Priority1

Rich, I don't mean the position of the riggers when I said V pattern. My inside ones are pointing to the back and out and downs pointing to the sides, just like yours. I refer to the position or depth of canon balls as being in a V pattern or inverted V pattern. A V pattern is when the inside riggers are set the deepest. A inverted V pattern is when the outside riggers are set the deepest. This terminology is just the way we always talked about our setups. Every crew or team has their own terminology. We must talk different on the East side of the state.

Cazz, the back of mine is set up close to the way yours is except for some rod holders in the center. I also run my riggers in a V pattern with the inside riggers set the deepest.

Mike, That is the coolest pic of the two bros catching some ZZZzzzzzzs. Cazz, LMAO if BS was $, you could quit your job. I know you're good Cazz. Reasons I like netting off the corners. Swim platform and cooler takes up a lot of the stern, as well as riggers and rod holders. If I'm going to net a fish off a corner, that out and down is swung to the rear on a 45, unless the fish came on that rigger, then it gets swung straight back. I do have a lot of rod holders to move things around so even my low diver may get moved temporarily. Don't you just hate it when a green King charges the boat. Reel like heck and hope it swims in the net. Does anyone use a Gaff??

That is so cool. Like Cazz says, it's nice that you wife fishes with you. My wife is scared to death of the water.

Welcome aboard Bill, I fish out of a 22 Starcraft Islander HT. I fish mostly on Lake Huron, and it's Saginaw Bay. I consider AuGres as my home port, but my boat seldom gets slipped. I live near the East end of M55 and head West to Manistee about 3 or 4 times a year for some Salmon Slammin. I have M55 down pat. Join us in the chat room Wed about 8 PM. I know you will like it here. If you need anything just shout. I hope to see you on the pond. Manistee is my favorite Lake MI port.

I was just curious about where most of you like to net your fish. I have netted off the stern when it's necessary, but prefer to take them off one of the sides near the stern. Depending on what side the fish came from, and what side has the least gear out, it just seems easier to me to shuffle a couple of rods and net the fish off one of the corners. Sometimes it's impossible to call the shots. A good helmsman and net man can make or break a fishing trip. An experienced person on the rod helps also, by putting the fish in the net. I'm just putting this out there to see how most of you do the netting.

Sounds like a great idea. Only problem I see is, if Mike gets any more going he will not have any time to fish. This is a a fantastic site, that draws em in from as far away as Russia.

Nice pick ken. I'm getting itchy to go.

Welcome aboard Capt. Larry. You will like it here. Join us in the chat room Wed about 8 PM. If you need any help give a shout.

I would think there would be at least 4 holes, 2 on each end, an inch or so away from the edges. Check the area before drilling. I would add a backer underneath. I have found that the inexpensive plastic cutting boards make great backers.

Welcome aboard Salmon Chaser. I'm glad I bumped into you on the West Coast board. You will feel right at home here. You are one lucky man to have a wife so interested in our sport.

Thank You all for your sincere condolences. It's that time of year. Please be very careful venturing out on that ice.

Mercruiser Alpha 1 14-3/4 Dia. X 17P prop good condition. I had this prop as a Spare. The 17P is a little too much for my 140. I got a chance to pick up another 15P that is more suitable to my IO and boat. $65 PM me if interested. SOLD

I received some bad news this morning. The fishermen that went through the ice near the mouth of the Saginaw River, were St. Charles residents that I have known for years. One was rescued and the other was pronounced dead shortly after being brought up. I have fished in some of the same tourneys and consider both to be good friends. The Fisherman that died was at my brothers funeral, Jan, 07 and I was at his brother funeral shortly after that. I remember saying to him, "We have to stop meeting like this". R.I.P Frank D. I'll miss you. I would bump into Frank D. and his fishing pal Jim H. on the Saginaw Bay, or in Manistee. Frank always stayed at the Insta Launch Camp Ground in Manistee. Maybe some of you here knew him. He was a fantastic family man, fisherman, friend, and mechanic. He could fix anything, and would help anyone. Frank D. also ran an older Starcraft Islander. Here is a link to the news story. http://www.weyi.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=108554

You may want to check your WOT (Wide Open Throttle) RPM on the kicker. Changing prop pitch without this information can smoke any engine. Even the prop that is on there now could be way out of spec. One of the nice things about a kicker, it's available if the main engine fails. In this scenario you may have to run wide open. The correct prop for your kicker and boat combination is essential for the utmost economy and performance. Get a prop that will allow the engine to meet the WOT spec under the load that is placed on it.

