rufus

Enjoyed the report and pics - it's terrific when the teenagers actually want to go fishing. You are doing something right

I have had snapping turtles dine on my stringer a couple of times and they always eat the belly first and when they are done just the heads are left on the stringer. They have never eaten the heads.

I recently had a brand new St. Croix rod snap hoisting a 1 lb bass into the boat. People say you shouldn't hoist fish in with graphite and it was my fault. I have another St. Croix that I can hoist walleye into the boat all day long with and it hasn't broken in the past year I have been using it (yet!). I replaced the broken rod with a cheap Shakespeare Ugly Stick as I have been getting tired forking out $$ for graphite and it sure felt heavy to begin with. Used to it now though.

Some great smallies

We learn so much from our parents and grandparents through their entire lives just by watching how they deal with the trials, tribulations, and small triumphs in their lives. They continue to help us grow as a person even after their passing. Good on you Mike for helping your grandfather. You are not only helping him but yourself as well. And your kids - they are watching and learning through all of this. My own son never knew his grandfather to be anything other than incapacitated and unable to speak due to a stroke. Because of my dad's condition my son never had a chance to have a real relationship with his grandfather but that didn't mean that my dad wasn't in some way contributing to my son's development. When my son was about 12 he suddenly said to me "Your dad must feel extremely proud to have a son that helps him like you do." I was and am extremely proud of my own son for thinking that and I recognized perhaps for the first time how each and every member of one's family makes us all better in some way. Watching cherished family members get old and sick is not easy but a lot of good comes from your helping your grandfather through this.

Awesome!

Thanks everyone - I wanted to explore some new areas this summer and will put your suggestions to good use. I didn't have a great deal of confidence in trolling for muskie in the summer but do now

Gotta like those back lakes! Nice vid Simon

Gotta like that

At 7 mph I better get around to installing that rod holder sitting in my closet or my arm will fall off!

I remember watching a TV show decades ago about fishing for Muskie on the Larry. They were trolling so fast they were almost planing. I like the idea of covering lottsa water fast

A lot of good ideas, thanks guys!

What are your favourite lures for trolling (not casting) for Muskie in the middle of summer? I know that in the fall jakes and grandmas seems to get the nod but what about in summer?

Beauty! Nice to see that muskie was still back in the game after having been caught previously.

We would have had to wait a LONG time for that! Actually I do believe pike would strike it as they hit anything that moves and you know what? A couple of those bass may have hit it too - they were that hungry and my casts were landing right on their heads judging by how quickly they bit!

Beautious! Congrats on the fish that was worth the wait.

Yes, the video was all in fun so don't all rush out and buy that lure. I was enjoying the speculation though!

Wow! Great footage! What lives under your dock? Swimming anyone?

Yeah, they will bite on just about anything

Great walleye! I have never caught one small enough to "lip" before. There should be a prize for that.

Not sure what model car that is or if other models are available. Perhaps there are 180 MPH Crankbaits and 160 MPH Crankbaits as well - I will need to check into that!

A friend of mine gave me this lure - the 200 MPH Crankbait - and I recently got around to giving it a try. A recorded a little video of the experience which is primarily for his benefit but I thought I would share as I bet few have ever heard of this unique lure. <center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/r_Wp1gtYBNM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>

Thanks everyone. She has agreed to look at a 14 ft Kevlar after I relayed your comments.

Maybe a short Sportspal that paddles like a scow may not be a bad thing for her as it would be easier to keep straight.