Weeds

Thanks for all the input guys. IrishField, I guess it's a car topper, certainly not a deep v hull, I measured the beam and I think it was just over 4 and a half feet.

I'm having another go at boat ownership this year so I picked up a 12 foot aluminum. Probably what I should have got first time around. Seems to be in decent shape, I'll test it for leeks with the hose once the weather warms up. I'm curious what most guys opt for regarding a motor. Is a 6 enough power if the majority of my fishing is me alone? Should I bite the bullet and spend the extra dough on a bigger motor? The boat is rated for a 10. I find it incredible how used motors retain their value. Kijiji is full of 40 year old motors priced at 4 to 5 hundred dollars. Any thoughts? Thanks

I don't know anything about motors but what your describing sounds the same as a problem I had. Worn Clutch dog, or Dog Clutch, can never remember which. Google it. Kind of a bigger problem; supposedly you can reverse them. I ended up selling mine to somebody confident that they could fix it.

Hi Garry, I always enjoyed reading your posts. I always thought you were a fountain of sound information. It's a shame you won't be around anymore. It's worth noting that just because you don't get a response it does not mean what you posted was not appreciated. If nobody was reading your threads It would be a different story. I think you'll find that some of most worthless threads are actually the longest. Maybe see you around if I ever get a boat that works. Cheers, Ross

St. Croix Premier 7 foot medium light with a Daiwa exceller 2500,although 1500 might have been even better for this set up. Was an awesome combo, caught a pile of assorted fish with it last year tossing senkos, small spinners and float fishing. I'd gotten way to into using baitcasters over the last couple of years and this combo brought me back to my senses; made me realize the practicality and enjoyment of using more of a finesse approach/tackle.

Give him plenty of hugs; if you have not already, and if you have, give em a few more. Ain't nothing better than a hug from your son!

I occasionally fish for them. I'm less than 200 metres from the Otonabee so occasionally I'll target them, not too seriously though, no pods or feeders or slingshots. Bag o frozen corn ; big egg sinker and an Owner Circle hook; can't even be bothered tying a hair rig. I'm looking forward to trying earlier this year thanks to the changes in the regs.

I've had good luck with bucktails and although I've got a tacklebox full of Jerk and Crankbaits I'd have to say my number one choice for hardbaits would be a 9 inch weighted Suick. Truly a wicked lure. May not look like much but for me it's been magic, in the same way that Senkos are for Bass.

That's a fat pike, no?

Yep. China. Good news is the beer is from St. Johns.

Yeah, I think they are made in China too. Pretty sure, I suppose I could go downstairs and check. Or I could head to the fridge and grab myself a cold one. So many options..so little time.

Kind of funny because about 24 hours ago I was preaching about the value of buying used but I bought one of those Tackle Industries Rods. Got it about 2 monthes ago, the Mega Heavy 8 foot Rod, lure weights 8-36 ounces. I think once you add in shipping, taxes/ conversion and duty it came to about 128 Canadian dollars. Looks solid although I'm a little dissapointed that the 2 piece handle does not line up perfectly. I can live with it providing the rod performs well otherwise. Sticking to my philosophy of buying quality stuff used I did pair it up with an Abu 7001i, which I got for 80 bucks like new. Should suffice for Musky/Shark or Krakken fishing.

Musky opener is monthes off. If you keep your eyes open you should have no problem scoring a higher end Musky rod (be it St. Croix, Compre, Fig Rig, whatever) for a 100 bucks if you keep your eyes on the classified sections, hear and kijiji. I just sold two St. Croixs for a 100 bucks each about 3 monthes back. Even if you have to spend a little more, say 120, you can use it for 2 years then sell it for close to a 100. So buy something good, but buy it used!

I was recently shopping for a left reel for musky fishing; I found the choices considerably narrowed being a lefty. The only Abu 7000 series available in a lefty is the 7001i, no high speed or narrow spool options. I bought it anyways as it looked like a killer deal (used). Some of the high end reels are available in a lefty but you start getting into big coin. Alot of the saltwater reels seem to be righty only. Bass gear seems to be available in either left or right handed. I think the fact that the majority of reels are right handers today kind of stems from tradition. I'd bet that half the guys today who reel right handers wouldn't if there had been a good selection of left handed reels back in the day.

