10-22-2007  I have reworked the store to simplify things a little.  there are probably more bugs to fix. 

I have also moved my Blog to another page, after feedback from customers.

I have been quite busy lately getting the Raider Spoons manufacturing facility up to speed.  The first step is to completely insulate the pole barn.  At the end of one long hard day, and the help of my fishing buddy Jerry, I am now about 10% done.

10-12-2007  Hunting survival kit:

Hey – dead guys buy no tackle, so let’s be careful out there.  A couple of bucks and some preparation can save your life.  If you are heading out to the woods, here are some things you might want along.

Keep in mind, this is the survival kit in your pack that you probably will never open.  Have-to-have (as in you might die without it) and weight are the primary criteria.  If it is a pain to carry, you won't have it with you when you need it, then the nice-to-have things will do you no good at all.  This list will first keep you from spending the night in the woods and second, get you through that night if you have to.

GPS.   They start at less than $100, really no reason not to have one.  Your exact location in an emergency might save your life.  The exact location of your truck could also, so don’t forget to waypoint it when you stop.  Telling 911 that you are "somewhere North of Highway 55" is not nearly as helpful as exact GPS coordinates.

Cell phone.  May not work, but it might and the display can be used as a flashlight.  911 service may work even if you can’t hear them, they might hear you.  Find a hill and repeat your message several times.

Those two things don't really go in the "kit", but rather you should have them with you anyway.  A good "real" flashlight if you expect to be out in the dark and a good compass in your pocket are good things to have.

The following go in the kit and are saved for an emergency:

Compass.  Yes, you need one even if you have a GPS, I never had batteries go dead on a compass.  There are few places left that you can’t hike to a road IF you follow a straight path.  You can get a cheap "ball" type that weighs nothing.

Matches/lighter.  I have one of those “won’t blow out” lighters for cigars someone gave me.  I don't smoke, but this thing will light anytime.

Water purification tablets.

Anti-diarrhea tablets.

Aspirin

Whistle - plastic, cheap.

Flashlight.  One of those tiny keychain types.

Space blanket.  Shelter and reflective and weighs nothing.

Thin nylon cord.  Never know what you might need that for, maybe to make a shelter with the space blanket?

Knife.  I carry a pocket Knife all the time anyway, so I have a tiny keychain backup in this kit.

3-4 good zip lock bags to carry water.  This whole kit can go in one.

Several feet of duct tape rolled up tight.  Hold a splint, mark a trail, mend a coat, who knows.

Several hard candies.  Weigh nothing and stay edible practically forever.

A couple days supply of your prescription medicine or allergy medicine as needed.

You can add more things, like first aid kit stuff.  I looked at some lists and I can’t imagine that anything those kits will cure could kill you in a day or two.  I also can’t imagine actually successfully using a signal mirror.  If I saw someone using one from a distance I would assume it was a beer bottle.  The last time I read a pocket survival manual from one of those kits I figured its best use would be for starting fires.  A needle and thread so you can sew your self up like Rambo?  Not me.  If I am bleeding enough to die I'll use duct tape.  Fishing line and a hook?  You can go a week without food.

I saw the anti-diarrhea tablets on another kit list and decided that if you were in the woods lost, the last issue you would want is that.  If I was forced to use the water purification tablets I would want them along also.

Aspirin can help a fever and possibly stop a heart attack.  Again, these pills weigh nothing.

If I added anything more it would be toilet paper and some kind of fire starting stuff.

You can include more things, but you have to carry them knowing that there is a 99.99% chance you will never use them.

Other than the GPS and cell phone, which you probably already have, you can build this kit for about $10.  I looked at some kits on the web for $45-$50  Again, this kit is designed so that you will actually stick it in your pack or pocket and have it with you.

A nice 8-Point my buddy's Deer Camera caught Friday

Look how well formed and healthy the rack and body are.  That is the result of multi-year planning on food plots and high quality feeding during the legal feeding times.

9-9-2007  I am back, filling orders today.  The short story is Jackman Maine has lots of grouse, but last weekend had lots of leaves on the trees.  We heard a lot, saw a couple and bagged one.  That's Grouse hunting!

Check out Dave Richey's column for a summary of the consent decree and what it will mean.

"(Kelley) Smith (DNR Fisheries Chief) adds a final note: "Our best advice is for sportsmen to respect the tribe's rights to fish or hunt. This agreement does not impact state anglers, hunters and trappers. Give this agreement an opportunity to work, and everyone will get their fair share of the resources of this state."

Well Kelley, I hope you are right.

You should also check out Dave's Weblog.  He is a very insightful man.

Nick Anthony of Rooster Ranch and I with Jenny after a successful hunt

10-1-2007  I am heading to Maine tonight to visit relatives and do some bird hunting with my brother.  The Store will take orders, but no orders will be shipped until I get back next week.

We live in a strange world.  An incident in a men's room in an airport could benefit the Salmon fishery in the Snake River.  Go figure.  http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070929/ap_on_go_co/salmon_democrats;_ylt=AgAvniiymK35p4eVOZWZADqtOrgF

Lower Tahquamenon Falls

9-28-2007  Last Weekend my wife and I took a long weekend and did some camping and site seeing in the "Northern Lower" and the UP.  Fall is a great time to camp, Michigan has some spectacular things to see, and the campgrounds are economical and for the most part, almost empty.

9-27-2007  Proposed 2007 Consent Decree  One major problem - no specification of penalties.  "The tribe may not permit...", as we have seen before, persons caught with thousands of dollars worth of illegal fish are fined a couple of hundred bucks.  The tribe did not "permit" it, but they sure as heck did not discourage it either.  The consent decree is probably  a heck of a lot better than we would get from some Judge, but it sure does seem to have some holes in it.

9-26-2007  I write this in a brief moment of internet connectivity.  I am having some issues with my computer system.

The Sea Ray is sold!  My buddy is turning it over to the new owner Friday.

9-21-2007  If you read about our fine administration recommending only foreign cars to its workers, and would like to express your thoughts to the genius behind it, his complete contact information is here:

HHS Employee Details

Joe Ellis

ASAM/IO (assistant secretary for administration and management)

200 INDEPENDENCE AVE SW

Room 309F

Washington DC

202.690.7431

joe.ellis@hhs.gov

I got this off of the already public website of the Office of Health and Human Services.  I just thought some of you might want to drop him a line and let him know what you think.

9-19-2007  Tonight is the first Flint Steelheaders Membership meeting of the fall.  See you there.

9-18-2007  Jenny is back at Rooster Ranch for a couple weeks training.  They have a littler of 11 pups up there, all yellow labs.

9-15-2007  Today is the Michigan Opener for Rabbit, Ruffed Grouse and Squirrel.  Good luck and shoot straight and safe, and don't forget the GPS so you can find the truck again!

9-13-2007  Great fishing reports had me ready to take the boat over to the lake, then ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING... That's the problem with fall fishing.  maybe I'll take it over Saturday and fish Sunday.

Why you need a fish holder...

9-11-2007  My buddy Jerry had a good weekend.  Saturday after the big blow Friday they went out for 3 hours and caught 4 fish out of Ludington.  With the weather the fish were scattered.  Sunday they took 4 steelhead, 2 Kings and a  Coho.  Monday they took 9 Kings with Doug Samsal in the Manistee River by 9 am.

One of Saturday's fish had the biggest fangs he has ever seen on a King.

9-7-2007  I usually try to avoid going on off-topic "rants" but sometimes I can't help myself.  I just read this article Made in America  Although much of the article was very hopeful that the big obvious light bulb might just be coming on for these people, one quote really burned me up.  “When we started doing this show, we were accused of being xenophobic, flag-wavers,” said Mr. Ratzenberger (Cliff from Cheers, who hosts a cable show called "Made in America")

Why is xenophobic to be pro-American?  If we are not proud of the products we make, who will be?  If we are not proud of the products we make, what does that say about us?  You don't have to be anti-anyone to be pro-American. 

On this store you will find items made in Canada, Japan and China and other countries, and I don't have any problem selling them.  All my products are excellent quality and I am ashamed of none of them. 

On the other hand, I am proud to sell American Made products from Offshore, Opti-Tackle, Ridgeback Rattler, Twinkie Rigs and of course I am proud to be an American Manufacturer with Raider Spoons.  I am proud to say that I sell them and they are Made In America and they are the Best at what they do.

BTW - for anyone in the Norwood, MA area, Ernie Boch thinks you are too stupid to find a Chevy Dealer.  Consider that when you are looking for a car.  Here's a little help - there's 15 of them.

9-6-2007  "Milwaukee 9/4-5: Late report. Heard that despite good temps and marks fishing continued at a slower pace so my companions suggested we hit the N. Gap area. A few boats had the same idea but not too bad. J plugs on a 20’ rigger, 2 color and 3 color, Mag Raider Yellow Fever Dipsy 3.5 set and 35loc and Mag Green Tiger 2 set 35 loc took 4 salmon and a brown. Not one for too much time for harbor fishing decided to troll to deeper cooler water. We started putting out 5, 6 & 7 colors with Dbl Purple Spooks regular and when we hit 40fow started getting bit by nice browns. Rather than continuing out we trolled the 37-45’ contour and were very busy for a couple of hours. One on a 3 color J and all the rest on spoons. Double Purple spook ruled again and when I put a Mag on a SWR and ran it just off bottom took a 35” male. I kept joking with my friends asking “now what color did that come on?”. I didn’t give the fish much choice except for regular Bloody Death 22’ Rigger SWR and Miss Thing Mag on 60’ 2 set wire dipsy that both took fish.

