Priority1

Don't be afraid to drill and tap new holes in a mounting bracket. It's a simple procedure that could save you $$. Sometimes this may not be possible but most of the time it is. Think outside the box.

Jim and Kathy, A warm welcome to the GLF site. Just sing out if we can help you settle in.

Darn!!!!!!!! You guys do some nice work.

Tom, You obviously did your homework on the subject. Is there walleye being planted in the Muskegon system? I know some people do well on Muskegon Lake. If what you say is true, maybe a slot limit should be tried where the natural reproduction is lacking. You haven't sold me yet on a State wide Slot Limit program, but I never close my mind to anything. I'm an ole dog that still tries new tricks. I'm not a biologist but I spend a lot of time on and around the Bay. The Bay has a watershed second to none. This watershed is what natural reproduction is all about. I don't even mind if the fish tagged on the Titt swim to Alpena. I love what we have and I hope my grandchildren and their grandchildren can experience what I have. Gotta Luv Dat Bay. Lord knows I do.

Ah!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Spin N Glows and the Wobble glows. A old stand by.

A splash of cheap bleach, some Dawn and water and the cooler will clean up with little effort. I clean my cooler after every use and it takes less than 5 minutes. I use a sponge and scrub brush. The bleach will kill the bacteria and leave it fresh smelling.

Armor All

Robert, Your wife was watching????? You brave man you.

Steve, Herb Lorentz from Bay City just replaced the transom wood in a Starcraft Islander 22. I think he did this last year or the year before. He didn't go with an outboard just re did the wood and left the IO. They make a bracket like the ones used on the Starcraft Islanders that came from the factory with outboards. The bracket would save you from hacking up the transom. Maybe you could get some measurements on a Islander Outboard and fabricate a bracket. Let me know if you need Herbs #. Another plus with using the bracket you wouldn't reduce the freeboard. The hole from the IO could be patched.

A couple of years ago during the winter months I was onboard going through some gear. My boat was in the garage. I knelt on a small treble hook. I had a new pair of blue jeans on and didn't want to ruin them. I cut off the one portion of the treble that was sticking me in the knee and went in the house. I took off the jeans and put on a pair of shorts and called my neighbor over. He comes over and brings his step daughter who is an RN. I had everything ready and they were both trying to talk me into going to the ER. I had a loop made with 80# mono and I put a twist on the piece of hook, as if to bring the hook out, with a pair of needle nose pliers. With the mono over the hook I told George to pop it out with authority, and I didn't want to know when he was going to do it. The RN got a little green and I thought I may have to take her to the ER. Sharp Hook. It didn't hurt going in or coming out. I didn't realize whiskey was required or I would have had a couple of shots. Probably should have poured half a bottle of whiskey over the wound like in the movies. Mikey, I know it's a lot different when ya have kids involved. You were lucky their mothers weren't there.

James a warm welcome to the GLF site. That project looks like an 8 player poker table to me. I don't mean a Holdem Table real poker. You do very nice work.

Been there and done that. It works well. One thing I'd recommend is to cut off any exposed hooks. A re-hook wouldn't be too welcome.

This thread has brought out some good points. Everything is a delicate balance. The slot limit obviously would keep more large fish in the system. More large fish would feed on small walleye and perch. It is a balancing act and I'm feeling the Saginaw Bay is as good as it has ever been. We just came off one of the best perch years in recent history. The walleye fishery is fantastic. I know we can't ignore the Asian Carp threat but I still need convincing that a slot limit is the answer. We had different groups pushing for slot limits long before the Asian Carp came to our door. Some people want to see and catch a lot of big fish. I like it the way it is.

What a deal. Good to stock up when the price is right. Most of the time getting the best deal means being at the right place at the right time.

Joe, She is a beauty. You have plenty of time to get her ready to rock.

Good stewardship is truly what is all about. Personally I don't like targeting the big spawning females. I guess I'm old school and fish for fun and eats. I'd rather target walleye in the 17-24 inch range. When it comes to perch fishing I will not sit and sort 100 fish to get 25. Out of the 75 fish returned the gulls get more than half of them. If I can sit on a good school of perch and keep at least half then I justify it in my own mind. Like I said I'm old school. I do respect others rights to do as they see fit as long as it's within the law. Laws do change and sometimes they get too complicated.

Bob, That's the find out what they want and give em lots of it method.

I am not in favor of slot limits but I will keep an open mind on the subject. I have fished the Saginaw Bay since about 1950. I remember in the 80s when it was the norm to boat a couple of 8# fish and a small one was 24 inches. The pendulum swings. Back during that same period Lake Erie was loaded with dinks and I believe they reduced the size limit there to 13 inches. I believe they also had a 6 fish limit. I feel the Saginaw Bay is healthy. Why fix something that isn't broken? The Carp issue needs to be dealt with quickly. I don't think the carp issue should be used to push for different programs such as slot limits.

The fish do have a way of humbling us at times. Thanks for the reports.

This is just my theory but I think there must be some vibrations or hum similar to the whine or hum that the wind produces blowing through the taunt downrigger cables. A few years back everyone was hell bent on replacing the downrigger cables with 150-200# braid. One of their reasons was the rigger wire whine. At about the same time wire divers were getting popular. I think every method and variations in equipment have their day. Some times fish are spooky and other times very aggressive. Heck I have caught walleye in the prop wash on harness with out bait. The rod just took a fish and was waiting to be baited and sent out.

Ben, Thanks for posting the cool video.

I think the salt is as much of an attractant as the herring oil. The shelf life on these has to be real good.

Thanks for the offer Ken. Sounds like you may need a D.D. (designated driver). You may have Otto driving for ya.

What about pricing on riggers and rod holders? I heard some companies have raised their prices this year. Has anyone notice this at the shows?