Sk8man

My 18ft Whaler came with a fold down 3 step highly polished stainless steel ladder (built in to that area of the transom)...it is the "nuts" and VERY strong. If you have an option for marine grade stainless steel vs. aluminum I would opt for it even if there is a price difference. The stainless holds up great overtime...no rust....VERY durable and will take the weight real well.

Alec - I've used the regular (older model) Sealines for 10 color and they work good but the retrieval rate is not really like an Okuma Clarion or other high speed retrieve rate reel but it is still very workable. Another one with a little better retireval rate that I have is the Penn 310i with a power handle on it and it works great for a 10 color leadcore rig and you may be able to find a used one on the Internet very reasonable! Les

I strongly second that advice. The fluoro is pretty stiff and doesn't spool very well when used as a main line.... much better to be used as just the leader. The Berkeley Big Game line is greatjust as Gambler stated and it is inexpensive as well.

Panfisher.... I probably should emphasize that the suits I bought were the ARCTIC ARMOR ones.....There is also the popular Ice Armor but as far as I know they don't have the same flotation qualities. I also must admit that although I've watched several videos of the Arctic Armor stuff (which I have) in mock situations I have never actually tested it out myself...and hopefully I won't be "forced" to :>) The information has stated that the full suit should be able to hold up (3) 150-200 pound men immersed. I think it set me back about $400 including the shipping for each suit. The suit is the warmest thing I've ever owned (windproof, waterproof, breathable). Best of luck with the fishing (when we get out there :>) Les

I hear ya Fish Hunter - I went through the ice back in 2004 up to my chin luckily (lucky I'm 6 ft tall and wasn't in my usual spots 15 ft deep too :>) along with my gear etc. Nobody was around (6AM) Canandaigua Lake. The only good point was that my coffee was sealed good and I sat there and drank it before walking back to the car soaking wet before hypothermia had a chance to set in (it was less than 20 degrees).....but alive. I immediately ordered two Arctic Armor (buoyant) suits one for my son and one for me when I got home. After many years of ice fishing (over 50) and assessing all sorts of ice on many lakes and ponds I thought I had it all figured out...but what folks sometimes don't realize is that the SURFACE of the ice and thickness isn't the only significant factor. The ice can be seriously undercut by currents - both wind driven and internal ones. The ice I went out on was several inches thick and I followed another fisherman's tracks out there that day (I had talked with him the day before while he fished that spot). The problem was that during the night water was apparently running in the outlet several hundred yards away and it undercut and basically rotted the ice in that particular spot that had been safe just hours before and it had snow on it and no way to tell that it was bad. I'm relating this here because folks need to be VERY cautious especially at this time of year, and not go out alone, or without being properly prepared. I'm as anxious as anyone on Earth to get out there but you can't be too cautious especially at the beginning and end of the season. Les

You guys might want to consider putting skis on those boats :>)

I had a $1200 (1990 price) Impulse and it was great and still works but I wanted something functional to replace it due to its age but less money because the technology changes so fast now you are always buying "obsolete" stuff as soon as it hits the market. I decided that although color is nice it is unnecessary for trolling. What is important is good detail, good depth coverage, auto range capability, surface temp and speed indicator all in ONE UNIT and on ONE SCREEN (all of which I had on my previously mentioned unit). Most of the available units now do not include the speed indication because most have GPS (often split screen) and use that instead. I have a portable gps (Lowrance H20) but it is very small fonts and hard to see from a distance so I use it for back up speed and "comparison" purposes. I wanted something that I could see all the info on one screen immediately so I opted for the very inexpensive Lowrance Mark 5X Pro (dual frequency 83 and 200 transducer for shallow and deep water 1,000 ft.) ($200 at Cabelas) and I'm very happy with it. The only concern is that because it is an LCD unit it can be difficult to see in very bright (noon) sun. I have pretty much gotten around it by making a plastic visor which I velcroed on so I can take it off and on if desired. Most folks with colored screens and combined GPS seem to forget to fish and seem to spend their time watching the unit instead of working their tackle to catch fish. This is why I chose to do what I did. I could afford a big color one but why if I don't really need it? Just my two cents but something to think about....

I have 2 of the mag 10's from about 1985 or so and they work fine and retrieve great.....but ....I found out a long time ago that for most of the time I can get away with using 8-9 pound weights. The exception is when I am going more than 100 ft down during the depth of the summer for lakers. I fish mostly for rainbows and browns and they are usually within the surface to 100 ft down area. If you are using much heavier weights that may be the problem....Cannon switched to a little heavier duty motor (different manufacturer) later on (I think the mid to late 90's or so). If you want to know for sure about things call Chad at ScrewieLouies in Fairhaven at 315-947-6348 or http://www.screwylouiessportshop.com/ Les

Alex - The only problem now is that you have absolutely no excuses for not catching big fish. You always have to leave yourself "wiggle room" for getting skunked I always tell the wife...."But dear....I didn't have such and such lure"...or "I've had that equipment so long that it doesn't work like it used to...I need some new stuff"