Temp was mid 50’s down 25 if 40’ ideal for browns and kept the Raider 1.7-2. We had almost as many drive bys on Dipsys and leadcore as hookups so lots of action. We did manage a Coho on a Raider Magnum Yellow Fever 55’loc wire dipsy. Same spoon took 2 Coho last outing. Ended with 1 Coho, 4 kings and 14 browns and a couple smaller fish released.

Wednesday was pretty much a repeat of Tuesday but captured 7 kings and all on Js along with 1 brown on a regular Raider orange muffin before leaving the harbor area. Browns were still on the 40’ contour but not as fast as Tues. Set two 5 colors same side with a 6 color, 2 regular Double Purple spoons and  mag on the 6 color. First past all 3 rods worked along with 45 loc 3.5 dipsy and Orange Muffin. Fishing slowed and most hits on Dipsys and only one 7 color Miss Thing that didn’t stick. Ran a couple of different stick baits on a 2 color without a sniff. When clearing lines discovered I suffered from breaking my rule of checking a leadcore after a strike because 6 color was bare. Excuse was when it got hit last working a double on both 5 colors. To top it off a runt had tangled one 5 color into the other so the best 3 rods were out of commission for at least the last hour. Still managed 7 kings and 9 browns and released 5 small browns.

Looks like I lucked out on the weather as the forecast looks like time to work on the “honey do” list.

Tight lines and full coolers,

Grey Beard"

People ask me about fishing after labor Day.  I tell them it can be great, but the number of days that the lake is fishable drops a lot.  Well, here is the near shore forecast for Friday at Ludington:

9-5-2007  "Caught both of these fish on Raider Magnum spoons.  The Chinook measured 35" and 17#.  She hammered the Bloody Puke X-Glow just outside Milwaukee's Main gap.  My son Ryan fought valiantly against her blistering runs and lightening fast charges.  The Brownie was handled by my daughter Ashley.  This little guy tried eating a magnum Bloody Death X-Glow.  Thanks for the great products and incredible service." 

Anyone doubt those kids will grow up to be lovers of the outdoors?

I need to get Raider T Shirts made up for these guys....

8-30-2007  "Fishing remains excellent off Milwaukee:

Milwaukee 8/29: I thought the night bite might be better with the full moon but again, slow until a little light in the sky. I did have a call from someone who had boxed three in the dark but fishing in 75fow and we started in 55 but moved out. Setup off the filter and with tons of marks in 60-75fow so turned back south despite no bites and just after the turn a quad. In the next 75 minutes boated 15 fish. 40’ rigger with glow #4J went 3 times, 65loc wire Mag Raider Green Tiger twice, 50’ loc wire, Chatter’s Mag Rosie twice, 35’ rigger with Mag Raider Broken nose twice, 35loc 3 set Mag Raider Green Tiger once, 3 color #4glow J once, 5 color White Inticer Trophy Aqua/glow twice and 7 color Green Inticer Trophy green/aqua once. It was wild in 75fow just north of the Filter. Took the next on 8color White Inticer and Trophy Aqua/glow. After re-setting made a northerly turn and a screamer hit the 8 color and also took out the 7 and 5 colors. My young crew did a great job untangling while I put out full cores to take their temporary place but neither took a bite.

As usual things slowed after 8 so turned east and at 100fow 6 color and #4 silver/blue J fired. When we hit 125fow 150 loc wire dipsy with White Inticer and Trophy Green/aqua and SWR down 55 with regular Raider Double Purple Spook finished our 20 with 1 brown (7 color with flasher) 3 LT(1-5 color J) and the rest kings. Most of the time Raider speed 1.8 and today never over 2 and got bit twice at 1.5 when we slowed to net. Temp was 52 down 40 in 75 fow and 48 down 75 in 100fow. The water was kind of dark looking even out to 75fow. Wonder what all those people in Milwaukee eat?

I see more NE winds in the forecast. Hope some SW returns for the holiday weekend.

Tight lines and full coolers,

Grey Beard"

Overheard:  Manager #1: Time for the meeting.
Manager #2: Can I just tie a f...... bag of stray cats over my head instead?
 

The crew of the Jaime Lynn on August 2 with their catch

8-29-2007  All I have to say about Michael Vick is he has a long way to catch up to PETA as far as being a Dog Killer.  Where was the indignant outrage by the animal rights fascists when THAT story came out?

Not that I am for letting him off.  Put them all (PETA, all of the animal rights terrorists and Michael Vick) in jail.

8-28-2007  I just read that 88 Cormorants were killed in Ludington, and 440 nests were oiled.  You can read more at http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news.php?story_id=37322   A large part of the credit for this program goes to the Michigan Steelheaders, including the Flint chapter that did a lot of pushing to make this happen.

8-26-2007  "Bob,

Weather turned out much better than anticipated.  Morning was wet, with a constant drizzle for about the first couple of hours.  Winds and waves were very manageable with a 2 foot roller in the am - which made the run in the dark not so bad.  Clouds broke up around 9am, and the wind picked up a bit for maybe 2 hours after.  The 2 foot rollers turned into 2 to 4 foot rollers which were spaced really far apart, so were real manageable.  Ended the day with 2 to 3 foot rollers.

Fishing was tough.  A lot of real good boats struggled to put 7 to 10 fish in the boat.  We ended up with 11, throwing back one dink.  We placed sixth - but would have been fourth if we kept the shaker.  We'll know for next time!

JDS Salmon Unlimited"

8-23-2007  This weekend is the Salmon Unlimited Pro-Am .  If you can make it you should really check it out.

I found this on the NOAA site:

14. When the marine forecast says "seas 3-5 ft", what exactly does that mean?

Waves are measured from trough to crest. Seas are the combination of both locally generated wind waves and distantly generated swell waves. Specifically, seas may be derived using the following formula where S is the height of the swell waves and W is the height of the wind waves.
SEAS =

Seas and waves are expressed in the terms of the significant wave height, the mean or average height of the highest one third of all waves in a swell train or in a wave generating region. It approximates the value an experienced observer would report if visually estimating sea height. When expressed as a range (e.g. seas 3-5 ft), this indicates a degree of uncertainty in the forecast and/or expected changing conditions (not that all waves are between 3-5 ft). Generally, it is assumed that individual wave heights can be described using a Rayleigh distribution.

Example: Significant Wave Height = 10 ft
   1 in 10 waves will be larger than 11 ft
   1 in 100 waves will be larger than 16 ft
   1 in 1000 waves will larger than 19 ft
   There are occasional reports of "rogue" waves of an even greater ratio

Therefore, assuming a wave period of 8 seconds, for a significant wave height of 10 feet, a wave 19 feet or higher will occur every 8,000 seconds (2.2 hours).

The danger presented to a vessel is a function of wave steepness as well as wave height and is unique to each vessel. In general for small vessels, for a given wave height the danger increases as the wave period decreases.

Now, you need to consider that the wave period on the Great lakes is much shorter.  At the time I am writing this, the wave period at the South lake Michigan Buoy is 4 seconds.

So, if you take their example above and rework it for a significant wave height of 3 feet, then:

Example: Significant Wave Height = 3 ft
   1 in 10 waves will be larger than 4 ft
   1 in 100 waves will be larger than 5 ft
   1 in 1000 waves will larger than 6 ft

Therefore, assuming a wave period of 4 seconds, for a significant wave height of 5 feet, a wave 6 feet or higher will occur every 4,000 seconds (1.1 hours).

Now, I seriously fudged some things there, including the fact that we get much higher wind waves than we do swell waves.  A 3 foot wind wave and a 3 foot swell wave coinciding at your boat can produce a 6 foot wave, but as I said, we don't get that kind of swell wave.  Swell waves have much longer periods than wind waves, so that changes everything in the math. 

What we can get is a 3 foot wake from a freighter on top of a 3 foot wave.  In Manistee we watched a wake from a freighter rock our boat, hit shore and come back again and that boat was several miles away.  Had we been in 3 foot waves running the same direction, that may have been very uncomfortable.

The bottom line is, 3-4 foot seas means you can easily see waves over 5 ft.  Keep that in mind when you look at a forecast, and it means keeping a sharp lookout.

8-20-2007  This weekend was a washout.  On Friday my partner caught a pile of fish with some friends of his.  The hot lure was the Green Demon on 100 yards of copper.

Funny the hot lures right now.  The Super Glow Chicken Pox, Grey Beard, Broken Nose and Green Tiger are hot.  But also hot are the Double Purple, Electric Koolaid and Green Demon.  By "hot", I mean I have customers reordering the same color in 2 or more spoons."  If they come back and buy 4 more Double Purples, you can be sure its because they caught fish with it, not because I told them it was a good spoon.

The funny thing is those spoons have no glow of any kind, ad two of the three have no tape of any kind.  it just shows you that fish are not necessarily impressed with how much you spent on the spoon.

That's why we at Raider Spoons say "Spoons to catch fish, not fishermen".  I could give you a hot pink super glow that would be so bright that they can see it from the space shuttle, and I bet I would sell a bunch, but I also bet they would not catch squat.  EVERY SINGLE COLOR OF RAIDER SPOONS HAD BEEN PROVEN TO CATCH FISH SOMEWHERE, SOME TIME.

I read an interesting comment by Stu Utgaard, CEO of Sportsman's Warehouse which is planning a store in Billings, MT.  Utgaard said he has no public subsidies at any of his stores and has refused them when offered.

"If you take money and you give it to private enterprise of any type, then you're taking money away from school programs, police protection, fire protection, parks and so on..." 

