kjackson

I posted this in the wrong column, "tips, etc." when it should have been posted here. I have a Garmin Fishfinder 240 Blue with two transducers, one of which is an Airmar. The power cord in relatively long but cut. The unit worked well when I pulled it off my old boat, and it's been sitting in a box since. I don't know much about the unit, but the Garmin site has info. While there have been a ton of advances in marine electronics since this was produced, it's still a decent unit that would work well in the bow. If you're interested, get in touch.

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Since you're after a boot wader, shoe size is paramount...the rest of the fit is secondary, IMO.

Thanks for the info, guys. Now all I have to do is find the boat...there are a few around, but I'm likely to drive a bit. Won't go to Chicago for a boat, but may travel to Wisconsin and sponge off the relatives for a place to stay--after the snow stops, that is. Probably should work on my boat now to get it ready to sell. Thanks again!

Thanks, Wrench. The only problem with these older boats is that they're usually paired with motors of the same year--and from what I've seen, Mercury is a leader. I'm not adverse to putting a new(er) engine on one, so that isn't necessarily a deal breaker. Finding a Ranger Fisherman or Angler is not that easy, but that's the style I'm after as I may want to hang a small kicker off the stern, and a boarding ladder also is a must. Both can be added later, of course. Back to the lake in a few to see if the crappies have moved into the dock. Last time out, I hooked the largest dock fish yet--don't know what it was, but it was fast and strong and broke me off in less than five seconds. I figure it was either a biggish cat or a bass well over the three pounders I usually hit.

I'm finally getting serious about replacing my boat with something that will fit what I need a boat to do a bit better than my current boat. I've had aluminum boats for decades and might jump on the right one if it comes along. However, my mind set now is that the perfect boat is a Ranger Fisherman--that's one without the back deck and a fairly open rear cockpit--the design is more for walleye fishing than bass fishing. I'd like to get an older one because A) I'm cheap and $30,000 or more-expensive boats really don't fit the program. Do older Rangers have problems with the transom or floor? Are there certain things to watch out for in older Rangers? I don't mind doing some rebuilding or things like that, but I want a sound hull and a motor that can be fixed. Any suggestions welcome.

If you need inspiration to carry side-cutters, perhaps these images will help. If we'd thought of removing the second hook before pulling the one in my leg, then the hook in the finger would not have happened...

Al-- you may have misunderstood (or I've misunderstood your remark)-- the finger impalement (is there such a word?) was done by the second hook on the topwater. The mistake we made was leaving it on the lure when we pulled the first hook. We should have removed it or turned it around and secured it so that the tines were pointed opposite to the direction of pull. The extractions themselves were painless--just a quick jerk was all I felt. However, your point is valid on what we did on the hook that was in my finger--we definitely could have done that better, but again, it didn't hurt and is healing nicely. I should be able to get images this weekend. The takeaway I get from this is to always have a pair of good sidecutters on hand and to pick up a pair of plastic fish grips for the kayak. The times I've brought a kicking white bass or catfish into the kayak between my bare legs with treble hooks flying around makes me think it is time to get smart.

While antiquing with SWMBO, I ran across one of those glass minnow traps, but this one came with the original box--from Orvis! That was a surprise...if it hadn't been for the $175 price tag, I might have picked it up.

Hmmm...just returned from a trip to Venice where I got hooked twice. The first hook went into the calf of my leg when I brushed against a rod with a topwater on it. We were fishing the jetties off Southwest Pass, and it was kinda rough, so I guess I kinda stumbled into the lure. That hook was easy to remove with the string trick. However, this lure had two trebles, and as I was the "patient", I had to hold the offending hook down, pressing firmly to ease extraction. It doesn't take a genius to guess what happened-- when my buddy jerked the hook out, the second treble slid neatly into the finger pressing the first hook down. That hook went into the distal joint of my left index finger and under the pad of that knuckle. It hurt like you might guess and really hurt when they (my buddy and the guide) tried to cut the second hook and when that failed, worked on removing the second treble from the split ring. The string trick worked again even though my buddy said it felt "like a chunk came out when I jerked". I'm treating this like a learning experience: take a pair of good side cutters along whenever I fish, remove other hooks before trying the string trick, and carry a good antiseptic to apply to any wounds. I don't have the pix back that my buddy took, but I should get them this weekend and will post for fun.

I have the MX, and it is a great kayak. Wished I needed another one...

We didn't see a pike--at least that was what I heard--doesn't mean that they weren't there, but most of the fishing I did with pros was in deeper water, and the general emphasis was on bass. One of the guys I fished with did catch a walleye.

I fished Green Bay last week for a day trip, and when we went after big fish, the guide used clip-on weights to bring the deep-diving crankbaits down close the bottom. With the newish deep Bandits, we were able to get down to 30+ feet. In the past, I've used downriggers, Dipsey Divers and Jet Divers to get gear down to where i wanted it, and clip-on weights are the easiest. The only issue I have with them is that you have to remove them when bringing a fish in, unless you put the weight close to the lure.

I fished out of LaCrosse three years ago in the same timeframe at a media event. Swim jigs, crank baits and some finesse stuff ruled. No pro was fishing a frog that I heard about, and given that Spro was one of the sponsors, frogs probably would have been used... I just returned from a week in Wisconsin, and water levels are still extremely high, FWIW. I'd sure give the shallow stuff a chance especially if the weather holds.

Rather than do that, I'd use a clip-on weight ahead of the crank bait...or lead core. An in-line weight is another possibility, but that takes more effort to dial in.