New US Casting Record

Team North Carolina's Tommy Farmer set a new United States casting record of 839.25 feet at the SportCast USA Southeast Regional in Wilmington, N.C. this past monday. The previous record was 821 feet.

The record-breaking cast was done with the Abu Garcia 5500C3CT Mag Elite reel, and a lot of .28mm diameter mono, tipped with a 125g sinker.

Our First Award

I received an email letting me know this site was chosen as the Top Fishing Site by freemap.ca

What are Trim Tabs?

Boats with or without power trim are susceptible to several problems which can be corrected with the addition of trim tabs:

- Listing: the boat is uneven during operation. This is due to a number of variables, such as weight distribution, propeller torque, or wind for example. Not only is this situation extremely uncomfortable, but it can quickly become dangerous as well.

- Pounding: If the bow is riding high, the hull will take pounding, which in turn creates undue stress on your boat rivets or welds.

- Porpoising: The boat keeps going up and down, resulting in decreased control over your boat. Not safe.

- Boat does not reach its maximum speed because of all the above factors, which also results in burning more fuel than necessary.

Trim Tabs are two independent stainless steel plates that are installed at the transom. They can move up or down. Water is forced on the trim tab surface and creates upward pressure, which raises the stern and lowers the bow. They can be adjusted independently to create a smoother, safer ride.

The most popular manufacturers are Lenco, Trim Master, Bennett, Insta Trim, and LectroTab (non-hydraulic tabs). Price for trim tabs varies between approximately $300 and $1,200 USD for the parts, depending on the size of your boat.

Try Bennett's Boat Simulator to play with virtual trim tabs.

Canadian Angler John Butts Wins a PWT Event

A canadian angler finished first at the Berkley/Optima Batteries Pro-Am walleye tournament on the Fox Chain O'Lakes last Friday. John Butts became the first Canadian in 13 years to win a Professional Walleye Trail event. Butts, who live sin Dryden, Ontario, landed five walleye for a total weight of 12.40 pounds. The weigh-in was before a large crowd of over 3,000 at Haling's Marina on Grass Lake.

"In the mornings, I was trolling Rapala Husky Jerks across a gravel sand bar on Fox Lake,'' said Butts, who won $64,000. "I switched to jigging Northland Super-Glo jigs later in the day.''
His three-day total of 12 walleye weighing 25.58 pounds was enough to hold off a late charge by the PWT's only five-time champion. Ron Seelhoff of Burlington, Colo., caught the tournament's biggest bag (14.05 pounds) on the final day to jump from 16th to second ($20,000) with 24.23 pounds.

Each boat consisted of a pro and an amateur and weighed its heaviest five walleye. Keeper walleye had to be at least 14 inches. Hometown favorite Mike Gofron of Antioch moved up to eighth (16.68 pounds) Friday. He notched his record 29th top-10 finish. Jasen Schine of Lake Villa won a fully-rigged Lund boat for topping the amateur side with 28.96 pounds.

From http://www.suntimes.com/output/outdoors/cst-spt-wall23.html

Walleye Outfitters

Baker's Narrows Lodge - Monsters abound in Northern Manitoba's Own Baker's Narrows. The Baynton family is your host for the fishing trip of a lifetime. Don't believe me? Check out the photos page on their site. Have you see a lot of walleyes that size in your lifetime? I haven't. And if you want the Lake Trout of your dreams or a Northern Pike from Hell, this is also the place to go. This is one to put on your "TO DO IN MY LIFETIME" list.

Google Maps Satellite View Spots Sunken Islands

If you need to find those damn sunken islands and don't have a bathymetric map of the lake you will be fishing, here is a solution that works for me. Go to Google Maps, then locate the body of water you are interested in. Switch to Satellite View, and zoom in to the area you are interested in. If there are any sunken islands that top off near the surface you will see them quite clearly.

I went to look at Mitchinamecus Reservoir and I found some gems I would otherwise not have known about.

Take a look: Satellite View of Mitchinamecus

If you look at the top part of the map where the reservoir becomes the river, you will see a bunch of sunken islands - they are in fact rock islands, this is where I damaged my prop last year, I never saw those things coming! I got out of there quickly, not knowing that I had probably just found an awesome walleye spot.