You can read the article at http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/08/17/news/local/28-sportsmen.txt

Cabelas wants to build a store near Grand Rapids, but is demanding hundreds of millions of your taxpayer dollars to do so, just like what they got in Dundee.  Maybe we need a Sportsman's Warehouse there instead.

Gander Mountain is leading the fight in Michigan against these subsidies.  You can get more information at http://sayno2outdoorsretailsubsidies.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

8-16-2007  The federal judge has thrown out the lawsuit challenging Michigan's new requirement that oceangoing ships treat ballast water for invasive species before discharging it at the state's ports.  One of the shipping companies' complaints was that the requirement is only for Michigan Ports and that makes no sense with ports in all the other states and provinces.  They are right.  If you live in a state or province bordering the Great Lakes Basin, get a phone call out to your representative asking them why they don't at least match Michigan.  That should make the shipping companies feel better!

Check out that handsome Dude on page 10 of the Fall GLA issue.

8-14-2007  The official results of the KD Salmon Derby are in.  There are a couple of Bob's customers on the list.

2007 25th Annual Kewaunee/Door County Salmon Tournament Official Standings - 204 Winners

8-12-2007  We had a rough day yesterday in Manistee.  I tagged along with Chip Green on his "new" boat.  Fuel problems (20 cent check valve) Friday Night then dead batteries on Saturday cut heavily into our fishing time.

We took two hits, one was that nice King that young man is holding above taken on a Silver Streak "Black Screwball" that Chip bought from me last year.  I lost the other fish on a diver with that Black Onyx with Gulp bait rig you see on the floor.  When running braid or wire you need a good drag, we'll leave it at that.

Chip's new Catamaran is a neat ride.  It handles differently than other boats and would take some getting used to, but it is fast and pretty stable in waves.  you can't beat the size of the fighting deck though.

I got a report that they took a 17 lb King Saturday night after they left, again on the Black Screwball.

You will notice that I now have some Big Jon Products.  I bought some items for someone last year and they apparently put me on their dealers list on the website.  I figure, why fight it.  Their products are well (and American, even Michigan) made.

8-9-2007  My fishing partner reports today that they landed 15 fish from 7-10 am straight out of Ludington in 70-100 feet of water.  The Hot Spoon that took the two biggest fish was a Raider Green Demon on 100 yards of copper.  They took fish on everything, high and low divers, riggers, core and copper, all spoons and a couple of flies.  BTW - that was in that 1987 Sea Ray Weekender for sale above.

7-8-2007 "Bob

Fishing was excellent off Milwaukee last week. For me it was Raiders and Js and at the end of the 3 days didn't put a flasher in the water. The double Purple Spook continues to be the ticket. One AM I had a mag version on a half core and it went 4 for 6 on bows. Best low light spoons were mag Green Tiger, Broken Nose, Grey Beard and Blue Beard. Extended glow #5J on 2 colors and #4 on 3 colors rocked in the dark. Sun up both regular and mag Bloody Death and Bloody Puke. It's hard for me to take any of these off because they are working so well as boated over 60 on that trip.

Fishing Brew City this weekend so wondering if you received any more purple ladder backs as I assume I'll have a number of people wanting to see what they look like.

Thanks,

Grey Beard

ps Jason landed one of those rare 20# on reg  Dbl Purple Spook on a full core

OK - So what is a Double Purple Spook?  It is a new color invented by Grey Beard and available now here

8-7-2007  If you looked here earlier and saw pictures of me below in a winter jacket holding Steelhead on the river, sorry, I named these pictures the same as some previous ones.

The Box

First Fish of the Day - 15#                               Second Fish on Gulp! - 16.5 lbs                           The Only Good Lamprey

8-6-2007  I had an interesting weekend.  I will be sharing more of that later.  Right now, I'll just say that Saturday the two of us boated 8 fish, 6 nice Kings, 3 over 15 lbs and 2 shakers we threw back.

What would you say if I told you that you never needed to buy frozen herring again?  That you can run your bait rigs with artificial bait and OUT FISH herring?  No VHS concern, no freezer, no mushy crummy refrozen junk bait, no kidding.  One of my bait rigs out fished everything on the boat, including a "real bait" rig with the same setup and took the 3 biggest fish, but I was not using "bait".

Well, the solution is the JDF bait head and Gulp 6" Swimmer Minnow.  The JDF bait head gives the minnow just the right once-per-second rotation that you need.  The good news is the minnow lasted all day and goes back in the zip lock bag at the end of the day.

I will have Twinkie rigs made up for sale by tomorrow with the new heads for sale.  I have a limited number of heads in stock, but I have 5 dozen coming probably Wednesday.

I am getting some interesting responses to the question below, not quite what I expected.  FYI I would never put a name with a response to something like that unless it was from an elected official or you wanted me to, you can speak freely to me whatever you think.

8-3-2007  What do you think of a "two-day firearm deer hunting season for disabled veterans" some time before the regular firearms hunt?  Email me at bobsoutdoors@yahoo.com and let me know what you think.

Josh Swanton looking to do some "Cormorant Control"

8-2-2007  Seriously, those are pictures of Josh and the other guys from his unit training to prepare for their deployment.

8-1-2007  FYI:

We will be beginning or whitefish assessments off of Ludington, MI this week and should be completed by the end of next week.

We will be setting along the following transects:  N 44^o 01’  N 43 ^o 52’

(for reference only)

We will be setting two (2) gangs of standard assessment nets, 1800 feet in length, between 50 – 200 feet of water.  The nets will be marked with staff buoys at each end and these sets will be overnight sets lifted the next day. 

Please contact me if you have any questions

Archie Martell

Little River Band of Ottawa Indians

7-31-2007  Congratulations to the K/D Derby's Winners, those are some nice fish.  Extra congratulations to the Bob's Outdoors customer on the list.

K/D’s Unofficial Top 11
1. William Woehrmann, 24.96, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25/07
2. John Reinke, Jr., 23.42, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25/073
3. Tammy Luedtke, 22.47, @ Kewaunee, 7/22/07
4. Steve Bartz, 22.06, @ Kewaunee, 7/22/07
5. Sam Sieminski, 21.57, @ Washington Island, 7/29/07
6. Christopher DeWitt, 21.52, @ Kewaunee, 7/23/07
7. Steven Laubenstein, 21.37, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/22/07
8. Lester Kroll, 21.33, @ Kewaunee, 7/25/07
9. Scott Wertanen, 21.26, @ Algoma, 7/21/07
10. Richard Dorow, 21.00, @ Washington Island, 7/25/07
11. Jason Barrick, 21.00, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/29/07

7-26-2007  Mark Chmura of "Pier Pressure" won the 2007 Ludington Gander Mountain Offshore Classic, Congratulations Mark.  Many of his fish came on riggers, particularly on a Spin Doctor and fly on the center rigger.  Mark is a big fan of the Ridgeback Rattler.

Just look at the tournament record of the Ridgeback for this year (Of course, this does not include the ones keeping it a secret):

7-25-2007  I just read that Fred Trost died.  If you don't know, for many years he had a program on PBS called Michigan Outdoors.  He was sued by a scent company, lost that suit and was forced to close that show.  He came back later with The Practical Sportsman until 2005.

Fred was always a controversial guy.  OK, much of the time he was a jerk.  Many people had stronger words than that.  He had strong opinions, many that I disagreed with, but you knew he had a stand to take.  His show was, until the last couple of seasons, in my opinion successful because it was informative.  Even if you did not like the guy you waited through his rants about the DNR to hear the hunting & fishing reports.  A fishing segment showed you the tackle and how to use it.  The show was not about how great a sportsman Fred was.

Toward the end he quit doing the fishing & Hunting reports and did a lot of repeats of old shows.  I quit watching and was not surprised the show ended.  Maybe it was because of his illness that the show declined, I don't know.

Thursday night now is "Michigan Out of Doors", the MUCC show.  Notice the name of the show compared to Fred's first show.  This show exemplifies what is wrong with these shows.  They seem to go out of their way to edit any kind of useful information out of the show.  The other day they had a guy talking about going through some locks in his boat and he said something like, "the first time I did this I did not know what to do, how it worked or anything, sot it was kind of intimidating."  They went on to talk about how pretty the shoreline was, but never told you anything about going through the lock!  How about, what size boats, how much does it cost, hours they work, you know, real information about how to do this?  Nope, they just talked about how great it is and how you should do this trip.  I record it and scan for something interesting but rarely watch much.

It's a shame no one is doing what The Practical Sportsman promised to do, give an informative show that shows you how to do things you might not know how to do, or at least give you enough information to get started, with some up to date hunting and fishing news.  I would watch.

Well, that's MY rant.  I probably annoyed most of my audience.  That's probably as fitting an epitaph for Fred as you could do.  It's funny how much I miss a guy I didn't really like that much.

7-24-2007 

2007 Kewaunee/Door County Salmon Tournament — 25th anniversary

Sunday, July 22 Summary

Six 20-pound-plus fish, including a 1-2 leap atop the leader board by a pair of Kewaunee-caught fish, hit the scales. A south wind produced some whitecaps later in the day, but it was fishable all day.

A total of 96 fish were brought to the scales. Sturgeon Bay weighed 33 (seven over 17 pounds); Algoma 21 (six over 17); Kewaunee 14 (seven over 17); Baileys 20 (six over 17); and the Island eight (largest 16.67).

