Mudwalker

Sounds like my normal outing at Ni. I only fish there if I have to.

Check out this site: http://www.flow-rite.com/marine/livewell-builder It can answer most, if not all your questions. I would not use water from my bilge to fill my livewells. You want to have fresh water coming from outside the boat.

I would have to pass on going Pro. I am one of those that believes it would be too much like work. I fish for the relaxation. If I catch fish, great. If I don't catch fish, great. Just being on the water is what I enjoy. Catching fish is a bonus for me. Going out an having to catch fish would add a level of stress that I do not want. I fish local tournaments for fun and only when I want to. Now if I could get a gig with sponsors that would allow me to fish when and where I wanted...

I have fished a couple club tournaments at Ni and it is my least favorite place to fish. From the results of the tournament I would recommend going to the laft arm as you leave the ramp to find the fish this time of the year. That's where most of the fish weighed in came from. Most were caught on soft plastics. Chatter baits were also productive.

Although I do not post often, I find that BR is the best place to find information that is useful. Other forums I have been to have too much B.S. to filter through to get to the information I am looking for. I even went as far to print out several of the articles from the site and I read them over to keep the info fresh in my mind, plus it makes the train ride each day go by faster. This site also has the best atmosphere among its members. On other sites I have found that if you are not part of the "grou" and post a question or response you get slammed or dismissed.

I carry a Y harness similar the ones used for pulling an inflatable tube and a 40' rope. I connect the Y harness to my transom and the end of the rope to the towed boats bow eye. Works like a charm plus I have the rig is I need a tow.

Minn Kota

I never fully pack it in. I just take small breaks when the water ices over.

The only thing I would have done differently would have been to report him sooner. Good job in doing the right thing!!

I fished Hunting Run on the 11th expecting it to be heavily stained and a slow bite. The water ended up being clear and the bite was good. We caught over 25 fish. Most of them were 1/1 lb at around 10inches. Brought a a few over 12inches in the 1.5 - 2 lb range. All-in-all a great day compared to the last few outings!!

In addition to many already posted: A co-angler who constantly gives reports of what they see on the finder. "There's a fish!" "Oh look, a whole mess of something down there!" or even, "We need to move cause there's no fish on the finder.".

I have read several posts and articles saying to leave the hook in with enough line to cause drag, but I was never comfortable leaving the hook in. i usually run into a hooked gullet when I am working with a Jr. Angler group I am involved in. I bought a set of long neck wire dikes and cut the eye from the hook then use long needle nose to work the kook all the way through. Kinda like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood do when they are shot with an arrow. Obviously i skip the gun powder to coterized the wound part.

Good info Micro. I made the run up river, abot 3/4 of the way first thing and that is where we caught the two fish. We went into Shipyard creek and Morris creek. The finder was fill of fish but nothing was biting by that time. I will definitely head back there this season when the weather isn't so rough.

I used a small oiler can (thumb pump) and it sped the process up some. I also read a post somewhere to use a high temperature gasket sealant on the threads of the plugs to keep them from leaking or coming loose. Been a year and no leaks or problems so I guess it was right.

We were in a boat.