J.D.

I know exactly what you mean. By mid February, I'm sick of the cold and lack of sun. I lay on the floor with the dogs soaking up any sunlight that comes through the skylights. I did not go to the Niagara show, won't go the the gun show this weekend, and know better than to go to the boat show at the state fairgrounds. I do make a lot of small purchases from from online tackle shops, many are sponsors of this site. I 've been fishing the big pond since 1988, and God knows, I don't need any more 'stuff", especially big ticket items. I put a new vinyl floor in the rig this past fall, will make a bunch of new trolling flies over the next month ( thanks Purple Taco ), tape up a few spoons, and move lures to my custom tackle boxes made in Bulgaria. Hoping for an early spring, and a dredged channel at Braddocks Bay.

I have been using 7 1/2 foot muskie rods from Bass Pro with twilli tips. Just finished their 5th season, $25 a piece.

Iharold.. telling us where you are would be a help. No need telling you about perch around Monroe County if you live in Watertown...

X2... also do the same with a mono leader in front of wire.

As this setup is new to you, the winch on the trailer may be too small for the boat. A larger winch with with a longer handle and different gear ratio, along with a strap, not rope used to pull the boat forward. I have a 17ft. Starcraft deep-vee, full windshield, riggers and weights, and a 300lb. 90hp outboard.... and can crank the boat up the bunks with minimal trailer in the water, I'm 59 years old and 160 lbs.

You'll be alright .... just don't eat the amoebas unless fully cooked. USDA suggests amoebas be heated to 175 degrees F.

re post your question in the panfish section of this website.... you will get more info.

Depth Raider

Copy that.... we have been working 200 / 250 FOW before the flip and were doing well. I had a newbie on board today and hoped to score a few browns without venturing into too "sporty" a chop..... didn't want to scare him off .

Fished the inside waters from the Genny to Lewis Shoal, 60 to 100 FOW. Wind was brisk out of the SSW, waves building as you move deeper, 17 ft. tin boat, so stayed close today. Good temps..... 55 degrees 70 over 90, a few nice bait pods, very few hooks on the screen. Cycled through many lures and sets...... 3 1/2 hours.... first skunk of the year.. Fleas are there, but manageable. Back out Monday AM Jim S..

Deep water temp off Rochester was 75 degrees last night, NE winds have caused an up welling.... temp. is 45 degrees as of 10 am Sunday

mfox062 may be new to LOU, but I've known him for a number of years, and have seen this boat many times at the company fishing tournaments at Sodus Bay. The boat is in very good shape for its age and has been well maintained. Mitch is a straight shooter, stand up guy. Buyers will have an easy time working with him. This will make an excellent fall perch rig for someone once the big lake boats are put up for the season.. Jim S.

Once we have an up-welling and the cold water rolls closer to the surface, the adults will die off. Every thing with them is temp. driven.

I run fixed cheaters all the time. To change lures, I release from the rigger, and put the rod back in the holder until the spoons reach the surface. Raise the rod tip high and reel in SLOWLY !! If you crank the spoons too fast, they will spin and tangle together. Let the lures "swim" back to the boat..... Retrieve slowly and you will have no problems.

I think Steve.e has it right. Add cash and bragging rights into the equation and most tournament guys clam up. As a weekend warrior, I still fish like I did before the interweb was around..... watch the wind direction for a few days prior to fishing, stop and check water temps. with a probe on the way out, pick a starting point, then adjust to what I see on the fish finder. Half the fun for me is getting things dialed in on my own. I am also guilty of not posting info. after my trips.... I will try to correct that laziness from now on.