Port Prize Winners: Algoma: Kurt Wolfgram, 20.10; Baileys Harbor: Steven Laubenstein, 21.37; Kewaunee: Tammy Luedtke, 22.47;  Sturgeon Bay: Cameron Upman, 20.56; Washington Island: Victor Novak, 16.67.

Opening weekend: 31 fish over 18 pounds

1. Tammy Luedtke, 22.47, @ Kewaunee, 7/22/07
2. Steve Bartz, 22.06, @ Kewaunee, 7/22/07

3. Steven Laubenstein, 21.37, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/22/07
4. Scott Wertanen, 21.26, @ Algoma, 7/21/07

5. Ben Hondl, 20.66, @ Algoma, 7/21/07
6. Cameron Upman, 20.56, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/22/07
7. Ernest Stankowski, 20.43, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/22/07
8. Kurt Wolfgram, 20.10, @ Algoma, 7/22/07

9. Robert Stawski, 19.89, @ Kewaunee, 7/22/07
10. Matthew Le Tourneau, 19.88, @ Washington Island, 7/21/07

 

The Menominee Brown Trout Derby Results.  Click on the picture to read the article.

7-23-2007  Talked to "Red Ryder" out of Milwaukee today, had his 15 at 9:00 am.  "Greybeard" was on fire, Chernobyl and Chicken Pox were doing well.

Well, the Derby was  a big success judging by all the activity.  Green Bay's Fishery is kind of like the "good old days" in Ludington where you can catch Kings, Rainbows, and Browns regularly, with a bonus of a good Walleye fishery also.  The marina was over full, you could not park a boat trailer for blocks, and the Martin Creek Sport & Feed tackle store had a steady stream of fishermen in Friday Night when I was there looking for the hot lure.  Word on the radio was Raider Electric Koolaid.

7-19-2007  I am heading off to the Menominee Brown Trout Derby tomorrow am, so any order after like, right now will be processed Monday.  My first time fishing Green Bay, so it should be interesting.  If any of you are fishing it, give Sarah Ann or Bob's Outdoors a shout.  I will be slipped in Menominee Marina.

I talked to Greybeard yesterday, he had his 15 at 9:30 am, mostly on Raiders.  "Spook" and "Bloody Death" were the ticket.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          

July 16, 2007

Contact: Rodney Clute 517-373-1263                                                       

Application Period for 2007 Public Land Antlerless Deer Licenses Now Open

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that July 15 through Aug. 15 is the application period for public land antlerless deer licenses for the 2007 deer hunting season.  Public land antlerless licenses will be available only through the drawing process unless there are licenses left over after the application period.

It is likely that there will be leftover public land licenses available after the drawing in the eight Deer Management Units (DMUs) where bovine TB in the deer herd is found.  Outside those eight DMUs, very few DMUs are expected to have leftover licenses available so hunters should not expect to receive a public land antlerless license except through the drawing.

Hunters may apply online at www.michigan.gov/dnr or at any authorized license agent.  There is a $4 non-refundable application fee.  Drawing results will be available Sept. 10 beginning at 10 a.m. on the DNR Web site.  Postcards to successful applicants who did not apply online will be mailed by Sept. 19.  All others should check drawing results online after Sept. 10.

Private land antlerless licenses will be available over the counter beginning at 10 a.m. on Aug. 16.  Hunters must provide the telephone number of the person granting permission to hunt at the time they purchase a private land antlerless.  In Zone 1 (UP) and Zone 2 (northern Lower Peninsula) there is a 40 acre minimum acreage requirement for purchase of private land antlerless licenses.  For each DMU, private land antlerless licenses will be available until the quota is filled.  Hunters may purchase only one antlerless license per day.  There is a season limit of three private land antlerless licenses per person, of which no more than two may be from Zones 1 and 2 combined.

Hunters ages 10 to 16 may purchase one antlerless license over the counter (public or private) through Aug. 15 without making an application.  A youth must appear in person with a parent or guardian to purchase a Junior Antlerless Deer Hunting License. 

For more information see the 2007 Michigan Antlerless Deer Hunting Guide available in stores or online at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

The DNR committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of our state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

7-19-2007  I am heading off to the Menominee Brown Trout Derby tomorrow am, so any order after like, right now will be processed Monday.  My first time fishing Green Bay, so it should be interesting.  If any of you are fishing it, give Sarah Ann or Bob's Outdoors a shout.  I will be slipped in Menominee Marina.

I talked to Greybeard yesterday, he had his 15 at 9:30 am, mostly on Raiders.  "Spook" and "Bloody Death" were the ticket.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          

July 16, 2007

Contact: Rodney Clute 517-373-1263                                                       

Application Period for 2007 Public Land Antlerless Deer Licenses Now Open

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that July 15 through Aug. 15 is the application period for public land antlerless deer licenses for the 2007 deer hunting season.  Public land antlerless licenses will be available only through the drawing process unless there are licenses left over after the application period.

It is likely that there will be leftover public land licenses available after the drawing in the eight Deer Management Units (DMUs) where bovine TB in the deer herd is found.  Outside those eight DMUs, very few DMUs are expected to have leftover licenses available so hunters should not expect to receive a public land antlerless license except through the drawing.

Hunters may apply online at www.michigan.gov/dnr or at any authorized license agent.  There is a $4 non-refundable application fee.  Drawing results will be available Sept. 10 beginning at 10 a.m. on the DNR Web site.  Postcards to successful applicants who did not apply online will be mailed by Sept. 19.  All others should check drawing results online after Sept. 10.

Private land antlerless licenses will be available over the counter beginning at 10 a.m. on Aug. 16.  Hunters must provide the telephone number of the person granting permission to hunt at the time they purchase a private land antlerless.  In Zone 1 (UP) and Zone 2 (northern Lower Peninsula) there is a 40 acre minimum acreage requirement for purchase of private land antlerless licenses.  For each DMU, private land antlerless licenses will be available until the quota is filled.  Hunters may purchase only one antlerless license per day.  There is a season limit of three private land antlerless licenses per person, of which no more than two may be from Zones 1 and 2 combined.

Hunters ages 10 to 16 may purchase one antlerless license over the counter (public or private) through Aug. 15 without making an application.  A youth must appear in person with a parent or guardian to purchase a Junior Antlerless Deer Hunting License. 

For more information see the 2007 Michigan Antlerless Deer Hunting Guide available in stores or online at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

The DNR committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of our state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

7-16-2007  The Menominee Brown Trout Derby is this weekend, with a $15 entry fee you can't go wrong.  Stop in to Martin Creek Sport & Feed for more info (and a couple of Raider Spoons)

I redid the Opti-Tackle Tape selection today and updated with some new holographic offerings from them.  I hope that it is easier for you to find what you want.  You will find some new lower prices there also.

7-16-2007  I really like the kids in the above photo.  Think there is more than a couple future sportspeople there?  "Just wanted to say Thank You for making some great gear!!!  I had the best day ever with a Magnum Bloody Death.  I couldn't keep the thing in the water today out of Milwaukee on Lake Michigan.  The 18# king in the first pic mangled my "red hook".  I've got to find some more now."  (More are on the way)  "A few months ago I picked up a magnum "Bloody Death" from my local Gander Mountain on a whim and not paying much attention to the brand.  I just liked the color and the single red hook stood out.  I realized early yesterday that this one spoon has been responsible for at lease half of the fish I've caught this year including that nice 18# Chinook on the table.  I'm a true believer of the Raider product line!!!

By the way, I encourage you to purchase your Raiders at your local stores if you can.  They are my customers now also.  You can see a list of them here:  http://www.redhooktackle.com/page6.html

7-13-2007  Lucky Friday the 13th!  Hey, I just got 4 orders for Lyman Plugs in the last 12 hours, all for the same 3 colors.  "Bob,  I was fortunate enough to receive a Lyman plug in my boat bag at the Red Hook Tackle Outing a couple weeks ago.  Since then this one plug on six colors has boated half my fish.  Thanks for your support for this outing and making the trip to fish with us."  The funny thing is I ran out of Fish Holders for the Tackle bags and substituted some plugs I had with me on a couple of bags.  I guess I should have done more.

7-12-2007  I have had a couple of requests for hook packs to replace hooks on Raider Spoons in the past, and the subject came up again this week.  You now can buy 12 packs of hooks with split rings.

7:30 Am CST June 11 Catch by Greybeard

"Running no flashers, 2 Js and 9 Raiders in various sizes and colors. Sure is easier to work glow spoons in the dark vs. flashers."

7-11-2007  Sure is nice to have a bunch of fish hanging on the board in time to still go to breakfast.  "Greybeard" is hard at work developing some new fish killing colors for next year.

"Red Rider" Had a Pretty Good Sunday  That's a Raider yellow Fever in that King's Mouth

Captain John King Halcyon Charters St. Ignace, Detour and Manistee

7-9-2007  Captain John King is now part of the Raider Pro Staff.  He will be chartering in Manistee during the month of August, I will be looking to get out there and tag a long on a trip.  He already has some excellent ideas on some "UP" Spoons.

7-8-2007  Hey I learned something today.  I was asked the maximum width for towing a boat in Michigan without a permit.  After much searching I found this from http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/lake_laws.asp :

Michigan:

Boating Law Administrator: 517-335-3414
Maximum Speed Limit: 55
Maximum Dimensions for trailer:45'L x 8'W x 13' 6"H
Maximum Length with Trailer: 60'
Minimum Weight requiring Separate Trailer Brakes:3000
Trailer Equipment Requirements:
Safety Chains: Y
Brake Lights: Y
Taillights: Y
Clearance Lights: Y
License Light: Y
Turn Signals: Y
Reflectors: Y
Flares: N/A
Breakaway Brakes: N/A
Tie Downs: N/A
Two Trailers: Y
Insurance: Y
Wide Trailer Permit Phone Number: 517-373-2120

7-7-2007  Oki Tackle Lil' Shooter Flashers are back in stock.  They were hot for a while so I bought plenty.

