Weeds

Nice report Johnny; at least you got into some fish. I got skunked pretty soundly myself, only thing I caught was a sunburn too.

I picked up an ugly stik last year as I don't do alot of spinning rod fishing but was curious as I'd heard alot of good things about the ugly stiks. I like it. Great Value. Truly very durable, great trunk rod or back up (or main rod) as it really is tougher than rods way over it's price. A bit noodle like/slowish on the hookset but hey, what do I know, like I said, I don't use alot of spinning rods.

If I recall correctly (which is not likely) 3 out of 4 of my muskies last year came on bucktails with black or black and red tails, all had silver blades. I think 2 also had a white plastic Kalins grub on there as well. My first Musky probably came mid to late June (so my experience might not apply to this years opener) and was a slopmaster, "natural" pattern/colour I think. Good Luck!! I've had very little luck with firetiger when fishing for anything but I know alot of people think highly of it.

I'm just itching to throw the heavier stuff; don't care if I even catch anything, I'll probably start the day off with either a Believer, a Big Kicking Minnow or Magnum Spook. When I get tired off those I'll switch to a more realistic Vibrax Musky Buck or Slopmaster most likely. Can't wait, plan on fishing Dawn till Dusk! Psyched!!

Wild stuff! Awesome report as usual. Thanks.

I feel naive in asking but is that Carp pic for real?? I've never seen anything like that.

Police?

I just recently scored a 6'9 Premier and I'm 6'3ish and can't imagine using a longer jerkbait rod. I'm sure it can be done though, just might take some time to get use to it ....You might be able to take it back to the store providing you are exchanging it for another rod. I remember last time I was in Lebarrons really liking a short Compre musky stick. Well....Good luck.

Good advice, thanks to all. My mistake, I thought Magnum referred to the 6 oz version rather than the pounder; I can't imagine tring to lob that around either. Thanks.

Hi all. Had a few questions regarding Bulldawgs, as I've heard good things about them and recently aquired a rod capable of chucking some seriuous baits (3-8oz's). As I do most of my fishing from shore in the Kawarthas I was wondering which would be my best bet, the 3oz. regular Bulldawg or the Magnum 6oz. ? I can't afford both so I'm leaning toward the 6 oz. as I have very few BIG baits, but a modest selection of smaller ones. Would the big 6 ounce bait best be held off on until Fall and the smaller 3 ounce more productive in June? I was also curious regarding colour choice, again leaning towards black and orange as the majority of my other baits are perch, natural or firetiger. . ..I think that's it for now. Thanks a bunch, Rossco

I'm thinking she gave away pretty much the only thing she could offer. A scrap of food basically. Had she worked as as a policeman (woman I guess) she could have given the kid a tour of the car, of if she was a fireman she could have shown off the firetruck, or station even. Had she been an office manager/secretary she could have let the kid play with a computer. Is it stealing still if all you give is your time? Even if that time technically belongs to someone else? See what I'm getting at? It's easy for guys with half decent jobs or middle/upper management positions to draw the line at "stealing is wrong" but they can't begin to imagine how little influence/autonomy folks in these bottom tier positions have.

Would not recommend leaving them in the trunk for a week (or longer) In July. Smell is somewhat...........unpleasant.

You got a real nice starting set up; although in my opinion you only need maybe 3 or 4 lures to start. And you're right about buying used; can really save you a bundle. A big bundle. I think if you buy right you can get into it with quality gear for maybe 200 bucks if you're lucky. Although maybe no net.....

I'm pretty new to musky fishing too but I got into it pretty seriously last year. I had good luck with bucktails (Joe Bucher and Blue Fox Musky Bucks, which are relatively cheap as far as musky lures go) but I managed my first Musky on a spinnerbait (Slopmaster) and I'm happy I did because the single hook helped make for an easy release and really positive first experience. In my very limited experience black has been a good colour with a white accent or trailer. I'd also suggest loading up with some really heavy braid, 50 pound plus (I like 80, Stealth) and even heavier leaders. Alot of folks recommend Fluro, I've found I'm pretty happy with either 80 or 120 pound coated wire, thick enough to protect the fish and cheap too (3 for 2 bucks at LeBarons as opposed to 8 or 10 bucks a shot for Fluro) but Fluro is good too. The heavy line and leaders may seem like overkill but it makes it alot harder to lose those pricy lures so it's nice to have that peace of mind. Anyways, good luck, catch one and you'll be hooked!

Nice report. I enjoyed the read.

Thanks Smokey; I don't know what I was thinking. Well, I was thinking Lock 19 was on the North end of town, rather than the South for some reason. Thanks for setting me straight. Can't wait to fish, even if it's just for perch! Or Carp.

Sounds like a great opener! I wanted to add a question here rather than starting a new thread (kind of a hi-jack I guess ) and I figure you gents would probably know the answer. I know fishing in the Otonabee here in town is closed for a few weeks yet but how about the canal? Right now that OFAH event where they stock a section of the canal with a bunch of trout is on but after that is the canal open, or is it considered part of the Otonabee and closed for a few weeks? Thanks if anyone knows. Sorry for Hi-jack.

I caught my first Crappies last spring on Chemong, trolling for walleye with 20 lb braid and a half ounceish glass shad rap I think. Probably not ideal tackle by any means but they didn't seem to care. Can't wait to get back out come Season.

Brew. I shore fish mostly.

I was commuting Peterborough to Toronto, about 260 km round trip; for about a year. When you were travelling when there was not alot of traffic on the road it was doable. About an hour and 20 minutes. Alot of people spend that amount of time just getting to work who live in the GTA. Throw in any kind of traffic and it gets awful. So basically it's not the distance that matters so much as the traffic (and the fuel efficiency of your ride). I'd say go for it.

Nice Fish. Snag eh? The Lord of Illusions himself; should have figured he had something to do with it.

Compliance test? Dude, I like a good conspiracy theory as much as the next guy (see my recent posts regarding Toronto Pike) but I think you might be reading just a little too much into this.... My household will participate.

All kidding aside I'd love to see the pic too. 41? That's a big pike.

Perhaps. Where's that pic of your 41inch replica?

Artfully and gracefully or just gracefully? Are you suggesting my technique is too artfull? How dare you.....