Reel Doc

The followup on the batteries....had them tested at Advanced Auto Parts, both confirmed dead. Since they had lasted 8 years under someone else's care I thought I would stick with the Interstates. The tip to go to the warehouse store in Rochester is a good one. They priced out nearly $30 per battery less than buying them locally. As always, appreciate all the tips. Greg

Split, I used the BassPro last year with no problems but limited water time may not be enough to verify their longevity. Greg

Wow I had heard Seneca had big perch....you just proved it there Gator. You must have had a blast. Is that your rig (dark pickup) that was parked at the North end a couple of days last week. I kept seeing it taking my kids to Geneva for school. Greg

Jim, The boat does have a Perko switch in the battery compartment. I was told when running to have it set to both batteries, but from comments here wonder if the dealer knew the batteries were on their last legs. The original batteries are Interstate marine/RV cranking batteries. Must be a hybrid as I used to use straight marine deep cycle to charge the portable fencer so the sheep stayed home. Any other thoughts on battery type are appreciated. Greg

Chris, So Spring Brown fishing your terminal leader is thicker than the spooled line? I'm assuming you get away with the 20 pound leader because it's flouro? Thanks, Greg

I'm running a 220 Evinrude outboard and a 9.9 kicker to troll. It came with 2 batteries in tandem. When you say get the biggest battery, is it better for one big one or 2 in tandem? The 2 were weak last Fall but not dead and I've been alternatively charging them this winter. Keep 1 in tandem with a new one, or scrap them both? They are dated 2002 so they were the original boat batteries. Finally, if I'm trolling with the 9.9 most of the day is it enough to recharge the battery, or is good battery charging only happening when the big outboard is working. Thanks, Greg

Thanks guys. Does anyone feel a specific battery brand is superior to the others?

This boat is ready when you are.

The 23 ' 2002 Wellcraft walkaround we bought last summer came with its 2 original batteries and I noticed by Fall at 50 degree temps they were struggling to get the outboard started. Is there a specific type/brand of battery that seems best suited to power a boat with an outboard? What kind of battery life is typical? Thanks, Greg

Great Catch. Did that guy holding the fish try to take all the credit? We know the truth.

Beautiful fish, thanks for the pictures. Greg

No. Ticket stubs in the raffle have the purchaser's name and address on them

From the hunting posts this Fall I know quite a few of you believe in Surf & Turf action so if anyone is interested I can set you up with tickets for the NY Bowhunters raffle. Grand Prize: 7 Day African Bowhunt for 1 Impala, 1 warthog and 1 steenbuck or duiker, (I know what you're thinking, What in the world is a Duiker). This includes lodging meals, transfers and up to $1,500 in air travel costs. Hunt is through Sportsmans Safaris in South Africa. They are at www.sportsmanssafaris.co.za 2nd place: 6 Day Spring Bear Hunt in Quebec with Ron Henry's guide service. They are at www.ronhenryguideservice.com There are cash options for these instead of the hunts as well. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. I'll be happy to hook you up with tickets or you can go directly to www.newyorkbowhunters.com for info on the raffle along with other hunting news and the Annual Banquet in April. I've been pretty much an inactive member of the group for a few years now, but there is a solid group of people involved statewide that take an active role in keeping communication with the DEC and do a great job with youth camps as well. Consider giving them some support and who knows, you might find out what it's like to hunt Duiker in South Africa!

I've been maintaining the "stealth" of copper reading all of your posts, but time to make a splash. No one has commented on what rod/reel combo they like to use for this setup. I would really like to add one to the arsenal this year. As always, your comments are truly appreciated by this novice and I'm sure others. Greg

On the lam, Chowder, AMEN. Deer are not stupid. They do not want to get shot It can really ruin their day. Just because you do not see deer where you have hunted for years, does not mean they are not still there. Hunting pressure and annual take in each 5 square mile area will vary numbers slightly each year but, if Mr and Mrs deer survive this year, they are going to know how to live and be wise next year. AND, those momma does we talked about earlier this Fall in this forum can be really tough to get, and oh by the way, they teach their kids. I hunt an 88 acre parcel that borders land that a crop farmer rents out to a hunting club. It also runs up to the backyards of homes on route 89 along the West side of Cayuga lake. Even though it is a small parcel to hunt, and even though the general flow of the deer is the same, they still mix it up just enough every year to give me some surprises. The one thing that is consistent every year are the sightings and tracks in the snow of animals running those residential backyards. Our home and barn at the other end of the parcel also gets its share of deer sightings and tracks, sometimes within feet of fencelines that our livestock guard dogs patrol. When gun season kicks in and the hunting club starts driving the woods, the deer hole up in safe havens. The deer inhabit an area 365 a year, while most hunters only invade parts of 10-15 of those days. Give them credit, the survivors are smarter than the wallhangers, and they'll be ready to outsmart you again next year. Happy Holidays to you all, and thanks again to all contributors who helped get my fishing program revived this year. Greg

Congratulations You saved yourself a long walk by being patient. Both of you will always remember that first buck.

Are there ways to control all the drippings, etc before they mess the works up?

Can any of you recommend a good smoker for use on surf or turf catches? I'm putting one on my holiday gift list, but my wife will need to know what to look for and where to look. Thanks, Greg

For what it will cost to fix his truck he deserves that head

That's a real nice symetrical rack. Congratulations. Sometimes it's not how long you hunt, but just getting out there as often as possible. Like the lotttery, you can't win if you don't play. Thanks for sharing th pics and story.

There must be something about that swamp water. I would hose off well if I were you...parts of you could change too.

Please send a wall photo in a couple months. It does not do him justice laying sideways in the pickup, he's a good one

Nice looking brute. You must know what your doing as Ray is giving you the business.

A real trophy rack with character. Is that one tine on the left taking a hard curl in? Great job, and I agree with Ray, give us the story on how he came to pass. Greg

They look great, much better condition than the Depot deer. The ones inside the Depot, regardless of color really do not have much quality feed, no cultivated farmland like the rest of the deer herd outside the fences. What would be really interesting to know is how many of the brown deer in your area are carrying the recessive white gene. There must be quite a few in order to keep the numbers up, otherwise hunting pressure would eliminate many of the whites. You should coordinate with your neighbors to run tours like they have been at the Depot the last few years. I bet a little rack placed on your puppy could produce a really catchy logo.