Sk8man

Sometimes you have to let things play out for the results to take shape Rob

That is a very good point! I had to wait until I got home to do anything to mine in the way of adjustment.

I was kinda messing with you a bit, but I can understand your rationale as far as the amount of equipment and I plead guilty to all counts of having too much of it myself

Congrats... you guys earned it in this wind etc. Ice fishing isn't for the feint of heart right Dave? Keith seems that the fish are skittish everyplace I've fished lately....a lot of lip hooks even with the gills and have to constantly pester them to bite. Historically though this has characterized things in mid Feb before the late Feb/March heavy bite onset prior to ice-out.

But with a dead fish at the other end by the time it comes in? You can achieve pretty good depth with a 300 and weights I guess I'll leave this one to you to figure out Good luck.

I just replaced the batteries with new lithiums in the outside component of my weather monitoring system so I don't miss the thing maxing out

One of the best shows around and great chance to connect faces with LOU names

I know that some folks may be running stuff this way with19 strand to weighted steel but why complicate things by running two components that are usually run by themselves (and are quite stiff etc.)? The additional depth can be achieved by applying snap weights near the junction of the backing and weighted steel with braid and still have the flexibility of the braid as the main line without the concerns of kinking (remove the weights on the way in)? The only concern with the braid is the possibility of cutting through a release but this can be dealt with by wrapping the braid around the release a few times before clamping it. I also think braid would be less of a potential problem in rough water conditions

There are at least a couple manufacturers making what may look like identical rod holders like these. I have 8 of the Perkos and although they were a little more expensive than the "lookalikes" there is an inherent problem with some of them and that is that the threaded screw hole part that attached to the rail appears to be made from cast white metal and the screws (allen headed) are stainless steel where they attach to the rail. When you torque down the heads of the allen screws the threads of the base can strip. I originally had 10 of them and two had this problem so I have been "cautious" with the others. I bought a couple replacements for them that were the cheaper ones and they do not have the problem...trouble is I don't remember the brand of the others but the Perkos are the ones with the problem. I've had mine for 15 years so they may have corrected it by now just a "heads up". I don't use them for real heavy set-ups. I think my Perkos were close to $100 each while the cheaper ones were about $40.

If using the Offshore release with the pin place a sufficiently strong rubber band (this is something that often takes some experimentation with to determine) behind the pin and loop knot the other end to the wire. It shouldn't damage the 19 strand if the right strength rubber band is selected. You just want it to hold the setup and break when a fish hits. There are many different applications for rubber bands in fishing and in each case the strength of the band and amount of stretch should be right for that particular application (e.g. from downrigger release, on fixed sliders, or from boards etc.). If the band selected is the correct strength the wire shouldn't kink. I've even used bands in the past with seven strand from boards experimenting without damage, but again the correct rubber band strength needs to be chosen. On my boards I don't want the thing to release as I take the boards off when reeling in the fish so a different set-up.

Here is what Ready is talking about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eIdZWT1-CA

Hey Wally - I think the connection URL above merely returns you to this address rather than going to the Navionics site

ifishy - When fishing the water that is also inhabited by big pike a short titanium leader (smaller diameter and stronger than others) can prevent snap-offs and it may also give some additional action to some lures (stiffness).

I use Tilex shower cleaner for the non skid fiberglass floor via scrub brush wiped up with old towels, and Tuff Stuff for the fiberglass interior. It comes out pristine.

one of the things that works well (for the lakers) in the winter along that line is running a Seth Green with a set of cowbells and peanut or Spin N Glow at the bottom with a 40 oz weight and a 25 or 30 ft leader about 3 ft above with a spoon or crank bait etc. Run it right near the bottom out deep and/or through the bait balls.

Longspurs - i have fished Honeoye through the ice since the late 1960's and it has always been an "on and off" bite there and although somewhat better fishing in the distant past it remains a tough place to consistently hit the bite and especially so with the Eyes and Crappies.

Justin has hit the nail on the head and the responsibility even goes beyond the sports. Frequently I see fast food bags and soda containers strewn about the roadways and it is obvious that they didn't just blow out of someones trash container waiting for the trash guys to retrieve.

Good one John....still laughing.

Wow! You've really come a long way with the painting Jason. I'm assuming you'll be at the Watkins show at the end of March right?

Thanks Chuck