nomolites

Best speed for crappies is typically in that 1.5 - 1.7 mph range; changes in speed often trigger the strike so trolling shallow “S” curves will typically get you more bites as one side will be speeding up and the other slowing down. Mike

Nice Jason!!

Nice...looks like a couple of mutts in there too. Mike

The BFL took 14-3 for the Pro and 12-9 for the Co, lloks like they had @ 120 boats. Mike

I’ll see if I can block the time out... would love to meet a few forum members. Hopefully I won’t have any issues traveling from Jersey Thursday. Will confirm when able. Mike

You have to label additional rods(or hooks) with your name, address, etc. if you do that you are good to go long as you do not exceed max number of hooks. Mike

Moving water and hybrids are like meat and potatoes....made for each other. That is a good day to be sure - congrats! Mike

As Wrench said the rock snot is bad in some areas....I did well recently using a Keitech and it is about time for the carolina rigged lizard /brush hog. Mike

You just need a Mercury Marine hat to match the mood... Mike

Another for you Wrench... Was down last weekend and ran up to the top of the Gravi to catch some whites(caught 20 but only three big females) and after I got back to the 4 mm and got the boat on the lift I smelled fuel. Got to looking and sure enough it was dripping out from above so pulled the cowling and gas was pooled a bit at the low point in the rear. Fired it up and saw nothing until I gave it a few revs and then it started dripping out of the fitting at the bottom of the starboard fuel rail(150 OPTI) Looked up the drawing and see 2 o rings and commenced to looking for parts, and guess what? Discontinued. Had to hit the road Monday early and stopped in a mom and pop repair shop in Pekin Il I happened to be passing by and the lady helping me was able to find a set in their “discontinued pile”. So there is that, anyway. Will likely replace them this weekend and see if that corrects the issue, but I am sure wondering what’s next and will I be able to get parts... Mike

I was wondering where he was the last couple times in....good for him! Mike

When trolling or bottom bouncing this is my method as well... Mike

I have had an Ulterra since the first gen with I-pilot link. I love it but won’t deny early bugs - covered quickly and at no cost by MK - their customer service is stellar. The first qualifier is MK and Lowrance don’t mix..Humminbird only. Also, can really only run 2D sonar on them without some crazy looking workarounds for other ducers, at some point I’m sure that will change...I have a Helix at the helm as well and 2D suits me fine up front and I can spin that unit on the ram if I want to see wide. The foot pedal will never be the same as a cabled unit but all the other features far outweigh any negatives. It does behave like a woman at times, but I have learned her quirks and I think I will keep her 😉. The ONLY way I would run anything else(Ultrex) would be if I was strictly a bass fisherman and worked docks all day long...the cabled pedal is hands down quicker/more responsive. For big water fishing auto deploy is priceless, and vertical fishing structure it is simply not going to be beat. Mike

Protem area has good walleye fishing close and is centrally located. You have the flats at Diamond City and the Sugarloafs and Shoal Creek right there to the west and Big Creek to the east with lots of good water in between and beyond either direction. I have stayed at Lakeview(Protem east) and Blue Waters(Protem west) who each have put ins and slips to rent if you choose. I know there are others... Mike

Tongue patch is your easiest identifier...same on whites and hybrids. Excepting Wrench’s mutts of course.... Mike

I HATE those things, I travel by auto for business and those nasty things are everywhere— worst dang invention I can think of. If I don’t have cloth bags with me at the store I make them use paper, and recycle as shipping overwrap or recycle collection bags tonam a couple uses. Would suit me fine if they were banned..... Mike

I am a neophyte to tying flies as well...nice to hear I am not alone! Mike

I’m safe cuz If I gotta measure it, it’s too small......and I don’t keep blue cats so that slot doesn’t apply. Mike

Mai Lei is my wife’s favorite...delicious! Mike

I have fileted thousands of fish on my dock and will hopefully do quite a few more. Never had an issue with the man, but I have seen others get written up - you just never know who is in that boat fishing nearby. Mike

Let me rephrase..the Dam area warms up last(deepest) comparatively and by March temps should be moving back up. However, the Northshore area is pretty darn good early given the layout with prevailing wind and sun...but most guys looking to fish shallow will be in the backs of the creeks. There is usually a several degree difference between the Dam and the upper end of the Gravi with it warming the farther back you go. It is usually not muddy unless there are heavy rains very recently and settles out pretty quick. Mike

Usually big sacks in derby’s this time of year...A-rig, jerkbait, jig, WW. Coldest water will be closest to dam...the farther up an arm the warmer. Wrench has a lot of company this time of year up in Indian and the Gravi. Mike

Yes it is. Mike

Agree - thicker filets(halibut, salmon, walleye, striper, larger crappie, etc.) never get fried at my house. Mike

Andy’s red is my favorite but too spicy for many; for company I mix 50/50 with the mild or white. I dip filets in milk and toss in the dry mix, shake off excess and into the hot oil. Mike