It is a bear trying to back up with lights shining in mirrors. Thanks for inquiring on how to shut them off. Some people just don't know better. It would be nice if the launches had signs PARKING LIGHTS ONLY. I think Manistee is about the worst place I have been, as far as launch site etiquette. Weekends are the worst. Lights on. Fishermen tying down and putting rods away in no parking ramp area. They think the no parking signs are for someone else. It's one of the best places as far as number of ramps. I guess all places have their share of inconsiderate people. The bigger places just have more room for them. Just a grumpy old man's rant. LOL Again TYVM for inquiring on turning off the lights. Is there instructions in the owners manual?

I like to run small spoons for browns. Like the scorpions or mini streaks. Right after ice out you can't beat the bombers and other minnow like lures. 1.5 to 2 MPH. Spring is magical for it's mixed bags. I need to get some more small spoons. Follow the shoreline and look for baitfish.

This link will explain. I hope it helps. http://www.ahfx.net/weblog.php?article=39

GJ Roger. Nothing like a meal of fresh pan fish.

How long does the battery in these Js last? I know these Js are water activated, and the battery can't be changed. Has anyone run the battery down? I would think age would be a factor in the battery life also.

That ball 60 down with a glow J plug 10 back took 4 fish before I could get set up. I never did get all 6 rods out. That was in Late Aug. Manistee, before sunup.

In a post above I made a statement to, "Forget about Glow Paint". Now you are saying "SAY WHAT:confused:!!" Boomerang had a good point above with the air brush information, and the fact that the glow stuff has particles and needs a larger nozzle in order not to plug up. It is also not that difficult to brush this stuff on. with good results. The fish will not give a rip, if the lure is painted evenly or looks good enough to hang up and sell. So even if you don't like the way it looks, the fish will not even notice. We all found out how expensive the Super glow stuff is. You can buy the cheap stuff but it will NOT glow near as long. All paint has pigment in it. even some white paints have some dark pigments in them. What all glow paints have in them, is the glow powder. The Super Glow Powder particles have to be exposed to UV light in order to glow. Bury this glow powder in paint, and it limits the glow. The glow particles get hidden behind the pigments in the paint. Granted there will be some glow particles on the surface that will glow, but a lot of the expensive glow particles will be buried in pigment, never to see the light. The link I posted above has a lot of this information in it. The best way to use the glow stuff is to buy the powder, and mix it in clear lacquer. You have all noticed that the best glowing lures are the white, or pale colored ones. For best results use the glow powder mixed in clear lacquer over a white object. The pale colors will also glow well but not as good as white. There are also some clear drying acrylics that clean up with water and can be used, but for the best and most durable finish use the brushable or spray type clear lacquer. The acrylics have somewhat of a yellow tinge to them that will also cut down on the glow. It will take a few thin coats of the super glowed lacquer and one plain lacquer clear coat to do the job up right. I have turned a lot of lures that never got washed, into the best producers I have. I had a couple of my super glow Js that were hotter than an over sexed Billy Goat. A friend that fished with me promptly brought over a couple of his Js, before taking his Churches youth group out fishing. I glowed them up,and they did a number on the Manistee Kings. The only problem I had is after the trip he brought some more J Plugs over for me to glow.

Notice these spinner blades and downrigger weight they were painted white and glow coated. The canon ball got banged up some. J plugs, spoons, and meat pennants. These were all done with a brush. The glow stuff is grainy, so put a clear coat over it. See the yellow tail S.S. They were the non glow before. Notice the difference in intensity. The clean white glows the best.

Thanks for all the info. I may just bite the bullet and spool one up.

I did a ton of research on this about a year ago. Forget about glow paint. Paint your lures with light colored paints (white is best). Then get some super glow powder, (green is best glows the longest) Mix this powder with clear lacquer. Deft makes a brushable lacquer. This glow powder is mixed about 3 or 4 parts lacquer to 1 part powder. The powder will tend to settle out fast so it needs constant mixing. It goes a long way. It usually take 3 coats for an acceptable job. After you get the desired glow put on a clear coat of lacquer. I bought 1/2 pound for about $15 over a year ago. I haven't seen it for that price since. Here is a link with their product and, a no bull explanation on how it works and how to use it. I'll get some lures out and take some pics and post them. http://www.glonation.com/