IRon

Well, I got my board done over the holidays. When I get my boat uncovered I've got some reel and pulley rigging to do. Can't wait until spring to try it out! http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/3/0/0/8/20131203_115221.jpg' alt='20131203_115221.jpg'>

Thanks for the fix. Was driving me crazy on my IPad also. Edit, nice pic., too. Looks like a Great Thanksgiving with the family for you.

Thanks for all the info, ideas and pic's. I suspected I would have to go higher like Aaron and Frank recommended. Like Ryan mentioned I want it to be convenient and out of the way on my walk around cuddy and didn't really want to mount a mast in the way up front because we use that area a lot. Using the rail and putting pulleys higher would be just the ticket! The ones you have, Tim, on your grab rail is slick. And the electrics are sweet, too. I've actually got 3 Big Jon manuals I'm not using. I might have to convert a couple to planer reels with a little modification.

Just now getting my big board set up for next season. Finally got materials around today to build a set since I have all next week off. Question: If I go with a rail mount reel, I should be able to get about 5 feet of height above the waterline. Is that going to be enough? I do have other options if I have to, just seems rail mount would be easiest. Thanks

I ran 2 manuals on my smaller boat for years and never felt I needed more. Almost always ran a 6 rod spread with 2 planers, 2 divers and 2 riggers. I run sliders on those most times but sometimes I'd pull those, lengthen the leads out and put a stacker rod out maybe 20 feet back. Caught a lot of fish on those. But now that I'm rigging my larger boat where I might possibly be able to get a 12 line or so spread out, I'm replacing my 2 manuals with 3 electrics. Dang those sure are nice. Getting too old to crank.

I love ice fishing. But the ice down here hasn't been good the last couple years and didn't get out once last year. Hoping for a more normal winter this year. Bluegills, Crappie, pike and occasionally get up to Gull for some smelt action. Lots of fun .....

Thanks for the report. Another thing to keep in mind is the KZoo river plume is a pretty good draw for the fish right now. Steelhead are staging there and after the rain fresh water coming in brings in food for them. Always a chance for a brown and coho maybe, too. Near shore and stitching the seam between clear and stained water out further can be the ticket, too.

I didn't have a chance to get out a lot this year but the few times I did the weather just plain sucked. Long stretches of north and NE winds and cold water with very few fish marked, little bait and nothing to concentrate the fish (thermocline or temp. breaks) I could find. Then you hear the speculations on the big but fewer fish being like the year before the Lake Huron crash. Question: Did the weather affect the fishing similarly on the Wisconsin side and was fishing over there similar to ours on the east side? Question 2: Was Lake Ontario affected in a similar way by weather and not set up like normal years with fewer fish and tougher fishing?

Same here. I love the Great Lakes and enjoy the information in all the articles. It's important to stay informed!!!!!!!

Thanks for the info and welcome!

Are the nets still out there?

Thanks Mike I realize what I did wrong. No big deal, just a more informal poll I guess. I've trailered for years,too. Has its advantages and draw backs. I'm kind of in between right now, rent for a few days at a time or just launch and fish. Sure is nice with a slip. Plus I've had a few trips disrupted by trailer failure. Not fun. Good point on the storage/launch option. If I had a bigger boat I could see that in my future. I think next year is going to be a seasonal rental for us. Now I just have to decide where? Somewhere between Saugatuck and Ludington I think.

What's everybody's preference? 1. I prefer the convenience of seasonal slips for my boat. 2. I like the versatility of trailering to different ports. 3. I do both. Sometimes I get weekly/daily slips.

Very nice pics and report!

Wow thats a great idea!!! Back when I had a life (haven't been out this year since early August and it's killing me! Work sucks) Fall used to be my favorite time to go. Being an old surf fisherman since the early 80's I've realized a lot of Steelhead come in shallow to feed and stage for the winter/spring run. So in Oct. on I'd always try to get launched early and do a shallow water program first thing and run the surf/shoreline with boards then go out and fish the river plume. And if nothing run off shore and do like others suggest with a mixed spread for salmon/steel. Quite often on beach patrol you'll get some coho jacks and Browns just like in the spring. I caught my biggest Brown ever in Oct. (18#) .

