momay4000

Pap, Boat US covers me for seatow and roadside for trailering issues. It costs me about $85.00 a year. You are forced to buy a membership which gets you 15% discounts at Westmarine and BOAT magazine and that is included in the total price. However, to have that piece of mind on our lake is worth its weight in gold IMO. I've heard stories of a seatow costing up to $500.00 depending on distance to port. I have separate liability and property insurance on my boat and belongings through Amica and that is much more - approximately $400.00/year. Good luck, Chris

I have not had that problem but I do appreciate your post with facts supporting your earlier statement Sorry u had a bad experience

Why avoid raymarine? How bout some facts to back this up. I'm a raymarine guy - spx sport pilot and it works fine. First one became a little stiff after 3 years and they sent me a new helm unit at no cost

Rolmops, Typically the lake is low this time of year (although not always) and then it rises in April and May. Thanks for the update on the launch at I-Bay. That being said, I'd be petrified of launching this time of year with any type of south wind. I can imagine that the open water could close up in a heartbeat with ice. Here's a link to current/past and future projections on water level. http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/data/dashboard/GLWLD.html Good luck, Chris

Amen!!

Tomy, Everybody is always learning, that's what makes fishing this lake so fun. I have every Dan Keating book (except his most recent), both his DVD's and videos from Chip Porter, I read this post every day and try and learn and teach others every time I'm on the water. I have also been to Keating's seminars and fished and mated both Lake Ontario and Lake Michigan. I have fished out of multiple ports from Oswego to the Niagara Bar and from Muskegon to Manistee in Michigan. Despite that, I know there's so much more to learn to better my craft but I look up to guys like Yankee Troller, Missdemeanor, Thrillseeker, Gill-T, Tim Bromund, Silver Fox, Gambler, on the Lam, KING ME, Paul C., Mark Cole, and the list goes on and on who are always eager to give great advice. I also look up to my great buddy Anthony who I fish with on a weekly basis who has taught me more than I could ever learn in a book or video. The knowledge of all these great men has taught me so much and many of them I haven't even met!! If you really want to see what you don't know but see how much you can learn, participate with these great men and women during a tournament!! IMO, I think guys get a little ticked off when someone touts a technique as something only they invented as if it's the holy grail or mecca of salmon fishing - and make a lot of money talking about it. However, if the "technique" has already been around for awhile, although probably referred to by a different name, it gets irritating. That being said, it's ultimately up to you to chose what you want to learn with and what you want to learn with. I truly enjoyed Keating's books, especially some of his theory of using the "box" and visualizing your spread. I also enjoyed his videos and I'm sure reading his books also taught you something, so that's what it's all about! I'm one of the most stubborn people on this site at times, as I always want to learn "why" a technique works and try and apply science to it, only to be humbled that not everything has a reason behind it. I have learned that many a fisherman/woman before me have already done the work for me with their experience and I should respect their wisdom. Keep learning my friend and keep it real and fun. Spring can't come soon enough - I'm salivating to read a fishing report instead of fishing comparisons of fishing to a dress for crying out loud! Later pal, Chris

Thanks very much - great information.

Great videos! Love the YT action. Thanks for sharing, Chris

Thanks for posting this. I'm always amazed at what seems like a very low catch rate per angler hour. For example chinook rate of about 0.09 fish per angler hour. This would mean if 10 boats of 3 fisherman fishing 6 hours (180 total angler hours) would only catch 16.2 total salmon(180 *.09) between them or only 1.62 chinook per boat for a 6 hour day. Does that seem a bit low or am I spoiled reading some awesome reports on this site? Thanks very much for sharing this

Lmao!! Same here. Spring can't come soon enough.

Gill - great post. I agree 100%. I think - me included here- way overthink things. Your post is spot on.

Guys/gals, I always like to support local companies and have spent many a dollar at A-Tom-Mik over the years. I'm sure you all know that A-Tom-Mik's quality is second to none but what sets them apart is owner Tom Allen's customer service. Recently, I PM'ed Mr. Allen regarding a delay in an order and he immediately wrote me back and shipped the order that day. He also through in the clear plastic tubing to use along with bulk rattles that I purchased. After receiving it in the mail today, to my surprise there was a few extra complementary goodies in the box for the inconvenience. Ladies/gents this is not the first time that Tom has done this. These are the companies to support - make sure you check out his website for yourself and pick up something along the way. Thanks again Tom, Chris Disclaimer - blah, blah, blah.....but I am in no way affiliated financially or through sponsorship with Atomik. I just love his products and service

F**K IT!! That's my favorite