Lawdwaz

How deep, 50" or so? That will suck in this heat..........

Bingo.

Huh?

Dig it!

DOH!! That sucks Red............That is one lousy day. Like you said, $340 doesn't seem bad for that tow. How old is the boom truck? How long will it take the shop to fix her up? Do you have a back up rig? This is one of the times it's good to NOT be an owner!! If you don't drink, this is a good enough day to start. I have to go to Youngstown for a small job on Wednesday, thats a pretty good haul for me.

60 acres ain't enough to share with a neighbor, no way-no how.

How about DIY? I'm sure you can look it up on the web and follow a video or three. I've done probably 7 or 8 of my own and had some done by others. I have had the bugs do a bear, elk and deer and yes they do a fine job but they aren't cheap. If this buck (that you haven't shot yet ) is a real beauty, well then spend the cash on it. If it isn't the buck you expected, do it yourself. It's a stinky, messy time consuming job but the satisfaction is worth it, IMO.

More slugs.

Looking good!

That is something, the eagle and osprey.

What'd you order? I got an email from Mr. Potterfield last week saying they had LOWERED their shipping prices. Were you pleasantly surprised with the shipping charges??

I wish you were there.........I would have crept in very stealthily, dropped you off in the shallows. Then you'd snorkel in with your gear in a dry bag, crawl ashore and weave your way through the brush, climb the dead snag and snap some prize winning shots. Me? I just shut down the motor and snap a few when the boat bobbed just right! I'd have loved to see your version of the pics!!

The shallow area is on the north side of Strawberry. Very shallow! 2' I guess in some spots........If you launch out of Ontario St (crude but free) and buzz right over to the south, east or west sides of SI you are very good. If'n you want to go to the north side or inside of SI, be careful! If you launch out of the foot of Sheridan, the Town of Tonawanda public launch (very nice, $10) you are now just north of SI and have to come south and stay to the east side of the island. If you want to cut through the north side you're on your own! It can be done but go slow and only with a smaller boat that doesn't draw much water. I wouldn't do it with a an I/O. (ask me how I know that................ )

One of three ways: on the grill I'll wrap the filets in foil with a pad of butter and some seasoning. Put them on the grill for a few minutes each side and they are done. For years if I fried them I would dip the filets in beat up egg, roll in some Italian bread crumbs then fry in a cast iron skillet with about a quarter inch of hot oil in it. Just recently a master chef from this site (Pygmy) turned me on to a sea food breader called House Autry. I just used it for the first time last week and it's very good, quite a bit lighter than my other frying combo.

Biggest smallmouth so far this year was 19". A bunch near and at 18"..............If I wanted to get out earlier I think two people could get their limit pretty quick. Unfortunately I can't get too excited about a REALLY early departure. If I'm on the water by 8am I'm happy. Things seem to turn off around 11:00-11:30?? I'll hit 'em again tomorrow for a few hours...........probably release all we get as my partner isn't a fish eater and I have enough.

Strawberry Island......(keep it a secret)

JHC! Wow, that could have easily punched your ticket to heaven.

Saw a Bald Eagle today on the Mighty Niagara River (upper) while fishing. Fortunately I had my good camera along.

Seen along the upper Niagara River today.........

We hit them pretty good again today. I kept four and turned back four more big ones, don't want to over do it.... Also saw a Bald Eagle. I took his picture, I'll hang it in a bit.

Sorry to see yours Greg....................................

I've hit (or they hit ME) three. The first resulted in no damage. The second was about $1200 in damage and no deductible because it went under comp? The third happened last year on opening day of deer season after sitting for 10.5 hours in a stand. I was on the way back to my uncles cabin and drilled a fawn with the front end of my Tacoma. she/he flew into the ditch, got up and hauled azz off into the woods. Cracked the front plastic bumper and I haven't done anything about it yet......... You couldn't count the near misses though..............................................

When it's all said and done there might be two hamburger to a shoulder. Probably more is lost on a neck shot anyway. The spine is a much smaller target than a couple lungs and toss in a heart too.

Not much meat in the lungs and a higher percentage target.

I read guys saying that 30lb braid is great for the Dipsy Divers as there is no stretch when setting the hook. A mono leader with a "snubber" helps to give a little forgiveness? What about a "double bait", ever use that type of rig? IIRC that is a diving plug under the DD and a light spoon straight back from the DD. Is that correct?