Eyefull

Yep, this one is a recent Jasper replacement, only 1100 hours, only . The new power module and accel coil woke her right up. Easily reaches 4000 RPM now, idles much smoother, and cruises at 25-26 mph on significantly less throttle than before. Phase two is the installation of the High 8 ignition system when I get back from 2 weeks in Ludington. Starts right up now also, hardly any cranking.

Every year I donate a walleye fishing trip to the Reese Out of Doors Youth Club at their annual club banquet. I had the pleasure of taking out a very nice family today and the Bay didn't disappoint them. We had our box of 30 fish sitting on the dock at noon. Just in time for it to go beyond sweltering heat. The bay was flat, and even with no breeze, there were no bugs to speak of. We fished the usual money spot, one set of cans south of 1 & 2 about 2.5 miles east of the channel. The fish did seem to move north about a quarter of a mile since Friday. I hate to say it, but the inner bay bite may be winding down by next week sometime if the water keeps warming daily. I hope they stick around through the weekend though, I have good friends fishing with me on Friday and Sunday. The usual setup, Silver Streak Jr's. The new Lingenberry is just plain sick! I run two on each side and on one slide diver. I don't know the name of the other hot one, but it is chartruese on the nose, and transitions to purple with black dots. Both are UV coated, and both are just hammering fish. 3.0 -3.2 gps was the best today, hitting fish on outsides of turns at 3.2! On my way back in, I could only get 2400 RPMs out of the 305 chevy. I had all kinds of scary thoughts about expensive this was going to be. I had my dad come out to the marina in the punishing heat and he quickly narrowed it down to the power module in the ignition. A quick trip to Auto Value and they confirmed that it was junk. New Module, coil, plugs going in tomorrow morning along with a timing check. Here is a question for the motor heads out there. This engine (volvo/chevy 305) doesn't have vacuum advance. I have been told some do, some don't. My dad wants to add this to this setup, any input is welcome from marine guys. My dads background is top fuel type engines LOL. Here is our box from today, lots of 16-18 inch fish, with a few bigger ones thrown in.

With the fish moving deeper, I am setting up for two riggers, two slide divers and 6 board rods Tuesday. Weather looks like a miserable 95 degrees and no wind. Hopefully early on, early off. Those rigger setups just ended up being a total blast. I have two 6'6" extremely soft action (you can almost tie knots with them) rods that I am using on the riggers. They bounce like crazy with a fish on LOL!

Thanks Jon, started getting the silver itch, so I put the riggers on yesterday. I can actually see a purpose for them on the Bay after today. When the weather turns snarly and the bay is ugly, a couple riggers, couple slide divers, and maybe a couple rods on inlines could be a real easy to control setup in big water. I'll probably pull the boat and take her to Ludington when we camp for two weeks starting the 22nd.

Had a boat full of good buddies today, 5 adults and a youngster. We kept everyone busy today with this box of fish, letting the youngster reel in as many has he could handle. Silver Streak Jr's and minis behind walker mini discs, lite bite slide divers, and even a handfull of rigger fish today. Started playing around with one downrigger and a really soft glass rod. It was a pleasant surprise how good it showed hits, and caught several fish, mostly keepers. Pinks, purples, oranges, and chartrues was all good, didn't seem to matter. With waves 3.0 - 3.2 was good, in to the waves 2.8 - 3.0 was best. We hit the same spot that has been giving it up since mid June. One set of bouys south of 1 & 2, about 2.5 miles east of the channel on a NE or SW troll in 22-25 fow. 29 fish in the box with some real nice ones today, oops miscount got us out a few minutes early at 2:30. Fishing continues to be great, boxes like this are common for most guys right now. Tots, crawler rigs, and even jigging are all producing right now.

A shorter rod will always give you more control over fish vs. a longer rod. If you can find a 6'6" rod with the action and power you like, go for it. A rod is a simple lever, unfortunately fishermen are holding the short end of the lever. A shorter rod gives a fish less mechanical advantage over the fisherman vs. a longer one. Non believers can do a simple test of this principle. Take a 6' rod and a 9' rod of equal power and action. Try to pick up a 5# weight with each rod, you will see which one will give you more control of a fish. Loading of rods in a rigger is mainly a feel or preferrence type thing. Hook set is dictated by the release, not the rod. Even a 9' rigger rod with maybe 4' of loading, will never take up the blowback of even a short set rigger ball. If you like short rigger rods, go with them, others like longer rods, there is no wrong answer, fish what works in your program.

