Capt Vince Pierleoni

It was the real deal. Bunch of stuff froze and burst at nearby campground.

Outboards are fine as long as you performed all the regular steps when you pulled your boat out and your seals in lower unit are good. Inboards and I/O's will most likely have water laying in them throughout the block, manifolds, and hoses. They actually would be much safer if they are docked, the ones most vulnerable will be on trailers sitting in boatyards or driveways if they have already been run this Spring. A forecast of lows in the mid teens is enough to do damage away from the buffering of the lake. In the early 80's this happened and lots of damage was done. Some guys who have their boats sitting out exposed will actually drain them but a heater with a safety shut off or a trouble light left on can keep engine room warm enough to avoid freezing.

Scott, There are a few anglers on your Lake Ontario North shore that chase Browns early, but most trailer to the extreme West or South shores to do so. I know the OMNR and anglers groups want to improve that fishery, but it does warm much slower and the cormorant population is absolutely out of control(which could eradicate the planted Browns in little time). If you choose to remain in your home area, shallow Spring fishing is conducted in 4-20 fow, with lures sometimes even shallower. Obviously you will need to know the area to prevent collisions with shoals, boulders or any underwater hazards. Start by finding the warmest water available relative to the area, and creek flows are often a great place to start. The easiest way to get started is to troll flat lined floater/diver plugs either directly off the boat or with planer boards. Good Luck!

Agreed. Love them later in the season. Check out the Blue Diamonds.

Good job Rick, to you and the rest of the committee. Reading the rules brought about a few questions: 1) Is the maximum amount of fish onboard (Coolered) 10? Or, are you saying the team can fish to a NYS limit and then sort for their desired 10? 2) I see that there is a max of 5 Salmon, can a 10 fish catch constitute 10 trout with a max of 3 Lakers, or is the total trout number limited to 5 as well? 3) Are you allowing teams with livewells to hold fish aboard alive yet release them if a bigger one is caught, or do they have to make that decision immediately at the point of boating said fish? 4) In one place you are asking teams to drain water from coolers prior to weigh in, and in another place it states that only block or bagged ice are allowed, which is it? Thx!

Pair the 7 1/2 ML Okuma Blue Diamond rod with a Okuma Convector 20 D and you will have an outfit perfect for walleye and trout, boards or riggers. Go up one size in rod ( 8 1/2) and reel ( 30 D) for Kings. For wire dipseys I highly suggest the Blue Diamond 10' MH rod with a 30 sized reel.

They are a very new line of rods, Mike. I have found over the years rods used for riggers and divers hold up better with a higher percentage of glass. I would say if you like the feel and look of them and you are the primary user they may be fine, but if you have lots of guests fighting fish or rigging opt for the Classic Pro or Blue Diamond series.

Great stuff, Rod. What a great topic you have to discuss over the family dinner table. They are beautiful either way, but because I'm not an artist I favor #2 because it's more of a natural pose for a "Lake" salmon.

Great to have Dreamweaver sponsoring again! A special shoutout to Pete Alex and Great Lakes tackle supply for sponsoring Canadian overall again. Thanks Pete! It looked sweet and ice free off the Canadian section of the "Silver Coast" yesterday. KOTL late April tourny will be a blast as always.

NEW PRICE $700

1988 KODEN MD 3030 48 mile, 3 KW in working condition complete with manuals. NEW PRICE-- $700

I have helped with commission and feeding, but the LOTSA group has always spearheaded this. Last year it was coordinated by Hank Condes. If they are looking for anyone different I am not aware.

I will disclose right up front that I Prostaff for Okuma. I have used their reels since 2000. That being said, if they didnt do the job I would not use their products. I use Catalinas exclusively for wire and they are excellent. You will not need to order an aftermarket drag kit or break it in because it is right out of the box. The same top of the line drag material is used in the convectors in the 30 sized reels, so the decision is yours. Good luck with your decision.

Beautiful, Rod. I didn't think it was possible to improve on last years trophies you created. True art.

Not surprised. A solid, pro active company.

Its different vessel to vessel. Sometimes the surface speed is so fast that going into it helps get slow enough. Lets face it, whether its Tuna on the north Atlantic or Kings on Lake O, wind creates all kinds of unpredictable challenges.

If they are the newer Tournament series they will handle 20lbers with ease. Excellent riggers with the best auto stops on the market.

The motor heads I have talked to make a big deal about what era the 454 is from. Like "borderline 350" used to say, "no hencho stuff". The older 454's are legendary workhorses, there's a handful of Oak captains that have logged 10,000 plus hours on an engine, and lots of old time motorhomes have them piling up the miles. Many guys are getting away from the Rochester carbs and going to the edelbrocks, but there are fans and naysayers for both. There are national outfits online that make incredible claims of rebuilding 454's for more power and economy, but when I needed to rebuild one I had it rebuilt the traditional way using the best components possible. I know one thing, I will use only pure gas whenever I can get it. Not only is it better for all engines, the added economy offsets the additional price.