Nick, you’ve got mail!

Chris, you’ve got mail!

So good to see Tommy “back in the saddle!” God is good, all the time.
Dr. J.

Yet no one saw he has a pontoon boat sitting on a Ranger Boats Custom Trailer?
Maybe that’s because his pontoon is a Ranger Reata Pontoon?

I was going simply off my observation, never once seeing anyone with WI tags, pull their drain plugs at the WI ramps, on the Mississippi or at Lake Michigan and no DNR folks checking same, like we have in MN at the landings. The guy I fished with in WI says his boat doesn’t ever have any water in it “so why would I ever pull the drain plug?” ….. I agree with that logic.

Not wanting to start an argument here. I live on Lake Wissota in WI, but I also fish pool 4 whenever I get the chance. Every weekend this summer, we have had WIDNR and Lake Wissota Association volunteers at the boat launch inspecting boats and trailers as they are going in and out of the ramp area, reminding people to remove boat drain plugs and weeds from trailers prior to leaving. Further, at the various Pool-4/Lake Pepin Wisconsin side launches, it has been my observation that most people do pull their drain plugs and open livewell plugs in accordance with WIDNR regulations prohibiting the transfer of live fish in their boat. I have a Skeeter boat that doesn’t leak, but with all of the rain we have had this year while on the water, I can usually get some water out of my drain plug at the end of the day. I would strongly encourage your Wisconsin friend to merely follow the regulations and pull his drain plug when he leaves the water…just sayin’…

Thomas, your statement:in ….WI they don’t have to pull their drain plugs at all. is somewhat misleading. Wisconsin law requires that you “Drain all water from all boats, motors, trailers, boat equipment, and fishing equipment before you transport the boat, trailer, or equipment away from that body of water or its shore.” (The Handbook of Wisconsin Boating Laws and Responsibilities, page 21, paragraph 1b.) We are concerned about aquatic invasive species here in Wisconsin. In fact, in the previously mentioned Wisconsin Boating Handbook, it is further stated that: “When you leave a body of water that contains aquatic invasive species, you also should disinfect everything by:•Rinsing your vessel, propeller, trailer, and equipment with hot water (at least 104° Fahrenheit), or…•Air-drying your vessel and equipment for at least five days.

Bryan, you didn’t have to go that far north–there is still 30 inches of hard ice on Marshmiller…just sayin’…

I have an 1850 Skeeter with three Lowrance HDS-12 Units, all NMEA linked to my Motorguide Xi5 Bow-mounted trolling motor. I like having two HDS units on my console when searching for waypoints, structure, and fish. However, I spend 90 percent of my fishing time in the bow, looking at the HDS-12 Screen. My recommendation is to replace your HDS-12 Carbon bow unit with a Lowrance HDS-16 Carbon and move the existing HDS-12 to the console. Two units on the console provide a vast array of structure scan, 3-D, 2-D, CHIRP, and GPS options. Stick with the Lowrance Carbons and you won’t be disappointed.:waytogo

Tom, thanks for the insight–Yes, a #9 Rapala Stickbait is different than a #9 Shadrap…Sounds like some very nice Crappies nonetheless!!

Tom, those must be some HUGE Crappies to bite a #9 Rapala…just sayin’…

Justin, you’ve got mail!

Mark, check your PM–You’ve got mail.

Socoeye, thank you, sir, for the great information on purchasing a ferrite ring. I trust that the installation of the ferrite core will definitely reduce the interference from my xi5. You are “da Man”.

Kirt, the on-board battery charger does not appear to be the culprit. I’m thinking that adding a ferrite ring to the xi5 transducer cable might help. Just wondering about which size ferrite core to use? Thanks.

Socoeye, I realize that this post is from more than one year ago; however, did the ferrite ring solve your problem? If so, would you please provide a manufacturer and model number for the ferrite ring. Thanks in advance for your information.

Dan, “The Duke” was great in every movie he ever made; however, he was at his absolute best while playing Admiral Rockwell “Rock” Torre in the 1965 movie: In Harm’s Way. If you have not seen it, you need to. Enjoy the movie–Go Navy!!

Evan, the smaller of the two lures is a Berkley Frenzy Rattl’r FR14. Your lure appears to be the 1/4 oz size, although they also come in 1/2 and 3/4 oz sizes. By the way, this is an excellent lure on Pool-4…just sayin…
Good fishing!

