MBarbieri

www.reelcoollures.com These kids make a damn good looking Goby spoon!

1 minute ago, Big Spoon said:

I have that unit on one of my boats - it works fine.  The biggest drawbacks in my opinion are 1) Its slow 2) Replacement parts are limited in availability.   The motor brushes burned out on my previous unit, and the only option I could find after scouring the web and various forums, was to replace the full actuator assembly for +$500, to fix a $5 problem.

Wow that sucks! I might just deal with the manual, but it will be a big change coming from power tilt/trim.

Looking to add power tilt/trim to a new Yamaha 20hp motor. is the CMC-PT35 the best option out there? Seems pricey but want to do it right the first time. Thanks!

23 minutes ago, mr 580 said:

IMO for people that might want to only take a trip or two per year on big water like the Great Lakes by trailering a rig and getting the specialized tackle that the option of hiring a charter is one to consider.  Divide the cost of the charter between several people and it becomes reasonable compared to boat ownership and expense.  Might also allow you to look at a smaller boat for your normal fishing.  Not saying that is what you should do for your situation, but it is an option that shouldn’t be overlooked.

I agree and that is what I have done in the past. An 18-20' would help on the finger lakes and I troll for trout/Atlantics in the fingerlakes so I don't think it would require much additional gear but that definitely is something to think about.

1 minute ago, Sled guy said:

I bought a 2019 Starweld Victory 20 new.

it was October 2019, the boat was marked down $8000.

I read about Starweld quality issues.

but since the boat cost about $20,000 less than a StarCraft or Crestliner I decided to roll the dice.

so far there have been no issues.

when I went to put downriggers on the gunnels I had to reinforce underneath with aluminum plate, there was no extra material added from the factory.

the Yamaha 150 runs flawlessly, kicker 9.9 same.

now coming from a 19 foot Four Winns the aluminum boat feels like riding on a big cork.

we got caught at Chamont bay when the weather kicked up, the short ride back to Henderson Harbor was intimidating.

I personally would not go on Lake O with less than 20 feet.

I sold my pick up, my Honda Passport will tow this boat, but I really miss fiberglass!

I usually fish the finger lakes, Cayuga can roll pretty good too.

if I were to do it again I would go to a 22 foot fiberglass.

Bob

Thanks for that input! I agree Cayuga can get rough and that's why I always check the weather before taking my tracker deepv17 out on it. I will look into fiberglass as well after all of you guys talking about them I worry the price will be considerably higher.

1 minute ago, PAP said:

A lot of guys like the aluminum boats as far as weight to to and that adds speed to their vessel, I get the old Patsy Kline “blue by you” lol as I’m running a Sea ray fisherman, heavy to tow heavy every which way, therefore I need a tandem axel trailer to put the old girl on and bring north then in the fall back to pa. I live for trolling!! My fiberglass cuddy I took the motor out built a 383 and a 4 bladed prop and I’ll never look back! I see guys out off Stoney Point Lighthouse blowing around like a kite Unless they run a steerable front mount trolling motor. Again I’m bouncing off 25-35mph drinking 93 octane like a soft drink!!! I can troll in 3fters depending how they are spaced… if I throw trolling socks over each side the ankers me to the water. There’s pro’s and con’s to every type of boat…next year I’m putting a Four Winns with a 200hp Johnson on with very little time on it this is a open bow with so much more room spray down deck live wells and dead wells rod storage!! But I have everything but the kitchen sink in the cuddy, from pan fish to king salmon feeling like this is flying solo type of thing. Anyway that’s my perspective of boats!! No matter who you talk to you, your going t get a different perspective of likes and dislikes!!! How handy are you?? Can you repair stuff or not, my uncle has a 16ft Mirrow Craft he loves it personally I wouldn’t give ya $10.00 for it. But he hauls my ass around in it, so it is what it is!!!

Thanks for that input! I am always towing back and forth so would prefer the lighter weight. I do alot of my own repairs but this old evinrude has see its last day in the water...