Free Bathymetric Maps of Quebec Lakes

If you would like to get your hands on free bathymetric maps of Quebec lakes, you can visit this site, ask politely and "Mechant Malade" will forward you the maps you request within about 2 days or so. The maps anr black and white only, but they will give you a good idea of a lake's structure before you go. Please don't ask him for more than 2 maps :-)

The site is in french but he speaks perfect english, click on the link that says "Liste des Cartes"

http://mechantmalade.tripod.com/id17.html

Berkley GULP Leeches: As Good as a Live Leech?

I'm a big fan of using live leeches when fishing for walleye, whenever it is convenient for me to do so, I use live leeches for vertical jigging, on harnesses, and lindy rigs.

However it is not always convenient or economical to fish with leeches. If you can't catch them yourself they can cost a fortune. And if you can catch your own, it requires a lot of time that I would prefer to use fishing. Even buying leeches requires time, it limits the time you can start fishing to the time the bait shop opens.

Berkley has perhaps a solution to this problem. They released a new product in 2005 as part of the GULP line of artificial baits. It is called the Berkley GULP leech, it is 3 inches long, and is available in black and pumpkinseed. The GULP technology supposedly releases 400 times more scent than the average plastic bait. They come in packs of 12, and cost about $4, which is about the same price you would pay for live leeches. But anyone who has fished live leeches knows you will lose several of them to short strikes, the GULP hooked on a bait holder will most probably stay on much longer.

I have yet to try this new bait, but in just a couple of weeks walleye reopens here and I will be up on Lac Saint Pierre with some of these new baits to give them a shot. I'll be comparing them to Berkley's Power Leeches, as well as to real live leeches, and of course I will tell you what transpired.

When to Use Stinger Hooks for Walleye

Stinger hooks are used when walleye are striking shoirt, stealing livebait or ripping through short plastics. When this is a pattern rather than the exception, you need to turn to stinger hooks (trailer hooks). Gamakatsu has released a product called the G-Stinger.

It is made of a sticky sharp short shank forged hook strong enough to handle the big fish, but not so heavy as to adversely affect the lure. The hook has a corrosion resistant matte black finish.

The loop on the G-Stinger is made from super strong braided line to hold up against sharp toothed fish like walleye. It’s flexible enough to let the hook ride in the right position while keeping it from fouling with the main line. A durable shrink tubing covers the wrappings and loop connection providing protection from teeth, corrosion and pliers.

Attaching the G-Stinger to a lure is very simple. Just run the loop through the eye of the lure and loop it over the hook, pull tight and it’s done. Easy to rig, no split rings or fasteners to deal with. The G-Stinger is available in hook sizes 8 and 4 with a 30lb. loop, sizes 1, 1/0 and 2/0 with a 50lb. loop.

Fishing Boat Accessories: The Trash Bag

If you're like me, managing trash on your boat quickly turns into turning storage compartments into garbage cans. This year I'm putting an end to this nonsense. I'm shopping for a good way to manage garbage on my fishing boat.

One of the solutions I have found is this new product by Tamer called the Trash Tamer

You simply fasten a velcro strip anywhere on your boat, and you get yourself a sturdy removable bag that can hold your cans, wrappers, fishing line, or almost anything you want to dispose of.

The only problem I see with this product is that it is a mesh bag that contains the trash, so I'm a little uncertain that I would just drop pop cans and worm containers in there, I'd hate to get my boat carpet stained just under the bag's location. Maybe a plastic liner would do the trick!

Blade Dancer Presentations for Walleye

By now I'm sure you've heard of the new Berkley Blade Dancer. The bait is available in 4 weights (1/16, 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 ounce); as well as in 15 color combos (Alewife, Black Shad, Bleeding Minnow, Chartreuse Shiner, Firetiger, Glow/Chartreuse, Perch, Rainbow Smelt, Rainbow Trout, Shiner, Black Gold, Electric Grape, Tequila Sunrise, Red Shad, Bloodshot). Though I have yet to try it, I already know how I'm going to use it on opening day.

1. Jigging
As with any form of vertical jigging presentation, finesse is of the essence. The idea is to let the Blade Dancer drop freely until it reaches the bottom, i.e. until you notice slack in your line. Then lift it 6 inches off the bottom, and stay there, twitch a little, drop it back to bottom, lift up a foot, twitch, drop, etc etc. The key is in paying attention to changes in the way your line feels.

