JPD

Just to give you a heads up bdox, Shimano is leading the charge for the recreational anglers. Phil Morlock(Shimano) has been involved from the start and has been working non stop in Congress representing the sport fishing community. Not unlike the fact that Shimano is the only company working on improving tournaments for better survival rates of the fish with water weigh in and working hand in hand with University Biology programs. Even FLW implemented the Shimano water weigh in system. Don't kid yourself, their best interests are to help since with no sport fishing they will be out of business but they realize this and are doing something about it. JP

Don't kid yourselves here... the Great Lakes and it's feeders are on the agenda as well... that would mean the entire Trent Severn as well as any water dumping into these bodies... it's not only up to our neighbours to the South.. we need to support them as well as it is gonna affect Ontario, and both the East and West Coasts. If they get their way in the South, look for a world wide fishing ban to be next on their agenda. The problem right now is that they are not distinguishing between commercial fisheries and recreational angling... they have lumped us all together and consider us (the anglers) to be as big of a problem as a 200 foot boat dragging nets... typical animal activist groups at work here. The worst part is the the Obama administration is listening. The Americans need to flex their muscle and let the Obama administration know what they will do come voting time and so do we. Let your local representative know as well as the higher ups that we will not stand for this. Pretty soon their going to be telling what we can and can't wear outside! JP

A good friend of mine has been using one this winter on the Niagara and loves it. It has some great capabilities like co-pilot, auto plilot and most importantly spot lock and a route memory. you can record 2 trails up to 2 miles long and it will follow the GPS trail at whatever speed you want. The spot lock feature will hold you stationary (on a waypoint or rock pile per say) within 5 feet and you never have to touch your motor. Even if the wind increases, the motor will compensate. The only thing is that if you put the iPilot on, there is no pedal for the unit after that, everything is controlled by the remote.. course, speed, on and off etc. JP

Do I at least get some clues Roy? I would like to be able to study just in case!

Sounds like Swindle

Thanks for the help figuring it out TJ!

Setting up your Shimano baitcast reel with VBS

I will upload it for you when I get home tonight MSBruno.

You guys are priceless... I love the debates that go on here... at least they are civil (most ofthe time) unlike other boards I have been on. Regarding the Frogg Toggs, thankfully I am very comfortable with my sexuality and have never thought anything about their style since in reality my main goal is to stay dry, I have really never thought about going out on the town with them. For what they cost they are a super lightweight, super breathable, super dry suit but not made for the cold. They are however probably the best summer rain suit you can get. The Wetskins are, like previously mentioned, equivalent to wearing a garbage bag in any humidity what so ever. Yes they don't leak, but your cloths will be soaked from your sweat and they weigh a ton. The XPS 100 mph suit are awesome. I have never in 3 years had a leak and I have driven my boat through rainstorms at 70 mph. Have hit 100 mph yet however No seam leaks and if it ever did I would gladly take the new model. The latest model was vastly improved upon compared to it's predecessor having used water resistant zipper sections, reinforcing the knee areas, better zipper design with optional zip in layer for cold weather. It's been a fantastic suit. I recently picked up the new G Loomis suit as well, awesome design, really well thought out. It was designed for higher speed and fishing ability, being more form fitted and fully articulated in the hinge points so that sitting doesn't give you a wedgy when you drop into your seat. The Jacket is very streamlined and doesn't get in the way when fishing, no flaps, no loose sections and waterproof zippers to protect your goods. So far so good with this one as well. The other thing I will say is that if you wear a baseball cap like many of us do when fishing the BPS and G Loomis suits have very well fitted and thought out hoods...they are long enough to grab the tip of the brim and keep it on you even in the winds and running the boat. JP

Happy Birthday Joe!