I also now have a selection of O'ki JDF bait heads, by popular demand.

7-6-2007  Just a update on some of the tackle I have been trying out this year.  All of my downrigger rods and my 2 and 3 color rods have Daiwa Accudepth Plus 47LC's on them.  I know the Accudepth has not got the best reputation, but these new reels seem to perform just fine, especially the drag.  For about 1/2 the price of a Sealine SG47LCA they are a real good deal.

All of my rods now are Heartland Rods just like the rods on the store.  I think they are an excellent rod that won't break the bank either.

7-5-2007  Semi-Official Fifth Annual Red Hook Tackle Lake Michigan Outing Results

Big King from the Fifth Annual Red Hook Tackle Lake Michigan Outing

7-4-2007 Happy Birthday USA!

I just received the results of the Fifth Annual Red Hook Tackle Lake Michigan Outing.  One thing stood out.  As I understand it, shortly before "pull lines time" Caustic had one 7.4 lb fish, and would have weighed in dead last (ahead of the boats that did not weigh in).  They pulled in a 18.9 lb King, took big fish and incidentally, passed the Sarah Ann in the standings by .1 lbs.  Lesson - never give up!

Nick with a big Rainbow

7-2-2007  We had an excellent weekend.  The Fifth Annual Red Hook Tackle Lake Michigan Outing was a big success.  Big Santa, my fishing partner in 2005, won with a whopping 153+ pound cooler.  he called this morning to order another Ridgeback, which he believes contributed to his success.  I will have more complete results later this week.

I had Nick, a young man whose trip was set up by the United Special Sportsman Alliance, Inc. [USSA] on board.  We managed three nice fish, a 12 lb King, a real nice 8 1/2 lb Rainbow/Steelhead and a nice Lake Trout.  Nick did an excellent job of landing the fish, and his attitude and excitement over the trip was a  lot of fun.  He is already planning next year's trip, and I am looking forward to it also.

The Rainbow lived up to it's reputation, leaping several feet in the air over an over, but Nick's steady hand on the rod was too much for it.  It hit a Raider Orange Crush on a three color on a board.  The King came on a Magna Glow Black Onyx Kingfisher with a clear/red Twinkie bait rig 200 feet out on a Walker Deeper Diver set on 3.

We had a King tear off 200 feet of line on a Blue Angel Kingfisher and a Blue Glow Shure Strike Bait Rig down 50 feet on a rigger with a Ridgeback Rattler.  He managed to get into the opposite dipsy and get off.  The same rig took the Laker.

All these fish came in 80-100 feet of water south of two rivers, from the nets south.

There were 21 coolers weighed in, and 5 boats carrying kids who love the outdoors, but don't often get this kind of opportunity.  Check out the web site and make a contribution or see if you can set up to take a kid fishing or hunting.  It is well worth your while.

6-28-2007  I am off to Manitowoc this afternoon!

Bloody Death rocked today.  My nephew Sean C. and one of today's (6-24) Kings - "Grey Beard"

6-27-2007  Another Photo from the Raider Pro-Staff.  Unlike some other tackle companies I know, Josh has maintained a tradition of having his prototypes out there being fished in multiple ports so the new spoons for 2008, like the 2006 and 2005 classes, are proven fish catchers.  That tradition will continue with me.  Prototypes are already being fished, most colors I have not even seen yet, as they went to the staff, not customers like me at the time.  Next years spoons won't be just what I think will sell, they will be what the pro staff tells me work.

Good thing to, because so far this year I have not put a King in my boat.  That should change this weekend.

6-26-2007  If anyone knows Bill Barnes, tell him "good job!"

It looks like good weather for the Fifth Annual Red Hook Tackle Lake Michigan Outing.

6-25-2007  The Thumb Area Offshore Challenge Fishing Tournament was a big success.  2007 results should be posted there real soon.

How did we do?   Well, we caught fish.  The boat ran and we caught fish.  We did not come in last, but we tried hard to.  3 lakers on day 1 and 4 on day 2, with one close to 7 pounds does not make a winning formula for a tournament where the winning weights were in the 75 lb range.

If you want to be competitive in a tournament it must NOT be:

• The first time on the water in your boat all year

• The first time targeting a species

• The first time fishing that lake.

Fishing for Lake Trout is different.  It is tough, I can tell you that, to catch them when you want to.  I think now that there are a lot more in Lake Michigan than I thought there were, we just are not targeting them.  Dead slow, on the bottom are the keywords.

What did work?  Raider Chicken Pox is not just a Brown Trout and King Spoon, it is a Laker Taker also!  All but 2 of our fish came on a full core with a Chicken Pox, and a couple of the "in the money" guys I talked to admitted that they could not get lead core to hit at all.  One speculated that if he had that program going it might have made a difference in his placement, as in winning it all.

I am now getting ready to head to the Fifth Annual Red Hook Tackle Lake Michigan Outing in Wisconsin.  I will have a young man and his parents from the United Special Sportsman Alliance, Inc. [USSA] aboard, so it should be a lot of fun.   This is a FUN event, not a tournament, so if you can attend, you really should, if not for the fishing you can stop by at the potluck afterward.

6-22-2007  This is a truly pitiful situation, but the day AFTER the first day of summer should be the first day I fish my boat this year.  The boat is all loaded up and ready to head out early this morning.  I should have a full report Sunday.

6-21-2007  Boy, have I been waiting for this post.  I am going to pick up the boat today and I am heading up to the Thumb Area Offshore Challenge in Port Austin.  The culprit appears to have been the flapper in the exhaust side that keeps water from backwashing in to the cooling system.

"The orange muffin has been great taking my biggest king this yr and many Coho." - "Grey Beard"

6-20-2007  I actually drove my boat today.  The good news is, 50 more hp = 10 mph on the top end and the boat runs great, throttle control at the bottom end is WONDERFUL, I can change 50 rpms at a time with ease.  The bad news is, anything over 3200 rpm overheats in very short order.  I was out on the lake with my mechanic and a representative from Mercury Marine.

I did one good deed today though, I towed a couple of fishermen, saving them a long paddle in back to the dock.

Detroit Walleye Federation Members in the News

6-18-2007  I guess not enough of you crossed your fingers.  The boat is still DOA, awaiting engine #3?

I just went to another site to find a Silver Streak spoon for a customer I don't have, and I found that the other guy has copied the Rod Strap.  Must be a good idea, he even copied the name.

6-15-2007  Keep your fingers crossed, I might have an honest to goodness fishing report this weekend from my own boat!  Mercury Marine is standing behind their problems financially but it has been a very slow process.  Middle of June and my boat is not in the water?  Ridiculous.

FYI - I will continue to offer all the other brands that I have offered in the past.  The purchase of Raider Spoons will not change that.

6-14-2007  The big announcement is, I have purchased Raider Spoons from Josh Swanton.  Josh is being deployed to the Middle East with his reserve unit some time this summer and he offered me the business.

Now I will be scrambling to sort out all the material he sold me, setting up packaging equipment and getting things up and running.

Fortunately I had every color in stock before the sale so I have a little breathing room.

6-11-2007  I will be out of town Tuesday and Wednesday, but I should have a major announcement, well, major to me anyway, when I get back.

For those of you in the Kewaunee, WI area, you should check out the Offshore Challenge in July.

Saturday I stopped by the Educated Angler get together in Monroe.  It looked like a good time there.  Pink and copper back trolling spoons, like the Yeck Pink Pooh Bear were the ticket.

So, how long before we start hearing they are filming a Sopranos movie?

6-10-2007  I have all sizes of Ridgeback Rattlers in stock now, including the 11 and 13# versions.

So far this season this is the tournament record for Ridgeback Rattlers:

Pretty Impressive for the first week in June.

6-8-2007  I now have Walker Downrigger Covers for your Walker Electric Downriggers in limited Quantities.

6-7-2007  I know this is "off topic" but if you are thinking about a bird dog, here is a nice dog available.  German Shorthaired Pointers have several advantages over a lab like mine for upland birds.  They tend not to "wilt" as fast in hot weather and a bigger dog like this can bust through the brush easier.

You can contact "GSP Gal" at http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186542

"1yr and 8 months GSP, female, not spayed, needs shots, no papers. I have this dog in my possession after her owner surrendered her to me. She loves to fetch. She's 49 pounds, and high strung. The previous owner didn't do anything but fetch with her. I thinking a career in dock diving or flyball. She will actually catch a dummy in the air if tossed to her. I launched a bird or two, and is birdy.

Would do well in an environment with no other dogs, or maybe a submissive male, and gets lot of attention. She has been here for about two weeks, and will work hard to please. New owner should understand that beating the dog when it won't come to you doesn't work.

Supposedly out of a "breeder" in Kingsley, but I can't seem to locate him to get her papers.

Sigh - some people shouldn't be allowed to have dogs."

6-6-2007  I received an email from Jim Fenner of the Ludington Charter Boat Association today concerning a warning to be posted this afternoon concerning "sustained straight line winds could pas 60" (mph).  They had similar winds in 1998 that caused a great deal of damage.
 

