kennyman

Oops,forgot to add this. Being as you're not asking about a "Great Lake" here are your live bait choices from the MNR site again. Quote "In most areas of Ontario, only the following fish may be used as bait: Minnow family (except carp, goldfish, cutlips minnow, redside dace, lake chubsucker, and gravel chub). Mudminnows, white sucker, sticklebacks, darters (except eastern sand darter), trout-perch and sculpins. Lake herring. Crayfish.Leeches, worms, northern leopard frogs may be used as bait. NOTE: Salamanders may NOT be used as bait in Ontario. Artificial salamander lures may be used

Quote from the MNR site "In the Great Lakes, the St. Clair, Detroit, Niagara, St. Lawrence and St. Marys rivers, Lake George, Lake St. Francis and Munuscong Lake, alewife and yellow perch may also be used as bait.". I wouldn't be using a walleye though. If a monster gator hits while you're reeling a walleye in I'm sure it's a gray area, but if you get caught repeatedly throwing the walleye back,there might be trouble. Good luck. Post pics!

I really didn't want to argue, just talk anyway. This is a forum isn't it. Websters definition of forum "b : a public meeting place for open discussion c : a medium (as a newspaper or online service) of open discussion or expression of ideas". I actually enjoyed the chat. If we can't talk civilly to eachother we shouldn't be here,right? It got me thinking. Thanks Nippissing. Again,I'm going to apologize to Johnny Bass for trouncing all over his post. Sorry bud. I just started babbling and once I get started .

Nice muskie. Somehow it's seems like it'd be a hard thing to do. Putting your hand blindly through the ice, knowing there's a muskie on the other side. AWESOME!

Now that's cool!! How do I get one of these?? You lucky devil you.

Okay, I agree to a point Nippissing......... if you're talking about Royal Purple,Mobil,Amsoil synthetics or Joe Gibbs racing oil (relatively new on the market and becoming very popular with oval track racers everywhere). You have to watch what you buy I guess. Even all synthetics are not created equal.Here is a quote from an article I read "There are no PAO (polyalphaolefin) synthetic molecules in Castrol Syntec, yet because of legal finagling with the definition of synthesized motor oils they can legally be called synthetic. Basically, they changed the definition of a synthetic to fit the process of highly refining a petroleum base oil, called hydrocracking and fought with Mobil and the National Advertising Council to loosen the definition of a synthetic". HMMMM. Seems like a typical marketing ploy overcoming a technical process. It's hard to tell what's even on the shelf these days. I know oils have to evolve and it seems like right now we're in one of those down cycles where the limitations and regulations put into place have caught the oil companies off guard and as of yet maybe it's not profitable enough to replace the zinc phosphorous compounds (anti wear agents) with something equivalent. I also know that there are some definite issues associated with the low zinc phosphorous oils in high performance or heavy load applications. I'm assuming that's why cam manufacturers such as Competition Cams specifically reccomend high zinc oils like a Shell Rotella T when before they would just recommend a grade. Heres a quote I just found on a Joe Gibbs website. He might know a thing or two. "As stated in the book "Lubrication Fundamentals","In heavily loaded applications (i.e. racing engines), flat tappet cam followers operate on partial oil films at least part of the time. Lubricants with anti-wear additives are necessary if rapid wear and surface distress are to be avoided. The oil additive Zinc Dithiophosphate is to provide anti-wear activity for the camshaft and lifters. With the increased use of roller follower cams (in production cars), the requirements for anti-wear have been changed to prolong the life of emission control devices.. So IMHO todays everyday off the shelf oils (especially standard mineral oils) are worse (for the time being) but engine failures are less because the engine technology is getting better. All I'm suggesting is using a high grade oil and in a standard mineral oil there are a few that seem to offer more protection because of the inclusion of these phosphorous zinc compounds. Not only that but I have many truckers,fleet owners etc. that put alot of miles on with these reasonably priced deisel oils and they seem to offer protection under a ton of load,stress,etc. Either that or IMO use a very high quality synthetic. I'm not a chemist or an expert, I just see what has been happening in the last few years in our industry and have been explained to by so-called experts at least part of the reason why it is happening.I'm not sure the big auto companies want you to have the perfect oil anyway. It would certainly cost them alot of money! I also draw a comparison between high performance applications and most marine engines because they both are pushed quite hard,get relatively low miles or hours on them and usually pretty well maintained because of the costs involved in not doing so. Anyway,I'm just offering an observation and opinion for comparison. Sorry I'm so far off the original topic,but I also had to respond. Thanks actually. It got me thinking tonight.

