4fishys

Hey, all. FIRST thing I have to say is what an outstanding site this is! I have NEVER fished the rock, but thoroughly enjoy reading the posts. Fantastic info. from all involved. Thanks to you all for making me feel as if I am almost there. Speaking of being almost there, I have a lot that I plan on retiring to and building on in about 18 months. Can't wait! I am also planning on a trip down there this August for a short trip, and to show the area to my sons. I have a few concerns about fishing down there though. I'm from the Chicago area, and consider myself an O.K. fisherman. Can handle any rod and reel, and work it hard, although not nearly as often as I would like! My problem is this.....I usually fish water 6-12 ft. deep. Also do a lot of cranks and spinners, jigs occasionally, and slip bobbers for a mixed bag. I'm afraid I will be totally blown away at fishing water as deep as will be needed down there, and wonder if any of you had similar concerns before making a change such as this. How did you deal with it....was it as tough as I am fearing? Won't do the guide trip this summer, but will definitely make that the first order of business when I become a resident. Also had a question about drop shotting, which it seems I will be trying this summer based on what I have read. I always thought of drop shotting as a bottom presentation, jiggling the little fella 18" or so above the weight. When you are shotting for these suspended fish, I'm assuming you don't have 20 ft. of line between the weight and bait. Just getting it to the proper depth and jiggling on a "tight line"? Once again, any feedback on the biggest transition problems I will be facing would be appreciated. Need to worry about it for a year or so! If any of you get up to this area, I might recommend a good Chicago area site that is pretty good also. Chicagolandfishing.com Check it out, and again, thanks for making me feel as if I am down there already.

Thanks to all for the advice. Got the same replies from a very good Chicago site, if you're up there and looking for info.---Chicagolandfishing.com.

Freeze fish from a yearly trip to Lake Erie (fantastic!!) and eat them over the course of several months to close to a year. Is there anything that I can do when packing them to prevent the freezer burn which happens? I seal them in baggies, squeezing out as mouh of the air as I possibly can. Short of buying one of the vacuum sealers, do you have any other tips to keep the filets looking any better? Thanks in advance.

I am looking at a lot in a new development, but the developer says he doesn't and won't have a price on a slip until after we are locked in to the thing. I'm afraid of being gouged on the price, since the lot without the slip isn't near as valuable for resale. How is this normally done down there? Only knowledge I have is of slips being sold with the new lots, and generally discounted some to the first buyers, but never an open ended price. Kind of like buying a car, and being asked if you want tires. Of course, you say. How much. Don't know, and won't until after you have purchased the car. Then the tires come in at 500.00 a piece! What do new slips generally go for? I have seen 12,500 to 20K in real estate mags. Am I being paranoid? Can't be held hostage for a slip, and then told it's 30K, know what I mean? Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. 4fishys

Just visiting to say hi. Buying some land down there for retiring in a few years, and it was great to spend some time while looking last week. Spent one vacation there years ago, but wife and I always said we'd have to check it out when it was time to pull the plug. Glad we did. I KNOW it will be quite different than the fishing up here in the Chicago area, but I'm excited to learn. This won't happen for a few yeaes unless I hit the lotto, but wanted to say hi, and let you know you have an anxious reader waiting to really contribute.