chinook

Stan, I don't think they ( catamaran style boards) would be to big for your lake from what I have read in your prior posts. I believe though what you are facing is the prospect that people in your neck of the woods, are simply not use to seeing some of the devices now used to broaden ones trolling path. Boards being just one of them. There are several means that might draw a little attention to the board themselves. First you can put a Hi Vis tell tale flag, on each one. Also use a HI -Vis tether line from mast to boards. Third, if you use these. use a sliding clip, to hang some sort of indicator app half way down the line itself, if you feel the need. As far as costs, haven't bought one for a while but figure on $200.00 app. I liked the Big Jon's- I had one when I fished primarily Lake Erie. I made it so it was an actual telescoping mast. The height itself was over 7' let alone the height off the bow rail where I had it mounted. The higher you can obtain the mast, the greater width to your spread. In line boards are nice and have their place in this fishery. The catamaran boards do as well. They let you fight the fish unencumbered with board attachment. For what it is worth, I liked the collapsible boards, to take up less space. Hope this helps-Duane

Thanks guys for the follow ups. Looks like I'll be getting it for a Christmas gift this year Much appreciated-Duane

John, thanks for the info. Would be anxious to hear back from you if in fact you get a chance to try it out yet this year. Keep us posted.Thanks-

Iceman, thanks for the post. I'm thinking about buying the X-4 as well. Early reports from Michigan look real good from what I have read. The probe is compatible with the old units in that all that needs replaced is the probe itself? Is that correct-Duane

Thanks guys-

Does anyone know when the Fall derby starts? I know the Fall LOC always includes Labor day, and the two weeks prior. But looking at next years calendar, looks like the derby will be about a week later than this years'. I would guess it starts on the 21st of Aug and runs thru the 7th of Sept? Wanting to make some campground reservations, just want to confirm if anyone knows-Thanks, Duane

Rod, looks really good. As you mentioned esp. for the price and turn around time. Keep us posted if you have any luck with them looking into doing a king salmon..Thanks for the pics-Duane

Rod, of course Justin's striper is a trophy. He outfished his old man that day didn't he I remember getting my oldest daughter's first fish she landed many years ago mounted. It was a sunfish of app. 8'' long. She was so proud of it, and to her it was a trophy. For me it was a day I'll remember forever. Read your follow up about Justin asking if he was famous. Now that is what makes the love of the sport of fishing so special. Making lifelong memories with friends and family. It is a cool idea what you are doing for him with the replica. Anxious to see it when it arrives-Duane

Rod, the best king my boat ever took was 42'' with a 29 1/2 '' girth weighed in at 38.9. That was officially weighed. Exact same day, took another 42'' king that weighed in at 34 with a 28'' girth. This was the summer of '99 the year of the big kings. So those are some numbers to work around I guess. You know as well as I do that the last few years, kings exceeding 35 are few and far between however. So maybe someone else will chime in here. For what you and I view as a cookie cutter, is a trophy to a youngster. But as a starter I'd suggest app. 36'' I would think-

Rod, great pics and thanks for sharing them. Justin's smiles says it all. You can be proud for the memories you have provided for all involved.Good job-Duane

Musky, keeping you in thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery-Duane

Eric, yes I did. Allowed them to do the winterizing and then put into storage. Price was very comparable to what I would have paid locally. So it saved me the hassle of towing it home, since the Oak is my primary stomping grounds anyways. This gives me now a little more flexibility to do some early brown trout fishing if I want. I stepped down as the league VP for the Sr. girls softball. I served in that capacity for the last 4 years which cut into my early trout fishing in April. Still staying on as team manager though one last year. Needless to say, hope to get up now and make up for some lost time. You are more than welcome to fish with me anytime, esp. if you don't want to pull your boat up that early in the year- -Duane

SplitShot- Landshark actually knew that it was on the A.P -He was just seeing how many were watching the video Thanks for the heads up guys. Looks interesting-Duane