2. Trolling
Trolling the blade dancer is the same as trolling any other crankbait, except the results may be somewhat better than with most normal hard crankbaits. The erratic action of the blade dancer should make a difference, it will look much different and will act less predictably, which should trigger more attacks. You may need to weigh it down slightly with one or two small split shots to reach the bottom.

3. Cast and Retrieve
This is the ideal bait for pause and retrieve techniques. Because when you pause the bait drops like a dying minnow, it is probably the best bait on the market for this technique. Very good for walleye along weedlines and rock piles.

I would recommend you match the size of the Blade Dancer with depth and current conditions as well as with the technique you are trying to use. Use the lightest weight you can get away with. Best colors will depend on fishing conditions, but in general chartreuse minnow, firetiger, bloodshot, and perch should do great.

Cotton Cordell - New Grappler Shad, Jr.

This new lure by Cotton Cordell will reach 6-8 feet on a cast and 8-12 feet while trolling. This one can work even while speed trolling, and it is very easy to cast. The best speed for this lure according to some pros is 3 MPH. You want the lure to hit the bottom occasionally, because that's where walleye spend their life.

It is available in 12 awesome colors. Its tight wiggling action simulates a minnow in distress. The Grappler Shad, Jr. is available everywhere and should retail for about $4.59 USD or $5.50 CAD.

Cotton Cordell Wally Diver - 13 New Colors

Cotton Cordell has released 13 new colors for the CD5 Wally Diver, without a doubt one of the most popular walleye crankbaits out there. These new colors include Monkey Puke, Cheap Sunglasses, Eriedescent, Orange Juice, and many more.

Lots of variations on Orange, Red and Green themes, which are the colors most easily seen by walleye. These new colors are sure to please many walleye pros.

Boat Envelopes for Dirt Roads

Ever take your boat on a long dirt road and end up with a damaged paint job and missing rivets? While driving on roads such as the road to Clova or Parent, not only will you will kick up a ton of sand, dust and rocks of all sizes, but every logging truck you pass will shower you with pebbles and stones, some as big as a baseball.

This WILL damage the paint of your boat, it can break off rivet heads, wreck trailer wheel guards, even punch holes right through your outboard cover. All of these things have happened to me, except the outboard cover part :-)

A few years back, a Quebec company has released a product designed to protect the front of your boat from any stones and pebbles while travelling to northern locations on logging roads. The product is a form of envelope which is designed specifically for your boat. It is padded with felt on the inside, and it attaches with snaps and straps. It wraps around the whole front end of the boat, on my boat it goes right up to the console. The product goes for approximately 350-450 dollars for an average size boat. I know they have the patterns for all Princecraft boats, and they probably also have Crestliner, Lund, Legend, Starcraft, and the rest of them. Just call and ask to be sure.

They also have protective covers for outboards, which prevent dirt road dust from clogging the pump, among other things; and full size covers for ATVs.

You can reach Enveloppes Universelles at (418) 365-7115

Short Walleye Jigging Rods

Rapala has released a 2 piece 5 foot 5 inches spinning rod, medium heavy, fast action, with 7 guides. This rod was made specifically for Quebec walleye anglers, there are only 3,000 available, and they can only be ordered by those who have a subscription to Sentier Chass-Pêche. The rod was designed by Richard Monfette, and is one of only a handful of models that meet my criteria for jigging, i.e. real short and real stiff.

The rod is sold for $39.95 plus shipping and handling.

Quantum also has 2 models of short jigging rods, but I don't have all the info with me at the moment.

I just got my hands on a 2 piece 5 foot 6 inches Fenwick Medium Heavy spinning rod, though I think it may have been a 2004 model. I got it from the Lachine annual fishing Bazar, along with tons of great new gear I can't wait to try.

Where to Find a Used Boat near Montreal?

Start with the classifieds. The Gazette, Le Journal de Montréal, and la Presse are a good start.

Then take a look at these 2 sites:

www.lespacs.com
This is a french classified ad site, very popular, and there are almost always several boats for sale.

Thomas Marine Used Boats virtual showroom
Thomas Marine is Canada's largest fishing boat dealer, so naturally they also have a ton of used boat deals. Take a look.

Thirdly, you may want to look at ebay.ca boats for more boat deals.