6-5-2007  1987 Sea Ray Weekender for Sale

This is the boat I fish when I am not fishing the Sarah Ann.  Frankly, if I did not have so much $$ in my boat, I would be buying this.  Jerry has meticuously restored, updated and cared for this boat.  The attention to detail is truly what I would call obsessive.

I chose the above view for a reason.  Check out the rail holding the cooler.  The cooler is EXACTLY centered on the back of that boat.  that is the way everything was done on the boat.  I would have just gone with the $12 cooler hold downs, but that's not good enough for Skip.

If you are thinking about buying this type of boat, you really MUST see this one.

This weekend is "Free Fishing Weekend" in Michigan, so take a non-fisherperson fishing, they don't need a license.

6-4-2007  The boat saga from heck continues.  Long story short, a temperature problem that may have been there all along was made much worse by adding 50 hp.

5-31-2007  Well, I am NOT on my way to pick up my boat so I will not be fishing this weekend.  I will, however, be fishing the 2007 Thumb Area Offshore Challenge in Grindstone City/Port Austin, which is a 100% payout tourney on June 24th.  You can check out  http://www.eaglebayoutfitter.com/  for more information

5-30-2007  If I am not careful, this site will be overloaded with excellent photo's I have been getting.  There are only two problems with them, first, there are so many good ones to choose from and second, they are not on my boat!   I am hoping to remedy that this weekend.  Hopefully my boat will be test run on a lake tomorrow.

The above is from Josh Swanton's boat last weekend.  It looks like he took a mess of fish out of Racine, WI.

5-29-2007  Yeck Salmon Spoons and Silver Streak Spoons, both Magnum and Regular, are now on sale!  Stock up your tackle box now and save big time.  Silver Streak Spoons are $2 magnum and Regular, Ultra Glow Yeck Spoons are $3 std and $3.25 Magnum

5-28-2007  Memorial Day - Have a good time out there with friends and family and don't forget about those who have, and are, answering the call to duty.

5-25-2007 - Fishing Report, St. Joseph, MI

Fished with my partner, Skip, Coho Bob from Michigan Stinger's Pro Staff, and Dave Mull, editor of Great Lakes Angler Magazine on the 2007 GLA "Project Boat".  We took 12 fish, 7 Lake Trout, 3 Kings, 1 Steelhead and 1 Coho or small King (a matter of debate, very few spots on the tail, mouth iffy, I wouldn't bet either way).  We missed something like 6 fish, some on a free slider that I suspect were Coho, a couple of steelhead on the boards. 

The Reverend Mull, America's Favorite Troller, took a nice 15 lb King on a Stinger (don't know the name) shown above.  We took hits on Stinger Lemon Ice, Lemon Lime and Green Dolphin.  The day was a 'shiny metal spoon with yellow, green or blue" day.  Unfortunately I brought painted extended glow Raiders, which just tells you to have a variety of Raiders on hand with you at all times.  My mistake.

Oh well, Stinger is a quality Michigan USA product and I don't mind giving them the plug.  I consider the "Stinger Pox" to be a ringing endorsement for the Raider Chicken Pox.  The wouldn't copy it if it was not a fish catching machine!

The lake trout mostly came on the Tin Can dodger and KRW green Krinkle fly as close to the bottom as we dared.

Fish cam in 50-100 FOW pretty much straight of port.  With the North wind the hot fishing was in the 6's moving South through the day into the 5's.

My fishing partner's boat  on it's 2007 maiden run

5-24-2007  I am headed out this afternoon to meet Dave Mull, editor of Great Lakes Angler Magazine tomorrow at 6 am to go fishing! 

Just received this from the Downriver Walleye Federation:

Ohio's Yellow Perch Bag Limit To be Reduced April 9
on: 04/05/07, 12:14 by Fred Snyder, Ohio Sea Grant Extension           

The Ohio Division of Wildlife has announced that Governor Strickland issued an executive order at the Division's request, immediately lowering the yellow perch bag limit on Lake Erie from 40 fish per day to 30 fish per day, effective Monday, April 9, 2007. In explaining the need for this reduction, the Division made the following points:

• Ohio’s perch quota in 2007 is 34% lower than that from 2006, reflecting recent scientific assessments of perch abundance in Lake Erie that were lower than expected.

• Reducing the bag limit will bring the expected Ohio sport catch in line with its quota allocation.

• The reason that we are not following our normal rule-making schedule (typically done the fall before the fishing season) is because data in-hand last fall did not indicate declines of this magnitude in the 2007 quota.

• Commercial quota allocations to Ohio netters will be similarly reduced before their season opens May 1(no rule change is required).

• Reducing the bag limit and commercial quota allocation in 2007 is a responsible management action to address a decline in perch abundance in Lake Erie.
*************************************************
Information on the reduced perch quota allocation was not available when the 2007 regulations were written last summer, so the 2007 Ohio fishing regulations brochure will erroneously list the daily bag limit as 40 fish per day.

Help get the word out -- as of Monday, April 9, the Ohio yellow perch bag limit drops to 30 fish per day

5-21-2007  Well, we put my buddy's boat in the Ludington Marina Saturday.  The good news is that the boat ran great and we are all set up to go.  The bad news is, we heard of only one fish being caught Saturday, and we were not that boat.  We trolled from Little Sable Point north almost to the project, not a bump.

5-17-2007  Well, if you went last night to the Flint Steelheaders meeting, you saw a great presentation on Walleye fishing, and had a chance at $80 worth of Fishlander spoons, along with some Atommik flies and a fish holder and some other stuff.

A newly joined member won the electric cooler and a door prize with some excellent spoons and flies.

5-16-2007  Tonight is the Flint Steelheaders last membership Meeting until September at Walli's East- Jeff Anderson from Fishlander will be talking about Walleye Fishing and the new spinners & lures used to catch them. Social Hour begins at 6:30pm.

I was just asked about my boat situation by a customer who was concerned as he owns a similar model, and no, it is not anything but a dumb mistake on my part.  My advice is to have winterizing done by someone who can afford to replace the block if they mess it up.  I have done it myself before with no problems, but this time a little water was left without enough antifreeze in the wrong spot.  My question is, why do they put freeze plugs in at all?  Have you ever seen an engine with the freeze plugs out where the block was saved?

I am upgrading to fuel injection and one thing I am getting that I highly recommend is a remote oil filter and a hose to suck the oil out of the pan.  These items will make oil changes a much easier task.

I am also replacing the bilge pump that was under the engine and I am having the fish boxes empty into the unused macerator pump.  The pump is useless where it is and the cheesy pump they put on them clogs with the first fish scale.  The bilge pump is almost completely inaccessible with the engine installed, so now is the time to do that.

5-15-2007  My new engine was ordered yesterday, so hopefully by Memorial Day weekend I will have my boat in the water.

New postal rates have gone into effect.  What the news media has not told you is that some rates actually went down.  I need some time to assess what this is going to do to my costs, but for right now my plan is to hold shipping rates right where they are.

5-11-2007  Reports are coming in from all over Lake Michigan of vastly improved fishing, both in St. Joe/South Haven and over on the Wisconsin side.  Isn't it funny how a couple of days of slow fishing have some people proclaiming the crash of the fishery?

I see that Fish On is certifying that their cut bait is disease free.

If you go on the message boards you will see a whole lot of hysteria, wild claims that cut bait is destroying the fishery.  You will see posturing by bait companies and lure manufacturers.  You will also see a whole bunch of speculation by people who seem to be having trouble reading the very reports they reference as "proof" that they are right.

It amazes me how emotional a pretty straight forward issue like this can get.  If anyone should be emotional about this, it should be me with a couple hundred dollars worth of herring in the freezer that I am pretty sure will be seeing a dumpster in the near future.

The way it looks to me is that someone is going to have to actually test some of this bait.  If it comes out positive, then we will not be using it.  If it tests clean, then we will.  They are not going to force distributors to trash tens of thousands of dollars of bait just on a USDA report on fish fillets.  On the other hand, if the bait is shown to carry disease, then we should not be using it.  Seems like a pretty simple yes/no to me, but as the man said, show me the proof.

I am quite sure that someone will come up with something to stick in those bait heads pretty quick.

5-10-2007  I just spoke with one of the survivors of the boat accident that took Jim Territo Sunday. It was a very sobering conversation.  The situation went from "OK" to in the water in a matter of seconds.  Waves killed the engine twice and swamped the boat, a 23' Wellcraft and it flipped over.  Jim hit his head and was unconscious when he went in the water.  Quick action by a couple of guys in a nearby boat saved two lives, but it was too late for Jim.  To quote Rich, "I'm never going out without a life jacket again."

5-9-2007  It's time for me to address the 900 lb. Gorilla in the room, the impact of VHS on using cut bait.  It look like indeed the Michigan DNR may ban the use of cut bait or any bait from the Pacific, among other things.

You can find up to date links and information at the Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fisherman's Association (The Steelheaders)

Does this mean throw out your bait rigs?  Not at all.  There is money in cut bait, and someone will provide certified bait, but you will pay for it (as always).  Meanwhile, there are several artificial baits that work well in the bait rigs, and I have more waiting for the boat to test.  What the heck, the artificial baits are easier to use than the frozen stuff anyways, maybe this is a good thing.

This is a good lesson, not to be a one dimensional angler.  Someone once told me that to be a proficient fisherman, able to catch fish consistently day after day, I need to be skilled in many ways to fish, with all kinds of baits and attractors.  In fact it was my first conversation with him at the 2002 Flint Steelheaders Show after I told him I was fed up with running flies and going to stick to spoons all the way.  The funny thing is, he is now the biggest "bait is the only way" guy.  Guess what he sells?  I bet he suddenly "discovers" that his flashers work with flies also!

