coralee

I tried to cut up some veggies this week with my wife's kitchen knives and had to go get my fillet knife they were so bad. Anyone know of a good sharpener that will sharpen very dull heavy kitchen knives? I have some OK sharpeners (the V type) to try to keep my fillet knives sharp but even they could use a good tune up. Also does anyone have info on a good place near Holland to take knives to get a razor edge?? Thanks

That boat in the auction looks interesting but yes its too far away. Weird that is says trailer not include when it shows so many pics of the trailer and tires.

A lot of good stuff. I do agree that having all the gear underfoot and in the way is a huge pain. I am looking at all the posted items. The "catamaran" style boat is interesting and I wondered what kind of ride a boat like this gives? I'll keep checking all the links and do appreciate them. Gives me a lot of info and options I never thought of and haven't seen.

Well at this point I'm going to start with Jon's advice as a couple of slickcraft 235's have popped up so I'm going to check them out. I just need to see if its reasonable to be able to fish a boat this size alone. Thanks for the input so far. The search is not over and all other options remain from aluminum to glass, from newer to older but as much as I don't like a gas hog there is good reasoning behind the much lower cost to buy. I have been spoiled using only 3-6 gallons per trip in my boat.

Thanks for the input Jim and total cost is something worth examining. Because I normally fish alone and not with 4 guys and if I do take people I don't ask for any money I absorb most all the cost so for now I'm still looking in the 20-22' range not only for fuel cost but easier on and off the trailer and fit in my barn. I have an 8' high door now but could change it to almost 10 if needed. All the input has me open minded however and fishing from a larger boat sure is nice. I do have a nephew who is a mechanic so a car motor might have some advantages over an outboard for repairs but I like an outboard for early and late season. -I think my head is starting to spin hmmmm.

Well as far as dollar amount I am not set on that yet but figure it will either be a higher cost boat to get the fuel efficient 4 stroke motor(s) or a cheaper boat that likes to drink. I'm leaning toward putting more into the investment up front and being able to afford to fish when I have less or no income then to put 100 in gas in every time. Sorry for being vague but I need more info before I can narrow things down. I still am leaning toward 19-22' long with either a 4 stroke main motor or at least a 4 stroke kicker but these comments have me thinking about bigger now. I might even consider new but I think there are good deals on used out there. I do appreciate all the input.

Sherman. Thanks for the offer and I don't know if by spring I may have a change of heart but for now I don't think I would be interested in going to that big of a boat. I'm going to try to keep it a bit smaller for now. Thank you

Thanks for all the replays so far, I'll be checking them all out. Red Rider I could not get your link to work. Those boats from Calumet Marine are awesome and I see they have a 20' hardtop also but most likely out of my price range. One reason I want to stay a bit smaller is I often fish alone and don't know about launching and retrieving a larger/heavier boat. I'm not interested in fishing all day with a backache. I'll keep the safety issue in mind plus I know bigger allows more fishing days when otherwise I'd be sitting at home. Thanks also for info on boats for sale. I'll keep them in mind as I get more info and decide which way to pursue. Maybe I can be talked into a larger boat but for now gas consumption will be a factor. Can a kicker be added to a 26' boat?

Thinking of getting into something with a bit more room and looking for info. What would you recommend based on the following criteria: Around 20' Fuel efficient (love my 4 stroke kicker) Comfortable Some sort of top possibly a hard top?? Would like to keep the rain and sun off my head! Storage room. Easy towing and launching Able to ride and fish in 3' seas if needed Fishablility mostly Salmon in Lake MI I have an 18' glass boat that does well but its a bit to small and has no storage space or room to kick back so to speak. anything else I should consider? What boat(s) should I be keeping any eye out for? Thank you for your input:thumb:

I have a double use for my pliers both removing the hook and "thumping" if the fish won't settle down. I had one of those S shaped holders and when I handed it with a 18 # King on it to my son to hold up his fish for a picture he didn't realize the fish was as heavy as it was and his hand went down and the fish slipped off the hook. When if fell off his hand jerked upward and the fish holder went flying out of his hand. Its in about 110 feet of water out of Holland if anyone wants to look for it.

