Attabuoy

Hi Tom, I'm interested in the Tite-loks. PM or respond however...

Looking forward to it, Russell, see you Saturday.

Thanks Russ, this is really helpful!

Great pictures Jim.

Congrats on the 5th, Kyle. Nice work, great pictures too!

Nice job Kyle, I bet it felt good to be back on the water!

Those are some beautiful fish, Jonas. Nicely done, thanks for posting the pictures.

Hey Tom, I just saw this and am interested also. I sent an email to Mike Damm to see if they are in need of any more boats. Hopefully they are and we can get a chance to make each other's acquaintance in August. Although I gotta admit, the poor folks that get paired with me are probably in for a slow day on the water! Thanks for the heads up!

Well done Jim - thanks for the report!

Hi Tom, I agree with all the other comments but wanted to add one thing: make sure the radio you buy is DSC capable. Actually, I'm not sure you can buy a non-DSC radio any more but you should be aware. With this type of radio, you connect it to an output from your GPS and the radio has a big red DISTRESS button you hold down in an emergency. When that button is pushed the radio automatically sends out a message to all other DSC capable radios (and the Sheboygan CG) of your distress call with your GPS coordinates included. You can also use this feature to call other DSC radios in non-emergency situations without tying up the airwaves. Its a must-have in my book. Last season I bought a Raymarine Ray55 for about $250 and a Digital brand 8' antenna. I've been happy with the performance but like others have said, I think its more the antenna than the radio. I've heard good things about Icom and Standard Horizon, so I don't think you would go wrong with either of those units either. Good luck with your decision.

Thomas, not sure if you're still looking or not but I bought the one from Char-Griller they sell at Fleet Farm and Menards. I only use it as a grill, but you can buy a side-attached firebox for smoking. I don't know the first thing about smoking, but when I did my research a lot of people had good things to say about the unit. Best of all, its pretty inexpensive. I think I paid about $100 for the main unit, and the side firebox sells for about $70. I can tell you that as a grill it works well, and everyone seems to like the way the food turns out. The only downside is that it eats alot of charcoal, probably because its not sealed up real tight and is somewhat on the bigger side. Hope that helps!

Welcome to GLF Duke!

Just to 2nd Ed's opinion, I would only consider a handheld for a backup unit. If you're boating much at all on Lake Michigan, you want a fixed-mount vhf on your boat. The power output and corresponding transmission range is way better. If you are looking at a backup system, I think there are alot of units out there priced under $150, some having DSC capability which is what I would want. That feature incorporates a gps to give you the ability to send out a distress call with gps coordinates of your location by holding one key down. That is a feature I would not be without.

In trying to figure out how best to rig my boat, I was wondering if anyone had an feedback on riggers or rod trees mounted on gimbal mounts and used in existing rod holders? As far as negatives, it seems like it would not be nearly as solid and possibly also require the holders to be reinforced. However, if it works it would make for a clean installation that is fairly easily removable. The questions is IF it works...that is where I was hoping someone might have some experience. Thanks in advance...

Don't let Frank fool you...he's developed a state-of-the-art laptop based chartplotter that is slick as all get out. No sonar, but I don't doubt he's probably got that built into his system now too! He's as tech saavy as they come :-)

I have just added a new antenna to the house, with another going on the boat. The antenna was a Shakespeare 8900 and it did require a solder connection. Seems to be working okay so far. I have not installed the one on the boat yet. It is a Digital brand and supposedly has a no-solder connector. I will let you know how that goes - should get to it pretty soon.

Nice job, Russ. That lake has to look like a wash machine about now!

Congratulations Brent. Those Lunds are hard to beat. Equally well suited for Saginaw Bay or Canada! We have one that is going on 33 years old now. Great boats!

Very nice, Tarrey!

Good job Russ!

Glad to hear that one's behind you now. Tight lines...

Well done Jim. What did they find was the problem with the kicker?

Hi guys, I am trying to rig my boat for the first time - bought the boat last year and this year's plan is to get out on the big water. Right now I'm pretty much starting from scratch. I ran into an add on Craigslist for some gear today, and thought I would run it by the experts to see if it looks like something to pursue: 2 Penn manual downriggers with the long arms 3 wire rods with rollers and Penn reels 6 mono rods with Penn reels 2 loose rods, not sure what 1 tackle box, sounds pretty complete with body baits (maybe 100) and flies/flashers several downrigger weights He is looking for $800 for the works. Since I don't know what I want, would you spring for this? It sounds like a good deal given some of the new prices I've been hearing, but I haven't looked at any of it to see what condition it is in. I know stuff comes along all the time, so not sure if I should jump on it if its looks like its not beaten up too bad. Any opinions are much appreciated...thanks guys.