5-8-2007  Hey - a little hint about what is catching fish right now:  Dodgers might be "out of style" in this day of plastic rotating flashers, but sometimes not being like everyone else on the lake is a good thing.

After yesterday's news, I began thinking about our sport and how quickly something fun can turn tragic.  One of the things you wonder about is if there is anything you can do to prevent this type of tragedy in the future.

My background as an automotive engineer makes me think that anyone who does not wear a seat belt is foolish, and I am actually uncomfortable without one.  Yet at the same time, I only wear the life vest when I am alone in the boat.

Now, I don't know if it would have made any difference with Jim, (I don't know if he was wearing one or not) but I am wearing my life jacket all the time now.

Well, wearing a life vest all the time means is must be comfortable, and that rules out most of them.  The vest I use is an automatically inflatable one because it is comfortable, and yet does not depend on me to activate it.  And yes, I have worn it in the rain and it does not go off.

Unfortunately, these vests are pretty expensive, especially when you start buying 2 or 4 for a boat.  Because I want you all around to buy tackle for many years to come, and I just hate thinking about the story below, the only thing I can do to help is to sell these vests basically at cost.

You can check out the vests here. 

I just got a couple of them in, for use on my boat, and they fit me, and I am no little guy.  These are the most economical ones I could find that meet what I think is the requirements for our sport.  I don't think a manual inflate vest cuts the mustard.

Whatever style you use, no matter where you get it, please consider using your vest all the time.

Another thing you should have is a grab bag with a hand held GPS and a VHF ready to go over with you.  I have also made available the least expensive of those items available to me, also at about cost.

There, that is what I can do, make these items available to you as inexpensively as I can.  Using them is up to you.

5-7-2007  All of our thoughts and prayers need to be with these guys and their families today.

5-3-2007  I just found out I have some major repairs in store for the boat, so no fishing this weekend.  On the bright side, I see that some Kings are being caught in Grand haven, so hopefully the fishing will improve this weekend.

4-30-2007  Lake Trout Open in Lake Michigan and lake Huron Michigan waters (where it is not already open) tomorrow.  Check Out http://www.michigan.gov/documents/great-lakes-trout-salmon_151607_7.pdf for our convoluted and confusing regulations.

4-28-2007  I took the boat to the mechanic yesterday for an oil change, tune-up, lower unit inspection, and a general going over.  I should be hitting the water Friday or Saturday.

I also bought a "new" 1992 Truck Camper, with air conditioning!  Much nicer than the eBay special I had last year.  I think the 2007 Great lakes Tour will start with South Haven.

If you are not a member of the Steelheaders, and you want to know what they are about, check this out from Greg Gumbrecht:

The "Big One" we brought in Saturday

4-27-2007  I have added a Site Map page to the site, to make it even easier to find what you want.  One of my peeves traveling the web is stores that make it hard to find what you want.  Why hide the stuff you want to sell?

The above photo is intentionally blurred because I don't have any intention of embarrassing the Captain.  Hey, even if you do everything right, and I have no reason to think he did not, this could be me or you.  At one time it was me, and I did not do everything, or even the simplest thing, right.  OK, I ran out of gas.

I only publish that photo for two reasons.  First, to remind you to do the things you can so your day won't end up like that.  Second, to remind you that COULD be you, so if you have the opportunity, throw a guy a line.  It was a pain in the neck, but in the end it was not that big of a deal for us to do this.  I congratulate Jerry Romanowski for being a stand up guy and doing this in a tournament no less.

Do Ridgeback Rattlers work?  Yes.  They track better than any downrigger weight I ever ran, and in a side current, let's just say I got "bit" once with another design.

Don't take my word for it though, I just shipped yet another REPEAT customer.  Ridgebacks are pricey compared to a plain old lead ball.  People don't buy them more than once just because I said they are good.

4-25-2007  I have added Offshore Downrigger Releases to the store, and the OR-16 Clip, which is a super heavy tension release with a pin in the center of the pad so that the line will not slip out.  Designed for snap weights, this clip makes an excellent fixed slider.  That pretty much gives me the whole Offshore/Riviera product line.  If you did not know it, they are a Port Austin, MI company.

My limited supply of Megabaits is going fast.

Brown Trout fishing in Ludington seems to be coming back from the reports I have seen.  A 21 lb brown was caught there the other day.

4-22-2007  I now have the new 7' Heartland Lead Core Trolling Rods available.

The first victim of the Megabait Hot Tiger

4-21-2007  Today was the first Flint Steelheaders 2007 tournament in St. Joseph.  Jerry Romanowski was kind enough to give me a ride on his boat.  We managed 3rd place and Big Brown despite losing a lot of time towing a boat in.

It was a "hunt and pick" kind of day for everybody.  Very calm water, bright sun and a LOT of boats made for tougher fishing than Friday.  Everything came on the big boards and no lure took more than one fish.  Red "00" dodger with a blue green fly, orange and red J13 Rapala, Megabait Hot Tiger, an F11 Rapala (I think shiner) took the fish.  All on flat lines more than 100' back.  We had one hit on a Yeck Mini Mixed Vegetables on the diver that left teeth marks but no fish.

A whole bunch of 2-4 lb Coho were caught, a lot of Browns, a BIG Laker was caught and released, a couple of Steelhead were hooked and got away and one nice 9 lb King.

We had a bunch of boat problems, now is the time to check everything out and do a shakedown cruise if you can.  There was one ticket for boat registration I heard of so check out those and life jackets and flare expirations.

Here is a handy checklist from BoatUS - http://www.boatus.com/news/releases/2001/march/checklist2.asp

Even if they're stored on land, boats can still get beat up by winter's storms. Before launching your boat this season, take an hour or two with the following spring boating checklist, says BoatUS, with 520,000 members the world's largest organization of recreational boaters. The checklist is also available at BoatUS.com.

4-20-2007  Were more welcome words ever written:

4-19-2007  Megabaits are here!  3 colors in stock, I will be ordering more colors tonight.

If you missed it, you missed a great meeting at the Flint Steelheaders last night.  Excellent food, great speaker, Big Buck/Big Fish night and some great information.

The Flint Steelheaders has taken a stand on the license increase.  Simply put, they are against any increase for 2 reasons:

• Fishing and Hunting ate a $12,000,000,000.00 (yes, $12 Billion) industry in Michigan, and it generates $720 Million in sales tax alone.  So the state can't cough up $25 million for the DNR?

• The DNR is already projected to run into the red by 2010, BY THEIR OWN NUMBERS, even with a fee increase.  Unless they learn to live with the money they have, no increase will get them in the green.

Raising license fees will decrease the number of hunters and fishermen and decrease the sales tax revenue far more than the license fees will generate, so it is fiscally irresponsible to raise the fees.  I would argue that to generate more real income, the state should lower non-resident licenses.

On the same subject, there will be a sort of optional $2 kids license.  I say sort of optional, because it is my understanding that your limit is based on the number of licenses on the boat, so if your kid does not have a license, his fish count toward your limit.  What if he is fishing alone?

The really dumb thing about this is, I would encourage you to buy this license for your kids anyway, because the Feds match over $8 for every kid into our state coffers.  They don't need to "force" us, just lay it out as being smart.

Based on what I learned last night, I have changed my mind about the increase and am firmly against it.  Contrary to what some people think, there is nothing wrong with learning more about an issue and changing your mind.

BTW - if you want to buy the Flutter Devles mentioned in the GLA article in GLA, they are at http://www.dardevle.net/dardevlecgi/index.pl?init=1  A Michigan Company right here in Dearborn.  One of the biggest bass I ever caught as a kid was on the red and white Dardevle EVERYBODY had in their tackle box.

4-18-2007  As you can see above, the boat is finally out of the barn.  I have a lot of work to do before I fish it a week from Saturday.

I am off to the Steelheader meeting in Flint.  Hope to see you there.

Finally, a pro football player I can be a fan of....

Despite a personal e-mail from commissioner Roger Goodell, Joe Thomas rejected the NFL's repeated written and verbal invitations to attend the draft-week festivities in New York. Thomas wants to maintain a years-old tradition in which he spends draft day fishing for coho salmon on Lake Michigan with his dad.

Word is, he could be Detroit's #2 pick.  I wonder what it will be like having respect for a Detroit Lion?  Well, Roger, no matter where you end up, you have my respect for realizing that fishing with your Dad is more important than a party in New York.

4-17-2007  As of Today I now have some A-TOM-MIK Trolling Fly Kits available.  They come in a nice box and with a free "Bob's Frog" Fly.

Well, supposedly Megabait is shipping today from California, with Priority Mail that should be the end of the week.  We will see.

Wednesday is the last regular membership meeting of the Flint Steelheaders until Fall.  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER, OR EVEN JOIN, TO ATTEND.  Come enjoy food, speakers, raffles and even get to meet me!

Not wanting to harp on this, but yeah, I will: (From http://www.michiganstreamside.com/ )

4-16-2007  Due to some logistics issues with having Bert's Custom Tackle drop ship for me, I will now be shipping those items myself.  I will pick up the items from their factory once or twice a week, depending on my schedule and availability of the parts, they may take a few days to ship.

I have more news on the Megabait thing.  They went out of business last June and someone has picked them up.  They finally got back to me by email and asked for a PO.  I will be calling today to see if I can get an estimate on a shipping date.  I would say there is a 25% chance of seeing these lures by the end of April.  If I can't get them in by then, I'm not taking them.

