JPD

If the rod was actual manufacturer defect, they will replace it free of charge but you will have to send it to Peterborough to have them inspect it. If it was an accident or abuse you can still get a new rod through the Expediter Loomis Warranty. Most tackle shops that sell Loomis also handle this. It's $75 and they will send you a new replacement or you can get one over the counter if the store participates in the program and has it in stock. They will ask for your Credit Card Number and send you a postage paid envelope in which you have to mail back the section on the blank that has all the label, name and rod specs on it (typically a 5" section just above the handle) Cut that section out with a hack saw and place it in the envelope and mail it back. As long as they receive the piece back within the set time (a month or two I think) then you are all done. If you don't send it back they will charge you for the replacement. Pretty good deal if you have an accident and don't feel like spending another $250-$800 depending on the rod. Like the rest said, call back. They typically have the best customer service around. JP

It will be great to see some of you guys and gals down there this weekend. As Dave said there will be some great speakers there and for all you trollers out there, Paul Powis will be speaking. He always has some great info and is always happy to take some time to answer specifics for the people interested. I will also be giving out technique information cards Friday through Sunday for any people interested in trying new techniques out this year or even fine tuning some of their favorites. The goal is to help anglers put the pieces of the puzzle together for the endless techniques that require different gear ratios, lines and rod power / actions. I'll be available for most of the day doing this before and after my seminar just not during my or Dave's time slots. After all, I do enjoys watching his seminars also! Looking forward to seeing everyone! JP

So I guess for our applications aside from flipping heavy cover we will not be able to use this? I am thinking along the line of 10-20 lb braid for smallmouth dragging and jerkbaits with 12-14lb fluoro leaders at .012" and .013" diameters. Mind you it would be nice to thread some 25 lb fluoro leader into 65 braid... is that even possible or are the diameters not within reach of each other since the 25 lb fluoro is .019"? And you really have to thread 4-6 feet of leader into the braid? I can't stand threading a draw string back through my hoodie! Can you imagine threading braid?

I have caught 2 pretty close in size that I have been amazed with... never weighed either but would assume high twenties to somewhere in the 30 lb range. one from Lake Erie, a 37" Mirror: This was a 38" Island Carp But I saw plenty that dwarf these examples in both the Islands and Lake Erie!

Interesting post garry2rs, I have seen this before but never thought it to be practical for our applications plus it seemed like a bunch of work with the needles and everything. Can you do this on a boat or on the water for that matter? if so what kind of time are you looking at because I would love nothing more than to eliminate knots. Also, what's the smallest lb test braid you can do this with?

I've been using the BPS Deep Cycles which are made by Power Surge... the have been great as well. No problems after two years and I probably have charged them well over 100 times!

Just tape them over and it will be fine, if you really are concerned fill them with silicone which can easily be removed after without damaging the holes. Never drill out your existing transom holes and never use bushings since they will wear quickly and give the motor movement which will eventually lead to oval holes. Once that happens you will be in more trouble than if you ever got a bit of moisture in them to begin with. If you are super worried, get a small can or spar varnish and a small brush and coat the exposed wood. That will prevent any moisture from entering. JP

Here's one that I was joking around with Mercer for a cover shot... he got a good laugh out of it!

Anybody notice that the pike on the left has it's head put on upside down compared to the body and fins?

Does that include the night time extension Roy?

This is the one that is 2 piece TJ..

Hey! I thought you preferred 2 piece rods?

Thanks Dozer, they'll have a tough time surfing tomorrow with 5 knot winds from the North

lol... actually not sore at all Louis... we didn't perform at all and still came in second... next year the smallies are getting way less consideration from our club!

Thanks myot, I really appreciate it!

Does anyone know if the boat launch is clear from ice at Bluffers Park or Ashbridges Bay? I have a buddy with a new boat looking to put some break in hours on his engine. Any info would be greatly appreciated. JP

Mario, if you are interested in the Citica, talk to Buck at the reel counter. He's from Shimano and can give you an excellent breakdown of the reel and how to properly set it up. There will be some Shimano Field Staffers there all week along with Berkley / Abu staffers as well. Several of the BPS folks behind the counter really know the product also. JP

The point wasn't about the power of the rod, it was about the durability. The Voltaeus rods were designed to be significantly lighter than traditional "unbreakable" rods, with more sensitivity, equivalent pricing, more technique specific models and lastly an unprecedented Limited Lifetime Warranty for less than $60. The sheer fact that Dave was able to run line rated way higher than the rod was recommended for and lean on the fish, eventually getting it to the boat speaks volumes for the quality of the product. If he wanted to really hide the fact that a "shark rod" would bring the fish in faster he easily could have but again that wasn't what he was trying to say... it was solely to demonstrate the toughness. Here's a piece of the press release for them: And here are the models and actions: JP

