Wow, the old thread seems to have died while I was away. So let's kick it off again.
Today, I took my boat out for some time fishing. The weather was, well, as Dog would descibe; 'disgusting'. That's because it's disgusting to think of this kind of weather when y'all are shivering from cold (sunny, temp in 80s). Spent several hours attempting to drown a minnow. After several hours, I gave it up for the day, there was a scent of pole cat (aka skunk) in the air. In othervwords: no fish caught today
But not to fret about it, I will be out again as soon as I can, with or without fish in the livewell.
SgtCrabby
'A bad day of fishing sure beats a good day of {fill in the blank}'
Well , up here in Canada we have something called Boxing Day which is somewhat like your Black Friday.
So I took advantage of the sales to buy the balance of my boat requirements.
I bought a Dyson cordless DC61 vacuum saving about 160 bucks and I bought two Scotty 1116 electric downriggers along with two 6" Bert's pedestals.
My boat shopping is complete.
Just need the winter to go away.
Other than that, getting my ice fishing equipment on stand by waiting for safe ice to form.
My first planned outing is my annual Speckled/ Rainbow trout fishing weekend January 13 weekend although hoping to get out for some Perch earlier than that.
Jealous of RHYBAK - being all ready 5 months early is great!
I am no where near the same point... I spent some time looking on Amazon this morning and went and walked around the boat shop at lunch today looking at the accessories...
My list...
- 4 scotty rod holders (i didn't know they came in WHITE NOW???? WHAT!!! very sharp looking)
- 3 suction cup bumpers (which have this 90 degree funky angle on them)
- extra prop
- small fish finder for front of boat (only for depth / temperature so nothing fancy)
I'm also going to be looking for a higher end rain suite - not a cheap $40 one, but something with a nice gortex coat and bib-pants. I'm planning a trip to Toronto with a buddy for a day to go to Bass Pro in late January or February - I might wait until then.
As for tackle... I have plenty ready for the spring.
Greg
Why not wait for the Spring fishing show in February or the Sportsman show in March.
Boat show is in Toronto in a couple of weeks.
Spring fishing show in February - in Toronto? didn't really know about that - got any web site info or anything? I'll google also
I've been to the sportsman show once - I think the admission was $15 or $20 - but that was years ago...
The boat show - great to go walk around, but again - high admission price and I have a new boat - I'm more interested in the accessories now...
I just spent some time on the Stratos web site - wow, they got some great accessories I need to order, unfortunately there is no direct Canadian sales option so 6 week of shipping, duty fees, etc. I might have to look for options around that...
Greg
Here you go
http://springfishingandboatshow.com/
http://www.torontosportshow.ca/en/home
The sportsman show is expensive to get in but it is at the International Center in Mississauga now . Free parking.
The Parking at the CNE was an added killer in past years.
Thanks RHYBAK!!
On another note - anybody (Canadian) have any advice or experience for shipping merchandise from a US company to Canada? or to a PO box in the US? I could ship it to Watertown or Massena and make the drive down (its only a couple of hours from Ottawa)
Thx,
Greg
I never have any problems ordering product from the U.S. to my door.
Lately it's been arriving without paying duty. Luck of the draw maybe.
I guess it depends on the value .
Check if the stuff you want to order is duty exempt.
Great fishing show and low entry in Bomanville March 12.
70+ vendors and 35 tackle swap tables.
Always a great growing show and great deals.
I got relocated for work so had the movers pack up my fishing poles... we're headed to Texas to
@SgtCrabby land in the next couple weeks... to the land of year round fishing and golfing #FirstWorldProblems
@Dog,
Welcome to the land of year round fishing without cutting a hole in the lake 8) .
We're looking forward to your arrival.
My boat is in the shop getting tweeted to go.
Your aunt can't wait.
I made the reservations for our group of 4 at the Tem Rose Auberge for the Friday before our week at TBL starts. So much nicer than the Canadienne.
