Rascal Trophy Fishing

Both trucks look really nice, but like Mike says, what application are you going to use it for? I get a steady 20mpg on my 2010 Chevy LTZ 1500 4X4 with a 5.3 liter, and she has power to spare too. Runs good on 87 octane gas too.

This idea is a farce, and so is that website. It would take oooodles of money just to move that ship to the west coast, and the refit of engines and other safety equipment would also cost oooodles of money. Unless someone wants to spend $10Million plus? Otherwise you could build a new ship for less than that. Besides, Ludington is her permanent home.

I too just bought a couple of Okuma rods last fall, didn't get any breaks yet, didn't get much usage before storage too, but it's good to know they stand behind them well.

Two things are for sure on the new 25', the gas is real old, and you should change out all the water and gas filters, plus rebuild the carb. Next I would advise that the oil has definitely lost it's viscosity setting up 5 years too, change it twice, once before you fire it up, and again after about 10-20 hours to be sure it's clean and has it's proper weight. When you put new gas in, try to find non-ethanol grade to ensure you don't repeat the old gas problems into the future.

3M also makes a special polish just for marine hazing/old age and with the proper high/variable speed buffer, you can do it yourself for a fraction of the usual $350+ price the dealers will charge. Read directions and don't do it in the cold as someone else pointed out, over 60 degrees with no lower temps. like frost or dew. I bought mine at Port Supply/West Marine for about $100/gallon, it also comes in quarts for less. It's a paste application.

A very special and enjoyable day to all don't eat too much ha ha.

From your home page it looks like you have a slickcraft, perhaps 20', 7' beam? and I'd rather see a high chute rod holder there than a rigger, just because outdrives, whether running or not, are still a factor for tangles. And that's not a fun mess to deal with anytime, esp. in bigger waves, which will factor in for prop tangles for sure. Why not run a chute rod holder and run your copper there? Or just a high line? Or get one of the jet divers that dive straight back? Just a thought. You can always move the rod and net fish there in center, see?

Boat trader is always a great source of info. on any boat size, and yes, like Jim says, I highly recommend a 26' boat or greater size for the big lake, money?, or safety?, that's each individual's decision to make. It could just save lives in the end, money can always be made later, and it's a buyers market right now on any size boat.

Tip of the hat and many thanks to Jim for such a great amount of information and knowledge to share, I sure learned a lot.

Now that's one fantastic fish, and I have to say, I haven't seen so much accuracy, detail, color, and realism in a fish, perhaps in my lifetime, it's just a masterpiece of art for sure. I'm very envious, and thanks so much for posting this outstanding example of taxidermy Bromley, you made my night, and maybe my month. Got any more views/angles of that? I think I could look at it all night.

I've had some troubles with both big fish, over 30#, and also smaller 6-10# fish, that really get aggressive, and have the hook buried real deep into the throat, like way way down, and a quick flick of the fish billy does the trick, sometimes even a couple of flicks is required. I remember we used these quite often in the days when our flies/squids had 2 single hooks on them, and if both hooks were really buried, it could get nasty without the billy. Nowadays, the hooks are bigger, and we use trebles more, so the change of tackle use is making the billy less popular, but, I still keep two on the boat. I like the looks of the wood anyhow, and if I have a bad first mate, or customer, I can always get it out and give the guy that "look" to keep him in line too....lol.

Ready, aim, oooops, 4 days left now.

1Maniac, how deep was the water she sank in?: it was my opinion it was as long as the ship was, about 400' or more, which makes that statement awkward, thanks. The song has it's significance in being the "only song" that actually tells the story of what we knew at the approximate time of the disaster, not what we know now. It's a famous song now, and should not be taken lightly, by either sailors or common fisherman that venture into deep waters, not just then, but as far as I'm concerned, forever. Safety is of the utmost.

It's reported that 10, yes all 10 FEMA agencies in NYC have closed down during this emergency situation created by a natural disaster named Sandy, the hurricane that slashed across the terrain, leaving tens of thousands of people without homes, electricity, food, gas, and so much more. Why your ask? The signs in the windows say "closed due to weather"! Anyone else get the feeling that this important emergency agency isn't worth the paper it is written on and faked as a true partner to the aggrieved individuals that are in severe distress? I tell you this, this is a big JOKE, DISGRACE, for a Federal Agency that has a huge budget and is supposed to be acting with urgency, relief, help of any sort, not just reporting paperwork for those that need help, where is the help they are supposed to be giving? NONE! Till conditions permit them to return to "safe conditions for themselves". Well, if that is the case, close the darn agency, and let agencies of the private sector like Red Cross, and other emergency responders get "the job DONE"! From what I see and hear about FEMA both here, and at the "Katrina" situation issues, they are sorely lacking in actions, and yes, quality, to be continued into the Federal budget that they get funding from. I could add an upload to this post, for a new agency logo, but I don't see it available, anyone know where to post that? Thanks.

Thanks Dave for the useful post and laugh. A little levity after the earlier events of this week is welcomed.

I'll never forget this horrific day, and many days afterward. It was as if many people in Michigan were frozen in time, all in terrible shock and disbelief. That gale of November 1975 reportedly had 35'-45' waves during the height of the storm, and some claim 3 rogue waves in excess of this hit the sides of the ship that foundered with 29 lost souls. Gordon Lightfoot's song was a real heart string pull, and lived on as the only song I know of about the tragedy, now famous and still a heart pull for me. God rest those brave and hearty sailors, and pray this kind of story never happens again.

If Man were meant to Fly, he would have been given Wings.

Interesting.

I paid about $165 for one this past summer at Auto Value, got taken looks like, mine's variable speed and heavy duty too though. Thanks, no K-Marts around here.

Want to horsetrade? Hi Tony from Ludington, sad, season's over here, but, there's always next season buddy.

Nice, you're making me hungry....lol. And jealous too.

These guys certainly are crazy for sure, but the sad thing is, by putting their own lives at risk, they may also be putting a number of other lives at risk, those that may be called in to rescue them from their own risky stunt, then innocent lives may also be lost, and that's not right. Freedoms are precious, some abuse them without recognizing it.

Beautiful hook jaw brown my fav..

Thanks for sharing and great pics Dave.