porkpie

That's not a trade I would make.

What a jackass!

Either one will do, float reels are pretty simple. You can get the same results with a cheap rapala today, as you could've with a Stanton 25 years ago. The difference between now and then is that now you can take your pick of 30 plus varieties of reel depending on your budget and when I first started it was maybe 3 choices. If I had to pick i'd go with the islander. It's classic, it's Canadian. For some reason guys trade kingpins like they change their underwear, it's seems they are a flavor of the month thing, i don't know why. From all in hear they perform well. I own a half dozen float reels I've collected over the years. No islander or KP though. I've fished an islander, and they are a solid reel. As for your color choice, well I'm of the school of thought that float reels should be black, silver or bronze, but if pink makes you happy then why not!

I'm not in the market for any hooks, and didn't feel the need to join in that particular thread. However I agree with you, there are a few folks here that could probably stand to not run their mouths as much! Nothing like taking a few kicks at a kid. Well said Cliff!

You're not alone. I had a galaxy 2. It gave me gas every time I used it, and I couldn't wait to get back to an iphone. Add to that, the battery life was awful. That being said, I never do apple updates until the platform has been out for 3 months. Keeps me sane!

I used to do it all the time. Just put your expensive stuff in the truck!

Some of the info you have recieved is questionable. Some doesn't even apply to Canada. You have done the best thing you possibly could so far, which is report it. Ensure you follow up with them, and if possible try to provide them with the info requested. It pays to be the squeaky wheel sometimes.

Good for you. Reporting it is the best way to deal with it!

A second vote for Ibycus. It's freeware and it is pretty good!

Yes, we've done this at our hunt camp for years without issue. The oil lasts a good while!

I bought one of these combos last year when they where on for $50. With just mono instead of lead core. I use okumas and sealines mainly, but the rapala has been ok for what I paid. I have heard that I've been lucky with the reel. I know one guy that had one blow up, and I've read similar stories online. YMMV.

Assistant manager at Guelph Walmart wouldn't do it even thought the model numbers where identical. He have some Bull excuse that the UPC was different. He was blowing complete smoke and he knew it, but wouldn't bend nonetheless. Fortunately I was going that way anyhow, or I would've been really pissed!

They aren't perfect, but compared to old methods of navigation it's fantastic! For example, the lake my families cottage is on is charted by navionics. The lake is full of prop eating rocks. I know the lake extremely well and still smashed a lower unit to the tune of 2k one day. I have compared navionics hazard markings to the lake, and I know there are quite a few hazards missing, but it's still better than nothing, and the depths, locations of shoals etc, are all very accurate. If you didn't know the lake it would take out a whole lot of guesswork. For that reason alone I like it, when I fish other lakes and find having it on board worth every penny I paid for my map chip and the app as well!

Nice decoys are great to have, but if you just want to get started, then the price is right, and as long as the paint doesn't flake you should be golden! For a couple dozen mallards, I don't worry about pattern much, just chuck em off to either side, and leave a pocket in the middle where they can land into the wind. Being in the right place is more critical than numbers of decoys. Movement is also a killer. Stay still, and be where they want to be and you should do well!

You should be able to download the navionics maps to your phone beforehand for the areas you want to fish. I believe samsung tablets are equipped with GPS. I have certain lakes loaded on my phone, in case I can't get data for some reason. I mainly use my sonar/GPS, but it's nice to have it on the phone when in friends boats or out ice fishing.

Most of the time you'd be right. I'll always give right of way to a boat that is trolling if I can. However, the larger boat is not always in the right. We have been all rods down on erie before, and had a big charter pass us, and his lures crossed our lines. He was overtaking, and we where on a very slow troll. He lost a lure too it, and tough luck for him! OP, nice trip!

You can pay on your way out, no issues!

If your looking for big water, your going to drive. I live north of you but there is a ton of fishing in the area, between reservoirs and rivers. I find I'm never short of options. It's also a pretty decent local to be a steelheader, I am right on the highway to Huron and GB. Pick a map and throw a dart, any of the options you listed are good! If your stuck on kawarthas, I agree that lowers buckhorn is an excellent destination!

Never used to wear one. I have to many mouths to feed now, so on goes the inflatable every trip. If things get really dicey for some reason (seldom for me as I really don't go out in crappy weather) I will put on a regular pfd.

Love the shirt, also love their YouTube video LOL! Nice fish!

I have been using the eyecons with the 1000 series stradic's. Very nice combos, and very light and responsive. I too find the 1000 series reels to be plenty for just about every pickerel application I run into. To be truthfull, I've landed several muskies on the eyecon/1000 combo as well, most in the 35-40 inch class, and have had no issues (I've also been bit clean off a few times too LOL). Countless bass as well. I run braid with an 8-10lb lead of seaguar. They are a good rod, and the 1000 reel will do just about all you need it too, unless your into tuna fishing! I've had pro qualifier bibs for about 8 years and they've been great. Just bought a BPS goretex jacket a month ago as my old jacket finally gave up. I guess I'll find out if the quality is still there!

Undoubtedly he is an android or BB fan, much as I am an iphone fan. I had a samsung with replaceable batteries, unfortunately I needed to carry at least 2 batteries just to get through a 12 hour shift. I do this now with one iphone. I have found the androids to be terrible juice pigs, particularly samsung my wife's old HTC wasn't much better. Of course I do carry a spare cable and USB plug in, but it's a rarity that I need to use it, but I even have a port in the boat if needed. I also find the iPhones to be much more intuitive to use, and I've tried all brands. Everyone has their favourite I guess!

I can't imagine why marine ply would need to be replaced so soon. Our boat at the cottage is at least 20 years old now, and sits at the dock all summer long, half of it uncovered. It then resides in outside storage all winter . It's solid as a rock. My last 2 lunds both had marine ply floors, one was 13 years old when I sold it and a big dude could do jumping jacks on that floor with no issues! The other is vinyl and I sold to a buddy and it's ten years old now and still rock solid! He stores it outside year round. If your concerned then seal the crap out of it first. If you bought it off someone that you don't know, then who knows the real story!

For GPS I have a garmin Dakota 20. I use this mainly in my kayak or if I'm hunting. It is a great unit, not that expensive and colour and touch screen. I don't use it in the boat as I have a combo unit, so I bought it due to its small size and portability, along with it being very functional. I'll admit, if it was going to be my primary source of GPS in my boat, I may have bought a bigger screen, but for just marking a few spots, or getting back to the dock it works great! As for smartphones, I've used blackberry, android and iPhone, and in my mind iPhone is the only way to go. I have no idea if it will work with a prepaid card though.

Yes, I primarily fish it for pickerel, and it has it's ups and downs, but enough ups that I keep going back. It is also an excellent musky fishery, and I have boated some beauties over the years!