This is as close as it gets till I get to camp. Going ice fishing this weekend on Mountain Lake near Minden ont. Going on Friday till Sunday afternoon. I'll let you guys know if I get anything besides a buzz. ;) :)
Quote from: puckster_guy on January 10, 2017, 08:32:27 PM
This is as close as it gets till I get to camp. Going ice fishing this weekend on Mountain Lake near Minden ont. Going on Friday till Sunday afternoon. I'll let you guys know if I get anything besides a buzz. ;) :)
Great area, almost in my hood. Lots of guys fish near the bridge.
I'm out for my first ice fishing trip of the year also.
Heading up to Limberlost for Rainbows and Specks.
I saw one of my fishing poles last weekend peeking out at me from behind about 5000 pounds of miscellaneous garage stuffs leftover from summer and autumn ... :-\
I have started shopping for a new handheld GPS, if that counts; currently looking at the eTrex 20x...
Quote from: T-Bone on January 11, 2017, 09:34:22 AM
I saw one of my fishing poles last weekend peeking out at me from behind about 5000 pounds of miscellaneous garage stuffs leftover from summer and autumn ... :-\
I have started shopping for a new handheld GPS, if that counts; currently looking at the eTrex 20x...
You disappoint me T-Bone
I thought you rely on the moon, the stars and the position of the sun.
Bought tickets yesterday to the Cleveland Outdoor Adventure Show at the IX Center. Not as many outfitters come as used to, but there are still good booths with tackle and other cool stuff to look at!
Thinking of experimenting with a new fishing outfit this year.
Just to prove a point to T-Bone
http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Zebco-Spongebob-Squarepants-Spincast-Combo-30-Light&i=435684
You disappoint me T-Bone
I thought you rely on the moon, the stars and the position of the sun.
[/quote]
Well, I'm not big on wasting time when finding fish, so GPS is our key tool of course. As stated before we hit very specific spots and the GPS is money for jumping spot to spot, if necessary, to find fish. I can recall growing up we used to line up land markers on Pigeon Lake..."Get in line with the rocks, brown boat house, and Hurricane Point...then you're on the spot." At best that science put you within about 10 football fields of where you want to be. Now we look at spot about the size of a small garage.
As for that rod/reel combo, Mr. Rhybak, I'm fairly confident that even with that I could jab my full limit of walleyes and satisfy my need to catch...not just fish. I'm guessing that's the set-up you use for ice fishing, eh? ;D
Live and die with gps for bass, not just the spot... The key is finding the spot on the spot.
If you're mounting a gps puck antenna, mount as close to the bow as possible. Mounting at console is not an accurate read.
Quote from: Canuckbass on January 12, 2017, 12:51:32 PM
Live and die with gps for bass, not just the spot... The key is finding the spot on the spot.
If you're mounting a gps puck antenna, mount as close to the bow as possible. Mounting at console is not an accurate read.
If you would please, could I have an explanation of the benefits of one location (of the GPS puck) over another. Thanks in advance.
Jay
Great thread! I had the same question Jay... really curious why PuckMaster, you feel the puck placement is not accurate near the console - is it a bad experience? or is this a manufacturer's installation recommendation?
My old boat had it screwed to the dash right behind the fish finder underneath the windshield, and I always felt the accuracy of the GPS to the navionics map was amazing... and many of the newer GPS enabled fish finders have the GPS receiver built into the fish finder unit itself (which is usually under/close to the windshield).
brrrr... can't wait for spring... -20 degrees celcius here in Ottawa this morning...(with a warning that it feels like -25 with a frost bite advisory).
Greg
I'm curious too. I don't have one yet, but maybe someday.
Brrr, -20 C really sounds mighty cold.
Jay and Greg, puck is 99% accurate at console for sure.
All depends on fishing style, if you're a troller console is fine.
I'm a spot on a spot type fishing guy, if fishing a shoal and I mark a rock holding fish I mark it on GPS. I fish from front of boat so when I mark rock I can return and be right back on top of rock.
if fishing from front of boat and puck is at console, on 18 foot boat the puck is 9 feet away from target area.