Super Shad Rap. I've been throwing the same one for about 3 years now and had lots of follows but never a fish. It never leaked or anything, action seemed good, perch pattern was still nice. Quality was good, just never worked for me. I think I lost it at the end of the season.

I can remember visiting some freinds quite a few years back in the States (Upstate New York) who had a small pond on their property, definately less than an acre. I believe it was spring fed. It had no water flowing in or out but I believe had a good population of Largemouth. I also think the pond (and fish) were pretty much maintenance free; although they were stocked at some point many years before. Maybe toss in a Carp or two just to cover your bases...

I could go with a 7000 series abu of some kind quite happily; I really love my 6501 C3. It spent a little time on the shelf this past fall as some of the hardware that keeps the handle on fell off so I ordered and added a power handle to it about a month back. Really looking forward to getting some casts in with it come June. Again, thanks for all the advice. I'm now leaning heavilly towards a 7000 series Abu, nice to go with a reel that I might actually be able to affford new.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I imagine that whatever I end up with will be in large part determined by what I can get on sale or used and quite likely one from the handfull of reels you've mentioned. I imagine I'd go with a round baitcaster as opposed to a low profile but the Toro 61-HS might be an exception.

Hi, just thought I'd throw this out there. About 2 years back I bought a high speed curado (201dhsv?) thinking it would be good for burning bucktails. In a way it has been, great for smaller bucktails around an ounce but I think it's now suffering from the occasional Magnum Bulldawg I hooked it up to and was never great at pulling in bigger bucks or spinnerbaits. So if I happen to win the lottery or find a truly huge pile of change down the back of the couch I'm thinking of maybe splurging for a new Musky reel; one basically dedicated to working medium to large bucktails. I was thinking maybe a Daiwa Saltist Levelwind although I still can't seem to determine what is available in a lefty, or where I might get it. I've seen some huge line pick up figures but relatively low gear ratios. Anyone have any advice/experience/insight that they'd be willing to share? Thanks, Ross

Hi John, I'll be spending most of my time in and around Cuernavaca, may go to Acapulco for a few days but think I have a good chance of visiting lake Tequesquitengo. Have fun in Cancun!

Howdy all, I'm heading down to Mexico in a few days and figured for a change I might actually try to do a little fishing while on familly vacation. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive and definately no guides or charters. I'll throw the nigh invulnerable two piece Ugly Stik in the suitcase, the Daiwa Exceler spooled with 14 to 20 pound Vanish (hey, it works for me) , a pack of Senkos and two white Spinnerbaits. If I get the opportunity I figure I might take a few casts here and there, kind of like I might at home. Anyone got any advice? Are Bass there plentiful and gigantic or few and far between? Any clue as to regulations or if there even are any regarding licences?

If one or two beers gets you stupid drunk you probably should not be drinking anywhere. One or two beers don't tip canoes.

Good move Lew! I left East York about 3 years ago and while it was a nice place to live and grow up I have no regrets about relocating to the Peterborough/Kawarthas. You've got Musky at your doorstep and one heck of a garage; what more could a man ask for?

From a guy who really does not not better, are survival suits much better/expensive than floater suits?

Hard to choose. Been thinking about it for a couple days and while it's a tough choice I'm thinking Musky. It was either Musky or Largemouth and the more I think about it the less different the pursuit of the 2 species becomes. Ambush predators, big baits (if you choose) short but wild fights. Big difference is that fishing for Largemouth is kind of like Flag football whereas Musky fishing is more of a full contact sport, except it involves giant treble hooks too. Largies are fun and games, no one gets hurt and everyone goes home happy and tanned. Muskies? Countless hours, a million dollars invested in gear, cold if not frostbitten, generally no fish and if you are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, a good possibibilty of bloodshed. So I'd have to say Musky. Why I have no idea. When I think about it, a Bass fisherman can be contented. I don't think you will ever find a contented Musky fisherman.