Fishtails

Thanks for the suggestions! I was thinking cutting it as well, so that sounds like the way I am leaning. I will probably just snap a chalk line and cut it. Making the new top should be fun and not to hard. To raise it, I was really hoping to not make it overly complicated. The aluminum window frame and the fiberglass top are bolted together. Right now I can't access the bolts, but I am thinking as I get into this job I should be able to access them from the top. I have not really thought this part through, but my gut feeling was to add a spacer between the window frame and the top. Wouldn't that work? I measured it last night...there is about 5'10 under the hardtop. I would like to get 4 or more inches. I want this job to look good, so that is a big factor. Thanks again for all the input...it's helping in the thought process. I started the electrical yesterday....pulled the dash and all the gauges and ordered new ones. Half of them didn't work anymore. Good lord there are a lot of wires. With twins I have two sets of gauges. I am in no hurry though, so I can take the time to make it right

I have taken the opportunity this season to fish off of friends boats, and have left mine at home for the season to give her some needed tlc. This break has finally given me a chance to do some major work and I am finally getting started on it. Besides some small stuff, the power plants are fine, as the twin six's and outdrives have been replaced over the past couple years. Over all the boat is rock solid and has been our main tournament vessel the past 4 years. My main objective is to rewire, as the boat is 30 years old and the wiring is a bit of a mess. I have all the original wiring diagrams, so I think I am good to go an that, but any ideas or suggestions would be welcome. But what I need opinions on is the flybridge. I want to remove it and go to a strait hard top. I don't use it, and the kids are growing up and don't go up there anymore. It adds weight, a lot of wind resistanse, lots of extra wiring and cables I want to clean up, etc, etc. I also want to raise the top a few inches, as it's only about 5'9" under the hardtop and we have all cracked our head numerous times. I started the process, but found it's probably glued down, as I removed all the screws but it's not budging in the center. I can cut it, but that will be a point of no return, so I want to be really sure this is what I want to do. Any opinions? Is it worth all the effort. I plan on keeping the boat for awhile yet, so I really am leaning towards doing this while I have her out of use for the season. Here is what the bridge looks like (only pic I can find...wife moved them somewhere) Here is the same boat as mine, but with a strait hardtop. This is what I am going after. So what do ya think.....go for it? Or...get over it and leave it alone?

Shade, I think the winners in both Pro & Am signed in Niagara and failed to cash a check....then did not sign in Orleans and went on to win. Coincidence ? Maybe....maybe not, but it gets ya thinking, doesn't it? Goes to possibly show how phones can really skew the results. Thanks for keeping this agreement going Vince & Pete. Hope it continues to grow

Nice report Hans....great job and what a nice atlantic & king !

Hey Jim, Got your call....flies were shipped from Big Weenie yesterday and I should have them before I leave tomorrow. They included a special package complimentary for you I asked them to send mostly rigged flashabou flies, since they have been so good for us this year. I will give the pack to Matt for you to have @ the captians meeting. Thanks again for being a great observer and I am glad you enjoyed the expierence. Hope we can do it all again.

WOW....what other way can a report from last weekend start? We are blessed with an amazing fishery that can easily be taken for granted. The fishing was just outstanding, and the results and all the reports clearly support that. I only wish it could have lasted longer I fished the Niagara Pro Am as our Lucky Enuff team with teammate Jeff, his son Matt and our newest member Rob. LOU member Jimmy I observed for us....thanks again Jim!! It was a rough start....weather wise. We fished out of Olcott (a first) in Jeffs new boat, so everything was a new experience for us. We couldn't get on the water until Thursday afternoon, thanks to a hard blow. We did a little prefishing Thursday afternoon and to be honest, so much happened over the 4 days I can't even recall how we did Thursday Friday we head out a little late, but it was quickly game on as one fish after the next hit the deck. We choose to stay close to port, as Jeff didn't really want to run very much with the new boat, and I fully undersood that. We decided to fish a few miles east of Olcott, and would stick to that plan the whole weekend. We found a pocket of fish that had decent size, but the pod was only within a half mile area and the waters beyond this pod produced only small fish (or none at all). We know the bar was a killing field, but it was just out of reach for us in this event so we choose to make the best of what we could with our Olcott fish. Friday was just great, as we narrowed down our most productive waters and found that to be in the 200- 275 fow range for the bigger fish. We went to weigh in with a 3 fish box of 47 lbs....not good enough for and dough, but optimistic for the weekend Saturday was a great day, except for our sub troll didn't work and we would fish the entire weekend without speed or temp We started a tad slow, but we finally got to our fish and took our first on a warrior spoon (Humpback). That spoon took two nice kings before getting tore off. Warrior Glow belly creeper was good to us as well, along with some DW spoons. Most of our good fish came on Big Weenie flies and MC Rockets. The BW saltsy balls fly was just sick on the 340 deeper diver (#2 setting). Actually, for flies we ran nothing but Big Weenie flashabou flies. Saltsy balls was great, as was the Dominator, and a new custom fly that might be available later this year called the spook. That spook fly was crazy good for both our team and the Oh Baby crew. I think Matt said he took 12 fish on it one day. We ended our day on a 3 wire rod triple....what a hoot!! A Hi Ho Silver MC Rocket behind a chrome paddle took it's turn....twice We ended the day with a 9 fish 97 lb box and were sitting in third after day one. Sunday we left the dock with a go big or go home plan. We ran only one spoon to start, and pulled that quick after two dinks ate it for breakfast. From then on it would be all flys and rockets for the first several hours. Our first king came aboard after deciding it wanted our Hi Ho Silver MC Rocket on the 400 copper...bad idea and he took a fish nap in the white coffin. It would be a slow pick for us, as our screen had dried up and our fish were gone. We choose not to communicate in this event, so we were gonna have to search until we found them. By 10, we only had 4 fish, so we decided we better start spooning up and picking on some of the smaller fish. Well, we waited a little to late and threw back an early fish that was within captians discretion. We came up one fish short with only eight in the box for Sunday. The one we should have boxed cost us two spots ....lesson learned. It was a GREAT trip, we took home a check and had so much fun ! Rob...thanks for joining us bud. You were great and welcome back anytime! Thanks to my teammate JeffJ for bringing his awesome new boat. It was like old times bud...the way it started in the port it started I think we succeeded in our goal...to put the fun back into tournament fishing. It was great seeing everyone again. As I reflected back on my 6 hour drive home, I thought of all the people I now know and get to hang with thanks to all these awesome tournaments we get to fish. Three tournaments into the season, it has been the best season to date thanks to great teammates! I know I couldn't talk to everyone, and to those who I may have had to inadvertently blow off at one point or another....please accept my apology as it seemed I was being pulled three different ways from the time I arrived until the time we left. I look forward to seeing everyone again this weekend, as I will be fishing the Orleans Pro Am with my buddies on the Oh Baby team on the Pro Side.

