Finally got one on cam in Mitchell county, IA this year. Have heard of several others in the area. It seems they are really expanding their range last couple years.

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I hear ya. On the way out this year we hit a pothole so big it broke the spare tire stud and the spare tire shot out from under my Lund and went bouncing down the interstate. Had to turn around and play frogger because it was along a very narrow median. Dangerous as hell. There were car/truck parts along this particular stretch of I80 because it was so rough. Illinois is a liberal hell hole.

Dutchboy wrote:

I’ve been told that trim tabs will help all boats although I don’t know that to be fact.

Your 208 is a tiller correct?

Let us know if you find a good fix.

No this is a full windshield console boat. They only made this model a few years.

I would rather keep them all together for now.

If you do go to Sturgeon bay and venture out on your own there’s a couple things I would suggest.

First, don’t go your very first trip in the dark of night. We usually get to Sturgeon bay after lunch that first day. Then you can get all the bugs worked out when its light out instead of dark. Also there’s a few buoys and as meintioned already now wake zones to get familiar with. That evening bite can be just as good.

Second, it took me a few years to learn this one, there is a trolling pattern on the bank reef. When going North you can hug the break line and when you get to the top of the reef and turn around you should be on the outside in deeper water.

Third, if its foggy the big boats use a clown horn to signal that they’re near. They have radar for this situation.

As far as timing the bite you really do need to be flexible. I watch the wind/wave forecasts and the weekly fishing report on WDOR radio website. Lance at Howies tackle does a great job. Doesn’t really matter what they’re biting on but more importantly how many fish are coming in. Lance really is a great bait shop owner and will help you catch fish, one trip the bank reef was slow and he called one of his charter buddies up in Baileys Harbor and got us on a great steelhead bite, saved our trip. We try to stay at the Cherryland motel, which is attached to Howies.

I really enjoy going out on the big water and getting things dialed in without hiring a charter. Usually takes an afternoon or morning to get on a pattern. I do find some satisfaction coming into Sawyer harbor cleaning station with a couple limits of Kings in a boat with IA license on the side!!

To elaborate here, this rod was pretty new to me. Owned it less than 3-4 months. When in the boat it would be in the infloor storage tubes. This blank was defective plain and simple. Just like most of you Ive been fishing since I could crawl and know how to care for rods.

No I don’t but two months is too long of a period to not hear anything plus they obviously dont have a functioning warranty call center anymore.

I do alot of the same type of fishing as you Ed. Trolling for salmon and walleyes with the bowmount down for steering. Boat is a Lund tyee 208gl. I was looking at the sale on the Ionics that you mentioned.

I currently have AGM’s and they are crazy heavy.

Right on the ionic website it says the 125 ah will start up to the 250 hp

This battery can be used as starter battery for all outboard motors between 150 to 250hp and is fully compatible with Mercury and other leading brands

Wow, is all I have to say. That rig is amazing.

Give Lee a call at Wrights Wilderness Camp. Some of the best fishing in Ontario and Lee and Stephanie will take care of you. Nice newer cabins on a protected bay.

isu22andy wrote:

Guys that have the gt 56 vs the 54 – was it worth the upgrade ?

Absolutely, and if anyone would like to buy the 54 I have one for sale on FB marketplace. Haven’t had any luck getting rid of it.

Bartman wrote:

By easy to fish I’m hoping you mean rock piles are easy to locate before you meet one at 30mph!

The lake is marked pretty well, just don’t go between two islands if theyre close together and watch it in Keg Lake (anything around the shoreline in that lake is dangerous).

Lee will fill you in on what to be careful of. I’ll be there Sept. 10-17

What size were you using?

Start listening to the WDOR fishing report about June 1st and watch weather/wave forecasts. Lance at Howies in SB puts out a great report and you can get a feel for how fishing is going. It’s better to watch the reports and be ready to go on short notice if the fish are biting and you have calm winds. Planning a salmon trip out a few months can really bite you in the rear, especially if you are taking your own boat. The cherryland motel in SB is geared to fishermen and has Howies attached to it, gas station close and not too far to the launch.

I have the same one as Dave and Gino. Didnt even know there was an o-ring that goes in there. Dang thing rattles so much I don’t hardly ever use the kicker.

I have one that’s very similar I stole off the net:

1 cup mayo
1 cup sour cream
1 packet knoors vegetable mix
1/4 cup finely diced green onion
1/3 fillet smoked salmon

It’s so good my kids even eat it.

He is 5’9. Tall and skinny. He gets wrapped up in giant pretzels lol
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You need to teach him how to cradle and do it well. Those tall lanky guys are natural cradlers.

Funny story about a one liner.

In college our group had a guy who came from a big city and wasn’t much of a ladies man. One night we were drinking at our local bar and he approached a group of girls while we all watched, out of ear shot. Next thing we know one of the gals hauls off and slaps him right there on the dance floor. Buddy turns around with a huge grin on his face and walks back to our table. Of course we ask him what he said and the conversation went like this:

Tim – “Excuse me would you like to dance?”
Gal – “No!!!”
Tim – “I think you misunderstood me, I said you look fat in those pants”

Just got back from Sturgeon Bay, WI on Lake Michigan. The bite is on fire right now for the charters. We struggled with keeping fish pinned but came home with 15 for 2 1/2 days of fishing. Biggest were 22 and 24 lbs.

Salmon are bigger on Lake Michigan from what I’ve heard.

Wish I wouldn’t have gotten cold feet and sold a while back. First bought in at $4, then sold at $5. Jumped back in at $26 and then back out at $47. Back in again at $57 and not selling anytime soon. If it goes to $350 I’ll have enough to pay for a substantial down payment on a new Warrior 203.

Cole Houston wrote:

Marine plywood is great but for a little more money you can buy Coosa board. The blue water 26 is impervious to water and will never rot. I just did my floors and transom. Almost all of your newer boys are using this product or a similar product. No point in putting in the work to have it rot again.

I’ve never heard of Coosa board. Where do you get it?

Alright boys and girls lets bring this back to the top. The pups were born on Sunday 3/21. I have 4 males that are available, 3 black and 1 yellow.

I would call them both medium sized for labs. Female 50-55. Male is a touch bigger than my female.

Just confirmed the pregnancy yesterday. PM me if your interested.

$100 deposit. $1250 female $1000 male

This is my pointing lab Ruby. Coincidentally if anyone is looking for a pup she should have some in March.

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Wife, 4 kids (5,5,7,10), and myself. I’m getting where I don’t like getting wet and cold anymore.

Sorry forgot to mention that in original post. Yes, has to be a console with windshield.

My duck bot motor was a 15 hp yammie. I finally just got rid of the piece that hooked to the hose where it went thru the housing and stuck the hose out the hole a few inches. Never had any problems after that.