4fishys

http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/parks/tablerock/trmasterplan.htm This website is referenced on the postcard and does a little bit of explaining about what will be evaluated, although without any specifics about what they have in mind. My guess is it would be about more possible public access and boat dock permitting----just my guess though,

Just make sure you turn off the computer so the kids don't see it!

I am a big fluke fan, and use a double fluke rig quite a bit. It provides a little more weight for casting, and also sinks a little faster. I start with about a 18" set up with a fluke on one end and a ball bearing swivel on the other end. Slide the swivel up your main line and tie another fluke to the end. The swivel section now is pulled by the other fluke, and resembles a few baitfish swimming / escaping together. Kind of a different version of the new hot "A" rig. Need to pay attention to the size of the holes in the swivel to insore that they are smaller than the eye of the hook on the main line. In that way it won't slide down over the hook eye and destroy the fluke on the leader section.

You are all in my thoughts as well.......it can be a very devistating event for sure. Can anybody tell me the rough path the twister took? I'm a long way away and wonder if the dock and some signage I have up might need attention. We're in the Baxter area up Breadtray Mountain road. Any info. is appreciated. Might have to get someone to go check for me. Again, thoughts and prayers to all affected. Bill

Martin and Buddy - PM's sent. Gitnby, There is parking by the slips. I understand I don't necessarily want to break them up, as I would be looking for a slip if I was buying this lot. There is someone who isn't looking for a slip though, and just the lot. If the numbers work out I might split them up. I understand that things are very slow now, but this is a beautiful property and I'm hopeful that someone appreciates those wonderful sunsets as much as I do!

I have a lakefront lot and 10x28 covered dock with electric, water, swim platform and locked gate. Located in Lampe in a quiet cove minutes from Baxter marina. I am looking to sell them, and have someone interested in just the lot, but I don't need a slip. I know that they go together better as a package, but I'll split if the $$$$ work out. Question is this.....what are 10x28 covered slips with water, elec, platform and locked gate worth? I appreciate any input you might have. I'm in the Chicago area, so I don't get down there a lot unfortunately. Thanks!

Wrench, YOU DA MAN! I was hoping that you'd see this and reply. Thanks a bunch. I'll let my buddy know, and probably pick up a few gallons for myself. Dutch, Is that for the synthetic blend? I've shopped it a bit in Chi-town, and prices are pretty consistent. 30 bones is a pretty good deal. Thanks again guys.

Got a guy locally selling gallons of Merc DFI Synthetic Oil for $25.00 / gal. versus $39.00 at Bass Pro. My buddy got some, and it looks to have a date of 2008. Is this still good? My guess is yes. There's no guarantee the stuff you might buy in a marina or store is any newer, depending on how they judged their purchasing. If they don't sell it this year, guess what you'll be seeing next spring? I'd love to save some $$$$, but curious if there are any concerns. Thanks for your answers.

Check out my listing on BUY-SELL-TRADE forum for the prettiest lakefront lot and slip down there. We looked at a lot, and this is the one!

Just gorgeous lakefront acre (+/-) in Lampe, just down the road from Baxter launch. Lot 12 in Breadtray Mountain Estates. Gently sloping to water, nice houses already built in development, and 10x28 slip. Lot is well marked with sign and contact phone number. You won't be confused on which one....it's the nicest one out there. Check it out at sunset for the truly beautiful views. This development is visible from the water, with LOTS FOR SALE sign. It sits across from the little Island around the corner and east from Baxter launch. To view from land, take 13 to County H in Lampe. Wind down the road to Breadtray Mountain road, and take a right. Follow that to the well marked development on the left. Newly paved roads, all systems in place, and ready to build on. Bought it a while back when my oldest was working in St. Louis, and youngest still in college, with the plan on retiring and building down there. Oldest is now married and in Chicago, and youngest is living and working there also, and this is just too far away for a Friday - Sunday visit. It's killing me, but time to let our dream lot go. PM me and I can give you a number to reach me at, and answer any questions. First $150K takes lot and slip.

MANY years ago, my Dad took my brother and me up to the Wolf River in Wisconsin for the white bass run. He had worked hard to pack lunches, and made some instant hot chocolate also. My Dad was a man of few words, for sure. We were getting a little chill, so he poured a cup of his hot chocolate for us. He had used water instead of the required milk for the mix. Well, it was TERRIBLE! We complained a bit, and he just told us to quit our whining and drink it. He wasn't much on listening to whining. A while later he decided to have a cup for himself, and after taking a sip and spitting it out he said, "Boy, you're right, this tastes like ----!." Something in his tone and admission caught our fancy, and we all laughed about it till we nearly peed our pants. Boy, I miss him. Thanks for taking us fishing, Dad!

No problem. I have never fished with them, and wouldn't know a mag wart from a wart hog! He's added a few more lots of lures, so if any regular warts appear I'll do a similar post. Just when I think that I have more tackle than is even reasonable, this lure bonanza shows up. Makes me feel like I've exhibited some degree of feduciary responsibility......that's the story for my wife, and I'm sticking to it! Bill

Hey guys, I'm stuck in Chicago, but thoroughly enjoy visiting your site. I know that the "wart bite" is big down there, and I've read about special interest in older warts. On a site up here there is a guy with what sounds like maybe 30-40 in different colors of what he describes as "pre-rapala warts. Don't know if this is of interest to anybody, but if you want to check out the colors, check out the site. Chicagolandfishing.com Go to the "trading post and classified" forum, and check out the lot 1 posting. Described as Mag-wart AV 3 3/4 inches and 3/4 oz. about 12 colors, and numerous of each color. You can't sign up on the site and PM him until you have at least 10 posts, so if you're interested I'll be happy to serve as an intermediary. Send me your phone number or E-mail, and I'll forward to him. Hope this works for someone down there. I love reading your posts, and would love to help you out. I, of course, would be expecting full credit for any fish caught on them, and a full posting with very graphic descriptions! He's asking $6.00 each. Let me know. Bill

I'm sure it is a rather large task to place and then document locations, and I can understand the process takes time. What doesn't??? Getting back to the original question though---does anybody target these as fishing spots? The lakes that I fish tend to get a fair amount of attention on any placed cover, and was just wondering if they receive the same attention there, given the different nature of the water / fishing habitat and behavior.

