Prof

This is the best video I've seen in a long time!!! Pitty all those other poor kids hanging out at the mall - they haven't got a clue what they're missing. Outstanding!!

Great video! Is there a trick to putting YouTube in your post?

So far, these are some great suggestions. I’m still trying to figure out some of the language, but, ya gotta love Google. Any other ideas? What is really helpful as well, is the stepped approach to picking up equipment. What we need first, what we can get by with, what we might consider next year (our phase 2), etc. However, I should have been clearer in my opening post, but we have a 19’ Sea Nymph Great Lakes Special powered by a 140 Envinrude. Included with it are a front mounted electric trolling motor, a fish finder and a marine radio. I don’t know as yet if any of these actually work, but I do know that the antenna for the radio must be replaced as it is broken. This will be done. I also have a GPS. Finally, I’m also planning on putting about a 10 hp kicker on it shortly. There is no other fishing equipment aboard. Otherwise we have, or will have, a full compliment of safety equipment from life preservers to a fire extinguisher. We’ll even put in a first aid kit. As you can see, it's a start, but it's the rigging and outfitting for salmon/trout and walleye that we now have to start working on. Any other suggestions? How about for walleye? We do have all the light tackle, including a variety of jigs that I have used in shallow water up in Canada. I assume that some of that stuff will work in big water as well? Anyway, thanks for all your help, and remember that I'm always open to additional suggestions or ideas.

My boys and I are excited about getting after salmon, trout and some walleye but we have little experience fishing larger bodies of water. Here’s the challenge: Our new boat (new to us) is just about ready to go, but what to do next to get started? You can help. Assume that you have a limited budget, about $500, for this summer in which you can put into equipment. Current resources include a seaworthy boat, fish finder, lots of ultra light and light weight gear with a few medium rods. We also have a multitude of bass plugs, pike lures and spoons, etc. No downriggers, outriggers, planner boards, rod holders, Dipsy Divers, copper, lead core, flashers, big spoons, plugs, etc. So, how would you spend the $500? Why would you choose what you would? It would be helpful to be as specific as you can – even to the point of model numbers, etc. I know that $500 is not a lot of money, but every journey begins with a step at a time – I would just like some help in taking the first few steps. One final limitation… I understand that telling me to pick up some used equipment is a great idea, but keep in mind that’s always a hit or miss proposition. Please keep the suggestions to new equipment. Thanks in advance.

From the beach? Wow! Very nice!! This rookie is salivating and has got to ask… How did you do that? Just to give you some perspective, I’ve got lots of experience fishing for bass, crappie, pike, etc. out of a canoe or kayak on inland lakes. However, we just picked up an old aluminum 19’ Sea Nymph that we’re trying to resurrect that will allow my boys and I to get out in decent weather after lake trout, etc. But from the beach???? Sounds like what I did when I was in the Navy and stationed down in Pensacola, Florida. I think I’m rambling a bit, but “Golly gee wiz†(cleaned up pretty good hey?), that looks awesome! Can you shed a little light on techneque for those of use who are new to this part of the sport? Again, very nice!

Very nice! A bit hard to see, but do I see a couple of lights on top? Also, appears to fit around and over, without touching, the top. Can you still take the top down for on the road? Also would love to see additional pictures of anything else you’ve made.

Hey Andy, that’s a heck of a crewman you got there. Has he caught a fish yet? He sure does look ready! I’ve looked at some sort of light system for those late nights and would love to see some more examples of what people have done. Yours sounds interesting – do you think you can dig up a picture or two? Timbertech?.. Who would have thought!

Hey Kevin, I like the idea of taking a Dremel tool to the end of the crack to stop it spread. While I’ve not had that problem, it seems like an extra precaution that is easy to do. Learn something every day!

Great idea Frank, Hmmmmm….. Hee hee… Actually, I know a couple of good welders who are good people – likely to just help out for cost of materials. However, I like the idea of the “swap†of a little welding in exchange a fishing trip or two. What the heck, good company is good company! I just have to figure out what will work in my open bow Sea Nymph. Jim: I can't agree with you more. There is a special feeling you get when you build something yourself and it works. Besides the savings in money, it's just satisfying and fun! Nick: I like the idea of an easily removable board. Is that often done? Any other projects that any have done or for that matter, and ideas for future projects?

