The one that got away

I wasn't following this thread until I posted earlier today. Due to finances (or lack thereof), it was either "prefer" to get a canoe, or "prefer" to keep standing on the shore, lol. Too many important things to pay for - mortgage, bills, college for three kids. I don't think the wife would appreciate it if I spent the equivalent of a couple years of tuition on a boat. Maybe I'm wrong - because I don't have a "real" boat to compare it to - but I don't really feel like only having a canoe is causing me to miss out on any fish. Even better, I go to a number of places that don't have a boat ramp that a boat owner can't even get into. And, I don't have all the ongoing expenses of a typical boat owner. And Goose52 - that is one awesome yacht you've got there. I've always enjoyed those photos when I see you post them.

I can't say I prefer fishing from a canoe as opposed to a bass boat, because all I have is a canoe. I have a Old Town Guide147 that I bought from Dick's in 2008. I think I paid $350 for it on a special. I HAD to get something to get off the shore. A "real" boat was out of the question, so I went with the canoe. Couldn't have been happier with it, but paddling got to be a real PITA after a few years. I bought a trolling motor and used it in 2011 and 2012. I added a Garmin 300c depthfinder this year. The transducer attaches to the bottom of the trolling motor. I mounted the depthfinder unit on a short piece of hardwood floor, and clamp the hardwood onto the yoke when I'm on the water. It's not in the photo below. I have stood in the canoe, but only when I'm out alone, with no wind. When I'm out alone, I put three 25lb weight plates in the bow to help even it out. If I forget the plates, it's not much of a problem unless it's windy. Then I will get blown pretty much in circles. If the proper technique is used, lifting the canoe and transporting the canoe is fairly easy. I'm 47, but it's really not too tough if done correctly. I doubt I will consider a kayak in the future. Nothing against kayaks, but I can fit more in my canoe, and one of my old fishing buddies has caught the fishin' bug again and he went with me almost every time out for the last couple of months this season. No room for him if I only had a yak. The only thing I could use a little help with is with casting technique, specifically flipping/pitching. I can't figure out a proper way to do this from a seated position with the water being so close. Back in the day when I was shore-bound, I just casted every time and before I knew anything about the flipping/pitching technique. Here's the "SS Minnow":

I've only used Rage Tail products on a limited basis, with only decent results. Sounds like I'm missing out on some good action. I'll have to stock up on some and give them an honest shot next season.

Sorry to RichLach47 who has the reels for sale, I didn't mean to misquote your price - $145 each, not $140 as I incorrectly stated. Still an awesome deal. Borrow the $15 from your brother, girlfriend, neighbor, fishing partner or whoever and buy one of them - you'll be happy!

I'd look for a used Citica E or Curado E. You can find the Citica E for less than $100, or a used Curado for around your price. Also, there are two Chronarch 51e reels in the Flea Market here for $140/each (they look mint), that may be the way to go if you are looking for a smaller reel.

Nice initial review, Goose. Looks like a nice rod. Out of curiosity, I measured the handle of my new Crucial that Shimano sent me (I broke an older cork Crucial late this season, sent it to them, and they sent me one of the newer models). The foam grip behind the reel is about 3 ". I usually have two fingers ahead of the trigger while casting and retrieving. On the Crucial, my hand is in contact with the foam grip the entire time.

I have that rod in the spinning model. I use it almost exclusively for plastics. I'm sure it would be excellent for small jigs as well.

I use an Avid AVC66MF with a Curado 51e and 10# mono. Good jerkbait rod. I also use it for shallow and lipless cranks, and for topwater action. It gets a lot of use. I was thinking of selling it, but then thought better of it - I don't think there's a better rod for that price range.

I was also glad to see Harrow still alive. But I thought it would have been cool if Van Alden came to AC with Capone. It would have been interesting to see him working on the same side as Thompson. It's funny how no one has a clue about what we're talking about unless they've seen the entire series. Think Sopranos, but set during the Prohibition Era and with probably even more violence. Awesome show if you're into that kind of stuff.

Shane, I think you've been spoiled. Gonna be pretty tough keeping satisfied fishing for LM in NH from now on, although I've seen you post some pretty impressive photos in the past, so I'm sure you'll deal with it. But fishing the Merrimack or wherever you go up there won't seem quite the same, huh? Sounds like a great trip, thanks for sharing the photos.

