MI Gordon

Largemouth's prefer Rush.....Smallies seem to like Pantera

Hey all! I read all the time but very rarely post. After about 6 months of research I'm probably going to pull the trigger on a 2015 Ranger RT178 w/75HP Evinrude ETEC. I was pricing it on the Ranger website and noticed this option priced at a little over $1000. I must confess I had to look it up to find out what it was so I understand it raises /lowers the engine vertically. Since this will probably be my retirement boat I'm going to spend the $ and equip it exactly the way I want, so I don't mind spending the cash. But I'm not sure if I would need or want it. So I'm looking for some guidance.......Thanks!

About the 3d time I launched my first boat I took my 19 year old son along. The boat was in the water and I casually walked back down to the dock just to hear my son say "Dad, is there supposed to be water coming in the back of the boat like that?" No sense of urgency what so ever, just kind of mentions it after I got back. Wow. After we finally got on the water it was good laugh! No, I didn't get mad......

There seems to be the usual amount of tackle/bait monkey posts, and all of a sudden I'm wondering if anybody has ever compiled any data on what baits actually were 1)used 2)caught fish 3)what percentage of the baits you carry actually caught fish in any given year 4)how many folks actively use their data to get rid of baits that are not producing, or even being used???? I'm thinking that I've probably used 80% of what I carry, and have caught fish on 20%.....just guessing because I don't keep track of baits, just locations, waypoint #s, conditions, etc

Rush, Metallica, or Incubus (which the bass prefer). And, if the time is right, I enjoy a Tigers game, or Lions (which the bass don't like).....

Bass in mid Michigan prefer Rush or Metallica....

So far this year both KVD Sig Series reels i got are performing well. Thier a little tricky to get dialed in but once there no problem. Seems like a great deal so far.

Glad to hear you did well! Where the hell were you fishing?

Struck out at Wixom today. The water was murky, muddy and 55-56 deg. I tried slow rolling spinner baits rigged with gold blades in 8-9 feet of water, big noisy KVD 2.5 square bills slowww in 3-5, and t-rigged 7 inch black power worms in shallows, docks and banks. Mostly in a cove on the east side. 2 bites..struck out! Its the first time I've been skunked at Wixom. The main lake was rough and windy. Better luck next time. The walleye and crappie guys were struggling also.

showers tomorrow and mon, plus it was 38 deg this morning.....i stayed home to cut the grass. will try to hit it tomorrow. i hear there were a few boats out on wixom. it would be interesting to hear how everyone did.

Good luck tomorrow to all in Mi....although the lakes and rivers are a mess from all the rain. I'll be on Wixom!

6 more days...I don't illegally download movies and music, I don't target fish that are not in season, and I really don't like the bass season in Mi.

Here she is.."J's Luck", 2001 Smokercraft 161 Contender, 40hp Mercury. This pic was taken the day I first spotted her, sitting in front of a house way, way out in the country in Central Mi. After putting it off for years, I finally went for it...My first boat. Were extremely happy together.

So far, used both reels twice and no problems. Smooth, cast well...just what to expect from a $99 reel. I'll continue to update as the season goes on since there seem to be issues with these reels.

Still....at least there is no ice on the pond! Getting a little crazy...

Berkley Vanish Transition doesn't seem to be very popular here, I love it.

On my last trip out late last october, in the rain, and with my 22 yr old son for the first time..I left out the plug. All it took was getting out of my mojo just a tiny bit (rain, son, etc). This year I plan on leaving a note semi permantly affixed to my winshield "PLUG??"

I just got my first boat last July. And like you, I talked to a bunch of folks seeking advice. I always fish alone. After it was all said and done, the best advice I got was this....try to get to a ramp when there is no traffic. Even if it means 3AM. That way there is absolutely no pressure. Unload and load until you feel confident. I did that that, and then, 2 weeks later when I got into a high traffic situation, things went well. Good Luck! And congrats on your new ride!

Its the last Sat in April (all lower penisula waters) for catch and IMMEDIATE release....which means ya can't take the the time to pet em, kiss em, play air guitar on em, or let em frolic in your livewell with thier friends.

Having got my first boat last July..everyone said I would leave the transom plug out sooner or later. I finally did in october, and it just happened to be the first time my son was with me. I parked my vehicle and walked back to the ramp and my son very calmly said "dad, is water supposed to be coming in the back of the boat?" He was in absolutley no hurry to pass this info on and said it in a perfectly calm voice.

I bought 2ea of the KVD Signature Series reels at the black friday sale. I did some homework, looked at the reviews, and went ahead with it. Here in Mi we have had quite a bit of snow so I haven't used em yet. Right out of the box I'm impressed. And the price was right. We'll see.......

Got my Prodigy 7'M/F today and I like how its built and feels right out of the box. I'm going to put my Team Diawa TDHi2 on it and use it for T-rigging and jigs. I also got the weight balancing system and am intrigued by what its doing to the balance. Having read all the discussion about rod balance lately definetly has sparked my interest in the subject (again). The one thing I don't like is that the ratings for power and action are not on the rod, but the model # is, PDC704-1. Did you also order the balancing system? And if so, it would be nice to find out what you think of it. I'm still 2 months away from getting serious with it... >

I just ordered a 7'M/F...my first Prodigy rod. I've always heard great things about them. Can't beat the price right now.

Would like some opinions please before I pull the trigger on the 7' M/F (PD704-01). On sale for 59.99. A temporay fix until my change jar adds up to the Powell I really want. Thanks!

I've got a Team Diawa TDHi2 6.3....anybody know what year it was made?