Greg, I never said "when" they said they got that information. If I am correct, the team they mentioned DID sign the no communication agreement, so it is obvious the information exchange was during non tournament hours....and IMO there is nothing wrong with that....we all do it !! All I am saying is that it will be assumed by some of their peers they probably used their phone during fishing hours to gather information that "may have" helped them catch their winning box of fish. Obviously, they have connections (by their own admission). They choose not to sign the agreement for a reason. Don't get me wrong.... IMO anyone who wins a Pro Am, or even finishes in the $$ deserves much credit!! I do applaud the winners and I want to be clear on that. They beat some very tough teams and first place is not an easy task no matter what. They played fair and won by the rules. The reward is a big check and a trophy. All I implied was that in the eyes of their peers, there will be some credibility questions. That being said...they won fair and square Peer pressure is how things get done Greg, just a fact of life.

Greg, I thought that a lot teams really stepped up to the plate and made a statement, and those teams should hold their head high and take a bow! If I understand you correctly, what you are saying is that you feel if your team didn't sign the no communication agreement but did better than some teams that did....you deserve equal or greater respect from your peers? That just isn't going to happen and I am sure you realize that. Since I fished the AM division in this event, I will direct my comments to that division only, and I thought the participation was outstanding! Pete made a comment earlier in this thread that sorta left out the AMs. This was addressed and the AM teams made their voice be heard!! There can be no doubt where the opinion of the "weekend warriors" lies on the communication issue. Now, are you suggesting that a team such as our team, which was only one of the many teams that DID sign, and put ourselves at a serious disadvantage over the team that ultimately won, that we should respect their accomplishment in the same manner we would had a no communication team won? That just isn't going to happen because my understanding is that they openly thanked a pro team on stage for information that put them on the fish. Even had that not come out, it would have been assumed. The teams that didn't "man up", won't garner the same respect for an otherwise equal accomplishment from their peers...nor should they. They still collect their check and played by the rules set forth by the committee, so they get "crowned" winner of that event, as they should. IMO, there will always be an asterix though, but that is my opinion only. I agree that friendships should not be lost over this!! That would be a real shame and it's a great point that you made Greg. Some close friends on the Pro side that I fish with found themselves in that very position. The captian wanted to sign, but a friend/teammate did not and the vote was split. IMO, he made the right choice in that event by NOT signing. Hurting a friendship would NEVER be worth it. Now, they will have more time to consider things and go from there. Congrats to Ivan and team Get It Wet for winning the Pro Division AND signing the no communication agreement....job well done Ivan and crew !!!

Happy birthday Tim. [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

That sounds good Pete. Good job taking control of this. Any other folks want to help out on the Am side, just let me know. Heading to Olcott....see everyone there! [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Icefrog, Shade is not the only AM...our team is fishing Am this tourney and we are signing up. Our team has made a vow to sign a no communication agreement no matter if other AM teams sign on or not....I have said that from the begining. Nobody "has to" sign, but we will all know who does and who doesn't. It will be interesting to see who refuses to throw away their cellular crutch I am unsure why Pete choose not to include the AM division in the first place, but no worries....the AM division will be included one way or the other. We all need to work together on this. Either myself or my teammate Jeff will be at the captians meeting and we will gladly head the AM sign up sheet if need be. I also want to do what I can to see that the participating (or non participating) teams are posted on line after the Event.

