Eyefull
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Posts posted by Eyefull
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Heres a couple bound for my annual video:
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Here's some photos:
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I won a trip to fish for steelhead with Jim Chamberlain in Ohio at the Huron Walleye Tourny this fall. I haven't done really any river steelhead fishing in the past except for an awesome drift boat trip with CJ Baker last November. I contacted Jim about three weeks ago about the trip and he mentioned that he really would like to teach me and my guest the art of centerpin fishing. I have to admit that I was skeptical about that notion. He insisted that I would want to throw away my spinning rods in exchange for a centerpin rod for river steelhead after this trip.
Well, after spending a day fishing Ohio's premier steelhead streams with Jim, I can say that there is some merit to his prediction. Once you get past the obvious casting challenge, the presentation abilities inherant to the centerpin reel are unbelievable and unmatchable with a spinning outfit. You are able to drift perfectly with zero effect to the bobber. No feeding line off an open bail, late hookset due to the bail being open, etc... Just you and the fish, direct drive. You control the drag, you control the power on the fish. Jim had us casting effectively in about an hours time. It is a little tricky, but well worth learning. Enough about centerpin. The fishing was awesome. We almost postponed the trip due to the 4 inches of rain and flooding that Ohio has experienced the last week. All of the large rivers are still over their banks. We fished several feeder streams, what they call ditches. What we found was nice steelhead (4-10lbs) around every corner. My cousin and I each caught several fish, lost count, and had double that on. We fished a variety of areas ranging from downtown Metro Cleveland, to rural streams with stunning scenery. Every place we went, we got into fish, all day. As for throwing away my spinning rods, maybe not yet. But for float presentations in current, the centerpins are the cats behind and I will have one for my next trip. Many thanks to Jim for his hospitatlity and great fishing. If you are interested in a great fully guided river steelhead trip, get ahold of Jim at www.fishingwithjim.com. Jim supplies all tackle, bait, and works his tail off. He supplies rods and reels of the highest quality as well. I'll post some photos later when I get home. -
Some of your pictures are in there. Pulled them right off the videos.
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Putting together this years annual Eyefull Custom Rods video. Lots of great HD video footage, and awesome still photos this year. Its not too late, send me your photos relating to Eyefull Custom Rods. Could use some from Proficient Sportfishing, Blood Run Tackle, Traxstech, Silver Streak, Pulddlejumper/Kickin' Back, Dirty Dog, WMFL, to name a few. Email to [email protected]
Here's a little taste:
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There you go, customer service:D
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Not cool about the $25 minimum. I can say that I just threw away my credit card machine and closed my merchant account. The transaction fees, service fees, and other BS makes you end up eating your margin on small sales. If you don't do tons of transactions, or operate with huge margins, CC machines are a waste of money for a small business, or at least one "Micro Small" in my case.
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The DNR biologist confirmed that it is in fact a "Pinook" like many said. Never seen one of them things before, or even heard of them. I told him either way, it should go on the wall.
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Here's a photo of a fish my buddy caught last week on the St. Marys River. Any guess as to what it was? I'll post what the DNR said it was after everyone chimes in. I never heard of such a fish.
Sorry, that is the best photo I recieved.
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Big Weenie brand rigs are by far the best out there. Going with a black mamba, green frog, or any of the krystal or white flashers is a can't miss on your deep rigger.
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I never play favorites, my favorite lure is the one that caught the last fish.
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Seems like a lot of full moons down in that neck of the woods:eek:
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Another vote for Amish Outfitters. I had a pair with my boat, very tough built, oversized double stitched seams.
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Here are a couple of photos:
Like I said before, the visit was unannounced, so the boat was dusty/dirty from storage. Even with that said, it was very evident that there wasn't even any scuffs or blemishes to be found.
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Well the good news is that the Eyefull is with its new owner down south. Bad news is that finding her replacement has been tough. I have huge hours internet searching, miles of travelling looking at boats, and still no luck. Maybe my beer can budget of $20K or less and champagne tastes has something to do with it. Here are some observations about the boat market, mostly just opinions based on my situation and efforts as of late. Lots of boats for sale, that is true. If you in the market for a slip boat (28-32'), your in luck, loads of them priced to sell right now, and some real bargains. If your looking for a walleye boat (14-20' glass or metal), even better, every street corner has one for sale it seems. But looking for a 24-26" trailerable glass boat has been a challenge! Lots of POS models in the $3K-5K range, and even more in the $25-40K range. The ones in the high end are obviously later model and usually, usually in decent shape. Seems like I am looking for a needle in a haystack. I have seen plenty of boats that seem like deals until you really take a hard look and find that you had better be real chummy with a marine mechanic or glass person.
