Raycaster

Last week up in Balsam I was successful catching and releasing a 45" Muskie. Darn, didn't top my brother-in-laws 47" from Scugog! Anyways a day later, I had a steel leader cut 1" after the swivel. I was retrieving my favorite spinner and about 5' from the boat saw a flash, had a pull, and than had the cut leader. It happened so quick I really can't say I saw a "fish" 100%. I know the ski's have a nice set off teeth but through a steel leader? Is it more likely this cheap CT leader was bent or damaged and got a quick snag?

Hey! leave some for our group next week! Any pike?

Been on the West Arm, Cache Bay and Lavigne but never to Callander Bay. Heading up next weekend to Callander Bay and just wondering how it's been so far and how's the water level?

Was itching for a new spinning rod and sure had my eye on the Smoke Reel. Visited a local tackle store to check it out but the small size and "open gears" had me hestitating. The engineering felt great but still couldn't get over being able to see the internal gears. Probably just paranoid but kept thinking of the gunk that would find its way in... Went with the tried and true Shimano Stradic 3000FJ. Boring, but I'll blame it on age.

Sorry, I meant we will be there Friday May 18th and the 3rd Saturday is the 19th. Perch?

Have a trip planned for the May 24 weekend in Callander Bay but wondering about fishing options. We will arrive on the Friday which is the 18th I believe but pike/wally open on the 19th? Not sure on the dates? If the 19th is the opening do we just twittle our thumbs on the Friday (18th)? Sorry for the noob question, usually don't head up till June atleast!

I actually just have Navionics for my cell phone (Android). I'm too cheap for data but the phones gps is pretty damn good. It was way off on Ahmic but every other lake (Balsam, Gull, Scugog, seemed pretty accurate. Wouldn't take much to make a clean velcro mount for the boat. Still waiting for a bluetooth transducer... to complete the deal.

How about a Android tablet <$299 with Navionics Bluecharts ($20). The Ontario Lakes version has most of the lakes but check if he needs specific ones.

$45 + Tax (Battery & Charger) in Hamilton, will pick up this week. Thanks guys!

Thank you! All over it!

Thanks for the replies guys. I am in the Hamilton area, may have a look around CT. Its $45 +Tax at RadioWorld - one hour away (PLUS Toronto traffic).

Bought a Humminbird Piranhamax Portable fishfinder 160 (08-19-10) and pretty happy with it. Before this weeks trip to Big Hawk lake I thought I'd charge the battery (Last used in June) and the charger started clicking in between colors. I used the unit anyways and it worked for awhile but the screen flashed randomly and finally shut off on the second day. When charged before it would last all week easily... Anyways, the battery looks brand new with no leaks etc. but is probably the culprit. Not sure on the warranty, (will look it up) but does anyone have other ideas? Also, let me guess, if I'm on the hook for another battery it will probably be crazy $$$? A friend said it looks like a security camera battery... Checking BassPro now (where I bought it). BTW, skunked and probably got a cold on Big Hawk. Stormy Friday night, ok Saturday, and cold rain Sunday with no fish to show. Gonna have to read more posts on trout success stories for sure!

Thanks a ton, very much appreciated. The gentleman inviting me up does "fish" on the lake but I'm not sure if he REALLY fishes the lake. (If you know what I mean)

Had a great year on Balsam, Gull and Scugog so far. Again many thanks for suggestion from members here. I just got a weekend offer of fishing on Big Hawk Lake and of course said yes! I've been trying to research but everything seems outdated. Just wondering what to fill the tackle box with... Any info would be appreciated. Would love some pike action if possible, missed Nippising this year. Should be a great time and a great warm up for Buckhorn Thanksgiving weekend!

We've got the bluechart apps for phones & tablets (Navionics). We've got GPS built in to the phones & tablets. How long till we see (wireless) BlueTooth Transducers for total integration to include basic sonar? Imagine... <$199 10" touch screen Android Tablet + $20 mount $20 BlueChart App <$100 Bluetooth (wireless) Transducer + App Yes, the high end sonar/gps equipment has advantages but... Sorry, just a geek thinking out loud.

Truthfully don't remember the days before but thanksgiving last year was pretty nice weather.

On Scugog we'll be looking for muskie but will be more than happy chasing bass or walleye all day. Simple chartruess single blade spinners and some walmart fake "gummy" minnows were favorites of the day. Buckhorn looked like a bass haven last year but as mentioned.... skunked in 2 boats. We tried every lure, every color, every speed but it just wasn't our weekend at Buckhorn.

A newbie question: had great success 3 weeks back at Scugog (huge thx to members here) and heading out on the 25th again. Is the fall weather gonna change the fishing much? Also, Hitting buckhorn at thanksgiving but got skunked last year. Do the "feedbags" go away by then or was it just " one of those days"? Sorry, 2 questions....

You guys are awesome! Hopefully some pics when I get back tomorrow night late. Again, thz a ton.

Thank you for the great reply. I've fished Cache Bay alot so I'm used to the weeds, actually kinda prefer them!

Heading to Scugog tomorrow Friday Aug 25 (early morning till dark) and wondering how the fishing has been there. Probably launch from gorski's (suggestion from fine OFC member) and probably will target bass but if a muskie wants to visit... Anyways, any tips would be appreciated and hopefully the storms haven't scared the fish! Should I pick some leeches or worms up for the harnesses or just stick to the standard lures? Thanks.

Not sure if anyone has ever said no to muskie!

Had a pretty good summer so far... 1) Couple weeks at Balsam Lake and finally figured out the spots. Basically threw away all the known "hot spots" and reworked the drop offs with heavy weeds. On a funny note you could actually see decent sized bass in the deep swimming area waiting for you to disturb the bigger rocks so they could grab the crayfish. They would hover around your knees while you tipped rocks over and then quickly snatch the crayfish! 2) Just back from Gull Lake and the Hoola Popper was on fire close to the shore lines with still water (Early morning/ late evening) . My brother said I should mount the lure! Anyways, looks like we won't be getting up to Nippising this year so still itching for some pike fishing in some cabbage. We are in the Hamilton area so thought a early morning run up to Scugog or Pigeon for the day would do the trick. Can anyone point us to a boat launch that would quicken our day? Heck, if there is a better (closer) suggestion for decent pike that would be great also! Thank you ahead of time.

I followed the thread on here about people really impressed with the app. Purchased the app for my LG Optimus One Android phone $13.99. I was happy that it worked within itself without the need for a constant data hookup. Looked great and was excited about it but it didn't really work well. Not sure if it was the phone or app or map information but accuracy was brutal. Just got back from fishing the Ahmic Lake this weekend and the app basically reported I was fishing on land 90% of the time. No wonder it wasn't a great weekend! The GPS's accuracy was good to about 500 yards! not 30 feet. I realize maps get old and land reshapes but something was really off. I'm going to send email to Navionics but for $13.99 I'm not too upset...

Any specific "rattlers" that you would endorse as pre-father day gifts?