Ronix 51

I think over harvest has done that lake in unfortunately. I imagine they're probably still being yanked and kept or even worse left out on the ice for the birds since they are thought to be "eating all the good fish"

Were nominations made for new officers for the January vote?

Chad your painting skills have really improved

The one you posted is the xorsist judging from the looks of the lip. The hex is a wandering crank bait built off of the 10" and 12" phantom bodies - I like them too! It works well without the weights too, just higher in the water column

Hex or Xorsist? Looks like the xorsist which is their new "dive and glide" bait. Essentially it is a 10" phantom that dives on the retrieve. I really like it a lot especially with the screw in weights. I put the 1 oz on mine and can work it 10-12' down

4 years ago it was 23 degrees and foggy the morning of and then got into the mid-upper 30s. I'd take having to deal with reel ice-up most of the morning anytime over 80 degrees in October!

use at least 80lbs fluoro and tie main line directly to fluoro via uni to uni knot. I'd go at least 8-10" in length for the leader since it sounds like the head of the bait is getting smashed a majority of the time. Good luck!

Abu Garcia Revo SX HS 7:1:1, Left Hand Brand new abu garcia revo sx 7:1:1 I bought for pike fishing and now decided I'll never use. Comes with box and all papers. Asking $90.00

eric you can just drive your truck to the mayville that's what I'll be doing too.

So there is no way anyone who intends on fishing the south end can register at Chautauqua Reel Outdoors? I understand that particular issue is out of your hands Zach but, I was just curious to see if the higher ups were even willing to budge on that??

52ish south of causeway, 48-50 in the main lake

Which boat were you in Zach? I was out with Riley and didn't see you! I got 1 bass, riley missed a mid 30s at the boat, and we both probably caught pneumonia from spending 8 hours casting in a monsoon. Water was much colder than I would have predicted.

I'll echo that my leaders vary based on baits, water, etc. but for the most part it's stealth 274 lbs wire leaders or 170lbs fluoro leaders with various sized stay-lok snaps depending on the size of baits i'm using - for the really little stuff I will use the small bait leaders from stealth. I've tied my own leaders with 150lbs fluoro using the dubros nail knot tool but lately i've found it easier to just order the leaders...if you're on facebook look up Charlie Runyon - he ties leaders that are the same quality as stealth and his prices are awesome...I think it's like $3-4 per leader all the way up to 170 lbs fluoro material.

really looking forward to this tourney now! Can't wait to fish and get my ass handed to me by the trollers as usual haha. Good stuff Zach

The 3 best format actually sounds kind of interesting to me and i'd be down to give it a go. Regarding the trolling/casting advantages/disadvantages here's my take: *Disclaimer- I constantly get my ass handed to me by the trollers during the spring time CHQ tourney it doesn't make a difference to me one bit i'm just out there fishing and having fun and will continue to do so regardless of tournament format so this is just me throwing stuff out there. Sure, people can always step outside their comfort zone and give trolling a try like you said Zach. But, some people may not be equipped with all the necessary trolling gear or sure you could always just hold onto the rod while putting around which likely won't be able to touch the guys running a 6 rod spread with 4 boards way out and 2 down rods covering much more water and that's fine there is absolutely nothing wrong with those styles of fishing but it's just something to think about. The reason the 3 best fish idea is interesting to me is because it certainly adds more strategy to the mix and it's more welcoming to both sides (love how i'm talking about casters and trollers like they're political parties lmao) in the sense that maybe we have people who don't bother with the spring time CHQ tourney because they are die hard casters and see that there is no point in entering, which in the end ultimately leads to less potential participation - hypothetically speaking. It still rewards the people for catching more fish since you can pick and choose your top 3 fish to compete. i.e.e boat A has 4 legal fish: 39.5, 43, 30 and 40.5. Boat B has 6 fish: 38, 38, 30, 31.5, 37, and 40. Boat A is still in the running to compete for 1st despite being behind 2 fish so there is still that "any given moment" competitiveness feel. Besides isn't that what these tourneys are about, a fun competition between fellow anglers/friends? Haha it's not like anyone is depending on these tournament winnings to support themselves I sure hope first place cash isn't the main driver for participation....although Tigerhunter and Blue Eye could definitely use the money for diaper funds... And regards to potential cheating: I don't think it's any different in terms of creating a greater likelihood for people to cheat under that format than it would under the current points system. Truth is, when you think about it any one of us could easily lie, take a misleading photo, etc. but I like to think we are all honest and respectable muskie nuts who just want to compete, have fun, learn something new from someone else, and shoot the **** afterwards with one another. That's my .02. Like I said, I don't have a horse in either race I'll still be out there having fun either way. Good discussion gents