Ok, enough of the ranting. I did find a 1997 Thompson 240 Hardtop right under my nose this week. It has 150 hours on its 5.7 Merc. It is actually cleaner than the Striper that I just sold. Those of you that seen my boat, know how clean it was. Yeah, I know it has a reputation for being a pounder in big water. Every boat has its plusses and minuses, so if that is the worst thing, so be it, I guess I won't be running 40mph in 4 footers, no biggie. Going to have a good buddy do an informal survey maybe next week, then a formal one if things still look rosey.
So if you know of any good glass boats in the 24-26' range not needing an overhaul and transem, please let me know. I am not necessarily in a hurry, but also realize that once boats are put away for the winter, it will be hard to get one until spring, when the prices will jump up for sure.
I'll post some photos I took of the Thompson yesterday, later when I get home. Sorry, they aren't the greatest, it was a surprise visit to look at the boat and it was under a giant polytarp. Feel free to comment good and bad, trust me I have heard them all so no worries.
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I had a chance to fish with Captain Chris this past spring with my oldest son. Just like in the video, constant shots at huge redfish. Too bad I suck at sight casting:lol:! We got three or four nice fish each for literally hundreds of opportunities.
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With Don A.
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Jay,
I have looked at several boats the past two weeks. I did make an offer on a Grady White 25 Sailfish, twin 200's, and a Merc 15hp four stroke. Another party also has a pending survey, but no offer. Not sure where it leaves me, probably second fiddle. Lots of boats around though, will be looking in Holland this weekend. See you there;)
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Yep, on her way to Dearborn Heights. The new owner will take very good care of her, I could sense that.
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I normally take quads or snow machines in trade for wire rods:lol:. Just kidding, but they are expensive. A good set of Fuji Silicon Nitride guides runs about $60. Build a bullet proof handle and reel seat and before you know it, the rods price out at $200 or so depending on the blank used and other options. I have built a couple of them using the Torpedo Tip with great results. Here is one of them built for Jay D.
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Downrigger rod length and actions are very much dependent on the individual boats setups. 7' one piece rigger rods are most common around Lake Michigan boat docks. It is mainly due to the fact that most salmon boats run lots of lines. Shorter rods are easier to get other rods over and around at the back of the boat. That also means that the lines point of entry into the water is closer to the back of the boat, again, the angler is more able to fight a fish around the rigger rods lines easier than if it were farther away from the transom. Shorter rods also have more power when compared to a longer rod of equal spine.
Longer downrigger rods, even as long as 9' are also common to a lesser extent. Longer rods distribute load and shock more evenly. Longer rods are more forgiving for less experienced anglers due to having less power, resulting in fewer lost fish due to overpowering.
Choose a rod length and power that suits your own fishing style and boat layout. There are no right or wrong answers for the most part, just what works for you.
Speaking of downriggers, I stopped in at the Traxstech shop today to pick up a few things for customers. The old Vector downriggers have gotten a complete makeover. Complete billet construction, large beefy motor capable of pulling 24# rigger weights at light speed, and an autostop system that is by far the most impressive thing I have seen in rigger technology. This thing is smart, fast, and most important, easy to operate. If you have ever seen the quality construction of Traxstech equipment, you can imagine what they have done with the new riggers. Not sure when they will be available, but at the very latest, they will be at the winter/spring shows in full force. There will definetly be a pair on my new boat for 2012, and I work for the company that owns Cannon!
Sorry about the infomercial, I just was very impressed and thats not easy as anyone that knows me can attest to.
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That was probably the funnest trip of the year. Took over two hours of video that day, made Don a DVD of all the footage, maybe he'll post more. Don has a pretty good array of spiral rods, it is just hard to keep him stocked with him throwing them overboard, breaking them over his knees and such:lol:
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Finally got some videos downloaded, converted and uploaded to a useful format. What a pain in the arse the HD cameras are to convert. It was an awesome night, we were something like 19 for 23 with the kids catching all the fish.
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Grant, no she won't fit in the same spot. Luckily I have a farming buddy that lives two miles away that will allow me to store it in one of his sheds. Thanks for all the condolences, with any luck, the EyefullII will be joining the family sometime soon. Lots of boats to look over.
Great Ohio River Steelhead Action
in Eyefull Custom Rods
Posted
I hear ya. Making progress.