wellis1840

To expand on “Johnny Bass’” point about the ends of the jaws…. and something I really like about the plastic grips but have not mentioned so far is the following point….. The part of the grip, on most of the metal grips, that actually touches the fish is only the width of the narrow jaws. Good chance of causing tears in the skin of the lower jaw. With the plastic grips, the part that touches the fish is a pad measuring 14mm by 7mm hence reducing the chance of causing a tear.

I just started Kayaking fishing and wanted a lip gripper for pike. I do not like the look of the Rapala’s, and had a Berkley that jammed over and over again a couple of months after buy it (ended up chucking it). I wanted something else but in Ottawa those are basically ones options unless going to mail order. What I hate about mail order are the huge shipping charges. If getting something “exotic” from the States, duties and brokerage fees could end up being part of the purchase as well. I found “The fish Grip” and I am sure many of you have already discovered them. For those who haven’t check out http://www.nortonbrassrattler.com/Product_Fish_Grip.htm Here is their description of the plastic grips: * Over center locking - grip to lock, flip to open (like vise-grips) * Unique jaw design - holds the lip of the fish * Durable materials - plastic and stainless steel * High viz color (orange, glow–in-the-dark-white, lime green, pink, blue) - easy to see, day or night * Weight scale slot - attach to scale, deduct 5 oz. * Wrist lanyard - in case it slips * IT FLOATS * 10 inches long * Price $14.95 I read a number of reviews and it seemed to be a decent product. Will it land a trophy muskie, I do not know but this type of fish is something that I am not targeting….for now. I decided that I would give this product a try. I contacted Norton Brass Rattlers in Mississippi and they immediately gave me a Canadian distributor to contact. The guy’s name is Barrie Welch and he lives in Keene Ontario. I contacted him Wednesday evening of last week and I had the grips that Friday morning from Canada Post. Can’t beat that! The Grips cost me $14.95 and $8.00 in stamps. Went out yesterday to give the grips a test run. My first fish was a pike somewhere between 2 ½ and 3 feet long. The grips performed as advertised. Next was a nice smallie and I couldn’t bring myself to use grips on it. Lastly I landed a baby pike less that a foot long. No grips for him either. By the way the grips do float. I dropped them over board just to see what would happen. If anyone is interested in plastic grips through a Canadian source, I have Barrie’s email address as well as his home phone and cell numbers. PM me if you would like any of those. Cheers, Bill

THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR HELP AND INFORMATION. Took the plunge and got the Western Systems Tarpon 120 Angler version this afternoon. Prior to this I went to AutoRacks in Ottawa and bought 4 Yakima Anchor Straps. Installed two under the hood and two on the frame of the rear hatch. These secured the bow and stern for tie downs. Bought foam pads ant the Kayak store with straps. Got the kayak home from Hull without any problem. Only thing I have for figure out is how to stop the straps that go over the hull and through the door frame from making a VERY loud buzzing sound while driving at speed. As for the rack, according to Toyota, Toyota didn't provide them for their 2005 Sienna vans. Third party companies don't have any that fit either. AutoRacks said that they would be able to make something work for ~$800.00. Think I will wait on getting a rack system. As for wintering, I found two rack systems that fit on a wall or a fence at Paddle Shack in Ottawa, ~$60.00.. Both will hold the Kayak on its side. Cheers, Bill

I have picked the kayak I want, it will be a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120. Will probably get it from Trailhead (in Ottawa). Here is my problem. I own a 2005 Toyota Sienna that does not have a roof rack. Trailhead says that I can buy foam and straps from them to transport the Kayak with. Thinking about going to AutoRacks Ottawa to have a rack installed. Will call them later today to see what they can do and at what cost. Yesterday I looked under the van for tow hooks to secure the kayak fore and aft. There are none. Any ideas about where I can tie down the bow and stern? I have discovered lots of newer cars no longer have tow hooks. Last question, I don't have a garage, how does one winter a kayak outside? Thanks, Bill

I am after one for toothy critters, NOT bass. I used the pistol grip this time because it was an easy solution for the presented problem. Don't feel comfortable putting my fingers near the gills for fear of damaging them with catch and release.

Just came back from a week of shore fishing at Lac Grand near Val--des-Monts. Caught a lot of smallmouth bass ranging from 3 to the biggest being 7 pounds. Prior to this, the biggest fish I had caught was about two pounds (discovered fishing the end of last summer) on the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers. The treble hook in a 4 pounder was in its mouth in such a way I could not get my thumb in to hold it. I used instead my still to be christened "Berkley TEC Pistol Trigger Grip". The fish thrashed around jamming the grips while I quickly took the hook out. I had to bend back one of the jaws to release it unharmed. Have now read several customer reviews stating the same problem has occurred to them. I am now in the market for another grip BUT not a "Berkley TEC Pistol Trigger Grip". Heading up to Georgian Bay in two weeks. Any recommendations? Thanks, Bill

Thanks guys, you have made you opinions VERY clear. Will be giving this a miss and buying a decent reel. Cheers,

Last summer I got back into fishing. Hadn't touched a rod since I was a kid. At that time I introduce my son to it as well. Like his father, he loved fishing immediately. Got him a Rapala Spinning Combo that has had "reel" problems right from the start. My son had to deal with bird's nesting most of the time. Was told that the problem was due to my spooling the reel poorly. Re-spooled it many times without any improvement. Finally had it spooled by a guide. Still had the same problem. We are done with the Rapala Spinning Combo. Canadian tire has a Zebco Octane Spin Combo Reel and Rod for less than half price ($130 --->$60). Is this a decent reel and rod? Thanks

They had one a couple of weeks ago in Ottawa......

G'day "smalliefisher" Thanks for replying. Right now I am just thinking of bass and pike. Might try for muskie if given the chance. What set up would you recommend. Cheers, Bill

I plan to use "real" hard plastic and wooden swimbaits. Now, what two piece rod would you recommend? Cheers, Bill

I know that everyone is into ice fishing right now (as am I) but I have started thinking about open water again… Next season I want to get into using swimbaits. I am not targeting any one species as yet. The rig I am using right now is a little to light for swimbaits. I have picked out the reel I want to use for this new rig and it will be the Curado 300E. I haven’t a clue what to pick for the rod. I guess most of the time I will be using lures up to ~3 ounces. I rarely have access to a boat so fishing from the shore will be the norm. I would like to get a two piece rod as it would be easier to transport. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bill

Hey Mike, You might want to try posting on http://www.fish-hawk.net/ as well. The Rideau is a common topic on their "Fishing Talk" forum. Cheers

Thank you gbfisher and Sinker, I will heed your words and stay with the Power Pro Ice. Cheers

Hey Guys thanks for responding. F-is-H, apparently I have been told I will be after pike only. Now I am really confused but isn't Fireline Micro Ice Crystal also a braided ice line? If so, won't it react to the cold out on the open ice the same as Power Pro Ice. Please remember I will not be in a shack.