Any Boardwalk Empire fans here? I've been watching since the very beginning. Looking forward to the Season 3 finale tonight. Should be pretty bloody. I'm betting Rosetti's going down.

I have been in the insurance claim business for 22 years in Massachusetts so I do know a little about this. I don't think there would be much difference between MA v. NY. Report it to your own company. Pay your deductible (if it is not waived, like it would be in MA) and your company will subrogate against the insurer of the other vehicle. If he wants to pay your insurance company directly for the money they paid out, in order to avoid a surcharge, so be it. Then move on with life. And if your relationship ended because of this, good thing it happened now and not later. The red flag was when they hesitated about paying your initial estimate. What, did they think you were trying to screw them over? The only reason why they were giving you a hard time in the beginning was to save a few bucks. They would have found a shop that would cut a few corners doing the repair to save a few dollars. Believe me, I have seen it literally 1000s of times. Good luck

My spinning combo for trout is a 6ft St. Croix Triumph, light power, with a Shimano Sienna 1000 reel, and Berkley XL line. Perfect for throwing small spinners and the smallest Rapalas. I didn't want to break the bank for trout fishing. The whole combo is around $100 retail.

I agree on the Yozuri Ultrasoft, not the regular stuff. I had it on one of my spinning reels this year and had zero issues. I also had 12# on a Curado 201E and no issues there either. This was my first year using Yozuri and I plan to use it in the future.

Jeff, what is the rod that you like better and costs way less?

I sent a broken Crucial (the older style with the full-cork grip) to Shimano. They sent me a close replacement of the same rod (6'6" medium heavy, fast action), but in the newer model 6'8" MH but with the newer split grip foam handle. Received it last week. I shipped it to them at my cost and didn't hear a thing until the new rod showed up at my door. I think it was 8-9 days from the time I shipped it to them to the time I had a no questions asked, cost-free replacement.

I've been poking around at the Black Friday sales and didn't pull the trigger on anything (yet). I was checking around on Ebay and found a "new" St. Croix Legend Tournament 7ft medium heavy casting rod, so I put in an offer and ended up winning it. The seller claims it has never been out of the wrapper other than for photo purposes. This one has a FULL cork handle, which is why I bid on it. I know the St. Croix website has discontinued LTBs, but all they have left is the 6'6" MH casting rod, and I wanted a 7 footer. I don't have an LTB haven't heard anyone complaining about their LTBs. I have a couple Avids and they're good rods. Those are the best rods I have, so I'm hoping the new LTB will be an upgrade. I'm intending on using this for spinnerbaits, jigs, and weighted plastics. Anyway, I'm sure someone here must have one of these old-style full cork handle LTBs. What reel do you have on it? What seems to balance best? Do you also have a split grip LTB, and is there any other discernible difference between the two models, other than the different cork grip? I was thinking putting a Chronarch or a Lew's Tournament on it. I've owned a Curado and loved it, but I'm open to other ideas. I know TW has their sale until Tuesday 12pm, so any input would be appreciated.

Here's some hockey blood. Freak injury, but he recovered and lived to tell about it. EDIT: The video is pretty ugly, so I removed it. If you need to see it, google Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk.

Awesome catch!

This link might help: http://www.mass.gov/...s/pond_maps.htm

I haven't been following this long thread too closely, but even though I don't have a dog in the fight (Red Sox fan) I have to say all of the playoff series so far have been great. Feel a little bad for the Nats fans though, that was tough. The check swing call on Freese could have gone either way, and that would have ended it right there if I'm not mistaken.

Falcon spinnerbait box. Works perfect after you figure out how to put them in the box correctly.

Ben, if you're still after that big fish I would throw a popper near him and work it reeeaaallly slow. I don't have very much experience at all with the other places you mentioned, other than I've been to Wachusett a couple times, several years ago, and got nothing just like you. Some stretches of the Charles a bit further west are productive from what I've heard and read. I use to fish some spots on the Charles in Medfield when I was a kid. My only other advice would be to find some different spots (I know it's tough to find close to Boston, try to get outside 128 at least) or maybe invest in a used kayak to get to some different spots that are not shore accessible where you have been fishing. The fish are still biting and it sounds like you are going about things the right way - just not having luck. It'll happen if you keep at it. Good luck

That's a nice fish, for sure

Bad call, but not as bad as the call in the Royals-Cards WS back in I think it was '85