Gill-T

Come up to Niagara county in May. Plenty of boats around at that time of year to reveal where the fish are.

If the primary reason for the new format was to address dwindling team numbers, I think the changes will have the opposite effect in the short term. I truly believe more teams could have been added simply by having closed communication. If you polled the AM teams, they would have voted (probably 100%) for keeping the same format. Since it seems the PRO division wanted the change........it comes across as some have suggested, that the goal was to tap into AM entry fees. The commitee can try to explain all it wants as to the reasons for change, but to the AM teams we will see it differently. If the goal was to move/shove/kick AM teams to the PRO division then you should have LOWERED entry fees for the AMs thus reducing the payouts. AM teams would be more likely to voluntarily move to the PRO side if it makes financial sense. If the goal was NOT to hijack the AM division teams then why not leave us alone with the current format? I understand the reasons for changes in the format from a PRO perspective. There has been a "cold war" with pro teams getting bigger boats because of the current buyers' market eventhough fuel prices will continue to rise. Having multiple opportunities to cash-in makes sense for the pro field. THE AM DIVISION SHOULD NOT PAY THE PRICE FOR THIS COLD WAR!!!! My vote would have been for keeping the AM division format the same with a lower entry fee and lower payout. Make the proposed Yatzee changes to the Pro Division and have no communication. That is my rant. I am sure I will suck it up and get over it.

Is no communication scrapped........or is it still on the table? I have this really bad picture/scenario in my mind of a team that is hitting good fish for a short box, calling their buddy who might be trying for the big box. There are captains that own and run more than one boat that could have a competitive advantage over the field as they go after different categories.......divide and conquer. These changes would smell a lot better with a NO COMMUNICATION rule.

This new Yatzee-format definitely involves more stategy but also more opportunities to win from what I can see.

Yippeeeee! I love it when things get more complicated

I heard we are going to be mandated to use those push-button zebco combos everyone was running last year?

Can I hitch a ride? Thanks Dell

Probably Lakers Sean. Next time out send down a gang troll w/peanut.

Now THAT is how you put together a fishing report!

Braid will not swell and crack your spool. Some tried mono cable (ocean fishermen), and that WILL crack a plastic spool. Braid has some great features. It is easier on the hands, easier and cheaper to terminate at the ball, less blow back, no hum. The draw backs are no hum (my braid rigger caught the least fish this year) if you believe the hum draws fish via lateral line, flea build-up, your line counter on your rigger will be off 10' at 100' of cable out because of the smaller diameter so you will have to pay attention or lose equipment.

I think I have them all......I would have to vote for Northport Nailers for their paint jobs, and NK's for durability (best split rings and stock hooks). Can't pick a specific brand over another because as mentioned I use all brands, but if I am making my decision based purely on amount of time spent in the water........Northport Nailers, Dreamweaver SS, NK's, Michigan Stingers then everyone else lumped equally.

Weather has been awesome for Grouse hunting. Been enjoying the fruits of Allegheny Co. state land. A few pellets in this one He He He.

She is giving us a peak today........mud city.

I had good luck with the #30 AFW camo wire. The only problem I encountered was it pig-tailed easily.

Ugly stick light 7' downrigger rod (one piece model).

With three in the boat.......I can run a four leadcore, three rigger, two dipsy spread that gives me little missed water in the golden 20'-110' zone.

For all the features you are looking for........I think you will have better luck finding something in fiberglass.

Calumet Marine on Lake Michigan could hook you up.

According to Bob Cinelli, Roy is doing well and rehabing. Leg clot.

If you can find an open launch, you can catch Browns right now along the shore.

Until your hunting dog drinks it. I lost a Springer to antifreeze from my Uncle's deer camp toilet.

A-tom-mik sells smoke torpedo wire. AFW makes a smoke/brown colored wire, but it pigtails too easy (stiff) IMO.

5 gallon bucket with oats in bottom....they fall in but can't get out. Mouse trap loaded with CRUNCHY peanut butter. Smush some peanut bits into the bait holder mechanism. After they lick all the peanutbutter off, they try to dig the peanut pieces out of the mechanism and whammo.

I had a bearing go last fall on my boat trailer after one year post-new pack job. I had a bearing buddy on the hub. Not sure if I got a bad (chinese) bearing set? I usually repack every 2-3 years due low usage. I went to the bearing buddy system because they are more durable to tap back in place. They are also a lot harder to remove as I found out. After seeing the state of the grease after one year......I may have moved into the "repack every year" camp. I started using synthetic grease. I will post my findings. Half the trailer tires have dust caps, half bearing buddies so I should be able to see what is working better.