Fishn Technishn

I always add stabilizer to my snowblower/lawnmower gas "cuz ya never know when the last cut/throw will be. Save as lot of ??? & time. Do the same with the boat. Beans, I know how you feel....I go for the check UP tomorrow. My Dr is a very pretty lady and has tiny hands!! Previous Dr was 6'3 and looked like a Offensive Tackle!!

Man can I identify with what you are going thru!!! I looked for 2 years & bought my new rig last summer- Opening day for Bass no less! you wilkl get great advice from many members here, but everyone's point of view is a little different from each other. Don't be afraid to ask questions. No such thing as a stupid question.....only stupid answers! You need to make a list of what you want, versus what you need and then prioritze the list. Welded/riveted, 2 stroke or 4, single console/dual, etc. I thought long & hard about how I would most likely use the new rig by asking myself many ???. How much do I troll, as opposed to using electric troll motor? Wife & kids seating, stand up cover, etc? Waterski/tube towing? As well as many more. You get the idea. Daydreaming and viualizing are allowed as well as beneficial!!LOL. Get what you want for your price point and don't be afraid to drive. I looked from Windsor to Niagara & found mine in Port Colborne, no less! Never been there before! I can't wait to get it out!!!!! FT Good luck!

Here it is http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniques...techniques.html This is only one, there are many. FT

There many "how to " links out there. One I found was on a site called Leadertec- was titled "basic crimping". Will see if I can find the exact link, as I have a few! Making your own leaders is VERY rewarding. I use a swivel at BOTH ends! Just me, as I am obsessed with getting rid of tangled line!!! I like Lew's idea of melting the tag end!! Good Luck. FT

Am right handed, cast with right, always reel with left. After listening to good ol' Roland Martin, I only buy reels that have the handle on the left. Roland says basically if you throw a spinnerbait & then switch hands....what is the spinnerbait doin' while you are switchin' hands....sinkin' FAST. He said that only time this is GOOD, is if this what you are tryng to do. Otherwise the spinnerbait should be in motion back to you BEFORE it hits the water. I'm not saying he is the only authority but it sure works for me.....I usually get hooked up on a spinnerbait in the first 5 feet. If you like it & it works for you....then you are OK. I sure wish they made ALL reels with a lefty version. FT

I bought an auto inflatable one last year but I also found out that it HAD to be WORN to be legal. That wasn't so bad as I usually wear my PFD when alone. What turned me off of it was the fact that it seemed heavy on one side and kind of bulky. Will it REALLY work if I bang my head going into the water??? That was a nagging doubt as well. I took it back. Obviously they are not for everyone( or just me). I finally found the PERFECT vest for me. It is called the Angler by Salus. It is made in Kitchener/Waterloo and is so light & roomy , I usually forget to take it off! It has lots of pockets/storage and even has "hand warmers under the front pockets. It is also VERY nice for river/stream fishing. And YES I have tested it in the water...works great! Not saying you should take yours back but definitely an option for others. Here is a link to their site. The Angler is shown in the Marine/Sail catalogue & bthey even have lots of childrens PFD etc. http://www.salusmarine.com/home.html FT

I just got back from a week long trip south and did manage to find a few bargoons. Much of the general tackle for Bass, Walleye, Panfish is same price or close. Where the big savings are is in Reels, rods and specialty stuff IE. Musky,Pike etc. The selection of colours, models etc is very much improved and you may find some things that you cannot get here. Just got to know your prices & what specifically you want/need. FT

Thanks Lew, that settles it, no SS for me. FT

Good Mornin' all, It's -14C here and being on holidays with nothin' else to do but sort thru my new/old tackle/gear ...I got to wondering what would be the best option for a spare prop for my 75HP 2Str Mercury. In the past I have always carried a spare prop in the boat, but have yet to get one for the new rig. Anybody have any experience with "composite" props or anything new to try? Have heard some things about the Piranha props but not too sure about this "plastic prop" stuff. Currently running a 19" pitch & am very pleased with the overall performance so far. A friend suggested a Stainless Steel prop but I usually fish Stoney Lake a lot and it is very aptly named!! Thanks for any replies, FT