Ouch! Little did this rookie know that the boat is only the tip of the iceberg!!! I know it’s only money and you can’t take it with you, but… there is so much, so little time and obviously some limit to resources. While there are many things to buy, aren’t there some things that you’ all have made? I’ve discovered and looked with admiration at both Priority 1’s tree and CAZNIK’s aluminum board and of course read with interest the discussion on using PVC to make rod holders. Anything else? I’d love to hear what you may have done – even the attempts that perhaps didn’t work out as good as you had hoped. There may be many who would also like to find a way to “get by†until some of the other higher priority items have been met. John

Hi Tony, Let me try this again. Apparently I took too long to compose my comment and the site made me sign back in when I tried to submit. After signing back in, my reply was lost! Second time a charm? Anyway, a few years ago my neighbor ended up with a couple of holes in his fiberglass canoe. One was fairly small and the other fairly large (4 x7 inches) with a number of spider cracks radiating from the hole. After cutting out the loose stuff, I sanded down the edges to firm material, tapering back the edges on both sides. I also sanded a wide tapered groove along each crack down through the gel-coat and into the glass. I then laid several layers of glass (with resin) covering each hole being careful to make each layer a little larger than the last. This stepped layering is important to avoid a weak spot. I also did the same for the cracks. The holes were covered from both sides while the cracks that only showed on one side where only addressed on that side. After filling in a couple of low spots with thickened resin (I use micro balloons but there are lots of things that will work) I sanded everything down. Finally, after a quick paint job, you cannot see the repair unless someone pointed it out to you. If you are looking to just fill some low spots, I think that sanding down and filling will work, but you should use thickened resin. Resin alone will run and you’ll not likely get it smooth. Hope this helps. John

I know that this is an old post, but dang!!!.. it's a good one! This rookie fisherman could even understand it. Frankly. it's better than most of the magazines that assume that you already know something and merely are adding the newest high tech approach. Well done!

Thanks Sean, That's a great thought... I just have to decide what I really need to get started and then I'll have to figure out how to recognize equipment that is in good shape and at what would be a fair price. Should be simple! :-) However, I’ll definitely check out craigslist. Any other sites? Do many of the members on this site upgrade and sell off stuff? I did check out the “Classified Ads” section but haven’t seen anything yet that I would be interested in. It may be that as the boats come out of storage and people get fired up that more will show up. Anyway, thanks for your help. Hope you have a great season. John

Thanks again Mike, Your help is certainly appreciated. John

Thanks Nick, After getting the power in tip top shape, I think my next step will be looking at a sounder and GPS. I've been looking at the combo units. The other concern is just what type of rod and reel combos will get me started. Obviously I'm not going to go out and buy a dozen different setups so I've got to figure out what will be the best to start with. Get a couple this year, a couple more next... Got to have something to look forward to hey? :-) Anyway, I appreciate all the help. John

Hi Frank, Do you still have the batteries? I might be interested if you do. Thanks.

Thanks Dan! That's great info. Yes, Ludington is likely to be a preferred choice, but the Sea Nymph tows very nicely behind the PU so we hope to explore many areas. We’ll be sure to drop you a line when we head out your way. Thanks again.

Yes, boat reliability is at the top of the list. I'm also looking to put a kicker on which will have the added benefit of being able to limp in if necessary. I do have some experience on the lake, just not fishing, so I’m very aware of the concerns. As for equipment, we’re starting from scratch! Any help will certainly be appreciated. Tagging along? That would certainly be a great learning experience! Also, do you or any others ever meet up and go out and fish with several boats in the same area? I think that might be a great way to learn as well. Thanks again for the welcome.

We're from Big Rapids so we will most likely be hitting Lake Michigan but the Bay is only a couple of hours to the east. Lots of options!

Hi Kevin, We also just joined and we too are hoping to get into salmon/trout fishing. Since we just acquired an old Sea Nymph it was interesting to see that you have an 18 footer. Ours is an aluminum 19 ft, full windshield with a walk through into an open bow. Similar to yours? How do you like it? I know that we have high hopes for ours, so it would be interesting to hear your comments – or from anyone else that has a similar boat. Hope your summer produces lots of fish (translation: "lots of great memories for you and your boy.") John

Hi all, My boys and I are also just hoping to get into big lake trout and salmon fishing. We have just acquired an old Sea Nymph Great Lakes Special 195 and, if we are fortunate, the old Evinrude that’s hanging on the back can be resurrected. We all love fishing and we are certainly excited about the expanded possibilities. (I’m not sure who’s more excited, my 11 and 16 year old sons or me.) Anyway, I’ve been looking around trying to learn something about Big Lake fishing and it looks like this might be just the ticket. Here’s the rub. While we are familiar with many other types of fishing, both stream and from small boats, canoes and kayaks, we don’t have any experience with big game out on the big water - salmon, trout, walleye, etc. Any help will certainly be appreciated. John