Mike M

I had the TR-1 on my previous boat and loved it . Was a big factor helping to sell that boat. My next, new to me boat I bought another TR-1 and have no regrets. That was in 2013. Best money I have spent on both boats. As far as the EZ-steer setup,leave all the hardware on the kicker and your outdrive. Disconnect the EZ-steer bar and keep it on the boat. If TR-1 ever fails just recconect the EZ-steer bar and continue trolling. As far as parts availability I'm not 100% sure. Talked to Garmin and they did not give me a definitive answer on how long parts would be available. I talked to a marine dealership in pacific NW that has sold and installed probably more TR-1 then any place in USA. Can't remember the name but I wrote it down and will find and post. They made it sound like they have lots of parts that would be available for some time to come. The TR-1 originated from the pacific NW. Company was called Nautimatic marine. My first one I bought directly from them. Garmin bought them out-not sure when. Garmin made no chances or improvements in the TR-1. BTW only component that has failed 20+ years of 2 TR-1s is the pump on my first TR-1. Watching this closely cause I feel someday I'm gonna need parts or need to replace the TR-1. Yes I have read positive reviews on the Reactor 40 AP. If it was me, and they would discount the TR-1 heavally I'd go for it.

I would find a reputable prop shop in your area work with them. My current new to me boat had wrong prop on it when I bought it. Local prop shop let me test 2 different props by giving them a deposit. What a difference when I got right prop on the boat. BTW , I do not like stainless steel props on a fishing boat. No need for it. If you ding something with a SS prop its just gonna cost more $$$ cause you probably have lower unit damage too. Aluminum props are easily repaired.

I’m local. A place I’ve heard good things about is the Lakeview motel in Youngstown NY. 716-791-8668. It’s in a good location to launch at either Ft. Niagara state park or Tuscarora state park in Wilson. Hard to say where best fishing will be that time in May. Checkout Lakeview motel on line. I’ve heard it’s fishermen friendly. I’m gonna try PM you with more info. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

All my diver reels have line counters. I use the Tekota 600LC for L.Ontario. On Erie I use Daiwa 47 Sealine Line counters. I'm not experienced with Okuma reels but hear good things about some but not all for alot less money. The Eagle Claw 10ft diver rod could be used on both lakes IMHO. Its a $30 rod.

When i run 4 diver rods my rods are all the same length and the same action. Been doing it more then 20 years without a problem. I have 48" of traxtech track on each side of boat. Each track has a rigger, a ball cradle, and 4 traxtech adjustable rod holders mounted to it in that order. On Lake O. I prefer 4 wire divers, if I'm gonna run 4. Typically I'd run outside diver on a 3 in holder furthest forward on track. Inside diver on a 1 or 1.5 in holder closest to rigger or 2nd closest to rigger. Holders are all at same angle to water- horizontal. Rods are 9ft Talora medium action roller rods. Reels are Tekota 600LCs. Big thing I like is all diver rods have the same bend while trolling. Never had problem with rods whacking into each other when hooked up. On L. Erie we'll run same way but rods are 10ft Eagle Claw diver rods. Love the soft action they have for soft mouthed walleye. On Erie we run wire on inside divers and braid on high divers. Deploying slow is hugh!! Just my 2 cents.

Work with your local prop shop. My local shop actually let me try a couple props. You could offer a cash deposit in case there was damage to a prop your trying. I bought a used boat that had the wrong prop on it. When I finally got the right prop on the boat OMG! what a difference!!

I'd heard about western guys washing baits with Joy years ago. Saw the video on Fish 411 and its got me interested. At the Niagara expo I talked specificly about this with Jay Rominack. Said he was a doubter till friend from out west got him to try. He told me it must be Joy non ultra. Joy ultra is easy to find. Had to search on web to find non ultra. Jay said testing was done on this and for some reason Joy does not repel fish but other soaps do. He's also adding procure scent after washing. I'm gonna play around with this this year.

We live here. Our favorite place to launch is Fort Niagara state park. Its right at the mouth of the river. The red can is an important waypoint to put in your GPS. Its due north of river mouth about 3 miles in 45 fow. Go due north of the can and it drops quickly to 200 fow. We call that the dropoff. Great spring salmon fishing can be had around the red can.Sometimes its better to the east, other days its better to the west. Canadian border is about 2 miles west of the can. Lots of east to west and west to east trolling in this area.Some days kings will be in 50-70 fow. Other days could be in 80-110 fow. We mostly run spoons and flasher flies. Some guys are running cut bait too.LOC spring derby is a great time to fish this area. You can also launch at Olcott or Wilson but they are 12-18 miles east of the river.You could also launch at Lewiston which is a 7 mile boat ride up river from the mouth. Great little motel there called The Riverside Motel. Also don't forget knee high boots in case of high water at the launch.Good luck !!

There are fewer boats then ever going off-shore for steelhead and salmon. The cost of running 10-15 or 20 miles off shore is a factor. If this regulation passes there certainly will be less of us out there. Yes there is alot steelys/salmon out there. Just very few fisherman trying to catch them. There will be lots of dead steelys on the surface..They just don't release well in mid summer. That willl be a shame. Its supposed to be a put and take fishery. How is this a win-win for our L.O. fishery?? Should we just stop mid summer fishing for the sake of the tributary fisherman???