I recently broke my oldest rod while pulling in a large catfish, it wasn't a brand name rod and came from a general hardware store. I can't remember exactly when I got it but it was in the early '60's and was about $15, obviously the replacement is a little more expensive. BTW, I did get the catfish in and it tasted pretty good.

Run the rope through the front cleat but tie it off on one of the center cleats. That way you are actually anchored from the front but can tie and untie easily. I had a similar boat and understand the difficulty getting to the front.

If the tongue weight is not right you can move the axle on the trailer for a more permanent adjustment. Axle forward if tongue is too heavy, back if tongue is too light. Might not be a bad idea to have it done by a professional.

Usually works if you remove hooks before casting or use 1/2 inch braided line and you can often pull up whatever you're snagged on.

Sounds like an advertisement but spray some WD-40 on the joint then GENTLY tap it with something like a screwdriver handle, let it sit for a day or two, then try separating it again. If you get it apart put some light oil (3 in 1) and slide it in and out a few times, should solve the problem.

All you have to do is find one that feels good, too many "specifications" to be easy, its all about the feel. GOOD LUCK!!!

No matter which reel is recommended, they all may have something that you don't like. I'm far from being an expert but I buy whatever feels good in my hands. I bought my first spinning reel when I was 14 years old and still use it today, I have never taken it apart to clean or lubricate, just do what I can see. BTW, a variation of this reel is still made today, its similar but not identical, the reel is a Mitchell 300. One more thing, I am now 72 years old, that reel has been used 58 seasons, and it has helped provide a lot of great memories as well as some great dinners.

Pretty big lake, it would be good to have an idea of which part of the lake that you're interested in fishing and what fish you're looking to find.

I'm not a real believer in "Climate Change", at least what politicians are saying. Climate has been changing on earth since day one and it has not been caused by pollution. We have had Ice Ages and hot spells and they lasted for many years, not just several roll overs in Congress. The Great Lakes were formed by glaciers that lasted for centuries and what is now mostly desert was once a major agricultural area, you have heard of Egypt. Things constantly change, there is a plan that goes way beyond politicians and groups that live off telling us what they want and what we are doing wrong. I'm confident that there will be reversal in the future but by then I will be long gone, as will my children and their children, and no one will remember "global warming" but will probably be concerned with their problems, most likely, "global cooling".

Looking for perch over the weekend. Haven't had much luck this year or even heard good reports. Does anyone have any information that they're willing to share? Thanks.

Fished Kent Lake for many years, caught everything from Bluegills, Crappie, Smallmouth, Walleye, Pike, and an assortment of others. For a long time I could plan on getting nice mess of Crappies every time, then they suddenly disappeared. After that did the same with Bluegills, but then apparently the Huron River system got polluted and they posted DO NOT EAT signs and after talking to the people that should know, the ban was supposed to last at least 5-10 years. Not sure if it is still in effect but I have moved on to Lake Erie for Walleye and Perch. I no longer have a boat that would work on Kent Lake, just got back from Erie with a decent Perch load. Good luck and have fun.

Usually go to BPS or Cabellas but the actual items in house is depressing. They offer ordering online but I like to actually touch and feel the items I want. I really don't understand some of the fancy terminology but even if it's not what they recommend and feels right, very good chance that I'll buy it. Maybe if they cut back on clothes and filled that space with fishing/hunting equipment I might feel better. After all, it's BASS PRO SHOPS, not BASS PRO SHOPS AND FASHION .

Maybe just a sign of old age but I have been using a Rapala for many years, keep it sharp and have never had a problem. Never needed to be "touched up" before finishing days catch, then about 2 or 3 minutes with good diamond steel, ready for next catch.

I have to admit that I know nothing about the fishing there as I've only been there on golf trips but if you like oysters you need to stop at Captain Nance's. Nothing fancy but not bad either but the "Oyster Cocktail" is great. Very simple, a parfait (spell guess) full of shelled raw oysters and they will provide anything you need for dipping sauce. I've actually made a meal of just them, kept reordering until I had my fill. Enjoy your trip, I need to make at least one more trip there, and I'm coming from Michigan, trust me, it would be worth the trip.

I have a 73SV (new this year), still learning to use it but have no complaints.