tawood

Thanks, sounds like I'll have to stick with Bay City, or else try Linwood. How does that work? I have only launched from the DNR sites, never private...is there a problem launching at 6AM? Do they charge a fee? (I assume they would). The reason I'm asking is, I would like to find something more "half way" between my dad's house and mine...he lives in northern Michigan north of Atlanta, and I live in Oxford/north Oakland County. Plus, when I fish I usually boat from the river mouth and travel by boat to Linwood area anyway.

I've owned a few Toyota cars and they were awesome...then I bought a brand new '08 Tundra, and it was by far THE WORST vehicle I have ever owned. I had it for 6 months (yes, took a MAJOR bath on it) and I used to joke that I needed a sign that said, " __ days since Toyota was in for repairs" and the sign would only need a spot for one digit, since I don't think it ever went more than 9 days without a problem. On day 1, during the drive home from the dealership, the paint started peeling off the hood! And as for pulling power, I know Toyota has all those Tundra commercials showing it pulling all kinds of stuff up to 10,000 lbs....that is all market hype. Look at the tongue weight limit: it was something like 180 lbs!!! How the heck are you gonna find a 10,000 lbs trailer with only a 180 lbs tongue weight??? The only positive things I can say about the Toyota is that it looks nice, and goes fast. The 5.7L in that truck is almost 400 hp, so it takes off like a fast car. Unfortunately, it also hauls like a car, sags under weight like a car, has a thin metal bed like a cheap car trunk, etc. It's been almost 2 years since I got rid of it, but here are some of the problems I can remember: bad paint, downshifting to first while letting off the gas at about 30 mph (scared the heck out of me and a few times skid the rear tires before the recall fix that "sorta" fixed it), literaly dozens of engine codes, a horrible dash rattle (I know that doesn't seem like a big deal, but it was LOUD, and they all do it), dash electrical failure (all gauges would quit at once), cracked brake rotor, burnt window drive motor...I know there were more, but I'm trying to forget the whole experience. Like I said, it wasn't my first Toyota, but it was my last...some people like their Tundras, and maybe I just got a truck made on a Friday, but after that many problems, I'm spent. Tim

That is a sea lion... If you reach the original poster, he explains...

Hi all... I've always fished out of the Bay City river mouth launch site...but I was looking online on the DNR website and found the Pinconning boat launch site. The DNR lists this as a type "2" boat launch, meaning that it is hard surfaced, but shallow. What I'm wondering is, just how shallow? I've got a 19' boat with an I/O that requires 34" of water for clearance...would this ramp work for me? Tim

Thanks to all for my son...I think a combination of sleep loss from being at 5th grade camp this week and the waves got to him. He is doing better already. I forgot to mention that the fish were caught on Rapala's shad raps, 4 on gold, 2 on silver. I'd give a trolling speed, but with the waves, it varied from 1.4 to 2.8 mph every few seconds (maybe that helped the bite). Tim

Got my boat out with the help of my 11 year old son for some walleye fishing. My original plan was to fish the mouth, or possiblely go a little ways out near the island....but the best laid plans.... I got to the ramp, put in the boat, pulled out with the electric trolling motor, and the tried to start the I/O--- no go! I've ran it several times this week on the muffs with no problems, and I'm a maintenance fanatic, so I was sure everything SHOULD be working. But, after about 30 minutes of cranking while floating around the river: NOTHING! After alot of cursing I gave up and pointed the boat (slowly) back to the dock. About half way back, I noticed the dead man tether lying on the floor!!!! Bingo! Started in half a second now! But now the main battery was so low I wanted to run it/charge it much farther than the river mouth or spoils island, so we headed out to just past the dumping grounds. Turned out, this was the best thing that could of happened. We literally couldn't wet a lure without catching a walleye. I actually caught 3 fish while trying to clip on my inline planner boards! We caught 6 in about 30 minutes (4 keepers) before my son said, "Dad, I feel sick! (Not seasick)." I felt his head and he was on fire, so we pulled lines and we were back at the dock by 8:30 AM. There was a C.O. there that said no one was catching anything today in the river...usually my luck runs the other way! Tim

Finally, an east side report! I'll be making a trip to Port Sanilac later in the week, weather willing. Tim

Nice fish... I'm new here (and to great lakes fishing in general)....what is a "HJ"? Tim