Priority1

Mike good job.

Thanks for the report Todd. It didn't really suck. You had a safe trip, with some fish to boot.

Josh, GJ and thanks for the report.

Bob, Nicely done.

Jay, Nicely done.

I would never ignore a big school of bait fish. Something has to be there chowing on them. I would run clean spoons, or anything that may resemble the bait fish.

Jim, Good job.

A Dipsy is just another tool to get the lures in the strike zone. Almost anything can be run behind them.

Terry, FANTASTIC man. A trip to be remembered for sure. You got out ahead of the front coming through.

Mark & Deanna, Congrats on thje birth of your son.

Mike, Good Luck with the new business.

Terry, We'll get em in Manistee. If the ankle is too sore to fish, I'll take the helm. I have some experience behind the wheel of an Islander. I do find myself sitting down more than I used to. You have to get over here for some walleye whackin, before that Manistee run.

Nick, For walleye trolling your rigger rods can do double duty. The rod is not that critical trolling for eyes. Jigging for walleye is a different story.

Thanks for all the well wishes.

GJ Paul, That will be a memorable trip for sure.

Bob, A warm welcome to the GLF site. Holler if we can help you in any way.

Capt. Russ, A warm welcome to the GLF site. I'm looking forward to reading your reports. Just holler if we can help in any way.

I like mine viewable from the helm. A good helmsman should be relaying all that information on a regular basis. I guess for the guys with autopilots it may make sense to have it on the back of the boat.

The SeaClear Program and NOAA charts met all my expectations when I tested it on the water this eve. It laid down a track and showed all the detail I needed. For a free software program and free NOAA charts, I continue to be impressed. Rather than load charts into the program I did buy a DVD for $17 preloaded, so in reality it did cost a little but saved a ton of time. The only slight thing that I had to do was go into the power management of the laptop operating system and set things to keep the screen on 100% of the time. With this program the way points, log book etc, have virtually no limitations. Even a small HDD will hold all anyone will ever need. This technology is nothing new. The sail boaters have been using it for years. I think the key is to get a rough and tough laptop that is sunlight viewable. If I encounter any problems I'll let you know. The Toughbook sets in the middle of my dash board on my Starcraft Islander Hardtop.

The Priority1 got a dry run on the driveway yesterday. As always the first start up took a little cranking. I run her up to temp and checked everything out, including the charging system, bilge blower and pump, and all the safety stuff on the trailer and boat. Mike G and myself launched her this eve in the Tawas Bay. We had a strong E Wind blowing so I chose Tawas to duck that E wind behind Tawas Point. I had to make a slight idle speed adjustment, and then set 6 lines out. We only trolled a short while and didn't take a bump. Everything preformed flawlessly, and if the weather is right Priority1 will get wet frequently out of AuGres starting Tue. I would have rather launched in AuGres but the wind direction made that impossible. I have been having a problem with my left ankle. I have been wearing a brace on and off for the last 11 years. The last two years it has slowed me down considerably. My chores have taken me a lot longer to accomplish. When I'm on the water I feel no pain. This crippled up white boy will keep hanging in there. On the plus side of that I get a better parking place @ the ramp. GITTER DONE.

Craig, GJ out of Linwood.

Two thumbs up to this great cause.:thumb:

Da Shu fits. Two thumbs up for Bill.:thumb:

GJ Mike. You tested the waters and tuned in.

Nick, GJ. You did manage to boat 2 and that 3rd one put on a show to behold. Gotta Luv It. Fishing with your Granddad is just special.