1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

I’ve never noticed it before but the pro-v looks oddly out of proportion with just a single axle and as far forward as it is. I’m sure it’s right, but any idea what your tongue weight % is?  I’d think with a big motor and poles that the axle should be further back. 
 

can’t wait for the first trip report. Hope you get a morning like last year with the glassy water. 

Not sure.

But it tows like a dream and there's never been any uneven or unusual tire wear.

Might be the camera angle.

A-Jay

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Not sure.

But it tows like a dream and there's never been any uneven or unusual tire wear.

Might be the camera angle.

A-Jay

yeah, maybe just camera angle. Here’s two quick pics from ranger and the axle is under the back of the seat more or less. That’s exactly where it is on your second picture. But these two have minimal boat behind that whereas the pro-v looks like it has 2-3’ more deck back there. And then with a 200 tilted up it looks like it’s a looong way back. I’m sure from a weight perspective Lund designed it so it’s is just right and I’m going to guess that the gas tank is under the seats or close to it since that’s a lot of weight. Just a weird and random thing to see and think. 
 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

yeah, maybe just camera angle. Here’s two quick pics from ranger and the axle is under the back of the seat more or less. That’s exactly where it is on your second picture. But these two have minimal boat behind that whereas the pro-v looks like it has 2-3’ more deck back there. And then with a 200 tilted up it looks like it’s a looong way back. I’m sure from a weight perspective Lund designed it so it’s is just right and I’m going to guess that the gas tank is under the seats or close to it since that’s a lot of weight. Just a weird and random thing to see and think. 
 

 

 

 

 Tzd trailer 

The PRO-V gas tank is directly under the cockpit area and the 3 TM batteries are on the centerline running fore & aft under the center rod locker.  So almost right in the middle of the  boat.  No idea how that Ranger is set up so not sure it applies here. Will say that my galvanized trailer is not a light weight deal.

A-Jay

Despite the 8 inches of snow we got yesterday and over night,

I went ahead and reviewed / printed out the applicable annual regs for 2025.

That felt good.

 

17 Days and a wake up. 

#optimistic

A-Jay

my brain started reading the text of your post and then skipped straight to the picture without getting the words between.  So my read of your message was: "despite 8" of snow, I went for a drive and we have open water".  Ha!  I bet you wish, even if it was for slimy salmon (or maybe those are brownies).

 

good luck!  My maiden voyage is this weekend.

18 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

my brain started reading the text of your post and then skipped straight to the picture without getting the words between.  So my read of your message was: "despite 8" of snow, I went for a drive and we have open water".  Ha!  I bet you wish, even if it was for slimy salmon (or maybe those are brownies).

 

good luck!  My maiden voyage is this weekend.

Good Luck this weekend.

Take it all in.

A-Jay

Took my first ride over to local Lake Menderchuck this morning to assess the conditions. 

Not exactly sure when I'll be fishing, just feel pretty strongly that it will not be today.

15 days and a wake up.

I guess anything is possible. 

🤓

A-Jay

 

Holy smokes! Do you still have plenty of snow on the ground?

 

We haven’t had snow or ice for some time now and in fact I’m hearing they are lifting the frost laws next week down here.

 

I say this every year but it still amazes me what a world of difference a 2-3 hour drive north makes.

They haven't officially declared Tonka to be ice-free yet - but there's plenty of boats already out fishing.

11 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Holy smokes! Do you still have plenty of snow on the ground?

 

We haven’t had snow or ice for some time now and in fact I’m hearing they are lifting the frost laws next week down here.

 

I say this every year but it still amazes me what a world of difference a 2-3 hour drive north makes.

It be some kind of cold at the tip of the mitt.

🥶

A-Jay

9 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Took my first ride over to local Lake Menderchuck this morning to assess the conditions. 

Not exactly sure when I'll be fishing, just feel pretty strongly that it will not be today.

15 days and a wake up.

I guess anything is possible. 

🤓

A-Jay

 

when I see a lake like this, I always think that a snowmobile with a big lawn spreader filled with the blackest ash ever is the right answer. 

36 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

when I see a lake like this, I always think that a snowmobile with a big lawn spreader filled with the blackest ash ever is the right answer. 

And create a possible fish-kill situation as you raise the PH of the water.

8 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

And create a possible fish-kill situation as you raise the PH of the water.

fine.  black sand.  just enough for the sun to bite on.

18 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

fine.  black sand.  just enough for the sun to bite on.

While ice out time is always anticipated, warming up “too” quick is not great either. Prespawn is often when the biggest fish of the season are caught, and that period is often shortened with a rapid warm up.