Ray ya made my Xmas day...still laughing....Have a great trip and I hope ya get into some big ones....fish too :>) Les

You're a hearty soul ifishey. Good report and it does my heart good to know that at least one of is out there keeping the fish honest :>) Merry Christmas! Les

I'd like to add: "May all your boat problems be small and your fish be big! :>)"

It was a spoof on the "holy warriors" :>)

Great job flyrod2. I'm excited and look forward to it as well as meeting up with the guys from this forum in person. Thanks for your efforts.....tthe fish gods will reward you with 72 virgin trout someday :>) Les

I think it is purely a prefrence issue, but some things to consider: 1) If you go with the board across the back how far will you have to reach to operate the downriggers or handle the rods (if you have back issues this will be a deciding factor) 2) Are the gunnels sturdy and or wide enough for the support downrigger bases to be installed? and if so willl you be able to add additional support underneath if needed (i.e. is it accessible?) 3) Which option gives you the best range of clearance from the motor (s) and angles of operation? 4) Will you still be able to net fish and do other things in the back of theboat if you go with the board approach? 5) Will you be using low or high profile swivel bases and pedestals? The pedestals generate some torque and you certainly want the most secure option for their use 6) How long are the booms of the downriggers? and are they adjustable if you need extra length for example for clearance or angle issues? 7) Sometimes it helps to actually set up a mock situation for either option with the rods in place etc. to test for clearance issues and things that might not be so intuitive :>) If the Cannons are electrics which option will provide the most opportunity for out of the way connection to the battery (ies) 9) If the board approach is used is it possible to use two sections that swing out (on hinges) and then lock in place so that when necessary you an get to the motor compartment without climbing? Just a few things off the top of my head to perhaps consider....

Just a thought but if your riggers are not brand new....check the power cables very closely and look for cracks or breaks in the insulation (ultraviolet and weathering cracks it over time). I was having a problem getting hits and when I examined the power cables I noticed that they were cracked. I installed new ones and have had much better results on the riggers afterward.....not sure if that was it but it may have been.

Thanks. I guess never having sold anything on here...it wasn't real intuitive :>)

I don't think there will be too many folks out tomorrow anywhere from the looks of this weather:>) I've been getting my ice fishing stuff ready...and hopefully this will be a "walleye winter"....I have also been getting my Lake trout derby stuff together for next year so I'm kinda taking an "optimistic" approach to fishing during these winter doldrums. I look longingly at my boat every time I go near the garage :>) Good luck if you do get out tomorrow.

P.S. If we are going to allow the carrying of firearms in the schools it should be done only by a police officer or safety officer properly trained in their use and thoroughly "screened" before assuming that position. We do not need to have our children terrified or "feeling threatened" by knowing their teachers are carrying guns....they have (and need to have) a very different supportive role from that of the policeman or safety officer stationed there.

Three things: 1) We need to change the way we view, treat, and intervene with mental illnesses in this country. It is essential to identify vulnerable people, offer families the ability to quickly admit or directly access intervention services for violently behaving relatives. Currently, people have to commit CRIMES before that intervention can take place (e.g. by having them arrested and then assessed etc.) 2) There is no place in our civilian society where there is a demonstrable need for assault weapons, high capacity magazines (over 10 rounds) - and anyone that needs that many rounds for any reason has no business with a gun of any type if their marksmanship is that poor. 3) There needs to be a stance taken by our society, by the legislators at the Federal level (so that all states have to comply in a standard way) and the supreme Court to develop clear guidelines for hollywood and the developers of violent video games such that graphic depiction of violent acts toward authority figures and others is not premitted by law. I understand the ramifications as far as First Ammendment rights, but the safety and welfare of our children and citizenry should trump an individuals (or business or organizations) right to so called "free speech". We need to "short-circuit" the connection between depictions of violence and the carrying out of random violent acts by dysfunctional people in our society. This will not totally stop these acts but it may limit them and alllow more opportunity/time for intervention by law enforcement and other professionals. I am saying this after spending over thirty years as mental health professional and after having formerly been in the military (Viet Nam era) and trained (as an expert) in the use of assault weapons (and many other related weapons). This is not the stance of an "anti-gun nut" but rather a common sense view that something needs to be done and NOW.

It would be cool if the Region 7 and 8 folks could meet with us all as a group someplace and really discuss things and we could get their take "in person" because I know they sometimes have personal views that are better communicated in that format :>)

What the heck does "bump" mean here?

Michael, I enjoyed the pictures and video. You guys have some great equipment there....and it looks like gret fishing too :>) Best of luck with the fishing and Merry Christmas! Les

ifishy......you won't need your trolling motor according to the weather report....just hook a sail to your rig :>)

It would be nice if the DEC folks could actually meet with us and we could discuss our concerns as a group somewhere and see whether we could do anything to help this situation (and them). I also have some concerns about the brown trout population (or what might be left of it) on Canandaigua.