Hope this makes sense, I used to have my puck at console and a great angler told me the difference and makes a big difference for my style of fishing.
I understand your points and believe you have a solid theory. I fish both kinds (trolling and still fishing/jigging).
Here is what I remember when I got my first GPS fish finder... When I upgraded my fish finder 7 or 8 years ago on my old boat, and it had the GPS/maps functionality, the marina that installed mine explained to me that "I WANT" the puck in the middle of the boat because GPS technology is accurate to within 2.5 meters.
(http://www.humminbird.com/Category/Technology/GPS/ (http://www.humminbird.com/Category/Technology/GPS/))
Their message is you want your puck centered so that it is never really to far out of reality (if you have the puck at the front and it is reading 6 or 8 feet in front of you, and your boat is 18 feet, that could mislead you a total of 24 to 26 feet). The told me to generally be-careful and to always give myself 6-8 feet around the boat in any direction.
Ultimately, there message to me, there is no guarantee that where the GPS signal is reading, so give yourself a "bubble".
You have same concept for sure.
Having puck at console is great for driving. Having puck closest to where you're fishing from is best for fishing. Basically if I come over a rock holding fish I can stop my sonar screen and move curser directly on top of the rock, hit MARK button, so when I'm fishing I'm standing directly above rock and drop down to fish.
New gps systems if used correctly are within a foot of accuracy... Scary but true. Take away boat drifting off target but actual marking gps is almost bang on.
Fish will chase baits, it's the tough days that boat position and presentation make a huge difference of being skunked or stringer full.
Great discussion.
Slowly getting unpacked and settled in the Lonestart state in the vicinity of Sgt Crabby... finally got around to unpacking my fishing poles today and have them leaned up against the wall in the garage. likely won't get a line wet any time soon, but it felt good to feel the the fishing gear again.
Dog
Dog's not 'just' in my vicinity, he's between where I live and our newest grandson.
Anyway: today I've been rearranging/sorting tackle and getting my wife's brand new rod & reel setup ready for us to maybe take the boat out tomorrow for some local minnow drownings.
Quote from: Canuckbass on January 16, 2017, 12:46:58 AM
Jay and Greg, puck is 99% accurate at console for sure. All depends on fishing style, if you're a troller console is fine. I'm a spot on a spot type fishing guy, if fishing a shoal and I mark a rock holding fish I mark it on GPS. I fish from front of boat so when I mark rock I can return and be right back on top of rock. if fishing from front of boat and puck is at console, on 18 foot boat the puck is 9 feet away from target area. Hope this makes sense, I used to have my puck at console and a great angler told me the difference and makes a big difference for my style of fishing.
Thanks for your response. I'm a backtroller 90% of the time and I'm always seated near the stern. My transducer is transom mounted.
Jay
Things are coming together for the spring...
- I ordered and received some new rod holders for the boat
- The sales man found a nice little (brand new) fish finder to put on the front of the boat (just for depth/temperature with the transducer in the electric motor shaft) (another customer upgraded his and sold this one to me for $100 through the salesman which is an ok deal).
I bought some other accessories (new towels, etc.) - the "new gear" box in the garage is starting to get full.
After my vacation, I am going to order some items direct from the US manufacturer and get them shipped to a UPS store right across the boarder and drive down to pick them up some day.
Can't wait - about 162 days to Kipawa 2017!
Yesterday my son and I drove 5-1/2 hrs to Harrisburg, PA. The Eastern Sportsman Show is an annual event for us and makes for a great weekend. This is much bigger than any other show I have been to and we always end up with a few "deals" we can't resist. One of the things I have admired is their ability o separate the "theme" in each building. If you are interested in fishing, the vendors for that are in one building. Hunting trips, another building. Weapons, another building. Very well organised and takes a whole day to walk through.
Went to the Toronto Fishing and Boat show last weekend .
A very sad show but it still cost me 185 dollars.