Nice balls? Boy, this one is going down hill quick... All kidding aside, awesome Dozer, looks like a very cool set up! JP

The new handle is EVA foam, same material they use on the Cumara and now Cumulus grips. Pretty durable stuff but I do agree that the 3000 handle is the cat's meow... the Septon grip is also great even when wet. There's a possibility that they may be bringing out a 3000 and 4000 Ci4 this coming year so keep your fingers crossed for the paddle. JP

Hi Mudbutt, They are last year's models if they are the MgFB. Great reel, water proof drag, Paladin gearing, all the top features but since they brought out the new Ci4 Stradics they are blowing them out. Great deal at $100 off! Here's a link to an online page that has all the details for you: Stradic MgFB JP

You didn't stir me up bud... no worries and no need to apologize. It is easy to see that there could be a lot of wondering the way BPS does their on line flyers. They really need to have a separate Canadian site. That would help things out quite a bit. I just hope that you were actually thinking that Vaughan wasn't doing it as well or else I really would have to eat crow!

I just see it as us being very fortunate that Shimano Canada is so aggressive. We also are in the middle of the Ultimate Rebate program: $20 Mail-In Rebate on Clarus Rod-A Series $20 Mail-In Rebate on Sahara Reels-FD Series $15 Mail-In Rebate on Convergence Rods-A Series $15 Mail-In Rebate on Sedona Reels-FD Series This promotion is open to residents of Canada and applies to purchases made from Authorized Shimano Canadian Retailers(From the Shimano site) Once again... lucky us! Mailing is to Peterborough not the US. Sorry for the spam... Just thought some people might like to know. Anyhow... back onto my initial thought... Shimano runs one of the most aggressive rebate programs for the entire US market... anyone remember the $50 off Curado? This makes every retailer happy and generates business for all involved.

Syn, with all due respect I did mention that they weren't doing this in the US. I knew about this and it has nothing to do with Shimano not supporting the kids... it has everything to do with holding the market on the prices South of the Border so that they don't hurt their thousands of other retailers. Don't forget how small Canada is as a market. Sage is no different across the world... they set the prices on their rods and the retailers have to abide by it or lose their right to sell the product if Sage finds out. Many companies use this strategy and when you have a great product and respect for your retailers you can do this.(and no, I'm not saying other companies don't have respect for their retailers) The premise is that they don't want retailers to low ball each other and work for nothing. I for one would appreciate it if I was selling the product. Fortunately for us here in Canada, Shimano (Canada) has decided to participate in the reel trade in... I say we're lucky and that's it. But you're saying since one store does it North of the border you're going to pass judgment on the entire company on a global market? Sorry you feel that way Syn and you are right, you're entitled to your opinion whether I agree with it or not (which shouldn't really matter anyway). JP

Congrats Marvin... She's adorable!

