Play Dough

...but officer, I saw it on Alaskan Bush People.

Please sign here, sir.

Don't know the answer, but certainly wouldn't base my decision on a TV show. It may or may not be legal and getting caught if illegal is maybe a stretch. I recently witnessed the investigative powers of both the Wyoming and Michigan DNR. It was unbelievable what they were able to piece together 7 years after the event. I have a couple friends that no longer can hunt or fish in both states for some period of time.

I would be surprised if what you're proposing wasn't illegal. That you're not paying with cash doesn't matter. You are "buying" the fish in exchange for something of value. Same violation would go to the "seller".

Me too. A month later than usual, the boat was launched in Manistee and I moved it north to Mackinaw City Saturday on a glass calm Lake Michigan. Traverse Bay to Gray's Reef surface water was 33.7°. Mid 40's in the Straits as well as the central Lake Michigan coast. Midge flies...swarming EVERYWHERE. Looking forward to getting the fishing gear loaded and in action in a week or two.

Another thing that I learned a long time ago is to have a set routine on the boat when you get a hit. Have each person assigned a job -- someone notes the depth of the rigger or the line counter setting on the diver or copper/leadcore, someone notes the angle on the rigger wire/divers, someone notes the SOG, someone notes the RPMs on the tach, someone notes the water depth... A log book for this really helps you figure out what works when and how -- add in the lure, method, location, weather, wave and hopefully landed fish info... and review it to learn.

Wow, I'm going to have to invite more people on my outings to do all the data collection . In the past, I looked at the bubbles coming off the rigger wires to gage speed. I remember about an inch of bubble off the wire was a good place to start.

From what I could find, that's about a 1300 lb. hull. The 80 hp wouldn't set a speed record, but it might be adequate depending on your needs. I had a 17' glass boat at that approximate weight with a 90 hp and the performance was fine. If you find a good boat that interests you, take a sea trial with a load that represents your intended usage. That will tell you what you need to know.

A survey may or may not be worth the investment depending on the boat cost. A 19' Islander shouldn't be a high dollar boat. Survey depends on what you have the ability to assess. Major issues would be transom, floor rot and hull leaks. Outside of that it's everything mechanical which a mechanic could check.

Something we have not pointed out here is timing. Is there a sweet spot in the morning hours for Salmon & Trout? It could be that I got out there too late last week.

Dawn to maybe 8 or 9am is prime. Depending on water and sky, as it gets brighter, fish deeper and farther away from the boat.

I don't fish either location, but after all the rain and runoff this week I would think LSC might be a bit muddy. I'd head toward Lake Huron if I was choosing.

I was going by field experience Ryan, not science. But, I would be interested to see any link that would prove the science, as it sounds right. I guess the fact that fish hawks vs. other speed/temp. probes could differ in calibration and readout, would make a difference. Also, the current could differ given location, even if boats are fairly close together. Lastly, I'm referring to offshore fishing, not channel fishing. Thanks.

You mean the science that says anything attached to your boat will travel at the same speed over ground as your boat? Guess I don't understand. It's an elementary concept. When is the last time you had one of your cannonballs pass your boat or end up a mile behind?

That's a nice way to start a season!

When I fished early season there many years ago, the Bomber Long A was the rage. I'm thinking I ran them with a little weight off an inline board. Wonderbread was my go to pattern back in the day. Don't know it that is something that would still work there or not.

Looks like the Straits have finally cleared of ice. I'm just waiting for the marinas to thaw out now and temperatures to rise enough that it's not like a "polar bear" campout at the marina. One of the coolest springs I can ever remember...not that I remember much anymore.

You'll be OK if...you limit your activity to those "bluebird" days with a forecast of calm to 2' seas, only leave the harbor when that condition is verified and get off the lake at the first sign of building wind. Even on the nicest days, there's a fair weather wind that many days, begins to build mid morning. If you're disiplined enough to caution on the side of safety, there should be no problem. I've seen kayaks, canoes and inflatable dinghys all trolling. Not saying that's real smart, but there are conditions that allow most anything. The issue is always the fish are a little farther away or you'll fish "just a little longer" and get into a situation that's not the best. If the primary use for the boat is great lakes trolling, go as large as your budget allows. If fishing beyond the immediate harbor area, 18' would probably be my minimum and not all 18' boats would qualify. I fished a 17' Yarcraft for several years and that felt a little small to get away from the harbor too far. I always had the feeling of being a speck in the ocean in that boat...which I was.

