Just Hook'n

Thanks for sharing the pictures Ed...great job.

Bending rods is bending rods...great picture that I'm sure that guy won't live down any time soon.

Sounds very interesting.... now you can have 3 different 300 copper setups - 32lb, 45lb, and 60lb...WOW...throws another set of variables into the mix when someone says they are catching on 300 over the radio.

Jim, that is exactly what I thought about when I heard the story. I myself use a small torch pen (very small, but still has a flame) to shrink tube around wire connections. I've done it a hundred times...will definately think about making sure there is fresh air for sure after reading this story.

I like the idea of having a the gun for visibility off shore...we get pretty far out some trips. I also thought about other visibility items after Dave's talk - like glow sticks. I know they are not coast guard approved, but I think I am going to put some in the pockets of each of my life jackets. They are certainly waterproof and would be easy to use once floating in the water.

It's always a great time and it was good to hear the live version of Dave Mull's "adventure" last year. Personally I think we are going to start wearing the belt style life preservers on our boat. We got to sit and watch one of my crew get 1 number away from raffle wins about 8 times...I was in tears laughing.

Well...welcome to the lower bowl, or at least the edge of it. GH is great and Danel is an awesome local boat. I'm sure you will enjoy it...just be careful...grand haven has lots of "local attractions" that can distract from fishing.

That looks awesome. Time to convince someone to get the tin boat out in the winter.

Lou, welcome to the site...this is where we post and talk all the time...Just give me a call and I'll let you know how we do it...that being said I am not a meat expert...we use it once in a while, but quite honestly still figuring it out.

Kenny, went up there a few years ago trying to help a buddy get into salmon fishing. We starting trolling around like we do out here (2.5-3mph) and we were blowing passed everyone...couldn't figure it out. that is until I figured out they are vertical jigging for lake trout...so if you see some "different" stuff going on up there that might help explain it.

Great to have you on the site Rob.

Welcome to the site officially...I think you will enjoy it.

Way to go get em Ed. Great to see some fishing laying on the deck, or in this case the pier.

JEALOUS....that is awesome...thanks for sharing.

Awesome. Water too hard for me yet...still waiting for it to soften up a little.

I've never connected a lure directly to the line on the big lake. Don has a good point, you could get away with it on J plugs withouth too much worry. I think we just don't do it because it is easier to just use swivels to change lures.

Welcome to the site Justin. Please go into your personal setting and tell us what port you are from. It helps guys in your area connect.

April is the plan for most of us unfortunately, but I would rather we have the potential for water under the boat this year. Sadly, we need the ice.

Port Sheldon is a small port that mainly services Consumers Energy Coal Fire Power Plant. Probably the only reason it is dredged at all is Consumers, and they only dredge up to the delivery point for water I would imagine (I'm guessing a little here). Beyond that (to the launch) it is VERY shallow and has been for years. I used to dock in Port Sheldon right across from the launch in a guys front yard. The first year we had the boat faced out with about 2' of water under the back...the next year we had to nose in as there was only a foot of water next to the wall...I'm betting that currently he has mud not water in front of his docks. Port sheldon is a GREAT quick port to get out of if you are on the west side of the lake and actually live ON the lake. Very quick access and very clean water. If you have to use the dock frequently I don't think this is going to be a good year for Port Sheldon.

Way to go Matt.

You can custom make anything....Even if you have to get some aluminum, a drill and tap - almost everything on most manufacturers is 4/20.

I'm like Jim...we use plano clear boxes that are program specific..however, I see some valid points here about water in the boxes. Never had a problem with rusting - YET. I like the smaller boxes because we can grab just waht we want and not trip over a big box...just personal preference really.

Thanks for the reminder Ed. Just got mine - after checking the site. First year for me Turkey hunting, but I kept seeing 15 birds every trip out for deer in the fall. The year before it was only 5...figured it was time to take up a new sport.

Looking forward to it. On a whim I called down to the shop on Saturday on my way home from work....THEY WERE OPEN. Ahhh season is just around the corner. Already spending money on lures .

Last year I completely got out of one manufacturer and went to another. I miss some of the colors from the old company as they were tried and true, but we caught just as many fish on the new stuff as we did with the old. I think it boils down to what Dave said about being confident in your presentation. But I'm a sucker too...I'll buy anything to try it once.