Weeds

Yeah, I've tried 20 pound braid and found it pretty awful picking out the tangles. I imagine if you've got a high end baitcasting reel and some really polished skills you might make it work.

I was doing a little smallmouth bass fishing this evening, chucking a 5 inch Senko along the riverbank with my trusty 7 foot St. Croix ML spinning outfit. After not getting a strike during the Senko's initial drop I reeled it in quickly, already thinking of my next cast and the Senko bouncing along the surface at a pretty good clip. I was stunned when close to the bank a Musky smoked it between skips of the Senko, partly because I did not believe there were any Musky in this part of the river and partly because the co-ordination involved in the strike was incredible. I think the musky actually hit the Senko between skips, out of the air, but who really knows as these things happen pretty fast. Fortunately it was a small fish which might account for it's agility, about 26 inches, and the spinning tackle and 10 pound Fluro was up to the job. Had him hauled in, unhooked, gawked at and released in about 2 minutes. Was very cool. My first incidental Musky. Senko's are proving to be surprisingly versatile, in the past two weeks I've caught both small and largemouth on them, assorted panfish, pike, Musky and one mean looking Bowfin on them. I only wish I'd starting using them years ago.

The greater the test strength of the braid the easier it becomes to pick out the tangles and birdsnests. In my experience 50 to 80 pound braid is untangled way easier than mono.

GCD: The boat has been kind of a no go so far. I mean it goes but last time out I ran into a few problems including snapping the key off in the ignition. I have not gotten around to getting a new one cut due to the fact that I finally discovered the joys of Bassfishing (smallmouth from shore). I haven't seen a musky since opening day. Going camping tomorrow for a week, hoping to get into some pike and Largemouth, might even get some pics for once. A2F: My pleasure.

Just a heads up, I purchased 2 packs of Senkos (normally 9.99 a pack plus tax) 2 packs of Eagle wide gaps (maybe 3.49 plus tax a pack regularly) and a scum frog (maybe 4.50ish plus tax reg) and including tax the lot cost me about 24 bucks. I've lost my receipt, it's a talent I have, seems to happen instantly but it looks like all fishing stuff is 30% off. I don't know if it is just here in Peterborough but a decent time to grab some stuff. I didn't realize till after I bought the stuff because there were no signs or anything.

Anybody ever tip a Sportspal? Just curious.

Slopmasters when I've got the coin, otherwise the white 2.99 cheapies from Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart.

Neat thread. I've never seen these poles but I'd love to get a 20 footer. I guess you'd basically have to be holding the rod almost totally vertical to land anything if you had 20 feet of line on it. Could you cast tiny spinners and such with one of these or are they more designed for tiny jigs, grubs, crickets, etc?

So many secrets......What gives? I understand guys not sharing their spots but colours? I don't get it.

I just started using Senkos this year too, I didn't initially have much confidence in them but now I think it's probably my favourite lure. Pink has been working well for me too, loads of small smallmouth in the Otonabee here in Town and a few respectable size ones mixed in. I've been trying the Zero plastic worms as well, I think I prefer the Senkos but we'll see.

I fished the Mouth of the Rouge a few times about 7 years back. Didn't have too much luck. I remember there being plenty of Carp and tiny Catfish. A few bass in there too but they were few and far between. Some old guy said there were some pike in there too. I remember not being able to walk up the river, fishing spots were kind of limited.

Must be a Government cover up. Somebody call Lundboy.

Carp Slap. I love it. My buddy is driving up from Toronto in the morning, supposed to be in the driveway by 6 and then we'll try Chemong. If he's late, I'll scoot down to the Otonabee, catch a big old 20 pound Carp and WHAM!! Give him a Carp Slapping he won't soon forget!

I prefer Spiderwire Stealth braid to the Powerpro, and Powerpro is still better than the Fireline. Recently spooled up my spinning outfit with 8lb Fireline after hearing positive reviews. My first Carp of the season broke my line yesterday, was surprised as I really didn't think I had the drag set that tight. I also dislike the Red Powerpro, seems more plasticy than I remember the moss green being.

The majority of my musky catches have come on bright and hot days although I have caught one or two in the rain.

Spiel, did you have any forward/reverse gear left before you changed it? Did you have to change the gears as well? Do you mind me asking where you got the parts? Thanks, Ross

Has anybody ever had to replace their Clutch Dog before? Been doing some research and have a horrible feeling this could be my problem. Worn clutch dog and worn gears means big money and my wallets already worn out. Previous owner said it would occasionally slip out of forward but suggested it was just more of a shifter tension kind of thing, he'd just hold the shifter forward with a bungee cord. I'm getting that uneasy I've just been screwed feeling.

It's a 25 HP Johnson Seahorse. A sticker under the engine cover says 1977, although for some reason I thought the motor was a 74.

That'a a god idea about trying it with the muffs on. I'd at least be able to see whats going on if anything. I'll have to pick up a set/pair.

Thanks GCD. When I move the shift lever the selector on the motor moves moves into either neutral, reverse, or forward. Can even feel a slight click as it shifts. Also when the motor is in neutral I can turn the prop assembly by hand. When I put it in Forward or Reverse I can't (Naturally ther motor is off while I'm trying this). The shear pin , if thats what I'm looking at, looks fine. I dunno.

Well launched the new boat old boat yesterday for the second time and found that while the motor now starts and seems to run great it won't engage in gear, either first or reverse. I adjusted the tension in the cable and it makes no difference. I'm guessing it's something enternal but would love some advice if anybody has any. Or if anybody knows a reasonable place that does boat motor work in the Peterborough area. Anyways, packed the boat back on the trailer and wandered/waded across some new shoreline. Managed a small musky (maybe 32ish) in a new spot, It's been so long since I caught one I was expecting it be a 40 before I got to see it. Easy realse. So got to try out some new gear and get that first one out of the way before noon, good start to the season if it wasn't for the motor trouble. Anybody have any thoughts on the motor? It's a console type boat with the shifter/starter/steering anyway from the motor just to clarify. Thanks, Rossco

I love chucking a spinnerbait around. Might not be the number one lure as far as productivity goes but I love it anyways.

He's pulling your leg about the Tarpon and I've never heard of anybody catching musky there.

I'm guessing using the closed bow of a 14 foot fibreglass (in my case) might be a bit tippy as your standing basically as high as possible. I was thinking of slapping some grip tape up there, maybe removing half the windshield or something.

In the last week I phoned both Van and Truck world in Peterborough and Eastons on the 115. I think prices were comparable. I think the hitch was slightly cheaper at Eastons but the wiring harness slightly more expensive. I think installation was comparable at both. I opted to go with Van and Truck world in Peterborough and ended paying 350 including tax for a class 3 hitch, reciever and wiring harness installed. The ball was an extra 10 bucks. Could of saved about 70 bucks if I installed it myself but I was pushed for time.