Not trying to start anything here, but I sell performance parts for a living and in my estimation engine oils are getting worse not better. Many of the protective elements (or ingredients if you like) contained in oil have been being slowly removed due to emissions laws. The biggest impact to engine wear is the EPA’s mandate for zinc removal from most motor oils. This apparently is causing premature wear not to mention reduction in engine efficiency,gas mileage etc. I guess it's a double edged sword. In my business we see it mostly in the premature valvetrain wear and/or failure of flat tappet hydraulic or solid lifter cams (can make a REALLY big mess). Now, Shell Rotella T and a couple other oils are being recommended by camshaft manufacturers because it still has a very high amount of zinc in it. The key is they're deisel oils and only have to meet limited emission standards compared to most passenger cars. Let's face it, they really need the protection with the loads they're under. I use Shell Rotella T in my truck and I have ALOT of customers doing the same. Anyway,just thought I'd pass that info on.

Nice fish. Thanks for posting (it gives us all hope LOL). Awesome!!!

For a first time offender the fine and suspension were probably correct. Being a repeat offender I would have like to seen at least a years suspension, $5000 fine and his fishing gear seized. Also since he was hiding and transporting the fish, his vehicle should have been seized as well. As far as the passengers of the vehicle, I really don't think they should be charged with any offence unless they directly admit to something. Not that they aren't somewhat reponsible for what happened, but the charges are VERY unlikely to stick,so why waste the courts time? I guess there could be an immediate license suspension for them. Then let them try to get it back during a hearing? Also,put all of their pictures in the paper then their neighbors, friends and family can be soooo proud of them.

I think maybe that was better than a couple pics. Thanks for the great story.

Thanks for the link. Great read. I can't wait for the next in that series!!!

Phew!! Nice new toys. I sure would love to have that Calcutta. Happy fishing.

Happy Birthday Irishfield !!!!! Have a great one.

Got you these for your birthday. Have a good one.

I'm not an expert here,but I sure love to fish topwater for bass. My favorite topwaters are 1)BPS Topknocker (this thing makes noise!) 2) Hula Popper 3) Storm Chug Bug. Going to try a bunch of plastics this year and some Northamfishing spinnerbaits (these things are beauty!) too. Does anybody have a favourite for lack of a better word "fat shad" type bait for bass?

Very nice colour on that fish. Alot of red on the fins. Sweet!

Well, Lew I'm hoping with those baits and a 1/2oz buzzbait and a musky doule buzz (both white) I'll have some of the tools to catch a few decent musky this year. I'm sure I'll buy a few more baits as well,but the next thing is a reel. What line is your "go to" line Lew??? I Know it's 80lb.. Is it Power pro? Thanks again for the interest and great replies Lew. P.S. just remembered I have some other big bucktails as well ........... plus I'll keep collecting (it's fun anyway ). ALSO, as you suggested, I tried to grab a "Muskie Magnet" at JB's at the Spring Fishing Show". I asked and there were three guys there that had never even heard of them.I did find them online though. Maybe later I'll grab one. I just wanted you to know I was listening.Your advice definetely carries some weight bud, Thanks. Just curious. Here's a question for you. If your out in the Kawartha's early in the morning,water is flat,what is the first bait you throw? Buzzbait? What about if there's a little wind and chop?

I am trying to take my time and enjoy the experience Lew. As far as the baits go, I got a deal on a bunch here from Mitch (vanillagorilla) who apparently was a guide on the Ottawa. Saw lots of pics of him holding some big toothy critters. He helped me pic out some of the baits that he thought I should use (obviously from the ones he had for sale). More natural colours for the Kawarthas and a couple of orange/black, orange/yellow gliders for the Ottawa. I'll probably try them all anyway. I didn't get a trolling lure (drifter/believer) off him because I plan on mostly casting, but maybe I should have anyway. Here's another pic of the baits I got from him (for a great deal). He also gave me a new 13" Grandma (perch pattern) that's not in the pic.

I'm still at work LOL !!!! I love this site . However,it's very addicting. I can't help sponging all this great info up. Thanks guys!

