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Rascal Trophy Fishing

Charter Captain
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Posts posted by Rascal Trophy Fishing

  1. Alan, I think it depends on what type of water/lake you will usually be using the boat, and the type of fishing most done. Try to test ride several boats this spring before you decide for sure, that way you get a feel of the experience. Fiberglass is definitely a smoother ride in rougher seas for all intents and purposes imho.

  2. NACO, (Natl. Assoc. of Charterboat Operators), also offers the random test program. You DO have to test before you send in your application, with the results. The TWIC program, last I knew about 2 years ago, was discontinued and not required anymore. That whole program was intended for capts. and other transportation workers at large ports where security concerns for terrorism was the main issue. Not really intended for us 6 pack capts. on charterboats.

  3. I think what young gun was trying to get across more so than not, was to look at Boat Trader's website for many choices in all sizes, years, and budgets. They have a vast listing of boats from all over the country at all times. Tiara's are not cheap at any size. Sea Ray and Chris Craft also make nice fishing boats for good values. Many other great makes too in trailer type sizes. Good hunting.

  4. Jim, many yes's now may equal no's later. Or vice-versa, each individual has that choice to make in life. No one is another person's conscience. Or his decision maker. Just remember, what you did today and before, will be reflected in some later date, whether you are here or not, or really don't care! That in the end, may be of true relevance on your entire being here. Just think about it, and objectively, not personally. It truly is sobering if you think it through entirely, and ultimately. Happiness is not always a gauge God made for us that we can measure life's existence and quality on. Success and relevance of life is the measure I try to use for a gauge. Each of us are our own keepers.

  5. I guess at this stage of the game, and long before, my kids and now grandchildren, are the businesses. Shame, didn't want or ask for it, but still have to do it. So, have to work, and be happy, that's the ONLY time to make money, and unfortunately, that's what has to pay bills for me the whole year round. Not putting anyone down for vacations deserved. That's just my take on my life nowadays, it's work and make money, or gripe later about lost income. I've tried hiring people, it doesn't work though. Lost income and goodwill is all I got.

  6. When you run two predominantly summer businesses, and have no others to help most of the time, you get stuck working 7 days a week. This isn't by choice, as much as it is by duty and requirement. For at least the last 10 years, I've worked May 20th-Sept. 20th without one day off. It's hard, tiring, and darned if you don't. God bless those that can get summer time off for fun, I know I very seldom have any time to do anything else but work, eat, and sleep.

  7. Listen to this too: called a mechanic for service in mid-late July, he was on vacation. Another one was in mid-August, for a customer, he too was on vacation. Then another one for another customer in late August, he was in Hawaii on vacation too. Can you believe with our short season, that any of these guys would leave town, and go on a vacation, when they have 6-8 months of sleepy time when boats are stored, to do their vacations? When I asked one owner why the vacation times in the middle of hustle and bustle for fishing, I was told, the employees want good weather vacation time, not during the fall/winter months. Since when do mechanics/employees dictate to their bosses when they get to get off?

  8. Thanks for the accurate observations on marine mechanics around our area. It amazes me that these people charge us $80-$150/hr. for their incompetence, which doesn't seem to get any better from one decade to the next. If so many are certified professionals, how come they can't fix our motors right the first time? It's a short season too as we all know, and marine mechanics are almost never available on the weekends, when boaters need them the most, another short-coming of their trade.

  9. I wish they could do this, or something similar, for the Ludington dunes where Sargeant Sand is now. Not to try to deflect private enterprise, but, they are removing tons and multiple tons of sand with double-tanker type semi's everyday, more than several times a day, everyday! I think most is going to industry involved in castings/foundries. So, I while wishing to keep those industries alive and well, it sure seems like much of our dunes is dwindling and disappearing daily, and with no let up, or even pause. It could be a sad event in the end, esp. if this keeps going the same way, into the far future.

  10. Putting the boat to bed is certainly sad, that's for sure. If it was me I'd ask firstly, do you and others going out feel safe the way she is now? Yes/don't fix. And also, when do you plan to move up and fish the big lake, and which lake? Might want to check old motor mounts too, rubber rots, they go after a long while. Good luck.

  11. I suppose you're right about security Ryan, esp. in this day and age. Being a child of the 50's-60's, I still often think like we're in a safe America most of the time. As for ocean cruises, I have been on many, probably about 14 to Alaska, Carribean, Mexico, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, to name some. If you count the local carferries, I forgot how many total...lol.

  12. Al, I haven't fished Lk. Superior, so I really can't make accurate judgments about your lake there. What Ryan states is specific to Lk. Mich. Trout fishing, and of course, speed has been a very important factor in my experiences too. I've trolled from .7 mph - 1.2 mph for best results just off bottom. Unless we were in a fast downtroll, then, like Ryan stated, sometimes you can only slow down by going from neutral to forward, with seabags out. Around Ludington, best was 60-80 fow, bouncing bottom. That flatfish sounds real familiar, but it would be nice if I saw a pic. of it again to refresh the memory banks. Wasn't that a Norweigan lure? We primarily used, and still do when necessary, peanuts and cowbells, as they always worked, and still do if you can find them. Of course flashers/squid/flies have also worked well, with a 15'-20' lead off the ball for me mostly.

  13. Thanks Ryan. Nice shot in the arm for TC this late in the season too. Glad to see the visitors had a positive impression and good time. It would be nice if the ship would allow locals a visit aboard while the customers go ashore. That way they might draw even more business for cruisers. And we could also see what a Great Lakes cruise ship is all about.

  14. Al, here's another thing to think about. Cut open the fish stomachs when filleting them and take note of the size of the alewives. Try to match that dead bait with the current spoons you are using during that period of time. Many will usually be about the same size, that's what will catch fish. Also, I know quite a few lure companies have Super Mags, some may be bigger than 5", google it. I know Yeck makes some in excess of 5", more like 6-7" if I had to guess. I've seen some real lunkers over the years, and quite a few were taken on mini spoons too, used to call some C-5's, about 2" to match the existing quarry of baitfish around at that time.

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