jdh

I'll see if I can figure out how to disconnect the drain line from the tank and plug it up. If I can do that, at least I won't have water pooled in the bottom. This also sounds easier than taking out the tank.

I have 2 livewells in my 17ft aluminum, one in the back bench and one up front. I was thinking about removing one of these and turning it into a storage compartment. I don't want to just plug it up because when it rains, the compartment fills up with water - and then I would have no way to drain it. I was thinking about cutting out the plastic and then creating a floor below that. Any suggestions or comments about this?

I have the 597ci without the down imaging. I've used it in Canada fishing for walleye, as well as on lake michigan salmon fishing, and ice fishing. I always hook it up to my ice fishing batteries (~7 Ah). I have 2 batteries so I can switch out when the charge gets low. I get about 6-7 hours of runtime per battery. I have also used the unit on my kayak.

Has anyone tried to run on of these boards as a "mast-type" board? I will try it this spring, but I was thinking I could attach an 8-oz weight and spin doctor without a fly and let the TX-44 out. I would then add some releases and pull some spoons. Just curious if anyone has tried something like this, but I will post a response once I get the chance to try it out. -jdh

Thanks for the responses! I'm all geared up with spoons, spin doctors, meat rigs, dodgers, body baits & plugs. I am trying to come up with spread ideas for this season and I don't want to be running 9 lines with only 3 or 4 of them "effective". If I experiment with anything I'll be sure to let people know if it worked! I was wondering about slow spoons becuase typically when i'm fishing off the piers - the slower spoon retrieves often work best. Ryan, BLL are sold in only a few places (made in Holland I think) but I know a few people who really like them. I got a good number of fish on them last October before I put the boat away.

Thanks for the welcome everyone! I hope the some of Dave's success was due to having a lucky boat! I guess I'll find out soon enough.

(1) Lead core knots - I've been using Uni to Uni knots without any problems. I see people talking about the Willis knot. Why would I change anything if I have never had a uni-uni fail? (2) Big Weenie Meat rigs - the ones I have come with a bead-chain swivel. If I want to us it on the Spin-Doctor can I just cut it off and hopefully have no line twist problems? (3) Flasher speed w/ meat rigs - Will the 10" Spin-Doctors and Wiener Flashers work at similar speeds? I guess the question is can I run them together and have success on both running the same speed? (4) 00 Dodger & Peanut Fly speed - Do i generally want to go as fast as the dodgers will allow before spinning out? Does setting them up backwards change the movement or tolerable speed? (5) Spoon Speeds - I see a lot about how people tend to troll fast with spoons. Which of the following would be fast vs slow types of spoons? Stinger Standard & Stingray ProKing Big Lake Lures (BLL) Dreamweaver SS Dreamweaver Standard (6) If I'm running at slower speeds ( e.g. Dodger & Spin-n-glow), would it make sense to maybe try some casting spoons such as the Moonshine or little cleo or K.O. Wobbler. (7) Plugs - do they work fast and slow? Like 2 mph up to 3.5 mph. Hopefully this give some people the opportunity to share some information! Thank you for any info you provide. -jdh

My name is JD and I river fished for years before buying a boat last year. I work a lot in the summer, but when I'm not working I'm fishing. I'm in an older 17' Lowe and have rigger everything I need to run 8 rods right now. If I pick up some rod trees I'll be able to run more than I can handle. I'll be fishing mostly out of Holland & the surrounding ports. Thanks to Dave (Killin' It) for teaching me everything I needed to know to get started - as well as letting me take the Scooby Snacks off of his hands. I've been reading posts of the site for a couple years and am anxious to contribute this upcoming season. Good luck this year everybody! -jdh

The docks were in on Wednesday when I went out.

I fished from about halfway to Saugatuck up to Holland and couldn't buy a bite. Hopefully things will pick up if the water drops a few more degrees. Reading about 52 near shore warming up to 54 or so in 40 fow.

I might try to get the boat out one last time this week with the east wind coming up. I'll be fishing out of Holland. I will be running up to 6 lines. Thinking 2 Jointed Raps & the rest spoons. Any advice on depth of water to start out in? Should I head towards Port Sheldon, or head towards Saugatuck? Any tips? Any advice would be appreciated! -JD

I managed to find some replacements. I got 2 of them now. I'm hoping to get back out tomorrow depending on the wind. -jdh

Went solo. Ended up 1-4. Fished 80-120 fow. All hits within from 90-100 fow. 1-2 (3 lb king) - Rigger down 75, Mag Moonshine Super Shadow RV 0-1 (10-15 lb king) - Mag Dipsey on 1 out 150 ft, SD Chrome with green holo/glow tape & Glow Poofster Fly I missed my chance at netting him and the fish swam under the boat and cut me off! 0-1 - 300 30lb Cu, Silver streek Wht George Double Glow Mag Had each of my rods fire so that was nice. I don't mind loosing fish but I want that flasher-fly combo back! It's gotten me a fish every trip!

Launching around 5 pm @ the state park launch. Will pull lines around 8 or 8:30. This is an open bow boat so there may be some spray. I have 1 downrigger, 2 dipseys and several core/copper rods & boards. PM me or Text 616-706-4061 if interested. -JD

Was out last night and found a ton of marks in 125-135 fow all below 90 feet. Went 1-2. Missing a hit on a BLL Kato on the rigger down 125. Picked up a 5 lb king on a Chrome/Glow SD with a white fly. Magnum dipsey out 255. The bait I've been pulling out of fish has been large - a 7-inch alewife and a 7-inch smelt pulled out of the fish last night. I'm hoping the waves stay down for Saturday AM. -JD

Thanks for the welcome guys.

4-4 between 90&120. King 20 lb immature!- standard DW Lemon ice. 200 20 lb walleye copper. Laker 21 in - DW SD silver with white/black tape white fly. Mag dipsey on 1 out 150. Laker 18 in - mod blue dolphin mag. 300 30 lb copper. King 4 lb - big lake lures kato - down rigger down 100 All trolling speeds from 1.9 - 2.5. Wil post a pic of the big king later.

I went our again yesterday evening by myself for 2 hours and managed another nice lake trout on the same SD. Mag dipsey out 225.

First post here. And got the first fish on my boat. Fished sw of Holland in 90-140 fow. Went 2-2 with an 11 lb laker and a 4 lb king. Laker on mag diver 210 ft SD with white tape and white fly 2.5 sog. King on 5 color DW SS glow Pinky 1.8 sog. Marked lots of fish and bait in 120-140. Might go back Wednesday.