Got a steelie trolling out to the Lake in Saugy yesterday. Only made on pass on the way out.

Wow 6 feet of water over all of Lake Mi is a ton of water! No wonder I need a ladder to get down into my boat .

That link shows it perfect as you could see it angle out to the north.

4 for 4 on a beautiful day. 1 steelie in the river on the way out, 1 more in 50' and 2 nice Lakers released unharmed. I wish I would have seen it on the way out but around 50 the lake turned cloudy and you couldn't see a lure 2' away. Hit 1 laker in 50 on the way out and hit the other laker and steelie there on the way in just in the clean water. Got a feeling the fish can't see nothin out in the cloud and should have stayed in 50' but it was a great day.

Hoping to get out Wed. for the first time in a long time thanks to the wind and have no clue where to start. I figure I'll start in tight for a bit then try around 100' and then around 200' but if anyone has been out I'd sure appreciate a heads up. PM's are welcome.

The Federal Government was not to institute a "state" church so that the sovereignty would remain with the states. Now for any who want to know the religious mind set of our nation in the beginning every state constitution refers to a belief in God. Even the supreme court stated that we are (were?) a Christian nation. We have strayed from that mooring however and the effects are not good. If God is real we need to do things His way, if not we are fools for believing in Him. Interestingly in our supreme court the central figure is Moses holding the law of God. I'm not for compelling religion on anyone as I don't have that ability but I am for Christian principles and laws of government as that is the only government that promotes freedom and prosperity. A brief look at government historically and currently will quickly reveal the tyranny of godless government.

One perch was a keeper the other a Jumbo. Port was Holland. Perch were just inside 100' of water the rest from 130-180. There must have been a nice batch of big perch as we were just bringing in our stuff as they got near or hit bottom on the way in.

Went with Benlubbs today and had a very interesting day. 7 for 10 if I remember right but the weird part was 2 were perch. and it doesn't stop there. 2 were lakers and one monster sheepshead. So it was a very fun and interesting day with 4 different kinds of fish. Great day on the lake but a bit bumpy.

I almost fell in the drink getting out of my boat on the S side of lake Mac as you about need a ladder its so low.

Wonder bread and Purple back plugs have been good

5 for 5 with a newbie today so it was a good day. Started in 60' and trolled to 100 without a hit and I was just starting to think it might be an awful slow day when the 150 took off with a glow flounder pounder, just flopped it in the boat and the rigger went with a glow Ace high. Handed him the pole and the wire meat rig went. Landed both and the 200 went with a watermelon plug. Then the bite quit (we were about 140 then) and we went back through it to no avail so we headed in and hit another in 80' on the same wire set up for #5. Marked fish in till 60' with no more takers. My last troll for the summer as I head to Ludington for a bit to surf cast. Hope to get some fall fishing in later. Been a great year. PS All the fish were under or close to 10# and were nice and silver. One was just turning a little. All the best to you all, thanks for all the help this year.

Slow night 3 for 3. Benlubbs joined me and we almost broke the 20# mark for the first time for my boat this year but it stopped just short of 19. The evening and night was calm and beautiful and the sky at dark with the moon not yet risen was quite a show so it would have been worth the trip with no fish just to be out on the lake on such a nice evening. Purple Ace high took 1 in 125' of water down around 60, blue spinnie/white fly took the big guy who took the wire out over 500' and a large white paddle/white meat rig took the last one. The last 2 came around 100-90' one the way back in.

Good job Kevin

130' 5 miles south

Had a great trip with Benlubbs Fri pm in his slick Slickcraft. After weather cancelled Thur fishing and trying Fri am only to turn back in the am with waves building, it took a bit of hunting but finally found them Friday evening. Thanks again Ben. Turned out to be a very nice fishing trip.