fishrking

CORRECT! It's like guys are just waiting for an opportunity to call someone an idiot for taking a machine on the ice. Before your next knee jerk reaction post READ THE NEWS REPORT! Not just the headlines. Seeing these "when are guys gonna learn" comments all over the place for this horrible accident. The victim got lost/disoriented and steered his machine too close to the ferry channel. End of story.

I'm going to echo the statement above: Mercs are notorius coil killers - I've replaced two in five years in mine. jf

I'm going to start with 'Congratulations' and I mean it. I'm glad for you and most of all the buck, that you were able to harvest the animal and it died in short order. That was all wrong though. No new bowhunter should take this as an example how bowhunting should be practiced, you straight up got lucky. There are honestly only two problems. Never take a shot at a deer head on, and never ever take a shot at a deer head on that has pegged you. It's also not wise to take a shot at a deer that has you pegged even if it's broadside. They're quick. Often case scenario is they jump the string and you clean miss. Worst case scenario, and the arrow strikes the deer high or back missing vitals. It's our responsibility as hunters to make smart choices when the decision is made to drop the hammer. That wasn't one, and I assure you atleast 50% of the time you wound the animal and don't recover it with that shot. If those odds are cool with you then there's a problem. I'm hoping you know a whitetail anatomy and if you don't you shouldn't be bowhunting in the first place but if you do, then you know the bone you had to thread the arrow through to get to the heart and lungs. The brisket and shoulder blades are tough bones to penetrate. I'm honestly pretty suprised that a deer that was on alert still got hit square with your arrow straight on but again, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Regardless, you got the buck, congrats. The only reason I make this post is I truly hope you give it more thought if put in this same position again - and you will. You might not be as lucky next time and no hunter likes to have a wounded animal on their conscience. Cheers jf

Wow. Not suprising to see guys jump the gun without any thought or post digestion. The OP actually references when he can get back out a fish the system - you guys didn't think that maybe he has an idea of the regulations? Some guys make reports about trips that occured two monthes before posting - this guy could have been fishing up to a month ago legally which is undoubtedly when these were caught. Nice fish BBM they look awesome, hopefully some of the guys who have been cooped up all winter get a chance to dust their rods off for a couple days this season instead of crapping on the guys who are willing to put on a coat and GO fishing. jf

It'll be a while yet before boat fishing will be possible. Though not currently accessable by foot, the bay is still locked up without ramp access.

It won't cost $30 to ship the reel back to them and with a phone call you might be able to convince them to pay for the shipping as well. It seems they agree with your complaint and will make it right - what exactly are you looking for them to do for you - send you a box to send it back to them?

I'd like to give you the benefit of the doubt and hope you're joking with this statement; or have difficulty expressing sarcasm ... but I'm leaning towards 'dull'.

Bay's still iced up but I'm jonsing to drop it in ... first chance I get!

Nicely done ... a good winter for you!

People gotta brag - it's not a success unless you can blow your own horn. Pitiful. jf

I love throwing rattletraps over deep water weeds. Blue and silver has been my go to combo for the last three years. This past fall I also caught a few pier chinooks on a firetiger trap.

This could be the year I make it to fish spring walleyes on St.Clair - fingers crossed.

Gotta love the excuse to spend the night in a pub!

Niiiice ...

Looks like a great day! Thanks for sharing!