One of the links on top relates to finding structure / cribs placed by the corp. Does anybody actively look for / fish these? Are they at depths and areas that might hold some bass, or are they mainly used by guys trying to pull some nice gills, etc.? I don't think I've ever seen them mentioned in any posts, and was just curious.

CaptainJoe, Yea, that quake woke me up for sure. At first I thought it was my wife giving me the "roll over, you're snoring is driving me crazy" nudge, but she was still snoozing. We get small ones occasionally, but this was as big as I remember. Now we just need torrential rains and mud slides for the trifecta. I will say that I'm glad we mostly escape the ice storms that you all get. Snow is one thing, but ice is ice, and nobody's going anywhere on that stuff. I couldn't believe some of the pics from last winter down there with docks tipping over and the like. We'll all get to better weather soon enough, but I, for one, am ready.

Riverrat, I never really got into the hard water fishing. My brother was an ice fishing machine, and I think he prefered that to anything else. Must not run in the genes, because it doesn't do anything for me. Like anything, proper equipment makes it more enjoyable. I won an auger in the one tourney I fished with my brother, but I want to tell you it's not too much fun sitting on a bucket dropping a line through a 5" hole unless the conditions are pretty good. I would love to do some hunting also, but I don't get the time to use the boat enough for fishing and fun, so there isn't enough time or money to buy more equipment for something that get's enjoyed 1-2 times a year. I know the stream guys down there are crazy finatics. My bro-in-law is among the group. Maybe add some of that action when retirement rolls around and offers more time.

PC, That's reaching a bit.....I'll have to think about it! Hope yours gets better too. We could all use a day or two in the upper 40's or 50's to lift the spirits.

Enough of the lousy winter you are having down there. You can send a LITTLE of it up my way in Chicagoland. We're a little better prepared for it, and it really hasn't been too bad if you take away today and tonight. I need you good folks to be more normal so that you can get out and do some fishing. Here's how it is supposed to go......you go out and catch a nice bag, post your stories (pics always appreciated), and allow me the pleasure of reading about them. That's the only way I'll get through the next 30-45 days. So, please stop the bad weather and get fishing to help a northern brother out! Much appreciated. Bill

Bobby, Yea, I looked at all of them also. There are a lot of pretty nice options. Some can get pretty pricy pretty quick. I wanted aluminum just for the weight and durability considerations. I just bought a Princecraft Ventura 192 with a 150 Optimax. Gonna pick it up in a few weeks. Enjoy your new ride, and thanks for the info. on yours.

Skeeter, Thanks for tossing the info. on your friends satisfaction up here. There is always some second guessing when you make a purchase as expensive as a new boat! I really do believe that I am going to be very happy with the whole rig. Now I just have to make the time to get out and enjoy it. I hooked up with Cook's through an E-Bay posting on the boat. The posting just listed the town, but it didn't take a lot of detective work to find the dealer. This was my first time doing the E-Bay thing, and thankfully Sean was very gentle with me! I asked what he would be willing to let it go for, how the system worked, and he continued to work with me a ton in putting together the final package. Again, great guy and experience for me.

No old engine at all. Still have the 16Ft. Sylvan with a 90 merc on it that I will sell after my spring trip to Erie. This was a motor that was being added to a new Princecraft Ventura 192. Originally came with a 115, but I decided to go higher horses.....never heard anyone say they wish they had bought the smaller engine! Dealer was offering 7900 credit if I wanted it without the engine, and so began the search for the 150 and dilema between the '05 and '10. After his work as documented above I'm ending up with the '10 for just over a grand more than the '05. Thanks again for the help on this, and no, fantastic is RIGHT ON! Bill

Fishinwrench, Dude, you are fantastic! Checked the NADA guide, and while the 2010's aren't listed yet, the difference between an '05 and an'09 is about $3,000.00, Also a great point about insurance if it should be needed. The dealer REALLY worked for me, and by some dealer magic he got me into a 2010 for about $1,000.00 more than I was going to pay for the 2005. His include the prop and an extra oil tank, transom saver, tie downs, etc. needed which were a-la-carte items with the '05. Going with the 2010! The dealer, for all you Missouri guys, is Cook's Boats outside of Troy, Mo. Shaun (spelling?) is the guy I worked with. He really couldn't have been nicer, and really worked for me to get this at about a $5.000.00 discount from what my local Chicagoland dealer was willing to do for me. I could not be happier with him and his efforts. Fishinwrench--I assume you work at a dealership given your knowledge. You have given me the best info. and advice to think about, and I really appreciate it. Again, the folks on this site are fantastic. Looking at retiring down there in a few, and I only hope that when the time comes I can contribute in as meaningful a fashion as I find on here daily. Thanks again, Bill

I'm rethinking the '05 and looking at something newer, '09-'10. Are those substantially better in regards to "corrected glitches", or is it just the same glitches on a newer motor? If it was you, would you correct the service bulletin items on the '05 and save about $2,500, or go with the newer. I really appreciate your replies.....this is the best board out there! I've asked the same question on a few other sites, and replies just get folks entering the Merc vs. Evinrude vs. Yamaha, etc fight going.