Just Hook'n

Fishhawk is awesome. I've never fished without one since I was on someone's boat who had one. They are great tools...even when we don't have it down we at least have it in our back pocket if we start to question the troll.

Welcome to the site Robert. You may also have some luck with the different freqencies (50Hz vs. 200Hz). Can't remember which, but on one of them we mark the thermocline.

That is awesome. I love typicals...not a big fan of non-typicals. That thing is just amazing.

Interesting...we switched to LEDs last year where we previously had Halogens. We really liked the distance we got out of our halogens, being able to see the planner boards 3 wide way out there (without flags). When we changed to the LEDs, we can't see 100 yards behind the boat. Needless to say we were disappointed. What kind of LEDs do you have that you are pleased with and how far back (approximately) can you see?

Looks like fun...in a sick sort of way.

Great to have more guys from Lake O...we love seeing pictures of those fish with shoulders on them.

Ice is nice...yes I would like to get out on the water soon, but I would like more for there to actually be water under the boat when I try...I'll take the ice.

I'll take the later start for a tradeoff for more water under the boat any day.

Ah talk of spring...has be picturing "A frames", " Junk cars", .....

Now that I've said I leave it on...I do have a great method for taking it off when people ask...someone showed me a while back and it'st he best I've found - even though I don't practice it much. With your big foshner knife cut a small hole (just big enough for your index finger) in the tail. You will lose a little tail meat, but hopefully you caugt enough fish it doesn't matter. Put your non-knife index finger into the hole, put your knife in front of it (toward the head) and get eth angle just right so you are cutting the skin off and just pull with your non-knife hand. If you do it right you don't even have to move your knife hand much at all. Easy to watch than to explain...but like I said it works great even thought I don't practice it much.

Interesting it's so one sided so far...we leave it on...don't really have a reason why - just dont' mind the "fishy" taste that peopel complain about. I guess it's fish it should taste like fish.

Suprised no one said talk to Aaron at Lakeshore in Suagatuck. Of course if you want to talk now you'll have to go elsewhere as they close for the winter. But in the spring I wouldn't shop anywhere else. Maybe it's me, but when I go to the outdoorsman I just get ignored. When I walk in to see Aaron he knows me, my wife, my kid.... I work in GR, live in Zeeland and I'd drive passed other shops to get to Saugatuck to spend my money where it is appreciated. Just my opinion...others enjoy other shops too. I too would get advice (from where ever) now and wait until the shows or the spring deals to get the gear you decide on. We have 1, 2, 3, 5, and full core....100, 200 and 3000 copper. Most of the core is used in the spring, the copper comes out the rest of the year with maybe a high line for steelhead if we are having a rough day.

Very informative...thanks for sharing. I am afraid that we may not be able to use the marina in Holland next year. Forget Port Sheldon...that port is probably a swamp at this point.

Ahhhh, great relief from no fishing for nearly 3 months now. I really need to get out on the ice soon to quench the fever.

Great job and thank you very much for sharing. When is spring????

I just hope we get snow and ice, and lots of it between now and March. We were dragging props in the marina last year at times...this year we may have to move slips down to the end - if they are even available.

Nice job Ed...great job getting out there and thanks for sharing the pictures.

This league is an AWESOME way to see what tournament fishing is about, meet a lot of great guys and compete while sharing information. This is the only way I recommend getting involved in tournaments. The big tournaments (just jumping in) are far to expensive and if you don't like it, you are out a bunch of time and money. I'd love to participate in these again in Holland, but kid number 2 is due June 8th, so my summer is going to involve much more time at home this year.

You could always charter a trip with Don on Tangled Mess and really learn the skill...he is very good at targeting lakers. I was doing it almost right and then I went out with Don and really figured it out. Still can't do it anywhere near as good but at least I'm better than I once was. One hint - must be ON the bottom with your gear. It's not cheap to do laker fishing right. You loose a lot of gear bouncing bottom.

Nice job Austin...looks awesome out there.

Great news...thanks Kevin.

Exactly what Don said - switch all my setups to single hooks that are not BW products. I'll use BW products right out of the bag on small paddles. On larger paddles we just take them apart and retie them using longer 40 or 50# fluoro. When tying our own - Don nailed it.

I like Nicks suggestion on adding one setup a year...keeps it realistic and economical...I jumped into the sport a little too fast and spent a lot of money pretty quickly...happy I did it ultimately, but I like the idea of a setup a year. I would concentrate on difference presentations as opposed to different lures. I find that presentations (200 copper, 300 copper, 450, dipseys, downs, etc) tend to catch fish no matter what you throw at them some days. That being said, I do have some favorite spoons on my boat, but it seems like when they are hitting 200 coppers - everybody (with different colors and spoons) is doing well on 200's.

Welcome to teh site Darl. I too was shocked that you live in Zeeland and fish in Ludington. Holland is a great fishery (though certainly no Ludville). When you want to fish locally, let us know...I'm sure there are plenty of guys you could hitch a ride with. Keep your lines tight.

Bummer...I always like the store and while I didn't find everything I needed in their fishing department, it was always nice to look at hunting/fishing/etc in the same place. I'm excited for Cabelas, but feel bad for Gander.