Thanks for the reply Lew. I guess the first reason for the smaller rod was the fact that the vehicle we (me and my buddy LJ) take fishing is a small Ranger with a six foot box. The other reason was because I thought it suited my needs,was a good make and it was a good deal. I understand the principle behind the long rod and I'm not opposed to trying one,it's just really inconvenient. I'll give it a go when I get my Suburban someday. I guess I could buy a two piece? I was looking for something about 6'6 because I know they'll go diagonally in his box. I keep my eyes peeled for a cheap 7' or bigger in the classifieds anyway. Could be trouble exchanging the fifty pound for eighty as I bought it at the show,but maybe I'll put that on my Sahara 2500FB (with my Quantum MH IM8 rod) that I want to use as my bass/general purpose, everyday "go to" setup and grab some eighty pound for the future muskie/pike winch. What's your favorite line Lew? As far as the left handed retrieve I'm actually right handed, but it seems more natural for me to hold the pole with my right and reel with my left. I'm pretty sure I'd be fine either way, I just feel more comfortable reeling with my left. Now as far as those 7000 Abu's go I can't believe you're casting with one!! You must be "man mountain". I'm going to have to start calling you sir, sir. Now in the realm of reels I can actually cast I'd be interested in pretty much anything that'd do the job,is decent to cast,reliable and reasonably priced. I know that's a tall order,but that's why I'm looking for one used. Everyone says the Abu's are good almost forever so a used one shouldn't be a bad thing. I'd take a 5501,6501/5601/6601, C3/4,D5 .... any of them ........silver,gold,blue,red,black,green....... I don't care what colour. What about the Shimano's Lew? Catala or Corsair 201,301,401's. They seem good too,but what do I know? What do you think? Anyone reply here,I'll take all the input I can get. I guess muskie fishing on a budget is going to be tough. Actually I can't wait. If I hook into a decent fish it's going to pull my little twelve foot tinny all over the place ......... muskie surfing LOL.

Sounds like she's a keeper. My wife is a little interested,but if I take her fishing who'll do all the work

Now...what were we talking about again....the SPORTSMAN SHOW. So Kenny, what did you buy?...what did you see that you would like to buy in the future?? Well, Irishfield (ya gotta love somebody with Irish in their handle) there were alot of toys I wanted there. I was trying to talk my buddy into buying a boat LOL ..... didn't work .......... yet LOL. I really was checking out the baitcaster reels. I bought a Fenwick Black Hawk 59 3/4", 1-3oz heavy rod (and a bunch of musky baits) off "vanillagorilla" a couple weeks ago,but I need an appropriate reel. What I really found out is that most of the reels I should be using are pretty expensive. I guess I knew that I was just looking for that one product that's a good casting tough reel for reasonable. For instance the Okuma's look decent,but not many suggested any of these. The choice basically comes down to an Abu or Shimano as far as I can tell. Unless someone else has any suggestion I think I've narrowed it to a 5501 or a 6501 Abu or a Shimano Corsair 201A or 301A. All felt nice to me. There were a couple low profile baitcasters that may work too,but the ones that can handle the big toothy critters are big $$$. So I didn't end up buying a reel and I'm hoping to purchase one either off e-bay or even better in the classifieds here. I purposely went and checked out the Abu 7000's because there are six for sale in the classifieds here for $100 which is a good deal for those reels. They were beautiful (a work of art really),bulletproof reels but OMG they are HUGE and HEAVY. I can't imagine trying to cast with that (I know it's only for trolling now). I did however buy some 50lb Powerpro for my future reel (free hat). I added a doulble musky buzz to my muskie bait collection and these really cool Lunkerhead 6" white goby soft plastic baits that when on the bottom their tails stick right up and hopefully catch the eye of a monster bass or two. I also bought some Lunkerhead 4" Mustard sparkle tubes(apparent fave of the guy selling them), trailer hooks, Rapala JSR-7 in Perch colour, a Bomber Long A in a gold prism/black back and bars/orange belly (their description) ..... looks like a shiny glass perch to me. Most importantly I bought my daughter her camo with pink writing Fishergirl shirt. You see at the Spring Fishing Show my buddy bought his daughter (who is good friends with my daughter) one of the fishergirl shirts in black and I wasn't sure my daughter woud even want one,but when she saw it she was upset she didn't get one. When I told her it came in camo,she was very upset with me. I think she felt left out. Anyway,when I saw it this time I had to buy it. So, since I bought my daughter the shirt my boy got the free Powerpro hat. I really believe the deals are pretty good if you know what you're looking for. The free hat was a good promotion. LAst show I got the free "Gulp" plastics bag. Silly me, I love that thing. Another example is the JSR-7 I bought. At CTC it was $9.99 plus tax. That equals $11.39. I got it for $7.63 tax in. That's more than 30% off. THe double musky buzz was (I think) $13 at BPS. Add taxes and you've got $14.82. I paid $9.76 tax in . Again that's over 30% or $5.06 off. Now some other booths had the same products for a couple bucks more plus tax which is not such a great deal but even at that it's still less than my local choices. Now the Lunkerhunts I paid top dollar for,but they were so cool I had to have them. I'm not sure whether they'll catch fish,but they caught me LOL. I'm just trying to give myself the best chance to catch some fish. Hopefully my purchases will help. I know the seminars will. Thanks for the interest Irishfield. Sorry if I was longwinded, but this was a question I could actually answer. I'l be more of a contributor as my experience level,knowledge (and hopefully talent) increases.

