King Slammin'

Here's the pic's Dave

I don't think you would even get it off the trailer before you hit mud on the other side. I saw about 30 boats out, all about 18' or less. Not saying you can't...but I would talk to as many people as you can and get their opinions also. I sure wouldn't want to be the guy blocking everyone else from getting out, or worse, getting back in. Most of the trip through the channel is o.k., it's just the one area I mentioned that gets below the 3' mark. Good Luck:thumb: Dave

The docks are in @ N.B. No problems for my Polar Kraft 178. The shallowest I marked was just after leaving the launch area when I navigated around a branch stuck in the middle of the narrow Galien river, it was 2.8'. Don't even bother bringing something big and heavy. I did take some pic's but forgot the camera in the boat. I'll post them in the morning. Incredible how low the water is. As for the fishing? I had a couple quick rips but nothing stuck. A couple guys caught a few coho and 1 @ the launch had a 9 pounder!! The only thing I brought home was a sunburn. Oh well, nice day on the water anyway. Dave

Hey guys, my dark green canvas top is seven years old and is now a dull light green that looks terrible. I'm thinking of using a dye such as RIT and rubbing it in while the top is installed to try and make it easier to see the results as I go. The top is still in great shape and I only have 1 vinyl window to work around. The boat is always stored in the warehouse when not on the water. Am I on the right track or does someone have any experience bringing the color back to a faded top? Thanks for any and all input, Dave

I believe most brand names are more than capable of catching size and numbers with the difference being in the presentation and all the variables associated with that. Personally I choose to run Mikes Eye Flies because of their "swivel through the head" design that allows me to quickly change out the fly without having to change leaders also. This also allows for easier and more compact storage of many flies [without leaders] and your not paying for cheap throw away hooks and mono leaders, just the flies. I'm not sponsored by Mikes Eye Flies, just a satisfied customer sharing my thoughts. Dave

Added a 8 rod arch with spreader lights and a new antenna, hopefully this will help my radio reception. I made the arch from scratch to my own dimensions. Friends and family can't believe it's home made. Was going to have it powder coated but ran out of time so it was painted to match the boat and looks fine for now. 3 more Convectors, a Forschner fillet knife and sheath[hopefully this one won't sprout legs and walk away!], 21 Moonshine RV spoons from Lake Michigan Angler and some more of Mikes Eye Flies. The ingredients are all in, now just add water and get cookin!!! Have a great season everyone and stay safe, Dave

Any info from your buddy? I'm goin' this Saturday come he!! or "low" water! Dave

Only if your fishing Indiana water.

The Michigan City launch is also a option, about 8 miles down the road from N.B. Dave

Never fails, the first planned trip canceled because of work. Oh well, have to pay for the new RV spoons somehow. Maybe Sunday

+1 with the SWR. I pack mine with tuna in oil. When I run strips in them I leave a "tail" hanging out and add herring oil. Usually good for a couple fish, but not the hot set-up for me. Also can't remember landing anything over 6-8lbs. with them. Dave

Last year at this time it was 79 degrees and I had 6 trips in already @ New Buffalo. Ed's "play by play" today has me planning a St.Joe river trip for next Saturday. Dave

I'm in the same boat. Sure would be nice to get what I paid for...

Done. Good luck with your class.

I use my wires for mag divers deep with paddles and flies or meat. A nice reel for wire is a Shimano Tekota 600lc with a drag upgrade from Tuna Tom, although mine lasted a couple seasons right out of the box. A good drag is the key for me. Use snubbers. I bought a cheaper set of Okuma Blue Diamond roller rods because I didn't know if I was going to use them much. 8'6" I think. Turns out that I use them a lot more than I thought I would and the rods have held up OK. There's just nothing like watching a wire rod get slammed, hang on! I think rods are more "personal preference", but some are probably better than others. Have Fun! Dave

To me the lake is the closest thing to Heaven on earth, and it's very hard to leave once I'm there, usually solo. I have fished from sunup to sundown a few times and only missed the months of December and January for productive trips to the lake. A "normal" outing with a freind or relative would be from 5 a.m. till 11:30 to try and beat the noon rush at the launch.

Personally I like a Sampo between 30 and 50lb. There are some makes that I would stay away from even if they were rated @ 80lbs and were free, but its a personal opinion so I wont name names.

Steve, I was finally able to purchase an X-4 in my third year of salmon fishing and as stated above, it was THE single most productive investment for dialing in a program and catching fish...besides the boat of course. You will not be sorry,period! [and just between you and I, it's kinda like cheatin'!]

Welcome to the site Kelly. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

John, I'm thinking you need to speed the boat up a little while deploying the copper to keep it higher in the water. At slower speeds it will sink fast, and if you free spool it to let the board drop back, I'm thinking it's sinking past it's running depth and catching your diver line as it passes over it once you put tension to the board to get it to the side. If you feel boat speed is o.k. then try deploying the copper with a little more tension on it to keep it higher in the water. Even after you clip the board on, don't let it free spool to let it drop back. You should be able to start it out to the side as soon as you put the board in the water, or soon there after, without getting into the diver. Hope this helps, Dave.

My Quick Release idea for board storage to avoid damage to the release arm. On and off in 2 seconds! When you cut into the screw holes with sidecutters, make the resulting opening @ the holes slightly smaller than the screw diameter and this will allow the arm to "snap" into place. Add a screw on the end to keep the arm with the board when stored. If you cut the slots too big, you can go to the next larger screw size. This has worked for a couple seasons for me without losing a board. Periodic screw adjustments might be needed after many times on and off.

Is this a Scarpace[?] plug? Or something like it?

This guy needs a lesson in manners! Someday I'll figure out this picture upload deal, sorry.

Left the harbor @ 3:30 on a 280* heading. Had some info from a charter friend of no significant temp break until 160fow so after running out on flat calm water, thats where I set up shop. Didn't mark alot of fish, but stayed busy cleaning the lake of mylar balloons, some type of medical bag, and various types of plastic. Couldn't get anything going until sunset, when I hit a double, coho. First was on a 180 copper/white and blue spin dr./blue Mikes Eyefly. Next was on a rigger down 44', SWR/monkey shine spoon. Put those rods away, now it's dark, and when I popped the other rigger rod set at 88', a small king nailed the free slider, a ss blue dolphin. All 3 fish caught high in 72* water and all about 6-7lbs. Made the long cruise back in a downpour. After the 40 mile drive back to the shop, I pulled in and noticed a hot burning smell and 1 side of my single axle trailer smoking. Grabbed the hose and cooled it down so I wouldn't damage my new tire. Jacked it up to remove the wheel and the whole hub fell off! Lost a wheel bearing. I feel blessed to make it back without losing that wheel. Could be worse I guess.