Radnine... Just to give you a heads up, I'm not looking to stir the pot and I will not be dragged into an online battle. Please feel free to post your opinion after if you feel like it. This is obviously in regards to your last post that I quoted above and not for anything but I don't really know where I have asked to be considered special. I have been a member of the OFC community for a lot of years, I try to help out with prizing whenever possible but I just don't post all that much since most days are fairly busy for me. I come on this board to help people and if a question regarding a product that I know about comes up, I sometimes offer my experience with it. Calling me "Superman" or a "famous brother" is insulting since I am no different than any other fisherman/woman on this site so why should my posts be scrutinized by you? Is it because I have a show? Maybe because I happen to have sponsors? My answering the question was because people were misinformed and I knew the actual answer. Bill M simply stated that I answered what all the complaining was about yet it continued after I posted. Should the conversation stop because I posted?... HECK NO! Should the whining about Shimano not participating in the reel trade in at BPS stop... YES! it should have and whether it was me, TJ, Bill or any other board member who answered the question... it shouldn't have mattered. Would you have taken offense if it were someone other than me posting that information? Someone not sponsored by Shimano? I know that you don't know me from Adam but just to give you a heads up, I, like you and probably just about every other board member here, LOVE TO FISH! I just happened to be lucky enough to have had a show fall on my lap Don't ask me how, it really just kind of fell into place from fishing tournaments, a simple case of right place, right time. Do I think I am the only one who can do what I do? NO WAY! Do I think there are a bunch of great fishermen on this site that know a ton of information and are capable of doing what I do? HECK YES! Am I the lucky one in this deal? ABSOLUTELY! What does appear obvious to me is that you have a problem with me being on here or any promoting being put out there... you've even told a member to leave OFC for two weeks so you can post what you want to during the Olympics... and he's a great contributing member who was asking for something that was not at all unreasonable since many other members were in the same boat (no pun intended) Putting "Spoiler" in the Olympic chat title isn't that taxing is it? Thankfully some members actually appreciate my advice and although I know I do not have the correct answer for every question I am willing to take the time when I do. I am not a snake oil salesman looking to Spam everyone with any company who's willing to flip me some free crap and I truly believe that I know the products that I represent very well and believe in them fully which is most important to me. That is why I do not have 20 sponsors... nor do I want that many. The one's that I have, I use, have confidence referring people to purchase them and know that if anything should happen, customer service will be there to solve any issues. Besides that I am pretty busy running my "real" job to be able to do the job properly for more companies. What you may also notice is that I never try to put down a competitor's product because that is just wrong on so many levels, unlike many people here who seem to like the Chevy vs. Ford, Shimano vs St. Croix, my rod is better than your's type debates. I have also given advice on plenty of products that I am not sponsored by like the Gulp! Tray which somehow set you off? Frogg Toggs, Motor help or Electronics/Trolling motors... the funny thing is that I have owned them all and have used them all so I do think I am entitled to my opinion... that is unless it somehow offends you? You are more than welcome to continue chipping away at me as I make posts if it makes you sleep better at night, I have thick skin and have gotten used to it since getting more involved in the industry... One thing I do know is that it isn't me you're making look foolish! Best Regards JP

Yes Mike, you would get $40 off. Great choice with the Curado. Let me know when you are going to the show and I can try to be there and set it up for you and show you a couple of tricks. I'll also be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday but those are after the reel trade in days.

Thanks for the link Marvin

It always amazes me how quick people are to jump on things even when they aren't factual... They haven't been running the trade in program in the US for a few years now but here in Canada they always have. It's a testament to Shimano Canada's commitment in the sport. I think it would be impossible for anyone to argue the fact that Shimano Canada supports our passion more than any other manufacturer out there...bar none! They created and implemented the water weigh in system in tournaments for the betterment of the fisheries, work hand in hand with Queen's University biology and Dr. Bruce Tufts, support countless organizations like OFAH, CBAF and kids events. Are on the front lines with the fisheries closures going on right now... Phil Morlock is representing the fishing community at the highest level being involved in Congress and yes, he's from Shimano Canada. But hey, let's kick them while I have a soap box and a mic!

That is in the US. As far as I know they always have and will continue to do it here in Vaughan.

Great choice for power, action and size as others have mentioned. If you are looking to fish trout, careful with the fluorocarbon main line unless you are exclusively bottom bouncing. If you also float fish the rivers, go with mono, the floating properties of the mono will get you better hook sets and more direct pressure to the float without having to cut through the water since the fluoro will always sink between you and your float. Congrats on your purchase.

The thing with the Frog Toggs is that they are meant for fishing... driving a motorcycle at speeds in excess of 120 kmh will definitely tear the seams and would probably do it to most jackets not designed for that kind of force. I have put them through some pretty good speeds, 70 plus mph in the boat but I also have a console blocking the wind. The problem with heavy rubber is the fact that you will sweat like you're wearing a garbage bag... having that wet feeling, especially on our humid days like we so often get here in Ontario is very uncomfortable. The Frog Toggs are not for cold days, they are a light suit that can be packed into a small bag. Probably weighs less than a pound for the pants and jacket. A lot of guys down South stuff them into a medium sized Zip Lock bag and keep them in the boat or in their bag in case of an emergency. I have been caught on Erie in torrential downpours wearing them and the only place I got wet was when it leaked down my neck from driving into the rain with the boat. They don't have a flap like the good gortex suits but then again, as a back up they are well less than $100.

The best light weight packable rain suit I ever owned and still have is a Frog Toggs suit.. cheap, light and super dry! Frog Toggs