Rascal Trophy Fishing

Welcome Rick, these guys are very helpful on any fishing questions.

Pressure washer, then bleach or other cleaner.

I hear a dinner bell ringing Jimmy, thanks.

Quite correct Ryan, I've used those Tru Track types for many years due to ease of installing, and they don't break or open like Coastlocks. Mike, my advice is if you can find these anymore, as Tru Track of Ludington went out of business a while back, buy them. Also, check your riggers now in the spring, if the wire is old, or you don't know the age, replace with new wire, and new Klinchers, so you're set for the season. Don't let wire stay on a rigger for more than about 250 hours, or 2 years.

After reading this, I now remember that a few short years ago the DNR and our local charterboat assoc. said we should report ALL fishing trips on our monthly reports. I never did beforehand, and wondered why. They all said they want as many reports of catching fish on the record as possible. Looks like this is the case here, and helped them make a case against innocent fun fishing trips. This is pure bs, incompetence, and foolishness at it's best. I don't understand why it's a misdemeanor though, as this isn't criminal, it's simply a technicality, and civil matter. JMO

Don't worry, our fine furried friends in the woods, if you live nearby, quickly dispose of such carcasses.

The 1980's Sea Rays were great all-around boats, nice.

Great fine point tuning Frank. Eric, that Cherokee I believe was once the charterboat Drifter out of Ludington. It's still there with a different owner, and he uses that diesel to this day. Quite a unique idea and option. The single engine boats in that size range are certainly in need of a kicker. I usually think of most boats 27'-30' with twin screws, but Cherokee and Sportcraft, now both out of business, did have singles at times.

I still prefer that pressure washer idea someone offered up earlier. As I get older, that deck job becomes a lot more tedious at best, and first mates don't volunteer to do it like the old days. I pw the entire boat in the spring before launching, slick and fast.

Jacob, don't take this the wrong way, but, when you can afford to go to a 30' boat, you don't usually have to worry about gas consumption. Mounting a "kicker" on that size of boat, well, looks kinda silly imho.

Hi Adam, and welcome to the GLF. These guys can give out a lot of useful tips on where to fish anytime you need it. Go Steelers, my second fav. team after the cheeseheads.

Hi Cathy, and welcome aboard. These guys are all about helping friends, glad you chose GLF.

I gotta dumb question, why does anyone want wax on their fishing cockpit deck? It may look glossy, but imho, it's way too slippery and dangerous. Thanks.

Tigerfish taste good smoked up. Swell report and pics., I take it you threw one back as my eyes say nine forked tails hanging. Nice start for this season.

Heartlands stand up to the job, and feel great too. Armstrong's Tackle in Whitehall has them too for a great price, like $30 or so, if you can find them....lol.

Raymarine, best cs and products bar none.

Nice ride Matt, welcome back to the site. Stop in to Ludington sometime, we can accomodate anytime.

Depends on how dirty and what the surface of the deck is composed of imho. If you have a non-slip deck, which most of us do, I use soft scrub with bleach. If there is a mark or spot that is more difficult after two applications, try straight bleach. Decks that get scrubbed often clean up easier than decks that have been just hosed down for months too. A clean boat is a happy boat, and safer too imho. And never use any wax on the deck, it makes it slippery and dangerous.

I hope we have some professional raindancers out there this year, we're going to need them for these low levels.

Brownies

VMC for over 20 years, tines are bigger, hook sharper, neck heavier, priced fairly too in bulk.

Those additives are great if you want to drop a $20 bill for two gas tank fills. I take my smaller boat to a marina that has ethanol free gas, it costs $1/gal. more, but suits the purpose well. You can also go to a small airport and ask if you can fill up on their pump. Takes a bit more trouble, but worth the effort in the end. Ethanol gas will eat up your gas lines, carb., valves, etc., and will require rebuilding much or some of the engine after a few short seasons. Many people have experienced this the past few years and are quite upset. Don't go there please.

Sorry to hear about that Austin. Keep in mind these radios usually last a long time, and electronics have been going down in price. Might want to see what's on sale too, but I'll almost bet someone has one lying around. West Marine had one on sale last fall for $89 new, might have some leftover.

Welcome aboard Eli, these guys will give good info..

We just had 54 new wind turbines start service last fall of 2012 just south of Ludington. The effects of noise, shadows, maintenance problems, loss of scenery in rolling farm country, has gotten a group of landowners to start a lawsuit against Consumers Energy for their grief and loss in land values. The energy company has told landowners that all their complaints so far are "not applicable" to any changes or corrections on their parts.