I was going to install one on my old boat trailer but bought new one this summer with it already installed. I had saved this article just in case. http://www.bwbmag.com/output.cfm?id=1141615 By the way, I LOVE my swing away tongue....my shins have never been better. FT

Here is a link to the manual on the Guest site. http://www.marinco.com/docs/inst/727852.pdf Mine is #2611A At the bottom of page #7 is the phrase mentioning "in series or parallel". Just wanted to see what others thought, sounded kind of "hinky " to me. But what do I know, I work shiftwork! Thanks for the replies....I will wait until i have a definitive answer. Maybe I will contact Guest, they have a Tech Support # FT

Well I finally got my on board charger. Had to drop my oldest daughter off at Pearson Airport on Friday so we made a side trip to BPS. I used some gift cards I got for Christmas and even better....it was ON SALE!! Originally $140 but on sale for $80. I got the Guest 2611., 2 outputs..if it's good enough for Lew for 8 years, it should last me at least 5. Thanks to all those whose helped with their input. Now I have really dumb question. Can I hook up both outputs to the same battery to charge faster? If not,WHY? Or should I just use one side of the charger and wait until it pukes & then use the 2nd output. Any do or don't suggestions as to where/how to hook it up? I don't know where these ideas come from...must be the shift work.LOL It was so mild here in London, I was out in the garage messing around with the boat...come on spring!!!! Thanks FT

I bought a new boat & motor this year. I have 2 choices for an extended warranty on the 75HP Merc, 1/ with Mercury Marine for up to 4 years= $1450 and 2/ with the Boat place I get my motor serviced at 4 years =$650. I read the fine print on each & they are essentially the same, decuctible,coverage etc. Anyone have any experiences with either kind? Is an extended warrany necessary/good idea? Thank you for any help, FT

JJCANOE, I also live in London & have seen Peregrine falcons from time to time. The most memorable was several years ago. I was doing some garden stuff in the back yard & happen to look up as nice fat pigeon went flying overhead and I thought to myself "Great, I just washed the van!" Lo and behold, all of a sudden, there was a puff of feathers as a falcon totally nailed that pigeon right in mid air. Was an amazing sight!! Reminded me of the video of Randy Johnson's pitch taking out the bird in the baseball game. Oh how I wished I could've caught that on film! Felt bad for the pigeon. Never knew what happened!. Keep your eyes on the sky, when in London. FT

Here is a link for a site full of info on batteries. http://www.batteryfaq.org/ I have batteries that are 8-9 years old before they konk out. Biggest tips are -use DISTILLED water to top up if availabe but tap water will do if not, charge them fully after each use, check the levels often. You don't have to store them on wood as the plastic cases in use now, do not leak voltage- BUT batteries will lose a little each day they are not in use. Same goes for rechargables for cmeras etc. I store mine in the unheated garage & charge them once a month. A discharged battery will freeze much quicker than a fully charged one- read the info in the link. Some of my buddies make fun of me 'cuz I always hook up the charger after each time out.....but I have never had one fail half way thru a trip!! FT

Been making my own plugs for a few years now. Have tried virtually "everything". What works best for me is Envirotex Lite. Get it at Michael's Craft Store when they have a 40% off coupon. Seal lure with it, sand lighty(fine sand paper or Scotchbrite), paint , seal again. I use 1 coat for some baits but if it's for MR Esox I use a couple of coats--I do not pour as the directions tell you , I brush it on with a cheap disposable brush. If you get bubbles, simply blow/exhale on it, as the CO2 in your breath will bring the bubbles to the surface & burst them. Be certain to mix very well and let dry -be patient!! Need anything else PM me & I will try to help. Be warned! This part of the hobby is VERY ADDICTIVE. Especially after you get a really good fish on your own lure. FT

