well, when I go Muskie fishing (thanks to all the replies, but looks like Balsam will win out again). Tupelo.

Would recommend an ASUS Router - like this -> http://www.staples.ca/en/ASUS-AC1750-Dual-Band-Wireless-Gigabit-Router/product_984098_2-CA_1_20001. I have this one at home, and the coverage is good (3 Antennas make a difference). AC is a new wireless standard - good explanation here -> http://www.extremetech.com/computing/160837-what-is-802-11ac-and-how-much-faster-than-802-11n-is-it. Then AC1750 is an older unit - looks like it has been replaced by RT-AC66U (not to be confused with 2nd recommendation below). If you don't have an AC wireless adapter, than the RT-N66U is probably fine. Again it has 3 antennas, which will help in terms of range, etc. Do a search - but Staples might be the best location in terms of price - or at least it was when I was searching. In terms of setup, they are pretty straightforward.

There are also Rainbow in there - quite big. Funny story - we were out for Bass. Just getting setup, and my friend is getting the anchor ready - but of course his fishing rod is in the way - so he casts the line out and moves it (with whatever lure was on - he was going to set it up after). Puts the anchor down - and then notices his rod twitching, so of course Fish On!!! But not really set - anyway up to the surface comes this Gorgeous Rainbow - I would say 10 pounds +++, and he is trying to baby it in. Hook pops out - but the fish is just at the side of the boat - he goes to grab it (I thought he was going to jump in after it) misses - and it calmly disappears. I don't think we caught anything else the rest of the day....

Taking Matt out - complete 180 - gone from hating fishing (I remember asking him) to all of a sudden loving it. I guess catching something big will do that...lol. He wants to take his Bro Inlaw too - so won't have room in the boat. Can you get another one?

Have a friend that would really like to go Muskie fishing. Normally I would try Balsam, but I have not seen a Muskie there - while for a long time really. (I am going to suggest that is mostly because of me, and lack of experience fishing muskie). Anyone have suggestions on other lakes in the same area we could try? I don't mind driving a little longer, if the lake is a better producer.

I think the CAT failure was only in the 2W drive - something to do with a vibration that would cause it to crack. For the fill up - I just use paper towel from the windshield wash station - wrap it around the pump handle...lol.