Big bummer Nick! I think we can all say that we have experienced dockside or on the water aw ****es at one point or another.

I just put the bead on the mainline, and tie an overhand "granny knot" on the swivel/wire termination, no crimp.

From simply a construction and quality point of view, there are some pros and cons to each. Starting with the Ugly Stik. Pros-nearly indestructable blank, decent price. Cons'- easily destructable reel seat and handle. Vinyl butt covers are commonly missing. Poor quality guides. Heartlands- Pros-decent blank, cost, much better handle setup. Cons- not much better guides than the Ugly Stik. So really six one way half dozen the other, go with whichever you get the best deal on in my opinion.

Thanks Paul, I will check with our Saginaw Cabelas. They carry Costas. I have heard that Costa will "relense" your current frames for a nominal fee. Maybe they will do the bifocals that way also. Wow, I finally have a use for our Cabelas in Saginaw LOL:eek:

I picked up a pair of Simms (bibs and coat) last year. They are pricey but I think worth it. They breath very good for a system that is really good for temps at least as low as the 40's with proper layering. That being said, farting inside them shouldn't be as much an issue as with the unbreathing Toggs.

Paul, I am interested in the bifocal lenses for my Costas. I am just starting to need bifocals for up close. I had a hell of a time tying knots this week in Florida! Are the prescription lenses lots more money? Do you have contact information for the rep?

Costa Fathoms with 580 lenses for me. I found that once I shelled out $200 and change for them, I got real serious about making sure they stay either on my face or in their case. If people aren't making fun of your racoon eyes, your wearing glasses that aren't protecting you.

I run all 32# except for the 350' rig. Just not enough difference in depth for the shorter lengths to justify the 45#. With the Blood Run wire, it isn't so much about the pliability of the copper in the different weights, it is that the diameter of the 32 allows for smaller framed reels with ample backer in the shorter lenghts of 250' and less.

I think the Berkly one works, the Shakespear doesn't have enough room in it to let the line through under tension without popping the lever arm. I have modified a landscape footage wheel in my shop. I mounted it on some aluminum stock and put eye loops on either side of it to get good wrap. It measures footage exactly. If your in the area, your welcome to stop by and use it.

I have got an older generation Fish Hawk head unit that is in great working condition that I would take any reasonable offer for if you want to start out with something cheap to see what it can do for you. I am not even sure what you would need to go along with it to get working (probe?).

I have a brand new Centerpin rod to liquidate. It is custom built on a 9'6" MHX Float rod blank in 2-6# fast action (very fast). All the best stuff on this rod. American Tackle Holgraphic high frame guides with Zirconia rings, Tennessee grip with graphite rings. I have it paired with a brand new Okuma Pin reel. I will sell the combo at a crazy $350! Those of you that fish pin rods know that the reel is $200 or more alone. I have sold pin rods alone built like this on for upwards of $375! The combo for $350 is nuts but I want and need the space in the rod racks. Contact me if you are interested, this combo won't last long.

I refuse to believe that our country can't do better than the army corps of engineers. They are a huge fail everywhere they have been involved (Chicago, New Orleans, Colorado River, etc.....)

I have a customer that brought me a broken Shakespeare Agility ADR 6080 2ML rod. It is rated at 6-15#. These rods have been discontinued. Can anyone tell me what Shakespeare replaced it with? Worst case is that he wants me to build a suitable match custom, but that makes little sense money wise for a retail rod that originally cost about $40. I have to believe that Shakespeare still makes a suitable replacement, I just don't have any idea what it is and so far Shakespeare customer service has been less than helpful.

Everything in the store 20-25% off right now, excluding firearms. Signs say "remodeling sale":lol: I believe that the Cabelas will be opening on February 14th. A co worker will be doing the DJ work for their grand opening.

Ok, no problem or hurry. The gun grabbers forced me to spend some dough here the last couple of weeks that probably should have went towards some new riggers:D

Thanks

Good news that everything is ok, thanks for sharing.

Looking for a pair of Cannon Mag10's either the standard or the Tournament series. I can and most likely will purchase wholesale new, but if someone has a pair of them laying around in great shape, let me know.