Thoughts on the Crestliner Commander? its 10k more than the Fusion 18 pro DC which not sure I can swing 50k on a boat without needing to find a new living situation might be living in the dog house permanently 

19 hours ago, 51 Ashton said:

I own a 2020 starweld 16 dc pro. I can only speak of this boat. As for being sea worthy for it size I think it's greatest attribute. Anyone that remembers the labor day storm two years ago which I do because I got caught off shore about a mile when it hit me. Waves were coming over the windshield and landing on the rear casting deck and running back out of the boat. Sometime before I responded to a post on the same subject sometime in Feb or March of this year. The quality of the work is poor and if your boat has to go back to factory depending on what needs to be done it will never be the same boat again as you remember it. I'm still finding discrepancies from when it was at the factory twice for sub par rivets and to repair the items they missed or created while replacing rivets.  

I wouldn't buy another starweld in this size and would go over a bigger boat with a fine tooth comb before deciding to buy another one. Starweld is made in the smokercraft factory. I wouldn't buy anything coming out of that factory. I'll be up in a month if anyone would like to check out a starweld fusion pro. I will glading point out the flaws in their workmanship. There are some good things about it. I can put it in anywhere. Electric only, 10hp restrictions and unlimited hp bodies of water.n

Thank you for that feedback! I may look into another manufacturer, it seems like every company's workmanship has gone downhill in the recent years. pick a company and you will find numerous people who have had major issues with them. Any reccomendations on manufacturers that make a decent 16-18ft boat that would do well on Ontario? I dont plan to take it out there often but the ocasional trip would be nice.

I am looking to buy a new boat in the next 3 or 4 years. I fish mainly the finger lakes but would like to be able to head to Lake Ontario some day. I am looking at the Starweld Fusion 16 DC and the Fusion Pro18 DC. Would the 16 be too small for Lake O? about a $10,000 difference in prices right now. of course alot can change over the next few years! My 40hp on my Tracker died this year so looking to get a small motor to just tie me over for a few years then plan to purchase the new boat. Thank you for all of your help and input!

Do you have a model number for this? I am looking for one I can add a remote to.

Is there a good time to come out to Clute Park planning this morning probably in an hr or so.

Saturday I will be at the National Lake Trout Derby weigh-in at Clute Park campground most all day as I am chairman. Sunday I plan on watching some of the Indy 500.You can call me 607 535 2390.

7 minutes ago, TROUTMAN 87 said:

Yes I have 7-$25.00 each.

I will take 2. I hopefully can make it up to Watkins this weekend if you are around.

Do you have any 10lb Torpedo weights in stock?

Does anyone know what colors Michigan stinger is retiring? I can't find it anywhere but got an email saying lots of colors are being retired. Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G986U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I will try and fix that! Guess might have to post in youtube before sharing here.

I'd like to see video but i do not see any link.
 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Ordered from them 2 weeks ago still waiting... they said they have an order of them that is supposed to ship tomorrow so hopefully will get my order soon.

https://fatnancystackle.com/collections/brand-michigan-stinger/lure-size-scorpion




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Anyone know of a bait shop that actually has any Michigan stinger scorpions in stock?? Cant find anyone who actually has them in stock right now!!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I ordered one of Big Al's small spoon pads. I am only using the scorpion size spoons right now so should be able to fit plenty on that pad. We will see how it works and can always go a different route next year or if I start using bigger spoons. Thanks for the help!

I looked back. I bought mine from Doug (Dhm) here on Lou. Might want to send him a pm I am really happy with mine. So small and handy
If you go with spoon pads make sure you know the size you are buying and figure out where you are going to hang/store them as for us that created a problem of its own


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Ok those look similar to the Amish outfitter pads. Will look into them! Thanks!

Big Al’s spoon pads.

I am getting more and more spoons and looking for the best way to organize and store them. Not alot of storage on the boat so looking for the best way to keep my spoons organized and easily accessible. Thanks for any help!

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Its 5ft per color at 2 mph, at 2.5 mph its more like 3 or 3.5 ft per color. You may gain a little bit of depth with more line out but with 30 lb mono it wont be much due to the drag of the thicker mono. If your backing was braid you might gain a little more.

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So I have a 5 color leadcore rod setup with 150yards of 30lb mono backing. Now I get that its 6-6.5ft of depth per color stated on the sheet for the line but do you get extra depth by letting the lead out further with the backing? Is there a graph or any info on this? Thanks!

Are the line counters near the handle or on the end of the boom?

Saw some on craigslist for 125 for the pair. Thinking about picking then up have to talk the wife into as she just got laid off due to this virus and I have already spent a bunch getting the boat ready...