Your assumption is that a feeding salmon is stationary in the water waiting for a meal to drift/swim by. I don't know, but is that true? Seems that maybe active fish are roaming the lake looking for a meal and in that case, with or against current may not be as big a player as getting the proper lure action to trigger a response.

The crew at Big Papas is top notch you won't be disappointed.

Michigan made too. Always happy to do business locally.

I second Ryan's suggestion to call Big Papa's. I just went through the exercise and they offered all kinds of advice. I purchased a set of bags that were nowhere near the size I was thinking. They also said they'd exchange them if I found I needed to adjust the size after actually using the bags. Great people.

I use a Big Jon band buster release which has a through wire (similar to what the Black's looks like it has). I terminate the coated wire as Ryan has shown. Connect that snap to the top of the release and I do wrap that joint with waterproof tape. To the lower snap of the release, connect the probe. Then a dropper wire of about two feet to the ball. That allows removal of the probe unlike the above photo where the probe to wire joint is all wrapped up. Never had an issue losing a signal.

Is there a significant difference between the glow material exposed to a light for an extended period of time vs. a couple hits with a good strobe? Once the material is charged, does it make a difference for how long?

BTW, that is a nice use of common items you created. Hopefully, the hook barbs don't penetrate the soft side material on the outside of the hard liner.

What's the problem Robert. That ship you run should be able to break through a little slush. Optimism certainly isn't one of your weaknesses. Not sure how close that corner actually is. We're usually looking at last ice conditions this time of year. Still looks like the first of February. Measured the snow on the lawn today. Still have nearly 12" in the non-drifted areas.

Interesting article in the Detroit Free Press today about the owner of Cherry Republic and a group that hiked recently from Leland to North Manitou Island. Guess last time it was done was about 1960. I'd post it but that's probably copyright infringement. Interesting article about the trek.

Nice stuff. I think you'll discover the hoop of your net will clank against the antenna being so close to each other. Mine does that but is in a movable holder so I tilt the net a bit when trolling. Otherwise the wind and vibration eventually allow the net and antenna to find each other and begin an annoying rattle.

Just make sure there's nothing or no one down range from that slingshot of a strap if you go that route. That's a Darwin award qualifer.

After spending another 2 hours blowing the latest 6" of snow off the driveway I decided that I need to go talk fishing for a day. Called Dan and signed up for Saturday in Rockford. Says there are a good number of spots still available but if Stephensville is any indication these last couple of days will fill it up quick.

I have been in the past and it is always a good time. Not much I can do yet with the boat so going to do the next best thing and go talk fishing.

I'm with you on that, Ryan. Today's snow and the promised sub zero temperature tonight put me over the edge. Need a little summer activity fix to get through the next month.

Called Dan and he told me there's lots of room for more come guys let's fill this place I'll be there to sign autographs hahaha I won the lowest fish count of the year award ,,,, now there's something to be proud of.

OK. Just because you promised an autograph, I'm in. Besides, now I'll be able to find out if Mike and Donna are correct that all Michigan men are like "that".

Why didn't you tell me that sooner play dough ??? I wasted 21.00 in entry fees to look at pontoons !!!!!!!! Congrats on the slip at mackinaw my friend No Coal dust up there !!!!!!

Didn't know you wanted my permission.

I've given up on the shows for the most part. Did GR last year for the first show in years and did enjoy myself there. It's a bit of a trek from my house so attendance depends on weather and cabin fever status.

Looking forward to a new experience in the Straits.

Well is anyone else going to Rockford ????? Went to birch run fishing show wtf too many boats and not enough vendors ,thanks captain Willis of fish on there goes another 200.00

I gave up on Birch Run maybe 5 years ago for the same reason. Nothing against the Flint Steelheaders. I think it was a result of the economy and affected all the shows. The Grand Rapids show is the only one in Michigan that even comes close to being of value any longer for the big lake troller.

My mindset all began after talking to the guys at Tuna's a year or so ago and asking them what they'd recommend for copper. They commented that the popularity of copper line fishing was a repair guy's friend...I was guessing because of things done to level wind reels to accommodate the large knots (like I did) and the damage done to a reel. Maybe the Okuma reel level winds are open enough to handle the copper knots. I haven't been an Okuma customer so don't know that. The various models of Penn and Daiwa (all older reels) that I own won't handle copper without modification. Therefore, I was curious about what guys used that were fishing without a level wind. Maybe my best course of action is to just remove the level wind from the Penn I'm using and give that a try for a trip to see if I have a problem coping without it.