James or anyone,

When trolling these HJ and other shallow divers in rock areas with no weeds and deeper than 6 ft do you ever use split shots to get the stick down deeper. For example, on a 9 ft break with little or no weeds other than letting out massive amounts of line (which the depth curve levels out) do you use a split shot to get down deeper. Any specifics would be greatly appreciated.

Gus

I run a 2095 Yarcraft with a 150 Yamaha 4 stroke with the Mertens power steering. I have to say that I love this power steering over the Warrior pro tiller system. My last boat was an 1890 Warrior with a 90 Mercury which was great. However the extra two feet and wider boat is great for ride and much more room. I love the control of the tiller and with this bigger boat can pretty much handle the waves that Mille Lacs will bring in most conditions. As for the power steering you can steer the boat with two fingers at the throttle and not even move the tiller if you reach back and try to move it. I can run with a hand off the the throttle without any movement of the motor (but don’t recommend in case it ever failed). The reason I switched came down to features and the fact that a certain retailer now that sells them in Minnesota has pretty put most of the other dealers out of selling them and will not deal on the boats. This being said Warriors are a great boat also and I feel the weight of the glass boats and better shape control will make the boats run much smoother in the waves from my experience. There are some great aluminum boats also but I bleed glass and feel that tillers are the best way to go for total boat control.

Gus

Thanks Chris just sent him a shout. My early season has entailed many trips to Winnie over the past 10 years and will now spend my time on the big pond for memorial weekends for years to come. Still open on Winnie and early June. The fishing is also tremendous up there so if anyone needs some hints for that lake would be glad to share.

Gus