Found a new St.Croix Eyecon series trolling rod that extends from 7 feet to 8.5 feet.
Will fit nicely in the rod locker in the boat.
Rhybak, I went as well and it was a very disappointing show indeed. The $15 (x2) admission made me feel like I had been attacked in a back alley. While I enjoyed many of the displays I was unable to find any "deals". However, I spent quite a bit of time with the folks at Torpedo and they were very helpful. I was looking to get rid of my steel line and they introduced me to the stranded steel line. Looks like I'll give that a try on Lake O this year. Also, they have a new weighted steel strand which I'll give a shot at replacing my lead core. They claim it will sink twice as far with the same amount of line.
The Second best part of the show was the Home & Reno show that was in Hall 1. I only paid $11 for 2 tickets through Groupon and that show was great. Now I have two hobbies that I can't afford :)
My intentions were all me by getting schooled at the Garmin booth, The Scotty Booth and the St. Croix Booth.
Other that that it was a waste of money.
darn, my shop here at work was bigger than that hall.
Come on Sportsman Show.
Quote from: RHYBAK on February 24, 2017, 07:48:43 AM
My intentions were all me by getting schooled at the Garmin booth, The Scotty Booth and the St. Croix Booth.
Other that that it was a waste of money.
darn, my shop here at work was bigger than that hall.
Come on Sportsman Show.
I haven't gone to that show for years and I used to work them all, just a bunch of peacocks trying to sell. Good deals and dealers are gone from the show, the investment in the show and labour outside of their stores they have reinvested into their websites and offer bigger online sales. Fishing World is an example, it used to cost them an arm and a leg to attend with huge booth and staff. They reinvest those expenses to online and offer good sales.
Have you chose your rod holders yet
@RHYBAK ? I have some Rocket Launchers at home still new. I used to get pro deals from Scotty.
Quote from: Canuckbass on February 24, 2017, 10:48:58 AM
Quote from: RHYBAK on February 24, 2017, 07:48:43 AM
My intentions were all me by getting schooled at the Garmin booth, The Scotty Booth and the St. Croix Booth.
Other that that it was a waste of money.
darn, my shop here at work was bigger than that hall.
Come on Sportsman Show.
Canuckbass
I haven't gone to that show for years and I used to work them all, just a bunch of peacocks trying to sell. Good deals and dealers are gone from the show, the investment in the show and labour outside of their stores they have reinvested into their websites and offer bigger online sales. Fishing World is an example, it used to cost them an arm and a leg to attend with huge booth and staff. They reinvest those expenses to online and offer good sales.
Have you chose your rod holders yet @RHYBAK ? I have some Rocket Launchers at home still new. I used to get pro deals from Scotty.
Canuckbass
To bad I didn't know earlier.
The Downriggers come with 4 rod holders.
I had a few Scotty rod holders from my old boat and in the mean time I have bought a few heavy duty Scotty rod holders and a couple of rocket launchers.
Once I get the boat and put things in their place, I might look you up for some more rocker launchers.
Thanks for the offer.
Let me know how much your asking.
I have black or stainless rocket launchers I believe. A few hours in the new boat is always a good barter. Lol
The better show is the Toronto Sportsman Show during March break. A few outfitters from Lake Kipawa will be there.
Quote from: Canuckbass on February 25, 2017, 05:09:48 PM
I have black or stainless rocket launchers I believe. A few hours in the new boat is always a good barter. Lol
That is a great deal
We will talk when I get the boat
Maybe a get together between may 24 and June 16
As Santa didn't come thru with the Yeti Hopper (or whatever it was....a 12-packer $280 cooler) I saw a nice little number at Costco for $20 purporting 'advanced technology'. I think that's Costco's way of saying "equivalent, but way less expensive without breaking any trademark laws). Doesn't appear to be quite as insulated for a soft-sider as the Yeti, but certainly worth $20. Now, the lake pops on Kipawa will be nice and cold all day long.
At the 150 day mark today....always a good marker that things are getting closer and Spring is just around the corner...