Capt Vince Pierleoni

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.

Thanks for the kind words, guys. You both were excellent students and guests and it was a pleasure meeting you and getting you started!

Support the pure gas stations. The ethanol fraud is one of the greatest hoodwinks pulled on our citizens of this country, and thats saying alot.

Greg, if we are breaking ice I'm bringing the Crestliner!!!

The alewives should be fine as long as we have a normal arrival of Spring, they went into the winter with alot of heat energy in the lake. The gobies, however, should have taken a beating boding well for Brownie anglers. Generally, hard winters create classic Spring fishing with an intense frenzied bite, the question is when.

Matt, smart play. There are several major players in the Lake O tourny scene who got started as observers. This is an excellent way to accelerate your learning curve. Warning, this can become a HUGE distraction. You will start zoning out and daydreaming about what you just saw, or about the next event.

In my opinion, try to run Ethanol free whenever possible. Some people think the only danger ethanol presents is attracting moisture, but thats only part of the problem. Even if it truly is the amount the fuel states, it causes engines to run hotter which can lead to catastrophic failure under the loads boats are under. With the way the marine industry is fighting E-15, and rightly so, what if the mix isn't perfect? Pure gas is the way to go whenever possible, the small price difference is made up with better fuel economy.

The last weekend in April cannot get here fast enough. How many tip ups are we allowed?

Good stuff. Wish we had a "monster mania" tourny here, after labor day. Nothing better than a box full of fangs. I know a whole bunch of guys over here who would die trying to fit that schedule in. I thought Lady O had alot of events!

Tim is 100% correct. The DEC has asked us at various meetings to encourage as many attendees as we can. A poor showing is seen as indifference. Unfortunately, when fishing is good the meetings are poorly attended and this sends a bad message at a time when the DEC is having a hard time getting funding and replacing staff. Mark your calendars for the nearest one.

Back in the winter of 86/87 it was down to the Penny sedan or the 29' Aquasport. I looked at a bunch of them. She will run through the rough stuff yet provide stable trolling. Good luck with the new ride.

Just saw the 2nd page, so 350's?

Nice boat Rich, is that the 27 or the 29 ? Lotta glass in those hulls as they were designed as a workin' mans canyon runner. If its the 29', what does she have for power? Very nice lines.

I can't think of anyone who has serviced more Penn Yans than Hank. You will never go back once you go thru-hull. The angle 'ducer needed on most boats changes in relation to where you put it bow to stern, and inside from the chine. Most of our troling vessels "flatten out" toward the stern, so I would install it where Hank says and with the deadrise degree he suggests.

As nice as it is to have a "bonus" slug of Kings from time to time coming from natural reproduction, hatchery contributions still rule the day. With the weather events(ice jams, flooding, complete blow-outs of streams) this year will probably not produce many wild fish. I was talking with a west coast guy yesterday, he stated they rely heavily on hatcheries there as well. A DEC staff member told me 30 years ago, "a squeaky wheel gets the grease" when it comes to fishery issues. It's time to be proactive and enhance and PROTECT this world class fishery!