ekbelt

Thanks Nick, I didn't find the page explaining the categories. I'm going to do the dailys.

Does anyone know if the Indiana 7 day license includes salmon/trout?? I'm going to be in MI city for 3 days, trying to figure out the best deal.

Here is the what the Indiana DNR website states:

Fishing

Annual Fishing $35.00

One-day Fishing (includes Trout/Salmon) $9.00

Seven-day Fishing $20.00

Trout/Salmon Stamp Privilege $11.00

Anyone see the new 60lb blood run copper at the show? Looks great! I guess 300 ft of 60lb will run as deep as a 450 45lb.

I make my own or use Big weenie. They are the only people who use descent hooks and line.

I bet they won't start until May at the earliest.

The launch/harbor could be an issue. I was there 2 years ago and it was pretty low then. They are gettign dredged so that should help... but not sure when that will actually start.

I've had success both in the dirty water and the clear water. The dirty water warms up way quicker... attracting bait so the fish are in there, just have to run bright loud lures to attract them. The clear water can be a good bet too... A few years ago it was really stirred up inside and fishing inside was much less productive inside than offshore in the clear water.

I'm going to head down in April. I have a feeling its going to be more of a 'normal' year so rather than try Holland early, we're going to make a few trips down to New Buffalo/St. Joe.

Yes. I got the smaller packs. Its like 3 inches x 12 inches and I think 3 sheets or something like that for 4.98. You can cut alot of spoon cuts out of it. It's very reasonably priced. Here is the email I received back from him when I inquired about it:

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Erik

We sell a tape we call Super Pearl, most of the manufacturers call it UV, the color numbers are #948 (transparent) #949 (white backed solid) and 948C (transparent crushed). These are all great tapes and currently our best sellers.

You can order other products on-line and in the notes let us know that you would like those colors replaced with the Super Pearl color or colors. You can also call in a order if you wish 800-521-0731.

We are currently working on the web sites to update all the colors and products but it will be a month or so.

Thank you for your interest in our tape products.

Sincerely

Ron

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It's really not UV, its the same product moonshine uses on their RV spoons. I put my order in and had it to my door within 3 days. You won't be disappointed, its worth a try.

Chris, send me a PM with the source. Have not found one anywhere -- not that Lansing is going to have anyone carry it since we don't have a real Great Lakes tackle source, but have looked online too without success.

WTP tape number 948 - make sure its the one without the white back, transparent. You have to email and request it from WTP. They'll tell you to place an order and in the comments, tell them you want the 948 transparent without the white back.

I got two packs and doctor'd up a bunch of lures.. they look awsome.

I guess from my point most of the talk was it was going to be less then other setups not just less than the most expensive one. Kinda like being told a new SUV was coming to the market and it would be cheaper than other SUV's only to find it is actually only cheaper than a Land Rover. I am not saying it is a bad deal just that the price point is more than I would pay. But on the other hand I will likely be selling the big boat and downsizing because this sport is just way too expensive. I could eat at Red Lobster every night for less than last years total fishing budget. I admit I overspent a bit last year but with adding the AP other boat repairs slip fees boat payments gas tackle and insurance I spent close to 11 grand on big lake fishing last year and it has gotten so expensive I can't afford to fish anywhere else as it takes me most of the winter to recover so I can fish the next year. This is very likely my last season of big lake fishing on my own boat. I wish I had just kept my 18ft most days.

Amen! I keep telling people I wish I could recoup the money I have invested in fishing tackle... sadly its gone! I just keep my eyes open for second hand gear most of the time. My goal this year is to spend as little as possible and stick to what I know works.

You would likely be looking at a 100, 150 and 200 copper to fish similar to your short lead setups. We will be testing with the new smart troll device in the coming months and reporting back on how close they are.

I'm real interested to see the results on the smart troll testing. It's too expensive for my wallet but I can see how it would be awesome for divers and copper. Should help load the box quickly if the fish are stacked up in a certain depth.

And... If the results show the 32 goes as deep as the 45 I'm switching for sure.

I think you've got to start out with a kit so you can capture the signal coming back. The individual probes are for replacement or addition. Also need an android device that will be used for the display.

Just stumbled upon this..... Seems more than what I originally expected.

http://smarttroll.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=10

I've used 3M 5200 in the past to fill holes in the transom. Works pretty good, hasn't failed yet.

Grant,

As you can see by my tag I have no idea what I'm doing. When you say spring tackle what do you mean? Or anyone? I have spoons,flies, is there anything I'm missing? I have never fished the spring. Thanks

Magnum spoons and flys work great for kings in the spring... If you can find them. Smaller spoons and stick baits (jointed rapalas and thin fins) along with the little red dodgers and flys work excellent for cohos when they show up.

No big projects planned for this year... already organized tackle, made up some custom lures/flys and have to replace a trolling bag that was lost at the end of the season.

Ready to roll once the ice clears. Realistically I think it won't be until April. Really want to head out deep right away but I'd rather not be the only boat out there that early in the year. I'm turning more wimpy the older I get.

I looked at Moonshine's web site and can't find anything listing pattern numbers -- for any spoon... RV or Superglow???

I believe he is refering to the WTP part number for the tape. It. Is the super pearl transparent tape.

Like.

I think you are 100% right on!

Based on the long range forecast for March it looks like we're not going to be seeing the nice weather we had like last year....

http://blogs.woodtv.com/2013/02/25/cool-first-half-of-march/

Let's hope the weatherman is wrong!

If I have no information I will start as shallow as I dare and head west. We call them 'scouting trips'. We've done real well doing this and it's an easy way to figure out where fish are at. We also will run rods at all depths and then switch things up as we start picking up fish.

Anyone ever see this? Pretty cool. I looked up their website and they cost like $200 bucks a piece. Way too spendy for me but still pretty cool.

I like my depth raider. Works great, going on 4th season.

I've even 'flipped' the line around. Spool the line off and then put it back on backwards so the stuff in the indside is now on the outside, its like brand new again.

sweet!

I feel like I get way more bang for my buck on my fishing license than my hunting licenses. Either way both are super cheap at the moment. Sheesh... I think I get my money's worth on the fishing license after 1 big lake trip now that I think about it.