Mortigan

Mike - that's beautiful work, really. I looked up some of your other work - any habitat planned for this one? Cali - send him a PM. Thanks, Paul. Figured you knew each other - you just did a lecture up that way this weekend, didn't you?

It took Rick ages to find just the right shade...

That's pretty much how we started out last season - one charter in the spring and one in the summer with lots of question and answer. If you want the Magdas, you can get pretty cheap combos here, $50 to $70 each: http://www.brettsplaceonthebay.com/cate ... red&page=1 The next step up in Okuma is the Convector reel and you can find combos around $100 - $110 each. Their line of Classic Pro GLT rod is good and about the same price point as the Heartland rods. We're pretty bargain basement ourselves, running Magda combos for downriggers and planers, Convector wire combos for dipsies and used Penn 209s on Fenwick Rigger Sticks as backup. Took us a year to build up that much and I've also probably spent more on tackle than poles.

Love the fish juggling...

Nice fishing!

I've got the Okuma Convector 30D with 1000' ft of wire. Fits great.

Now that's a stringer of fish!

Nice! Wish I'd been able to make it out.

Interesting - I'd try some of those. Any experience with their swivels?

You left out "Replace wife's eyeliner before she notices it's gone and tries to kill me." I keep threatening to steal my wife's 42 bottles of nail polish to paint spoons and beads but I don't think I'm brave enough to really do it.

Does she plan on teaching or is she looking to join an orchestra somewhere? I think I know five people with their Masters of Music - one teaches Elementary, one High School, one went the business route and two are in orchestras. They all love what they do (most days).

Nice work. I never made it out this weekend - hopefully one night after work.

Wish I could - been there too long.

I used a wrap of duct tape. We've got 19 strand Torpedo wire one one and 7 strand Torpedo on the other. Haven't used them yet so no opinion but other popular choices are Malin, Mason and AFW. Put it on as tight as you can when you spool it. I didn't do a very good job on the 7 strand (managed to break the spool) so I ran almost all of it out behind the boat with a locked dipsy and reeled it all back under tension. My arm was sore for days

Just guessing, take the wing nut from the other reel into Debbie Supply in ER or try Herb's Fastener and Supply on Lombard in the city.

Just that it can be used across the widest range of depths, and gets messed with less when the fleas hit. We've added a pair for this season - just waiting for later in the season.

Nice morning for it. Won't be able to make it out til next week.

Yep, I've had them try to run me over in the dredged channel on the south end and had no camera. Keep one in the 'yak now

Just had the same conversation last weekend

Wire will give you the widest range of options but you can set up separate poles for mono and braid if you really want to.

Looks like 4 layers of 3/4 ply, sandwiched together and painted silver. Slick work - I'd never tackle a project that big. Don't have the skills...

Good luck with the project. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Pay close attention to the weather. Storms come down the lake FAST - don't be a 30 minute paddle from safety.