OK Nick...leave a few for us please. And how about some more pics with the wife holding fish. I'm getting tired of looking at you Nice reports bud, I roll into town Wednesday afternoon. I'll give you a call

I would hope & expect the AM teams are included as well Pete. We don't need any further segregation. Any possible future rule change would effect both divisions, so all parties of interest would I hope, be included. I spoke with Jeff and he was in agreement that our team will gladly sign on at the captians meeting, reguardless of other teams involvement Splashdown in 3 days

See ya this week Tim.

Nice bud!! When ya there till Nick? Looks like you are having a blast!!

Paul, that was so well wrote I read it twice...lol. The gentlemens agreement has been floating in my head for the past week. Don't get me wrong, I do not agree with the committee doing nothing. I feel at the least they should sternly discourage and frown upon open communication between vessels and other fisherman. There doesn't need to be a punishment short of being labeled a cheat by your peers. That being said, I think I can speak for my teammate Jeff when I say Lucky Enuff will be glad to sign a no communication agreement at the meeting. The only thing I would like to see is the list of teams be posted on line for all to see. Time to put up or shut up guys. Personally, I am not going to worry about a few teams having an advantage over our team because they didn't sign the agreement. That will make it all the more enjoyable when we beat them! And besides, even if we loose to a team that didn't sign...then we have an excuse..lmao! C'mon guys...time to man up...count us In Paul. [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

So are we in this one Tim...lol. I would have a blast with Ray, I hope we get him. [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Hey Howie...thanks man...I was part of a good team! We are parking the RV in Olcott I guess at the Harbor Resort ? Talked to the guy on the phone...we'll see I guess? So you are saying Ray may be on our boat...you better bring a pad and pencil Ray...I will bring the Pink towels and duck tape...lmao! We are using Jeffs new boat, so we very well may be paired up. Looking forward to seeing you guys next week. Btw Ray....Niagara usually has the largest turnout for the AM div every year....glad to see 26 in....thanks For that info Jeff! [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

So who is in the Niagara Pro Am this year? This is always my favorite, so I can't wait to point the RV north and get busy fishing. Anybody have an idea how many teams are in this year? We will be docked in Olcott for the first time....should be fun! [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Ladyblugill, Some of the most enjoyable memories are getting to meet and know our observers, who often become friends. Also, observers are/were important when the cash payout is/was higher . The way things have turned out, entries have gone down almost every year since I first started fishing the pro ams. At some point rules have to change accordingly to either repair the problems that lead to the decline or revamp them to create new interest. I have always loved the Pro Am. Almost nobody knows this, but I (yes...me) am the one who came up with the idea of the open division and presented it to the committee in 09. Why....because they were going to dismantle the Am division back then and turn it into a "no rules", no observer, big 3 fish division. I felt then, much as Glen feels now, so I came up with the open division idea to save our much loved Am division. Here is a response from a committee member to me that I pulled off one of our many emails I have always been asked to keep it confidential, but I think enough time has passed Anyhow....maybe I made a mistake back in 09 ? Perhaps the Am should have been restructured....just differently that what they originally proposed ? The committee appears to no longer seek out outside opinions or ideas, so who knows what will happen next? I have not heard from anyone in two years.

Chad, having fished all 4 events in the AM division now for the past 4 years, I really do know what you are saying. I had GREAT observers last year and I think we have another great guy again this year for Niagara, and it has been a joy and pleasure getting to know them. But that being said, when you take into account the time and stress it adds, on top of the low cash payout (due in part to the low volumn of teams), the high price of gas to both tow and run the boat, dockage, high lodging costs, observer pay, entry fees, etc, etc...it's just not worth fishing the AM division under the current structure. I personally have somewhat given up on the AM division, and I'm only fishing the AM in Niagara this year. I was scheduled to fish the AM division in Sodus, but we opted to not fish the Sodus Pro Am at all now and replaced it with the Whitby KOTL event instad due to the new no communication structure in the Big Jon tournaments. I don't like it because I love the Pro Am format, but you can't fight city hall and IMO it's time to move on unless drastic change takes place FAST! It's just my opinion, but I think the AM division is in it's twilight days and will eventually be replaced by the open division...which in turn will become the "new" AM division. Only question in my mind is how long will they wait to make the move?

Good job Rob and very nice report Only a little more than a week and it's Lake O time

Hey everyone, We have a great opportunity for one responsible person to be an observer for our team in the Niagara Pro Am. You can earn $100 for the weekend and you are also welcome to pre fish with us on thurs or Friday if you wish. If you are from out of town you can stay with us for free in the motor home if you can deal with a short pull out sofa. Great times and a great chance to learn. Pm me if interested. [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Better late than never, eh? Those fish have been there, we just couldn't get them to bite in the WHI with the cold water. It's good to hear they are coming to life as the water warms....thanks for the report. [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Happy Birthday Rick! [ Post made via Mobile Device ]