momay4000

I can't believe some guys have such specific numbers like this. In my opinion, it's your money so you can mount anything you want if it has special meaning to you. Maybe it was a fish you caught on a special lure, a fish you placed in a tournament, or something you caught or killed during a special time in your life.....if it's special to you than mount it. FWIW, I have many, many fish and deer mounts and many are trophies, but my favorite is still my dad's 26# king he cuaght 10 years on Lake Michigan that I proudly display since he passed away a few years ago. If you wait until you catch the 35# king, 18# steelie, or 22# laker for a mount, you might have a lifetime of regrets..... This isn't meant to offend, it's simply meant as my opinion, - Chris

I have it - and love it. Probably the best thing I have ever added on a boat. I have it on my '08 Trophy 2152, 22' 4.3 Merc sterndrive. At the time I wanted an AP, I was limited in the choices out there for boats with cable steering and I didn't want to upgrade to a hydraulic system. Pros: - offers hands-free trolling, good when fishing alone - easy to install - great customer service at Raymarine when it was recalled two yrs. ago - holds up great in 3-4' waves Cons: - a bit noisy - makes the captain's wheel a bit "tight" when on Standby and you are manually steering the boat - at times it has a bit much of steer/countersteer when staying on course All in all, I'd buy it again in a heartbeat, - Chris

Improved Clinch works fine, or I personally use a Trilene knot and never once had it fail on any swivels I tie it on. Somewhere on this site is a link to a "How to Tie" knots tutorial which is awesome Good luck, - Chris

I have an '08 Trophy 2152 and I put a stereo in in last year myself. It was easy and I installed a marine Jansen combo (2 speakers, radio, and a mounting box ) and it cost me around $119 in total. The speakers are sealed so they can tolerate damp conditions. I mounted the radio to the "false panel" in the cuddy, right behind the helm, and I mounted the speakers in the cut outs on the walls between the walkaround area and the seats. The speakers were about a 1/4" smaller than the cutouts, but it still looked and worked great and I used the existing cut out ring to hide the gap. I cut through the wall in the helm to get at the buss bars for the red/black wires and I tied directly into my battery for the "memory" wire for your presets. It took me about 4 hrs start to finish and was a great "do-it-yourself) project. It works great, sounds great (personally I don't think you need 4 speakers) Good luck, - Chris

Maisie, I have docked at Mayer's the past four years and my brother has been there for about 10. It's at the north end near the channel. I paid $55/ft last year (22' Trophy with 8 1/2' beam). I think he charges only $50/ft if you have a smaller beam. It's a "working man's" marina with very little bells/whistles but it does the job just fine and they have good gas and it's close to the lake. Good luck, - Chris

Maisie, You are correct - I researched it and ALL of the new Wayne County plastic permits will say "Restrictions" under your picture. However, as long as nothing is written there, it's an Unrestricted CC. Thanks very much, - Chris

Hey gang, First of all - Happy New Year. Second, I know this is probably a ridiculous question, but I just received my new "plastic" pistol permit yesterday from Wayne County and I want to make sure it's Unrestricted. Under my picture is the word "Restrictions" in red, but nothing is written below it. I would assume the permit is Unresticted based on this (i.e. the judge would have written "for hunting purposes", "home use", etc. and it would be listed under my picture if the permit was restricted). However, if the word "unrestricted" was on the permit it certainly would make me feel better. Can anyone help me here? I'm looking for folks who either work in law enforcement or have one of the new plastic Wayne County permits which they started issuing last year. Thanks a bunch, - Chris

Brian, He just added it after he edited it. - Chris

Price?

Happy Birthday dude, Can't wait to get back on the boat with ya in only a few short months. - Chris

Ladies/gentlemen, I just got word that my "bread and butter" coyote gun for the past few years just got recalled by S+W/Thompson so I have to stop using it immediately and send it back to the factory for repair. Nonetheless, I own both a .243 and /17HMR, but I'm concerned the .17 won't be heavy enough for a good coyote kill, so I'm set on using the .243 to kill a few dogs this year. Could anyone recommend a good .243 cartridge for coyotes that won't destroy the pelt? Thanks a bunch, - Chris