Fishing Guides & Charters

(NEW) - You've always wanted to fish with a walleye pro but never knew who to call? Here's an idea - Call Jason Muche of Neenah, WI. He won the 2003 Petenwell Spring Open, has 2 top 10 finishes, qualified for the championship in the WWA, and he now fishes the Masters Walleye Circuit.

(NEW) Lake Erie Charters - Another incredible charter for Lake Erie, Captain Doug has been at it forever and just one look at his testimonials will convince you.

Pooh Bear Walleye Charter - Do your Lake Erie Walleye fishing charter with a full time charter Captain and guide that catches fish everyday. Captain Keith Unkefer specializes in deep water trophy Walleye fishing charters on Lake Erie Ohio.

Miller's Sportfishing Charters - Alright folks, if you want to fish Lake St Clair, and if you're into massive musky, Don's your man. Over 25 years on the lake, bar none the best guide on the lake. He does walleye too!

R-Boat Charters - Does a guide with 30 years on Lake Erie sound like he could put you on the big ones? Sure does to me, which is why I would recommend talking to Captain Dave Kastl, or his wife Mary Anne, for a day you'll never forget!

TROPHY CHARTERS - The hardest working guide on Lake Erie, Capt. Walt Ermansons will put you on some of those Lake Erie monsters, after all he has been doing it 7 days a week for 25 years!

http://www.mainlander.on.ca/- Toronto Salmon and Trout Fishing Charters, Liesure Tours and Sightseeing Criuses on Lake Ontario. Links to other boating and fishing sites

LCD Fishfinder Comparisons: Best Sonars for Walleye Anglers

Every walleye angler has the same issue with older or cheap electronics, they just don't show walleye on the bottom. Of course this is a huge issue, because the bottom is precisely where they spend most of their life. Sonar technology is always evolving, so much so that there is no reason not to equip yourself with a fish finder that will show you not only that there is a walleye down there 2 inches off the bottom, but that there are in fact 2 of them.

The first part of this installment will review only grayscale LCD fishfinders from Lowrance, Eagle, Garmin and Humminbird. We won't review GPS / fishfinder combos, because this implies another level of analysis which we don't want to do just yet. As for color units, I will review them next. Flashers also have their place and they will be the subject on yet another review.

Let's stick to the basics. There is one very important thing that will help distinguish the bottom from the fish hovering 3 inches above the bottom, it is called target separation, and it involves 3 main variables, transducer angle, peak to peak power, and last but not least screen resolution.

Remember:
1- The more pixels are on a screen, the more accurate the given representation will be
2- More watts = more power = more accuracy
3- A narrow angle = more accuracy but less coverage
4- I give an APPROXIMATE price on the units, which is an approximate average of the prices I found on various websites that sell the units at the time I did the review.

So here are what I consider to be the best gray scale (black and white) fishfinders on the market for walleye anglers. I introduce each unit in order, the very best come first, the good ones are at the bottom. Even the cheapest units will provide excellent detail and great target separation, and if your budget allows for better quality units, look to the latest units with 3d contour technology, they are revolutionary.

Humminbird Matrix 47
5 inch screen with "3D" display
640x320
8,000 watts
Price: $500 USD

Lowrance X135
5 inch screen
480x480
4,000 watts
Price: $425 USD

Lowrance X125
5 inch screen
480x480
2,400 watts
Price: $325

Humminbird 565
5 inch screen
640x320
2,000 watts
Price $190 USD

Eagle Fishmark 480
5 inch screen
480x480
1,500 watts
Price: $220 USD

Garmin FF250
4.5 inch screen
320x320
3,200 watts
Price: $250 USD

Humminbird Matrix 17
5 inch screen
320x320
2,400 watts
Price: $165 USD

Humminbird 535
5 inch screen
320x320
2,000 watts
$155 USD

Eagle Fishmark 320
5 inch screen
320x320
1,500 watts
Price: $170 USD

So which one is the best buy?
My recommendation for best value is the Humminbird 565, with 640x320 resolution and 2,000 watts of power, and at $190 USD you can't go wrong. Close second is the Eagle FishMark 480. With 1,500 watts of power and a 480X480 resolution, it gives you all the detail you need. And at a low $220 USD, it features a price most anglers could afford.

If price is no issue, then you may want to think about color units which will provide you with even more information than the grayscale displays. We'll get to these in a few days.