Hi Cudz, The Niagara is pretty blown out right now... you may want to postpone your trip for a bit. Later in the week may get better. Fishing in less than a couple of feet viz is almost futile down there. JP

Great Video! Gord is one of the nicest guys you can meet and truly does have an undying passion for our sport! Congrats on all your success Gord, hopefully with many, many more years and fond memories to come! BTW... Lew also hit it one the head, Gord's seminars are packed with great information and spectacular delivery. He really inspired me to change the way I look at seminars and how to give them. JP

They actually have $5.88 reels for sale if you don't have one to trade in. The Citica's are $149 and you'll get a $25 instant rebate on them... bringing them to $124.99... there is no where you can buy a Citica E for that price!

That is the one advantage that the smaller stores have and will always have, customer service. Not to say Bass Pro has bad customer service because in reality they are very good to deal with but the knowledge base in a small store can be much more refined since they don't have a bunch of staff to train. I think we are incredibly fortunate, as TJ said, to have stores like Angling Outfitters, Fishing World, Angling Specialties, Gagnons, Natural Sports, Hirks and JB's because they know what their clients are looking for and what their area thrives on. They are still around because of the specialty items and service they give and will continue to be there. Any tackle store that complains about a company like Bass Pro, who ultimately has increased the profile of the industry in which they try to make a living is nuts, if they are good at what they do, they should only benefit from the increased attention to the sport of fishing. The last thing I would want to see happen is the smaller retailers shut down, that would set back fishing for sure. The biggest problem for them stems not from competition from Bass Pro, it stems, as mentioned before and by a few, from internet sales. The internet will not offer the assistance that your local retailer will offer or the last minute option to pick up hooks before your trip without waiting for shipping. JP

I have to disagree with a few things... firstly, Bass Pro employs more Canadians in that store than all of the other tackle stores in Ontario combined... They also donate more money to local conservation efforts (Yes, LOCAL) than any other store in Canada and have been doing so since their start. Regarding other stores... this one is a real kicker... Bass Pro has also made the other stores, like Lew said, who are willing to advance with the times, better... why? Because BPS has brought more new people into fishing that have never picked up a rod or haven't gone in years with their "walartness" store that acts as an attraction. a day with the kids or better yet and pass through to the mall. All the eye candy you see get's people interested and creates new anglers. Most of the stores that are still standing are actually doing better.. the internet has hurt more store owners than BPS ever will in it's lifetime! Yes, other stores are cheaper on some items and that's also great news for the smaller guy. BPS has not come to Canada and flexed their muscles and used their buying power to destroy the market... they have 100 times if not 1000 times the overhead than a 2000 sq ft store has, 100 times the employees, marketing and donations... so they charge accordingly. Keeping it local is a pretty sad excuse to use for not visiting BPS... just about 98% of the lures in every tackle store are made elsewhere, not by the local store owners, so who are you really supporting? China? The USA? Who cares! We all need tackle, reels and rods and whoever has the best deal gets the business.. but the repeated kicking at bigger companies on here without qualifying your reasons really gets old quick. BTW... seminars are free, parking is free, charity BBQ for Mercer's Casting for a Cure Cancer fundraiser and other BBQ's to support local conservation efforts, 40,000 reels donated through the reel trade in program to kids fishing organizations and the fact that the reel prices during the trade in are well below their cost, yup! They're really hurting Ontario! Sorry for the rant JP

I spoke with George Wallace from BPS today and he said the Pro Qualifier Rain suits are going on special this Friday for the Spring Classic... might be a great chance to get a Gortex suit with Bibs at a good price!

This isn't fear mongering... this is fact... go try to drop a line off Hawaii where they banned fishing in the MPA (Marine Protected Areas) (Actually started by Bush, not Obama) or better yet off the section of California coast where they are proposing to if not have already. It's doesn't matter if you are a trawler or an angler.. the groups lobbying see us all as the same evil... morons! This isn't only about commercial fishing... it's about fishing Period! No fishing will mean NO FISHING! They actually think Lake Erie is in trouble... maybe we should take these "groups" fishing there sometime... not sure how long they will last when their arm gives out from all the smallmouth! I'm all for management and I would love to see tougher standards on pollution and more money put into habitat but to put us in the same group as netters, trawlers and other commercial fisheries is insulting to say the least!