landry

I don't think k I could spend a day in a boat with a Trump supporter. I would have a hard time getting past that.

That's Wierd. I would return and exchange one of the items at Basspro. The reel is likely unused so that is what I would suggest. The Shimano Cardiff reels are reasonable and hold up better for Muskie In my opinion. The 300 size works for smaller stuff and it is what I have on my 7'6" H rod. Most people use the 400 size but I find it too wide for that rod and what I use it for. i sent u aniother personal message btw.

That's tough. I love my boat - would've hard to send her off without a replacement in the way. And that is a beautiful boat Lew. Wow.

I towed someone for over an hour on Erie this summer who ran out of gas. It was annoying and there was a tiny part of me inside that wanted to pretend I didn't see them but it was the right thing to do. I have never needed a tow and have towed a few people. Hopefully people don't just drive by me some day.

The surface of the water was incredibly warm. The dead calm wind didn't help the fishing or me any. I got a vicious heat rash and went through 3 L of water in 8 hours. Good times.

Darn autocorrect

I have been skunked casting a few times obviously but overall we usually manage to salvage a slow day. I had a great multi spplayer cues spring but my last 4 trips, not all muskies, have been very poor. Life is tough. First world problems I don't bring my smallie stuff usually cause the I weaken if it's slow and fish for "bait". Those slow days are when a giant appears out of nowhere:)

It was the worst I have seen it. Not a single follow - packed it in at dinner time I never quit early but it was desolate and HOt out there. The trollers looked like they were struggling too. Belle, Ruscom, eat if Thames. Nada.

Yes Jerkbait and topwater rod should be 7'6" H. However - times have changed and 8' or longer rods in H and XH are the way to go for all other baits. Most on this thread agree with this. List n to them. Or buy a shorter and lighter rod and end up selling it later.

I would wait u till then really min Kota ultrex and other units come out this fall as they will all have updated spot lock accuracy - if spot lock is on your wish list.

My usual 4 fishing buddies are all unavailable to fish this week and I am heading to St Clair. I do not troll - love to cast. So - I have an open seat for a fellow OFC'er if anyone is interested. I live in Cambridge. Not sure on departure time yet. May leave early for morning bite it may leave later and fish till dark. I always fish a solid 10+ hours though.

Johnny. I mostly cast but I have some nice 5-6" tuff shads and other smaller Muskie baits and some trolling leaders u can borrow. I live in Cambridge right off 401 - u could pick them up on your way. I could leave them out for u and give u my address if it's real early or meet u at 401 and townline Rd exit. PM me if interested. I can give u more details about launching...

I think th 8' H st Croix premiere or mojo would be a great one rod choice.

8' H St Croix or XH other is a good all around choice. Let's u throw. Variety of baits. Anything less is a specialty rod. Kawarthas, st Clair... this is your best one rod option. In fact my two fav Kawartha rods are a 7'6" H St Croix and and 8'6" H St Croix. It's about the baits not the size of fish.

What Mike said^^^^^^

Went to the Lancaster Smokegouse in Kitchener tonight. Wow. Awesome place.

I have used a spray on etching primer and then I think the paint is irrelevant after that. I used oil based tremclad gloss and it held up well.

A fish needs to be 54" plus to be a Real candidate? That is just silly imo.

I can tell you that carp definitely eat eggs. But my guess is they are Cato eggs as they r stuck to vegetation real shallow. See it all the time in Erie.

The bottom did look slimier near Crystal Beach too. Tons of sheephead there.

Carp have nothing to do with low fish numbers. That's like saying walleye numbers are down because of Muskie eating them. It's unscientific and silly. Weather is more likely a factor and hotspots change daily, weekly and seasonally. I have hardly been fishing so my numbers are way down. I did notice way less shallow bass on Erie early in the season but I assumed that I was fishing too shallow. The fish are there somewhere.

I can't answer all your questions but here is a good starting point IMO: The curaro 300 is a good reel for Kawarthas Muskie if u avoid double ten bucktails. It will serve u well. An 8 - 8.5' XH Muskie rod will also do a lot of things well. I use 80 to 100# braid and 130# flouro leaders. I used to fish Sturgeon Lake a LOT. I used three baits. - started with a bucktail or ERC 1.5oz swim jig moving fast - if they weren't buying that I would throw a white Waterwolf 9" tube fished like a jerk bait. We caught a lot of fish on the swim jig and tube program. The fish rarely see them and they are easy to fish.

Sorry. Double post.

Redid all 4 holes today with sealant in holes first. I am sure they are watertight now. Hopefully my transom is all good. Didn't see any rot in holes but there is about an 1/8"gap between wood and aluminum so I hope that is not due to delamination. Gonna have it inspected this summer. Fish sled told me that The Crestliner transom caps are apparently not sealed. Hopefully I don't have rot there. Thanks to Fishnsled and everyone else for their help.

I have OCD so knowing me I will likely redo it tomorrow. I have another tube of sealant.