 

Last season we had a very early ice out but the prespawn was very extended because of cooler, wet weather. In other words, going directly from winter to summer is not good.

56 minutes ago, gim said:

While ice out time is always anticipated, warming up “too” quick is not great either. Prespawn is often when the biggest fish of the season are caught, and that period is often shortened with a rapid warm up.

 

Last season we had a very early ice out but the prespawn was very extended because of cooler, wet weather. In other words, going directly from winter to summer is not good.

Our pre spawn here happens during what we call 'sprinter'.  Should be spring but feels like winter.  Surface water temps 42 -50 ish is the magic big bite zone for me.  Seems air temps only matter to me.

Big wind is no good but I like some.

Helps 'position' the bait, the fish and me. 

A-Jay

Most lakes/ponds are open around me; if not, very close.

My Menderchuck will open fully this week. I won't be able to go next weekend as I have a business meeting at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut next weekend. You can bet your asphalt I'll be out week ending 4/12-4/13; most likely Sunday 13th

 

1 hour ago, Smokinal said:

Most lakes/ponds are open around me; if not, very close.

My Menderchuck will open fully this week. I won't be able to go next weekend as I have a business meeting at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut next weekend. You can bet your asphalt I'll be out week ending 4/12-4/13; most likely Sunday 13th

 

Good Luck with both the meeting

and the fishing.

A-Jay

 

Tonka was officially declared open on Saturday...so Gim and I were both late with our dates.

On 3/29/2025 at 6:28 PM, Smokinal said:

You can bet your asphalt I'll be out week ending 4/12-4/13; most likely Sunday 13th

 

Go, SmokinAl, go! It's still too cold for me to launch, but if I had a bigger boat, I'd go too.

Took my first 'official' recon ride over to local Lake Menderchuck this morning. 

Just to see.

Well despite the total Zero access to anything close to the water, there's actually a slither of open water YEE-HAA.

So good to see especially with a natural disaster not even close to being remotely resolved.  So I just ignored all the downed power poles and power lines and trees littering the landscape, and smiled at what's about to become once again.  Reality.  Big Brown bass.

The 11th might be a thing.

A-Jay

 

Checked out local Lake Menderchuck again this morning.  Seems like maybe 30 % open water.  Normally my left eye would start to twitch a little, but the State Parks / DNR put out a "no public access until further notice" notification yesterday.  So all State and DNR parks and access points up north here, at least the ones I'd be looking to fish are closed. They did mention that they are working to clear the Down trees and debris which is the main problem. 

Still got a shot at open water on or by the 11th.  Just not sure if I will be able to safely launch the Lund or nor.  

With no power here for going on 8 days, no clue what the status of the boat batteries might be. 

Either way, I am planning on loading the gear and preparing the trailer starting tomorrow.

The madness continues.

A-Jay

On 4/4/2025 at 2:11 PM, A-Jay said:

So good to see especially with a natural disaster not even close to being remotely resolved.  So I just ignored all the downed power poles and power lines and trees littering the landscape, and smiled at what's about to become once again.

 

 

I hadn't heard anything A-Jay...what went on?? Are you and your wife ok? Local friends and such ok?

Ice storm?

1 hour ago, Smokinal said:

I hadn't heard anything A-Jay...what went on?? Are you and your wife ok? Local friends and such ok?

Ice storm?

We're OK. Thank you for asking.

Ice and wind for three days.  Minor property damage.   We had no power for 12 days, kind of bogus. We managed though. Trees down all over the property being cleaned up this week.

Look up Gaylord ,MI ICE strom.

Like nothing I've ever seen nor want to ever see again.

It will take years for this place to recover.

A-Jay

On 3/27/2025 at 11:34 AM, A-Jay said:

Took my first ride over to local Lake Menderchuck this morning to assess the conditions. 

Not exactly sure when I'll be fishing, just feel pretty strongly that it will not be today.

15 days and a wake up.

I guess anything is possible. 

🤓

A-Jay

 

Where is the lake, all I see is a big flat with snow on it.  Where is the water?  No wonder I can't find Lake Menderchuck on a map.  

Took another RECON Ride over to local Lake Menderchuck.

It's looking even more open than my last visit.

Probably will not make my predicted of the 11th (tomorrow)

for total open water, but it shouldn't be but a few more days.

Bigger problem is there is NO ACCESS. 

State/DNR owned roads leading to the lake

are still littered with down trees and have yet to be cleared. 

Might need to zip on down there with the Stihl Farm Boss and give them a hand.

Perhaps speed up the process a little.

Be a pretty big bummer if the ice clears out

and I have to just sit and look at it instead of launching the Lund.

Just a wake up left ~

A-Jay