Goin deep, Here's another link: http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/jiofd ... -2789ndf98 Absolutely mind boggling to me if this is real (for some reason it's hard for me to think this entire event could have been captured in front of one trail cam.....but it wouldn't be the first time there was a hoax on the 'net) Thanks for sharing, - Chris

Awesome story Fisherman - I'm sure you are still walking on cloud 9 since you shot your first buck!! Thanks for sharing your awesome story....I'm sure there will be plenty more. You brought a little tear to my eye tonight b/c I shot my first deer with the same gun you have (it looks like an old Mossberg 185, with the plastic grips on the buttstock and the famous poly-choke) 24 years ago on my very first "solo" hunt when I was old enough to sit by myself. My dad let me borrow this gun and I remember I "spined" my first deer ever - a small doe - and I started crying when she was paralyzed and I had no idea what to do. My ol' man heard all the commotion and came over to finish her off and I can remember just sitting with him next to the deer with him consoling me. My dad passed away almost four years ago, but it's stories like this which bring me back to those great old days. Thanks again for sharing and may your success continue afield, - Chris

Shawn - great job on the buck my friend....and great story!! Be safe and good luck the rest of the season, - Chris

Paul, I agree with you 100%. FWIW, I shoot Muzzy 100g 3 blades and have shot many a deer with them but never lost any. That being said I'm a wimp and I limit my shots to 20 yds or less. I practice 30 yds., but only feel confident 20 yds or less. Over the last four years, every deer I took with them was a pass through. Thanks for responding - good luck, - Chris

Paul, With all due respect - especially b/c you have a background in science - you have applied a sampling bias to your findings that most fixed broadheads you have found in carcasses have been Muzzys. Your statement seems to imply Muzzy broadheads might be inferior to other fixed blades. I would argue that most fixed broadheads being used by hunters in the woods are Muzzys, and maybe that's one reason why you're finding more of them than other brands..........lol - Chris

That fish is definitely a "redfish" - more commonly called ocean perch. It is not a red snapper Deaf fisherman - way to go bud!!! Make sure we get out on Lady O again next year with Anthony D. Good luck, - Chris

Good news! No more wind farms on Lake O......read below http://www.democratandchronicle.com/art ... |text|Home Thanks to all our on-site advocates who helped steer this in the right direction, - Chris

Good luck fishing, As an FYI - you're lucky the cop didn't approach your car with his gun drawn if he saw you holding something in your hand (i.e. your cell phone taking a picture) Jusy my 2 cents to protect our officers and you - good luck this weekend, - Chris

I would increase your rates by 50-75% of the cost of four one-day tickets and market on your website " the cost of four derby tickets is included with each charter...." If you market it correctly, the customer will think they're getting it as a "free" perk.......... I also agree with Mark - the captains out of Rochester are some of the best on this lake!!!!!!!!!!! - Chris

Bruce, With all due respect, you should be honored that people have money in this economy to spend on a charter, and have the ability to fish with a fisherman as good as you with a solid reputation. Perhaps they don't have extra funds to spend on the LOC entry fee, or perhaps they just don't care, don't know how to register, or don't know how much money they can earn. Maybe my advice would be that you increase your charter by the cost of a one day registration and mandate they have an LOC ticket just like they need a fishing license. Keep in mind your clients might only want to fish to "get away from it all" and simply want to have a good time with their friends/families. Not everyone is a "die hard" fisherman like us and wants/needs to win a derby. Just my two cents - coming from someone who has been yelled at and ridiculed by other charter captains while I was a paying customer on their boats!!! - Chris

Tim, Great pic - I am very humbled, as I have been fishing Lake O and Lake Michigan for over 20 years, and would have called that a chinook and never known it was a coho. Thanks very much for sharing, - Chris

Mark, I'm sure everyone has their own theories on this, but I'm not sure about a "light biting" theory. In my opinion, salmon are eating machines and they are going to hammer a bait when hungry. What I can tell you, is our hooks have all taken a beating by this time of year ( whacking on the net, the boat, hard fish mouths, pliers, etc.). Try sharpening your hooks razor sharp. Good luck, - Chris

Steve, Way to go my friend - what an awesome fish!!!!! Thanks for sharing, -Chris

Brother Matt, Freakin awesome report my friend - man I miss being out there. My buddy Anthony sent me some pics of his offshore bounty and he did awesome as well!!!! Way to go bud, Chris