setomonkey

Thanks for the tip, Bill, will drop by on the way to the cottage to check it out... Mike

I've got 20 lb PowerPro on my medium baitcasting setup for bass and walleye. Include a fluoro leader of similar diameter and you should have no problems. Mike

Sorry to read about the broken rod but sure do appreciate the warm weather report. I am experiencing cabin fever something fierce and it's reports like yours that are keeping me going... Mike

Glad you had such a good time, and a great day on the water too. My wife and I spent some time in that area (Cozumel, actually) a couple of years ago. Really enjoyed it, beautiful weather and friendly service. Mike

Nice bass, hope you have a good trip back... Mike

For people who wear glasses like me, and don't want to get prescription sunglasses, you can get polarized sunglasses that go over your regular glasses. The brand I use is called Fitovers, you can get them at MEC. You won't look cool on the water but they are comfortable and your eyes will thank you after a long sunny day. Mike

Great report as usual. Your reports are among my favorite to read, because you don't just focus on the fishing and catching, but also about the local geography, a little bit of history sometimes, and of course the scenery too. Thanks, Mike

Happy birthday, hope you had a good one... Mike

Wow, what an amazing day on the river, congrats... Mike

My wife likes to fish, but only for maybe a couple of hours at a time. Likes to be on the water, and likes to catch fish, but is not up to spending a whole day at it. Mike

I used to really enjoy some fishing shows like In-Fisherman, Izumi, and Fish'N Canada, but I don't watch them much anymore. Mike

If I only had one lure, and I assume no replacements, I would go for something durable like a spoon. Catches fish, and can take a beating on rocks or from fish bites. Every other kind of lure in my tacklebox gets worn or chewed up, esp by pike or muskie. Have several crankbaits that have puncture marks, spinnerbait skirts get torn up, and plastics get torn up pretty quickly too. Mike

Sweet ride, you have done a great job of customizing your pontoon boat! Mike

Nice fish! Always wanted to ask this question of you early spring pikers, what's the fight like? I would think they are kinda sluggish in the cold water, but I've never caught them this time of year so have no idea. Mike

I'm kind of old school when it comes to lures, there are always new ideas coming out but I like using the tried-and-true like Rapalas, red & white spoons, white spinnerbaits, jigs & twister tails, etc. These lures have proven themselves over the years and I trust them. Mike

freshwaterfanatic, I believe the game species rule isn't just for live bait, it would also include dead parts (e.g., sunfish tails). Also, another way to get your lure down without a downrigger or leadcore line is to use a gang troll with weights attached. You can attach a lure like a floating Rapala using a fluorocarbon leader. The downside is that you can lose the whole apparatus if you snag. Mike

Nice pike, always enjoy seeing urban pike reports... Mike

And hopefully it helps if guides/lodge owners etc. know that recreational members will make decisions about how to spend their fishing money in part on how they conduct themselves on this board. Some post nice reports and are consistently helpful when they can, and I would gladly give them my business if the opportunity came up. Others are too obviously spammy or get into flame-battles with other members and I would avoid them based on that alone. Mike

Spinners, spoons, looks good. The only thing I'd add is a crankbait like an X-Rap or Husky Jerk that you can twitch and retrieve erratically. Good luck, Mike

I've met a bunch of steeheaders who swear by little pink trout worms. I'd get some but they are always sold out when I look for them at a tackle store... Mike

Hi Justin, Just picked up a Citica myself. The rebate form gives the Shimano Canada address: Shimano Canada 427 Pido Rd Peterborough, ON K9J 6X7 But I wonder if you will have any problem trying to get the rebate from Shimano Canada if you buy the reel from a U.S. dealer, as they ask which store you bought the reel from and want a photocopy of your receipt. Mike

Like the rest mentioned, support and help her as much as you can. And don't be shy about getting professional help if things seem to be getting really bad, there are effective treatments for depression and you need her around for your family.

I prefer to turn off my cellphone when I'm on the water but I think it's worth having one in case there's an emergency or serious problem. I've been on the west side of Nipissing twice, I think cell reception was pretty spotty. Didn't think of using text messaging, though, great suggestion in case it comes up. Mike

Nice report & pics, thanks for posting this. I think the fish that hit the Gulp is a jack, I've caught some of them in Florida and I agree, they are hard fighters. Mike

All I know is that you will eventually end up with more rods & reels than a non-fisherman thinks is reasonable or justified... Mike