Welcome Duke, and I've heard and have some of the same speculations. Our fishery isn't exactly natural selection where the fish gene pool is shaped by the survival factors that the strong/best reproduce. Well, except for those that do spawn in the rivers. Ours is more of a fish farm with a plant and harvest mentality. I've even heard it suggested that perhaps other factors at the weirs might influence fish size, like maybe they could sort by size when fish/egg gathering? Dunno... I'm sure the actual survival rates of fry are influenced more by outside factors like weather, water temp., rainfall, food sources and adaptability etc. though. Nature knows best and us humans can't grasp or control it all. Although they even tried a little genetic engineering with the triploid plants quite a few years ago and never got a return on those either. Seems a lot of experimenting has gone on with other species like steelhead varieties and different strains of those, Skamania being a prime example. And the Seefoorlen (sp?) Browns that were the rage for a while. Atlantic's and Pink's are a whole 'nother story. Don't know.... I'm obviously not a biologist and the DNR seems to be satisfied with the existing strain (Tule) of Chinook and it does seem to be working and doesn't seem to be the problem that the food base and exotics are to the whole equation. Good thought provoking discussion.

I've been reading all these combat reports and getting great entertainment from them (thanks guys). Back when I had a life, we used to troll Pere Marquette lake in late August on blow days and it was challenging to say the least. 100+ boats circling the lake and a few brave souls entering the channel. I wouldn't do it unless backed into a corner by my fishing buds who just had to go! I'd cut my slide divers off with 50# braid on them and replace with 24 0z handline weights from the Detroit river hung clothes pin style with Church clips onto my line and run maybe a 10-20 foot lead on both those in my dipsey rod holders. Run 2 riggers near bottom with same lead length leads and 30# test. We'd troll for hours and never have an issue, except for the time other boats tried to run us into the numerous pilings around the lake. If that happened we'd reel up, and it would only take a few seconds, and play bumper boats until the other boat either backed off or we'd shake hands and come out swinging. Never lost gear to anything except a possible tangle with a rampaging salmon and other lines, but kept that to a minimum with heavy gear. I can't imagine running boards and cores. I guess port to port is different and I'm not trying to be judgmental, but you must know the risks involved so...... enjoy yourselves. Tha's why we're all out there!!!!!!!

Same thoughts here. Customer service is about communication. My experience with them was they were timely but the people I talked to we're lacking in communication skills. They just don't follow up on details like they should. Was disappointed also.

Wow nice fish and pics.

Great PICS and fish.

I was just joking, too. I really don't care. Believe what you want.

Ya know, most people come on here to share info. Read reports, give reports, ask questions..... I guess you just plain can't believe everything you read/see on the Internet. This site is better than most but...... It's getting to the point where I question everything posted that doesn't have something to back it up. If I read a report and there's no pics to back it up then take it for what it's worth, nothing. And even the pics don't mean much obviously. Bait shops are the worst source. Some will always tell you the fishing is "pretty good". Bsbsbsbsbsbsbsbsbs.

It was a tough year for sure. Had a weeks vacation in May and nothing but constant northeast wind for days on end. Had 4th of July week off. Same thing. Cold, cold, cold temp'.s. Caught some fish but had to work our butts off with hours between action. And you better not miss it because you might not get another chance. Us weekend warriors that can't get out a lot and stay on fish and follow the bite were pretty much hit and miss. But you have to be somewhat philosophical about it.... at least we were lucky enough to get out and enjoy Lake Michigan with family and friends. Which makes me feel blessed in many ways. Not everybody is as fortunate.

I bought a used 9.9 kicker for mine. Did the install myself. Less than $1500. Can troll all day long on 5 gallons. The first time out on Lake Michigan with this boat my big motor cut out and my kicker got me back to port. So it doesn't owe me anything and its still going strong. It's not like there's no value in it. It's still worth what I paid for it in re-sale. Saves hours on my big motor, too. And at idle speeds which is hard on my 2 stroker because of carbon build up. I think the 9.9 is popular because of economy, mostly. The initial cost difference between that and say a 15 to 25hp is a bit. My 9.9 does what I need on my 21 foot aluminum. If it gets a little rough I can always fire up the big motor and troll with that, but usually if its that rough I'm not out anyway. But there is always a case for more horse power especially on a bigger boat, so a bigger kicker can be justified IMHO.

I like to see restorations done and a boat is put back into service and saved from the junk yard. As long as the hull is sound, the transom is solid and the stringers aren't rotten I think it would be worthwhile. But be forewarned its not the stuff you see. There will also be a ton of stuff you don't see to fix on an older boat. I am fixing up an older Crestliner so I knew the hull was solid but there was way more hidden issues I hadn't planned on. Fuel tank and entire fuel system replace. Wiring and lighting is shot and needs redone. Floor needed replaced and painted/sealed. Welding done on hull. Added a kicker. Basically everything needed some attention from a previous owner who had totally neglected it. But I love the boat and the way it's laid out and any older boat is an ongoing labor of love.