The statement that: “It is illegal to withhold catch and fishing information when interviewed by authorized DNR creel clerks.” has been standard boilerplate in the Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations under the “Other” category for at least the past 10 years, perhaps longer. The data collected is used when making rules changes regarding various gamefish and panfish possession limits. The data obtained may be subjective, but it is preferable to guesses and speculation when making decisions about existing fish populations.
Dr. J.

I have a 1994 Skeeter 1850D with a Yamaha Pro-V 150 hp outboard. I used a transom saver for the first 6 years but tired of having to repeatedly repaint my motor’s lower unit because of wear from the transom saver. I have been using a MY-Wedge Motor Support since early 2000 and “would not leave home without it!” I no longer have to keep repainting my motor. I highly support their product!

Dr. J.

Eric, which hole is the outboard mounted in? In the photo, it looks like the third down from the top of the mounting bracket?

Dr. J.

Eric, were you using a Yamaha Pro Series 23M Stainless Steel prop?

Dr. J.

Jason, your Grandfather was a Third Class Petty Officer Ships Cook (CS3)in the United States Navy. The Ships Cook rating was changed after WW-II to Commissaryman (CS). Some good info here about USN enlisted ratings: http://bluejacket.com/usn_ratings.html

Fair winds and following seas,

Dr. J.

Fish, do a google search for “double-end snap buttons.”

Dr. J.

Dean, it’s not purple, but it’s a Skeeter!
Dr. J.

Jake, the MN DNR develops and maintains hundreds of Investigative Reports regarding all types of fish and wildlife. Report #481 of 1999: “Seasonal distribution, habitat use, and spawning locations of Walleye and Sauger in Pool 4 of the Upper Mississippi River with special emphasis on winter distribution related to a thermally altered environment” by Ickes, B.S., A.G. Stevens, and D.L. Pereira provides great information about Pool 4. A shortened version of this report was published in the Walleye In-Sider some years ago. The article emphasized that Walleyes spawned in a variety of habitats. Some fish used flooded off-channel habitats with flooded timber, bulrushes and reed-canary grass. Some fish used cobble substrate in side channels and some fish used side channels and wing dams near Lock and Dam #3. Read the DNR Investigative Report and find out exactly where Walleyes spawn on Pool 4. The report provides specific locations.
Dr. J.

Mike, both the Berkley Flicker Shad #5 and Rapala Shadrap #5 are the same size 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) long. Also, the Flicker Shad #7 and the Rapala Shadrap #7 are each 7 centimeters (about 2.75 inches) long. In fact, all Rapala lures are numbered in centimeters. Hope this helps.

Eyes, many guys on this site are St. Croix Rod fans. If you “like” St. Croix rods, you’ll absolutely “love” the Fenwick Elite Tech Walleye Series rods. All the rods in the Elite Tech Walleye series are specifically designed for we Walleye Guys and the conditions under which we fish. The sensitivity is super and the TAC handles are really comfortable when fishing in rain. The 6′-9″ Elite Tech EWS69ML-F spinning rod with 10/4 Fireline Crystal works extremely well for pitching blades. The 6′-6″ Elite Tech EWS66ML-F spinning rod with 10/4 Fireline Crystal does a super job for vertical jigging. I have been using Fenwick Elite Tech Walleye rods since September 2008 and cannot say enough about them. Try any one in the series–you will not be disappointed.

The present exchange rate is about 30 Russian rubles per dollar, therefore 60,000 Rubles is about $2000.

BLA, as mentioned Everts is the best if you are interested in the upper end of Pool-4; however, if your interest is in the lower end of lake Pepin, the Pepin city launch is excellent and only 43 miles from Menomonie. Take hwy 25 south from Menomonie, through Durand, to hwy 35. Go west on hwy 35 to Pepin. Turn left at the BP gas station and follow the road down the hill and cross the railroad tracks. The public launch is just to your left as you cross the tracks by the Pickle Factory restaurant. There is an excellent free public access launch and rest-room facility there, including a fish-cleaning station. This launch will provide quick access to lots of fish. Let us know how the bite is for you.

You will be impressed with the Fenwick Elite Tech Walleye rods. They don’t have a 6′-8″ rod, but they have a 6′-9″ model. I’ve been using four new EWS69ML-F Fenwick Elite Tech Walleye Jigging rods since last fall. I have especially liked the EWS69ML-F rods for Jig Dragging and Jig Casting. The 6′-9″ medium-light power coupled with the Fast tip action also make them a great choice for blade bait casting. You will not be disappointed in their performance.