laker1

OK, for us in Ontario we have sometimes limited access to gas without ethanol. In addition at fueling up we sometimes receive gas from the bottom of the tank that has been there for a long time. It seems to me and others that overall our gas has been reduced in octane quality so it deteriorates quicker than ever before. Plus we believe that the service tanks themselves at the gas station should be cleaned out periodically. Yes I do use Sea Foam or Stabil. Local boat dealers here also have concerns about gas quality so they always suggest premium fuel.

I also have a Honda 8hp in longshaft after using either an OMC or Mercury kicker. More weight in the longshaft model BUT the control and the ability to turn on a dime while trolling is superb. It does not stall when you tune it to run extremely slow. I Like how the little motor charges my cranking battery. My boat is 17 1/2 foot Lund Pro Sport with a 90. The fuel lines have the same connection so I can come home using either my inline tank or that of my trolling motor for either engine. Both engines are Honda, solid and dependable. My 8hp Honda is easy starting and has brought me back a couple of times when the main motor failed. Because bad gas has become an issue here in Lake of the Woods I also now run like many others with an additional aftermarket fuel filter. Hope this helps and good luck!

Thank you Bozeman Bob and Sk8man. I think I am a poor writer. I am thinking of moving my 1197 to a second boat. I should have added that! Its been 10 years since I bought my 1197. So I was curious if anything had changed regarding transducer placement. One thought was whether or not a transducer could be mounted further away from the boat. Or are there transducer designs not as affected by turbulence? Hope this hasn't been a waste of everyone's time.

Hi, I would like to know with all the recent amazing advances in electronics, is there a new requirement regarding transducer placement. Currently i have a Humminbird 1197 and I am serously looking at the Humminbird Solix. Two different systems/generations which I understand will have two different styles of transducers. I fish for lakers ,walleye and musky . I use a downrigger from time to time. I have an 8 hp trolling motor hanging over the transom of my aluminum boat. Any input would be most apprecated - thank you. jim

Hi, I fish for both lake trout and musky in Lake of the Woods. I use both a down rigger and a planner board mast system plus at times in line boads. I would like to try using dipsey divers also. Have been considering having track installed to use either salty down east rod holders or cannon rod holders. My boat is a 17 foot Lund. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks in advance.

I realize that this post is about your second amendment. And that some of you are concerned about this being under attack. As a Canadian I note that we have a similar situation ongoing due to the same circumstances, too much gun play due to drugs. In our country the party in power is now suggesting confication is the answer. This process is to be enacted at the local municipal level at their "enlightened "discretion. Ultimately anyone who owns a firearm who likes the great outdoors such as fishermen and hunters or likes to target shoot is at risk. As a Canadian I would like to say God Bless America.Your country like no other has kept us all free from global war. Your generousity as a nation is well known. And on a more personal level , Thank You America for that destroyer captain in WWII who pulled my Dad and the rest of the crew off from HMCS Skeena. The Skeena a Canadian destroyer had its back broken on a reef in Iceland due to an Atlantic storm. The American captain placed his destroyer RIGHT next to the Skeena and rescued the whole crew. THANK YOU AMERICA ! jim

I have a 8 hp Honda long shaft with 6 amp alterator to charge cranking battery. The long shaft gives you great control while trolling compared to short shaft. Using a 17 ft Lund. The Honda has an aftermarket tiller extension which works well. The trolling speed can be adjusted to reduce speed minutely to your taste / conditions. I like a trolling engine that starts easilly.

I realize that this topic " Boat Leaks" is concerned with caulking and sealant . However I would like to share my experience. We almost lost our boat due to aerator failure. The aerator being plastic developed a small crack which shattered over time (years) underneath the rubber piping. I suspect the pipe was over tightened at the factory and vibration from daily boat use did the rest. We just caught it in time! You can never fully trust plastic. Hope you all have a great New Year!

Sharing a memory from this year. Its late September and Bob Holden and I are fishing in Canadian Esox's Musky Tournament. Bob is an accomplished multi species angler. Fishing has been poor with rain and fog in the morning and bluebird sky in the afternoon. Its now late in the day and we have only time for one more troll at Forest Island. We released our lures. I let out a Live Target Sucker and Bob let out a white Jake made by Drifter Tackle. Suddenly my line went skyward followed by Bob's. We looked up and there was an eagle overhead with our cranks, one on each talon. It was frantic! What to do? We reeled it in to the back of the boat. Bob then put his leather gloves on and I found a paddle. At the boat the eagles wings beat like hammers across the stern. I placed the the blade of the paddle between Bob and that great beak. Upside down the bird began to relax. Bob carefully removed the cranks and released the bird. Released the eagle half swam and half flew to Forest Island. There it rested a bit and then flew up on to the highest tree where it perched in disgust. We continued our troll. Wish we had a camera. jim

Congratulations Aspiring, You have joined a select group of fishermen! Your trophies look great but nothing beats your son's smile. Amazing what a little confidence and determination will do! There will be more and they will be keep getting bigger. Again well done.

Try using a River Run Manta or a Drifter Tackle Hellhound glide bait. Both have a Great sub surface walk the dog action and are easy to operate with a stiff wire leader. Some guys tweek their cranks with scent or a small dash of sparkle nail polish. But the most important thing is confidence! You should expect to get bit and you will! I expect that we will soon see a picture of your trophy.

A Supernatural Big Bait either a Headlock or a Mattlock because they both wander left and right like a fleeing baitfish on a troll. Natural finish silver or gold in walleye or cisco. Simply amazing cranks !