The temp device you are referring to is the GMT 40 -you could Google it for further info. Don't know who sells them now. I do know at one time Cabela's did. Maybe still do ? As far as the models, I believe the new Cannon's are listed as HS-for HI Speed. The Mag 10 is a dependable unit. The older models at 80 feet per minute, are not the fastest by any stretch, but is the very rigger I run my speed and temp off of. I don't want to run that unit at 250 any way. Bottom line, at that price , I would consider it strongly. As far as a swivel base purchase. If you plan to run it straight back off your transom, no need. But if in fact you want to swing in out to use as an out down, then yes I would. Depends on how you plan to deploy it. -Duane

Rod, thanks for your follow up. Have to say that it is ironic that both you and Eric replied to my post. For when I first mentioned about many from Pa. who help to sustain the fishery of Ontario, I had both of you in mind when I wrote that. Knowing both of you were from Pa as well. For I know the willingness, commitment, time and resources, you both and many others put into the love of this sport. Jax- my post wasn't directed towards you so much. Having read some of your prior posts, I really don't think that is in your make up to intentionally offend. It is directed towards the sentiment in general, and a few comments made by others in their followups. As Rod stated, those of us from Pa. are sometimes labeled. We all realize that it is usually an isolated case. Just had to vent some frustration-Duane

Hi Eric, good to hear from you. Hope this fines you and your family in the best of health. Take care and keep in touch-Duane

Hey guys, I have never been involved with the despicable act of snagging salmon. Even back in the days when it was totally legal to do so. Having said that, for whatever reason, someone always has to bring up about perpetrators from " Pennsyltucky" I know that those who posted here have not done it for spite. At least I would hope not. I can assure you that there are many from Pennsylvania including myself, who help to sustain the salmon and trout industry of Lake Ontario, in and of itself. I say that ,being a long term donator to not only the Oak pen site, but to others around the southern shore. So the bottom line is, it doesn't matter where one is from when you are breaking the law. Again, not to offend anyone here. Just trying to bring to light the fact we don't need any more reasons to divide the fishing community. Thanks for letting me vent. To some it may seem small, but to others who take pride in themselves, it hits a nerve at times- Duane- from Pa.

Bump-

$ 2.58 in Franklin Pa.- app. 50 miles from where it is refined. Talked to my dad who is vacationing down in Sanibel Island Florida. Said on the island it was $2.47- Go figure-

Mark, thank you. -Duane

Mentioned it before that I run Cannons, with 2 being Digi-Trol's They have had the 5 programmable desired depths for years now. One thing I find interesting about Bill's poll is that no one has listed using the Vector's. I know they have a huge following out in Lake Michigan though.

To bad the perpetrator using that cricket, didn't get it stuck where the sun doesn't shine Tom, Mark, nice Avatars-is there a section with new choices? Couldn't find it-Thanks-Duane

Musky, sorry to hear about your loss. I lost a very good friend 5 years ago, that I spent a lot of time fishing the Great Lakes with. Treasure the memories always. My thoughts are with you and the family as well-Duane

Tom, I agree that there are none known of yet in Ontario. I believe what might happen is that they will filter from Michigan, then into the other Great Lakes. May take a few years but the chances now are fairly significant I.M.O. As the spiney water flea was introduced in Huron back in the mid 80's then worked their way thru the system. They say the reproduction rate of the carp is very rapid. Don't want to be a doomsayer here just a realist. The chances of their intro into the lakes is much greater than some thought. Thanks for your post- Duane

Andy, actually there is a thread somewhat along this line on the GLA site currently. It is in regards the the Chicago river barrier and a snag it has hit. The last line of defense before entering Lake Michigan. What is really surprising to me, that this thread has had close to 120 views and only had 3 other replies other than my own. Amazing. Maybe most don't think it will happen. I tend to think it is only a matter of time-If you watch several other videos after watching the one posted, some of them go on to say that the Asian carp are allowed to be sold to the provinces of Canada other than Ontario. And some fear it is just a matter of time before someone uses the 6'' carp for bait, and then releasing them into the Great Lakes themselves. - Duane