Bob Devine

Personal choice like many in life, but I have had great success with Shimano products. Excellent service from what I have heard too! Haven't had to use that part of Shimano but with about 150 days/yr on the water my equipment has not let me down.

For those who don't know Robert "Bob" Brunner you are missing a pioneer in the fishing industry. If he were Canadian he would be "Red Fisher". At 82 yrs young Bob is still guide on the US side of Lake St. Clair. Casting on Lake St. Clair no less. He has been inducted into the Fresh Water Hall of Fame and one great guy with a sense of humour. I am pleased to know this man and hope to share a boat with him this yr. Glad to have you on board OFC,

Dave, I heard the Bass Talk that was recently held at Bass Pro Shops in Vaughn was great. Lots of great info from the beginner to the expert and the line up included many of the top names in Canadian bass fishing.

Here is the last pic of my father and me fishing. Unfortunately heath issues kept him off the water all of 06.

This has many answers for me. Depends on the type of fish being targeted and what technique used. Trolling for musky, walleye or salmon I like the ease of a Shimano Tekota LC 500. I will use Talora rods for musky and salmon action but use the 8'3" Compre trolling rods for walleye. Gamma High Performance line for my trolling, 10# for walleye 14-17# for salmon/steelies and 30# for musky fishing. Most of my spinning gear is a mix of Shimano Stradic and Symetre reels with either a Crucial or Compre. Once again using my equipment as a guide I need to rely on it, Shimano has not let me down.

I have had the chance to meet the Finactics and would like to wish them the best at their new location. They are great guys and very knowledgeable.

I have had the HH Humminbird for better than 5 yrs and it works great. I also have a base unit mounted in my boat as well. Don't always like having the antenna up. The range on the HH is max 5-7 miles and the clarity depends on the day but ranger is mostly a concern for clarity. I would recommend the Humminbird with plenty of stores that stock this model itwould be easy to get service if you ever need it.

I use the EM MK and think it is great. Primarily use it for crawler harness fishing for walleyes. As I don't like to troll into the wind the EM works great. Battery life depends on the condition of your batteries but you will definitely get a day of fishing using this great idea. It is also a vauable tool for a stealth approach for trolling shallow or at night. Good luck with your decision,

I would suggest the Shimano Tekota LC 500 or 600. These reels have silky smooth drags and are very durable. I fish frequently with mine for salmon/trout muskie and walleye. The have been flawless for me. I believe the price is about $250 at Bass Pro. A bit more money but I look at how rain suits I bought over the yrs and could have bought a good Gore Tex suit easily. Have fun shopping!

The weather was a bit extreme and foggy but we still managed a couple of good ones. Hopefully the weather holds for another wknd of great open water fishing in January. Still running cranks back 25-75 back.

Justin the fishing in Sarnia can be very good. Although known more as a salmon/trout area which in recent yrs have been lean. Bass fishing on the SCR is first rate. Many here drag tubes in the depths and looking at some results bags in excess of 20lbs are commom. Walleye fishing is also hot on the river. LSC is just south of Sarnia and many know the great fishing for bass, walleye and musky. Lake Erie would be a bit more than an hr but still close by, Erieau, lm bass, steelhead and walleye. The great walleye on the Detroit River is always an early season favourite. Looks like a good location, despite the name "Chemical Valley"

Fished Erie again with the same program and got a couple good fish. Didn't bring any meat hunters and released them all.

Whopper, we were just east of Port Clinton. Winds are suppose to be light again tomorrow. Yeah light on Lake Erie LOL, I may run down there again Sat. We were running Reef Runner cranks back 20-75 back off Offshore boards.

Yeah I hear ya about BOQ walleyes. If Lake Erie walleyes feed a family of 4, how many family members do Quinte eyes feed?? But on a serious note, I would have thrown those walleyes back but I went out with a meat eater. I like to keep my walleyes in the 15-18". Can you say "Water Chicken" mmmm good !!

With the rising costs of expenses it is tough for exhibitors to come to the shows. Floor space is BIG $$ and the cost of employees, food travel and lodging many cannot afford the show. As for consumers, we are looking for the biggest bang for our buck and will wait sometimes before we purchase. Looking forward to the shows. Not only have the TO shows suffered but also the ones across Michigan that I have attended.

I got a chance to fish Lake Erie yesterday. I can't believe it is Dec 28 with NO ice. Yee haw! Here are some pics.

If the pro kicker is not in your budget but like the option of power trim. You could also look at a Panther lift. The panther bolts on the transom and has an electric motor to trim the kicker. Very convenient and priced at about $550 US. Nice to lift the motor with a buttom in 4 foot waves. http://www.panthermarineproducts.com

If you like being on a boat you could look at being a swabby on one of the many TO area fishing charter boats.

I would go with the 9.9 Merc 4 stk. I have one on my 621 and it works fine for all trolling. A bit nosiy for trolling musky but still fine. Take a look at Troll Master. It is a cruise control for kicker motors. I have it and would not have a kicker without one. The cost about $250 US and can be found at Cabela's. Just think about dialing in your speed(actually rpm) to .1mph. The Pro model has momemtary full throttle and an idle switch. When trolling muskies at 4 mph hit the idle button and slow down to fight the fish at about 1.3 mph. Hit the button again and you are trolling at your same 4 mph. Can you say SWEET!! There is a short clip of the Trollmaster at www.extremeanglertv.com check "In the Pen" trolling tactics http://www.extremeanglertv.com/in_the_pen.html

Living in Windsor I am fortunate enough that Bass Pro is 35 minutes and Cabela's is 55 minutes. The only problem is they are in 2 different directions. The tough choices I have to make !!

I prefer a console but with a smaller boat 14-16 a console would be best. I had the chance to guide a guy last yr on the Detroit River with a 20 Ranger with a 150 tiller/power steering of course and thought it was cool. Only problem was blast off, it was a 4 stroke and you had to keep an eye when as it took a bit to get on plane. Lots of room for fishing on that boat. I have a 21' - 225 Merc with the console and for the big water around here, LSC, Erie and other bodies that I fish I would have nothing else.

I was at the last show and this is a great place for all the musky nuts. Great line up of speakers and plenty of tackle to be bought.

Here are some Lake Erie waves that did NOT come over the transom.

I have seen water come over the transom a few times. As more of a great lakes angler I have had the chance to fish big water a number of times. The largest I seen was on Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron) in Michigan we had 2 waves while trolling for walleyes come over the transom. More than that, they came over the motor a 150 Optimax. I have also had some water wash over on lake Erie a few times but nothing like Saginaw Bay.

Living in Windsor I have bought a few boats from the USA. It is not the HARD. You will have to pay GST and PST when you bring it into the country, credit card is preferred depending on $$ spent. You will also need a letter from the trailer mfgr that states NO recalls or safety issues have been noted on said trailer. You will also pay $200(approx) for Registar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) That is basically it. Not sure if you are buying new or used but the same applies to both. Good luck in your search. If you or anyone is looking for a 2003 Ranger 621 fully loaded I have 1 for sale. Bob