Priority1

I don't have an Auto Pilot. I have a tension screw on the bottom of my steering that I can tighten down while trolling.

I had a 16.5 SeaNymph With 2 Cannons on the corners, and 50 HP. My son still has that boat. I was looking for a 22 Aluminum hull HT for quite some time. There was a one month period when I owned 2 Islanders. I bought one very reasonable to use until I found a HT. I never fished that boat, and only had it 6 weeks. The boat even sold for a slight profit. My thoughts are like yours as far as comfort and portability. The 22 Islander is easier on fuel than the 16.5 SeaNymph. My average walleye trip uses 5 gal. and Salmon trips about 6 gal. I don't use a kicker.

Nice ride Kingfisher. I run a 86 22ft Islander HT, as does Redeye. Mine is powered by a 140 GM 4 cyl. There are several people here with Islanders.

I use a flat file and a stone.

I just started running leadcore last yr and only had it out a few times. I think tangles and other mishaps take their toll on the core. I don't think you need to change it every year. I have run Spiderwire braid 2 and 3 years in a row without any problems. I usually retie and strip off bad line. When it gets too short, I re-spool. Most of the time with a year or two of use, the line stripping and re-ties have me shortened up to the point of new line. Every reel gets checked, over the Winter.

WTG Terry. When wifes away Terry can play. Luv it when a plan comes together. I need to find another grumpy old man with a 4 wheeler and ice shanty to trade trips with. I don't have the $$$ or the room for more stuff. Maybe next year. Come on Spring.

Big job out of the way. Been there done that last year. I had a hand when I did the cable but the gimbal bearing, senders, and bellows I did myself. Oh!! how did you like that top bolt on the grommet flange for the trim senders wires? Everything about them is tight quarters. It's always good to have that extra set of hands close by. The procedures have to be done in order, and when the job is under way it becomes apparent why it's done in that order. WTG Mike and Brek.

Did anyone try the new $20 Slide Diver with the light fish trip feature. They will trip with a shaker on, yet hang in there even in rough water. They use a arm that the line threads through on the lure side of the diver.

GJ Rdfishin.

WTG Ed.

I tried the Gulp 11 inch long Herring. I cut it in half to yield 5-1/2 inch pieces. I caught fish on it, and it hangs in there. They say not to, but I return it to the package. If you leave it out it drys and shrinks. It's like leather. The only thing with Gulp you may need a wire to pierce the meat and then stick the toothpick through. At the Birch Run Show Frank's had some reps from BTM (Better than Meat) with a cloth like meat shaped things. They were costly $6 for a 3 pack and they glowed. They had some herring oil they would soak these strips in. I may get some fish oil and buy some similar fabric and try it. Their cloth strips were made out of a white material similar to a thin scotch brite pad. they were tough.

I made it down to the Birch Run Show early Saturday afternoon. My wife made the trip with me but she opted for the Outlet Mall. Damn she spent more than I did. I can't complain because I'll get caught up real soon. IT was a VG show. I had a couple of pieces of Salmon that the Flint Steelheaders had cooked up. One recipe that got my attention was the salmon cooked with Pizza Cheese and Salsa. The best part of the show was meeting and talking with the MI Stinger crew, The FishDog gang, Bob from Bob's Outdoors, Capt. Jay from the MS site, and all the reps. I also saw John from Linwood Marine and Campground. I did pick up some DiveBombs that will get washed right after ice out. I also picked up some glow beads, and a couple of clear plastic Plano boxes. I did get some information on the MI Stinger DBs. I do have a feel for what depth 2oz of lead will give me trolling 1.5 MPH or less for the eyes. The Stinger crew said that I can expect about 50% more depth from the DB. In other words if a 2 oz BB or inline weight out 55 ft will get me down to a depth of 30 ft, a 2 oz DB instead of the other weights will get me down to 45 ft with 55 ft of line payed out. They said aprox. 50% more depth because of the planing surface. I know this is just a R.O.T. or W.A.G. but it will give me a starting point, and I'll sure know when it bumps bottom. Another point I picked up was their recommendation to put a DB about half way out on your leadcore. In other words on a full core to let out 5 colors, and put on the DB and let out the rest. Again this could be varied for a different presentation. I think Mike (GLF) is the DB GURU here. I know Mike puts his DBs on the core pretty close to the leader. I'll be trying them for the eyes to see if they present my juicy night crawlers better than the bouncers or inlines. Bass, Walleye, and Salmon it's all about PRESENTATION. Just another tool to put the goods in the fishes face.

What a Pig.

Thanks for the meat tips BBBBBBBBBAD. I'm not picturing how you are getting rid of the toothpick. The clear plastic tube sounds like a good idea.

Will the short shaft work OK for you?? I know most go with a long shaft model.

I'll keep a nose into the wind. Love them pan fish. WTG Cazz.

Here's a good deal on some LEDs. Just got this Emailed to me a day or so ago. http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.prodInfo&productID=6337&categoryID=282 http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.prodInfo&productID=6338&categoryID=282 Come on Spring. When the weather is right I will be ready.

One thing most of us agree on, You can neva have too many rod holders.

Wish I could be there. Cazz will be giving lessons on Flys, and Cards. My hats off to you Cazz for hosting all these things.

Thanks Dan. The order I was talking about will include some small spoon blanks that will get customized. Last year purple was my best color. 06 the glows were doing it. Come on Ice Out.

Ben, Did you ever run up 25 and get a burger in the Port Hope Hotel?? I fished a few times out of HB, PA, and GSC, about 10 years back. Love the Thumb area. My bros and I won a small tourney out of HB. We took a pounding running against a strong S. wind, and just barely made the weigh in.

VN ride Ben. Ya gotta know I luv dem hardtops. What would you do with out that rocket launcher?? I love that set up.

I keep running the spoons that I have, an assortment of brands and colors. I do paint a few custom blanks every year and re paint some of the old ones. Like BallsRdragn's Wally World special, there is nothing like taking a fish on something no one else has.

COME ON SPRING. Those look like a killer combo Dan. I need to make a Stamina order also, but I have been waiting for this month to pass, because of the property tax hit. I have one question. What is the reason for going with Casting Spoons?? I know that Walleye Express must have a good reason. I can't wait to get a boat under my A$$.

Well shoot with the tips on the Impala, and TYVM:) I do own an 04. I think I had the rotors turned twice while under warranty, and at 65 or 70K I had a complete brake job including 4 new rotors. The rotors were rusted severely. This was done at garage in Tawas. It's been about a year on those brakes and so far no wobble feel when the brakes are applied. I got to know that wobble feel of a warped rotor, because my last F150 would warp the front rotors quite regularly. I can handle a little wrench work and may start doing some of this maintenance my self.