ryansusanna

I think it depends on what you want to use the rods for. Crucials are great in certain applications, and not so much in others (in my opinion). If you live close to either Fishing World, Pro J's, or Paddle Tails i would strongly recommend checking out a Dobyn's Rod. They are new to Canada, have the Savvy Line of rods close to your price range, and have a rod demo program. (i.e. take the rod home, and try it. i think they are also doing a draw for a Ranger Z521 with a 250 Evinrude for everyone that demo's a rod in 2011).

Just do what i did. build your house and garage around your boat 19'8, fits straight in with the transom saver off.....(24 feet all said) In all seriousness you can likely go a tad bigger, but i think the single door is going to be your biggest pain in that equation.

Lake Erie ROCKS... was out on Wednesday this week...

and miss the best 2 months of the season... you are crazy....

It really comes down to personal preference. All the major manufacturers make a quality product. I do not have a rod / reel sponsor and thus have a mix of St. Croix, Shimano, and Powell rods, i like each and every one of them or i wouldn't own them. Personally, i prefer Shimano reels, but again i have friends that swear by Quantum. When you spend 700 or so hours on the water / year you get intimate with the operation of your gear. for example you will set the hook differently using a 7 foot turd than you will with a 6'8 MXF on a drop shot, fight a fish different, etc... those could be the same brand, the same thing goes for two rods of the same spec from different manufacturers. Good on the Lindners for making a living doing what they love. Promoting sponsors is part of the gig, and there is nothing shameful in them getting paid to help market a product. After all, the fishing business is no different than any other industry, other than the fact that it may be even more competitive. If they were promoting products that were truly inferior it would be a different story, and i think it would affect their future ability to get quality sponsorship. just my $0.02 Ryan

Looks like Red Pine Wilderness Lodge to me, http://www.redpinelodge.com/. Great place, have been twice. Food, People, Lodging, and most importantly fishing is GREAT. Highly recommend.

Similar to the jigging method, my preference is to drop shot for them. experiment with different baits, distance from the bottom, etc... general rule of thumb is to leave the bait TOTALLY still and wait to feel a subtle tick. Make sure you have your finger on the line for feel. this method can be killer when the fish are in a neutral to negative mood and don't want to chase moving baits (tubes, jigging spoons, etc...)

FISHBELLY!!! hawg shad.

1. Main line flouro (as light as you can get away with, provides for better action, or lack there of, to your bait) (Sunline SniperFC is the best i have used by a long shot) 2. a small steelhead swivel for general use, 2 or 3 feet above your bait, is not required, but will save your expensive flouro from MASSIVE twist issues. 3. a palomar knot to connect your hook with the tag end fed back through the eye towards your weight provides a nice 90 degree angle for the hook. 4. attach your weight to the bottom. NOTES: - you can play with different baits, hooks, and hooking sytle (nose hook, texas rig, threaded, etc...) depending on targeted species and conditions (open water, weeds, rocks, current, etc...) - quick release weights are nice and easy to attach and move, but they do nick the line. if you can find ones that tie on they are better. - round and pencil style weights are better in different situations. i prefer pencil style 90% of the time. don't waste your money on tungston for this application. - play with the length of lead between your weight and your bait. keep in mind that if you are casting / dragging the rig that you will require a greater length of lead to achieve the right height your bait runs from the bottom. - when ever possible try to fish the rig on a "semi-slack" line, and not a tight line. this allows your bait to sit seductively still with only slight current and movement required to provide life like action. if you know you are in the strike zone try to leave it dead still. - watch your line, and have your finger on the line. some of the biggest fish will hit with the slightest tick. - don't go for bone crushing hook sets. rather try sweeping hooksets across your body. this can move the bait 12 feet or more in one motion and with the light wire hooks i generally use they provide for very positive hook ups. - if you are not getting bit, but are marking the fish and know they are there, keep changing up the baits, often this is key. hope that helps. happy to answer any questions beyond this info.