Well,that kind of sucks that my thread gets removed because of some comment made. I got my answer anyway I guess. Still seems that people are very angry about everything. The shows,being called a hick. Just to let everyone know it was urbanagler that said the "H" word, not I. I guess I'm a bit of a hick too. Both my parents came from farming backgrounds and although I only lived on a farm when I was a small child, I still prefer a smaller town to Toronto any day. I have good customers from Toronto and everywhere else it seems. It doesn't matter where you're from, there are "good people" everywhere. There are some great things in Toronto but it's like the old saying "It's a nice place to visit,but I wouldn't want to live there". OKAY, now back to the original post. Although everyone seems dissappointed in the shows, I guess the fact that I'm a "newbie" has alot to do with my infatuation with the shows. Maybe the appeal will wear off,but for right now I'm going to enjoy them and the fact that even though I didn't get out fishing I got to play with fishing stuff all day.

Went to the Sportsmen show yesterday and had a great time. Saw a couple seminars (Ron James was great and a really nice guy to talk to).bought some new lures (Blue Fox-white double musky buzz, JSR-7 (Perch) and a long Bomber A (glass Perch?),trailer hooks, 50lb.PowerPro line (free hat promotion....woohoo),Fishergirl camo shirt for my daughter, found new (to me anyway) Lunkerhead 6" soft plastic gobies that when on bottom it's rather large tail sticks up in the water (hopefully flagging fish in). I got to compare reels and although I didn't buy one at the show I've pretty much narrowed my decision to a Shimano Corsair 201A/301A or an Abu 5501/6501 C3 or C4. I was hoping for a "smokin" deal at the show,but I'll probably just grab a used one here on the OFC classifieds or e-Bay. Also got alot of pamphlets,maps etc. from the booths. Anyway I had fun.got to look at a ton of awesome boats,canoes.etc., learned quite a bit, got some deals on some deals on some things I would have had a hard time even finding where I live. I heard very little about the show on this site and what I did hear wasn't exactly encouraging ......... why????? Okay paying 7.50 for two Frutopias is a ripoff, but I thought the show did exactly what it was supposed to. I guess it was better in the past???? Oh well, to use an analogy,just because you saw one great movie doesn't mean all the other ones suck. To me it's more like sex, it's all good and the more the better LOL.

Great point. If we can somehow save the rain forests,boreal forests etc. that are using the co2, it should greatly reduce the risk or at least slow the process. Our factories and power generation facilities(coal burning should be phased out not build more like the U.S.) are among the worst in the world and there's no reason for it. The factories have their emissions checked and when they are beyond allowable limits they pay the fine. This goes on every month and it's simply a matter of cash. The fine is cheaper than fixing the problem, so they pay the fine and don't worry about the emissions. It's part of the cost of doing business. Much of the pollutants can be filtered using giant catalytic convertors, but there is a cost involved. A cost the factory will never take on unless they are forced to. I know there is a fine line to walk between economics and the enviromental issues, but there are some things we can change. I believe emissions from cars are a necessary and small part of the problem, but we can even change that quite easily over time with ethanol (they should put the percentage used in regular gas up immediately to 10% and every year by a couple more percent) or even better check out this link. It's coming ..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry6w3mRm-FM . Hopefully more technologies such as this can save our bacon. Even if humans are not the sole cause, and I believe that to be true, we still should do what we can without turning the whole world upside down to do it. It has been pointed out that other countries such as China and India must also do their parts. Realistically they will continue to do so (keep polluting) and how are we going to stop them??? The only way is to make the solutions affordable and then by using trade embargos to force these countries into complying. We'll need a global effort to make any relevant impact at all. Nuclear technology is fine here,but very dangerous abroad. I'm not feeling very comforable about Asia and the Middle East having it,are you?There ARE solutions out there. I'm not sure the oil companies want them to come out though.