Paulywood

I started using Cortland exclusively last year just because the sheath seems to be woven tighter than Mason and therefore easier to tie. Haven't tried the Woodstock.

I just "borrowed" the label maker at work and typed up what they are. 7 color, full core, etc.. Then I put it in the same spot as Mike. The only problem with Mike's idea is some of us are too dumb to figure it out and always have to ask what is what. With my way, you just have to be able to read. Gotta make it as simple as possible for us poor, uneducated factory workers. Mine have lasted for 3+ years.

I'm putting on an autopilot and a speed-n-temp probe. Maybe a copper rod or 2.

My available fishing time is going to be pretty scarce this summer as I will have classes all year long but I would try and make any outing I can. I had a lot of fun in South Haven last year.

I tried the barrel releases and had nothing but problems. Either I put them in too far and couldn't get them out or not far enough and they were always coming out. I tried them for a whole season but took them off and replaced them with the new Offshore ones that Ken asked about. I do use the OR 16's in the rear though for the same reasons you stated.

I use them on my Walleye boards Ken and really like them. I have tried every release out there and this is by far the best. I also added a snap weight clip to the back of the board. This is the best, easiest setup that I have found to use for boards.

I've got fish on the smoker right now, looks like I'll have to try it.

I run 14#ers of my Big Jons and don't use anything. I don't know if a shock absorber is needed on other brands or not.

Most of my ice fishing is on Higgins Lake for lakers and occassionally for browns and rainbows. Therefore most of my tip-ups are set up with 8 oz sinkers and 6 lb flourocarbon leaders down to a very small treble, can't recall the size offhand. A live smelt is the best bait but a grey or blue will work also. I really like the slammer tip-up for this as you are fishing in 80-100' of water and can fight the fish better on a rod. For my pike tip-ups I use 50# mono and a treble hook.

South Haven, Holland, Port Sheldon, Muskegon and Ludington on Michigan. Detour and Au Gres on Huron. I towed my boat almost 3,000 miles this year. I will probably fish Erie with my brother niext year, I'm not sure why we didn't this year. And I would love to spend a week on Ontario but it won't happen next summer. Maybe the following year. I would also like to get up to Superior sometime.

I'd be game. I could bring the portable grill along and we could meet around noon for prizes and lunch. If people have the 2-way radios we could pick a channel and keep in touch.

If you have a rocket launcher I have seen guys mount the camera to a short rod and then mount that in a holder. Kind of an overhead view but you can see a lot of the boat. I think they just taped a cloth around the rod in order to get a snug fit in the holder.

I'm pretty sure that the Atlantic's are targeted for northern Lake Huron. Since they don't die after spawning like the Pacific salmon they intend to use them in Huron. That could help you. I'm pretty sure that the size of the rivers and natural reproduction plays a part in the decision on where plants are made. I'm not sure about the St. Joe but I know the Grand, Muskegon and Manistee have very succesful natural reproduction with kings and I know all 3 plus the St. Joe have the same for steelies. All in all I have few complaints with the DNR personally. I have bought deer licenses every year for the last 16 years but have only shot 4 deer in my life, and they were in the last 3 years. But I more than get my money's worth in fishing license fees. I would even be willing to pay more for a fishing license if the money was used for stocking salmon and trout. I'm no biologist but I am sure there are ecological reasons for the plantings and numbers in different ports. I have dealt with a few of the DNR biologists over the years and they have been very helpful. Either way, good luck ice fishing this year. Nick

Man, you must be sick Don. You're hearing things.

I am actually at one of my 2 breaks for the year. Post deer hunting, pre ice fishing. The other one is post ice fishing, pre coho fishing. I like to use this time to get some work done around the house, fix, rig and adjust gear, and spend a little time with the wife. Because after Christmas I will be right back at it. So take a deep breath, take the wife out for dinner, and build up some brownie points. Because when the fishing shows start and you drop some $$$$ on new equipment, you are going to need those brownie points. Good luck.

I like my Vex. I've never tried a Marcum though. As far as the Showdown, I know 3 guys who returned them last year if that tells you anything. Vex's are expensive but mine was well worth it.

If you want rail mounts I would go with the fixed position ones. Rods and reels are too expensive to trust to those type of holders. Just buy the fixed position and install at the angle you want. Those seem to be saltwater holders and they don't do a lot of trolling on the ocean. Probably work great for still fishing.

You will want to fill up the 209's for 2 reasons. One, If the reel isn't full you don't get the gear ratio that the reel has. You have to crank more times to get the same amount of line in. And the 209's don't have a real high ratio to begin with. The second reason is that at some point and time you will probably need almost all of that line. We have all been spooled our almost spooled by a big fish, foul hooked fish or just plain old pi$$ed off fish. And then you will regret not having as much line as possible. I buy my mono in bulk spools from Cabela's.

That's a nice looking boat. Looks well maintained. You will be fishing in style next year.

I am in the same boat as I will be adding a speed and temp probe this spring. When comparing the 2 it comes down to the different way the units transmit signal. The Fishhawk uses a transducer, the Depth Raider uses a rigger cable. People had a lot of problems with the old Fishhawk. The probe leaked, it ate batteries, the display was quite large. And that is why the Depth Raider gained popularity. But the new Fishhawk unit seems to be much improved on all of the old issues. So now the complaints with the Depth Raider are being acccentuated. The main one being the use of the coated cable in relation to signal strength and blowback. Both units are good and either will help you catch fish. It's more of a preference thing now. Until the new Fishhawk came out I was 100% planning on buying a Depth Raider. But now I will probably take a closer look at the Fishhawk in the spring, even with the price difference.

It looks like you've already gotten some good advice. I will just add a couple of things. I run 15# mono for my spoon rigger rods and 20# mono for the rods I run flashers on the riggers. However, you can just as easily spool all of your rigger rods with 20#. You will still catch fish, just some days when they are spooky a lighter line is more productive. The big thing is to keep it simple when first starting.I started off with 6 rods 6 yrs ago when I first setup my own boat. 2 Penn 209's with 20# mono, 2 Okuma Convectors with 30# braid, and 2 Okuma Convectors with leadcore, one was a half core and the other a full. Had about 25 spoons and 6 flasher/fly combos, along with 6 J-plugs. And I caught enough fish to make me learn to love it. After that I had a better idea about what I wanted and needed and kept adding. That being said, I wouldn't worry about trying to have a run a 20 rod spread like other guys are doing. Setup 6-8 rods in the combinations that the other guys have said, and run them every time out until you are comfortable and confident with your setup. The you can go crazy and add all of the other stuff! The big thing is to build confidence in what you are doing. If every trip is a chore because of tangles, boat issues, or other problems, it is easy to get frustrated. Keep it simple and you will enjoy yourself. Good luck, and if you have any more questions feel free to ask. I like the Okuma Convector reels for leadcore and the Daiwa Sealines for dipsey's. They are good reels at a good price.

I almost always run my spoons clean. On a side note, welcome Tom.

On GT Bay they fish whitefish off boats with jigs. A Sandkicker (locally made) is one of the preferred setups. Swedish Pimples are another option. Your best bet would be to talk to a bait shop while your up there for more info.

Times 2!

I looked today and you can still get the AP 14R at Hodges Marine and Cascade GPS. Around $1500 for the 14. The 12 is a couple of hundred cheaper.