I run stabilizer year round. That takes care of the winterizing. MAIN reason is because you never know how much "gasahol" you are gonna get at the pumps these days. Did a lot of reaearch on this & consensus is that best to add all year round so you don't pick up as much water or have the alcohol turn acidic. Do the research & you will be amazed!! It is too late for you now but I would get a 5 gallon can & run the fuel pump until stabilised fuel is there(in can) & then run into engine.That way you KNOW it is there. FT

WOW! Lots of different opinions! I have had both 2(Merc) & 4 stroke(Honda) on different 14 footers. I bought a new 16 footer this past June. I had my heart set on a single console with a 50HP 4 stroke(at least I thought I did) After visiting almost every dealer within driving distance & getting different opinions at each one-depended on what exactly they were selling, I went home & made a list. I asked myself the following questions 1/ What exactly will it be used for? Fishing(obviously!) What kind? Cruising? 2/ HOW? Will I be trolling or casting most of the time? 3/ Do I want it for tubing with the kids (some day grandkids!) 4/ Will the family want to wake board/waterski? 5/ How much service will it need? 2 stroke has less than 10 moving parts-4 stroke has around 200 6/ Will the added weight of a 4 stroke off set the performance/gas mileage? 7/ If I am "in the middle of nowhere" which one will be easier to service/troubleshoot? 8/ If a storm blows up , how fast can I get to safety with each type(top Speed)? An older Marine Mechanic said to me "Get the biggest motor your boat is rated for-but that doesn't mean you have to USE it at full throttle all the time, just get'r up on plane & throttle 'er back. You will find out where it gets the best mileage. Your gonna pay $1000 -1800 more for a 4 stroke, that's a lot of fuel! It will make a difference whether yer trolling or running & gunning and how often you are out there" It was good advice. You are the only one who can ask /answer those types of questions. Oh yeah, I got a 75 HP 2 stroke Merc and NO REGRETS!! FT

Misfish, joefish, Fismaster thanks. Never heard of Gander Mountain! Don't seem to have much in the way of info on the web. Is there much emphasis on fishing/boats etc? FT

Heading over to the Seneca Casino for the weekend with some friends. I am not much of a gambler so does anyone know of any decent fishing stores on that side of the river? Thanks for any help, FT

I always add Stabilizer to my gas in the later part of the year-September on. That way I KNOW the fuel is stabilized all the way thru. Just need to change bottom end lube & do the fog job and you're pretty much done. FT

Been making/painting/repairing my own lures for a few years now. BEWARE! It IS ADDICTIVE with no known cure!! You can use whatever paint you are comfortable with but be sure to prep thenm before hand &DON't mix different types of paint. As for sealing the final product or betwen coats....I use ENVIROTEX epoxy. Usually 1 coat will do it(brush it on). If chasing TOOTHY critters 2 coats or all your work will get CHEWED big time. Get it from Michaels Craft store, usually a 40% off coupon in the flyer in most Saturday papers. In KY you should be able to get it from a HOBBY LOBBY or similar. Good advice above from Skeeter99 . GO TO tackleunderground.com LOTS of tips advice etc. Need anything else feel free to PM, FT

For Bass Pike etc I use the Booyah Blade (CTC $5)or the Tux N Tails ones, Chartreuse/white or white. Like both willow and tandem style. For BIG toothy Critters I use 1-1.5 OZ ones but they are getting hard to find the quality ones. Gonna start making my own this winter if I don't find a new supply soon. Whatever ones you use...toss'em out & start reeling them in BEFORE they hit the water. That way the blades are going at the splash. You will find that most strikes will be in the 1st few feet. I always add some sort of plastic creature to mine...shad/pogygrub. Something different from everyone else. I' certain that EVERY fish out there has seen at least one spinnerbait, so it pays to make it "different". Spinnerbait is usually first thing I toss. FT

TOP NOTCH! If you look on their site the even have instructions. The Musky size stuff is great & has never let me down. Although my PB is only 44"-30LBS. Give yhem a try & you won't go elsewhere, in my opinion. FT

I got a unique one for my Birthday a few years ago. Literature went on how the biggest fish of most species was the female & this lure targeted females...yup it was COCKSHURE LURE and you can imagine what it looked like!! It has been good for a few laughs! Ft