Both those stores can provide good service and once in a while a good deal here and there. from my experience though i would have to say Rainbow Sports gets the nod. interesting you didn't mention them?

just pull the tag end only. there by preserving the business end.

nice fish Dennis. guessing those are the fish from last saturday with that tell tale black spot great win on Sat. this weekend looking a little too rough for my liking. would love to have been out there today though. ryan

Still going strong for the souls willing to brave the lake. winds didn't go to forecast, cost me stuffing a wave (very cold in April) and a windshield. got my Dad into some nice smallies though anyone not partaking in trout opener this weekend, there are options....

I buy 90% of my gear from Rainbow Sports as well. Reasons why... 1. Almost always better prices than Bass Pro (with the rare exception where BPS blows something out the door) 2. Doesn't require a day trip to go to the tackle shop 3. If i need something they do not have, Chad will order it in without requiring silly minimum order quantities. 4. If you buy any electronics and/or boat accessories he also provides an installation service which is second to none!!!

Hit lake Erie this week to take my annual April crack at the catch and release Smallmouth fishery available on Erie in New York State. At first this seems foreign to most, but let me tell you it is a must experience thing for any Bass fisherman. Great friends, good weather, and hungry BIG fish. Ryan

Hey Stoty, guess you met my friend Ryan today. i heard you weren't interested in the NYS smallmouth extravaganza tomorrow???? whats up with that. to all the haters out there. the fishing show business caters mostly to those new to the sport. it is not a matter of talking down to everyone. it is a matter of explaining something so that someone with no base knowledge can follow along and learn!!!!

I'll be there with my parents and wife. looking forward to it, should be a great opening weekend with the warm spring thus far. i remember years we couldn't get out of the narrows because it was frozen solid both directions.

Lady Evelyn is a GREAT LAKE, and Red Pine is a GREAT LODGE. I have been to Red Pine twice. Once in the last week of May, and once at the end of July. The fishing is fantastic, both times i was there we experienced great numbers of fish, with a surprisingly large average size. On a day trip up by Franks Falls even though we were into them thick, we had a hard time getting a Walleye under 18" for shore lunch, a problem i am not accustomed to Ryan Edenborough had been guiding on Redpine full time for 7 years, and has the fish dialed in you you would not believe. A few pictures from my trip are below... Would highly recommend getting a day on the water with Ryan when you are there. The key would be to try to book it ahead of time so you can ensure you get him the first or second day of your trip. The knowledge you will gain about that water body will enhance your trip greatly.... All our fish were caught jigging on both trips. End of May we fished the shallow sandy portion of the lake, late July we fished the deeper rocky end of the lake. Myself with a good walleye to start a trip... Ryan the Guide with a great fish. Bald Eagles This little guy was curious, nosed the boat almost right into him... Couple more great fish. All in all, i would HIGHLY recommend the lodge. It is not the least expensive lodge on the lake, but the staff treats you like family, and with the meal plan James and Janice the lodges owners provide you are sure to come home a few pounds heavier, not including your limit of 17" walleye PM me if you have any questions, would be happy to help.

Orillia i am hoping. had the engine running in the driveway last night... she still runs

Hey Paudash, you could consider going with a used 520. could probably get one with a chip for the $500 number you mentioned. only real difference between that and the HDS is that you can not add the downscan module, that being said, the downscan will be somewhat difficult to use on the 5 inch model unless you have bifocals.... i am running the HDS7, love it, wishing i could afford the 8

Hey Paudash, you could consider going with a used 520. could probably get one with a chip for the $500 number you mentioned. only real difference between that and the HDS is that you can not add the downscan module, that being said, the downscan will be somewhat difficult to use on the 5 inch model unless you have bifocals.... i am running the HDS7, love it, wishing i could afford the 8

for Erie, yes. for the other lakes, not likely.

Lake Erie is included on all the HDS units. the first year manufactured units have their contour lines in a terrible off white color and it can be tricky to see them. You do have to choose the LOWRANCE map in the options. the newer version of the HDS units has the contour lines in a maroon color that is very easy to see. There is also the units containing the hard drive labeled Insight. These are US maps, but include the great lakes for about $200 more (not much more than a gold chip), and include incredible detail of the great lakes. i fish erie and ontario and for me this was a no brainier after seeing the content on these units. if you are going to get a chip, it is important to know where you are going to fish. Ryan

Obviously the wrong section, but i have 3 right handed Curado's for sale, used 1 season. 101D (small one), 300D (muskie model), and an E7. U2U me if interested.