This bears some explanation.  Great lakes Angler gets written months in advance.  It is no easy task to make any changes even 2 months ago.  Dave Mull told me about these lures, I looked them up and signed up as a retailer.  At that point, which was "very last minute", Dave put "Bob's Outdoors has some in stock", which we both thought would be a true statement by now.

I had a caller say this is "bait and switch".  That is just stupid.  Believe me, I would be very happy to be filling boxes with these lures right now.

The Boat comes out of the barn today!

Have you checked your:

• Registration?

• Flares?

• Batteries in Flashlights/handheld GPS/Handheld VHF?

• Bilge for critters and their nests?

4-15-2007  April 15, a day that strikes fear in most Americans.  Actually because today is Sunday it is the 16th.  I of course filed yesterday, every year I say I will at least be ready early.

4-14-2007  I just received a box from Lyman Lures, and I am restocked in the much sought after Glow Frog color.  I have also added 2  colors, Orange Black Dot and Glow Black Dot.  I now have 17 colors in stock and ready to ship.

4-12-2007  OK, for all of us who have done so much complaining about the Cormorant problem, here is YOUR chance to help.  They are stocking the Au Sable with Steelhead fingerlings this week.  They need people with small boats to patrol sections of the river, and you will be given a "pyrotechnic device" to scare off the cormorants.  My understanding is that the device will make the birds go away.  Call the Ausable River Store at 989-739-5332 for more information about times people are needed and what you need to do.  I will be heading up there next week and would be glad to have company when I go.

For all of you with the new issue of Great lakes Angler, I do not have the Mega Bait JB-90.  I thought I would by now, but the wholesaler still, as far as I can tell, has NO product of any kind in stock.  Emailing them gets excuses and calling them gets a cheap answering machine.  My suspicion is they went out of business and for whatever reason they don't want to say so.  Any tackle distributor that still does not have stock in April is not run very well.

The F11 Rapalas mentioned in the article work very well for spring browns, and can be found at many fine retailers.  I don't carry them any more because the big boxes sell them at pretty much my wholesale price, not because there is anything wrong with them.  I have caught a lot of fish in the spring with the Silver/Black pattern, but my favorite is the Silver/Blue.  Remove the front hook as he says.

For spoons, you want "silver" patterns with a lot of flash.  i would also mix some red colors in with the greens and blacks he shows.

4-11-2007  I took Jenny to the Rooster Ranch in Ubly today to get her on some birds.  It has been since October since she has had a good hunt.  I went with Chip Greene of Ridgeback Rattler and we bought 5 birds a piece and had lunch there.  The weather cooperated, the snow started while we were loading the truck to leave.  Wonderful Michigan Spring weather, felt just like late fall.

Jenny did her work well, as usual.  She found all 10 birds, and lets just say we shot somewhat less than that.  Jenny on the other hand, retrieved more birds than we shot, having found an escapee from an earlier hunt.  We had an excellent time, its always good to get out in the field.

The ranch is where I bought Jenny, and where I had her trained.  It is such a pleasure to have a fine hunting dog, I don't know exactly how to express it.  They have a litter with some pups available now, and will have more regularly in the future. 

Now, you can buy a "purebred lab" for $200-$400, and you might get lucky and get a good hunting dog.  I paid $600 for Jenny and I think it was worth every single penny.  You know when you talk to the breeder and they discuss how her parents hunted that morning that you are buying from the right line.  Temperament, obedience, instinct and an overwhelming desire to please are all there.

One caution I will add here.  These are intelligent, energetic dogs.  If you intend to lock them away for 90% of the time and work with them seldom, then don't do it.  They will destroy anything they can, just to get your attention and you will never get the results you desire from the dog.  I have seen one completely remove the drywall 3 feet up from the floor of a room in a day.  The next owner of the dog couldn't understand it, because it was the most well behaved dog he ever had.  You WILL pay attention to them, and the dog will settle for bad attention if he cannot get good.

My wife cooked up the birds using Mike Gnatkowski's recipe for Pheasant in Orange Sauce and they were very good.

4-10-2007  I just received this from Kelly Neuman of Streamside Custom Rod & Guide Service, by way of Greg Gumbrecht of the Flint Steelheaders.    Kelly is looking for help when steelhead are planted in the Ausable River.  Contact Kelly at the e-mail below or better yet, call him:

4-8-2007  I hadn't realized how long its been since I updated.  I have been so busy with orders and a special project I just plain forgot.

Lyman Lures, Raider Spoons, Opti-Tackle hardware, rods and reels have been flying off the shelf.

Subject:  Thanks from Green River, Wyoming

4-4-2007  Some Lucky Guy is getting a nice gift for his Birthday, I won't spoil it in case he comes here.  the giver asked for a note in the package and I got to thinking. 

From now on you can specify a card and a short note to be included (for FREE) with your items.

Also, (not related), what's up with dodgers this week?  Dodgers are proven fish killers, but in the last week they got real popular.

4-2-2007  I looked over my finances and decided to buy Chrysler instead of Cabelas.  I received several responses, some of which sounded like they believed it.  I am hoping they were pulling my leg back.

I try hard to keep my personal politics out of this web site, but I will say that in the past I have not been a great fan of our State Senator, Deborah Cherry.  Since I wrote to her about ballast water regulations a few weeks ago I have been getting her newsletter.  While I think the "tagging your name" thing is a little over the top here, I guess I can't argue against someone who is actively working to increase the number of sportsmen in the state.  If she keeps on supporting the things that are most important to me, I might just come around.  If you have kids that need their certificate, this might be an excellent opportunity.

4-1-2007  If you are still wondering if I bought Cabelas, take a look at the date.

Best response (so far) -

3-30-2007  Tomorrow at Midnight the buy 3 get 1 free sale ends!

3-29-2007  I now have all Bert's Custom Tackle items, including all special order items like Rocket launchers, on the store.

3-28-2007  I now have Yeck Ultra Glow Salmon Trolling Spoons in Standard and Magnum sizes and Casting Spoons.

By popular demand, I have 50# Moss Green Power Pro line in stock.  I also received the Accudepth Plus ADP17LC Reels

3-27-2007  Second in my series on how you can save $$$ at Bob's Outdoors is Bert's Custom Tackle.

Now, I buy direct from the factory, and my listed prices are INCLUDING SHIPPING, which you will find makes me very competitive.  But on large orders, I can do even better.  I have a customer in my 10% discount club who asked me for a quote.  The major retailer price, per their online store, was $579.90 (before tax and shipping), his price from me was over $100 less!  With sales tax, picking the order up here vs. their Michigan location, saved him almost $150.

I don't promise that kind of savings every time, I sliced that one pretty thin for a member of the 10% discount club.  To find out how to get "in the club", check out here: Discount Policy

That is of course if they have it in stock.  I get your order from the factory so when you pick it up or receive it, it will be complete.  Why drive all the way there just to be short a length of track?

Try buying a Rocket Launcher or a 48" track at the major retailer.  Their online store stops at 24", I don't know if they have longer at the store.

Check out Craig MacPhee's son Toby holding a 26.7 lb King with a Bob's Fish Holder on page 15 of the Great Lakes Angler magazine.  Of course he is getting a little help from Dad with some mono tied to the fish holder.  Do you think Dad is a little proud?

I like the whole series of photo's in the magazine.  It shows the whole family out together having a ball.  Going fishing does not mean that the wife and kids have to have a "weekday Dad".

New Raider Yellow Fever

"Lake Trout caught and released by my brother, Dave Swanton. November 2006 off Milwaukee. I think it went around 14 pounds or so." - Josh Swanton

3-26-2007  The Huron Valley Steelheaders Show was last weekend.  than ends shows for me for the year, thank goodness.  I like doing them, but they are a lot of work and they mess up my inventory.  Besides, April 15 is coming!  Actually, this year it's the 16th, we get a big break on that.

The guys from the club were great and it was a good show.  Every once in a while you meet some great guys at these shows.  There was a gentleman selling bait rigs there who sent his customers to my booth to buy flashers, which is awful generous considering I also was selling bait rigs.  it just shows you that you can conduct business without shoving a knife in the next guy's back.  He had some neat colors, and some lake trolls and walleye spinners.  You can see his product at Uncle Roy's Tackle Box.

3-23-2007  Bert's Custom Tackle is available again on the store.  These items will be shipped directly from the factory in Walled Lake, MI, so shipping is included in the price, but does NOT count toward the free shipping offer.  Also, orders of more than $500 of Bert's Tackle, email or call me for a quote.

You will find this is one of the few places you can get some of the hard to find items.

3-21-2007  This is Tara's 4th anniversary at the Classic Coney (Dixie Highway between M-15 and Maybee Rd, across from McDonalds 7am-3pm) in Clarkston.  Stop in and tell her Bob told you to say Hi.

In keeping with expanding into Walleye trolling tackle, I now have offshore Snap Weights available

A little explanation on the Free Raider Spoon.  The free one will be the same type as the least expensive of the three you bought.  If you buy 3 mag extended glows, the free one will be a mag extended glow.  If you buy 2 mags and 1 std, your free one will be a std.  If you buy a variety, I will group them most expensive first, so if you buy 3 mag extended glows and 3 std non-glows, you will get 1 mag extended and 1 std.  If that is too complicated, just figure I will give you the best deal on it possible.

As far as colors, these are not "dog" colors.  There are not really any of those anyway, but the situation is that a competitor of mine wanted to get out of selling this brand spoon and sold me his stock.  he did not have every color, so he picked some of the best colors, and I find I have a great many of some good colors.

You can request colors (for the free spoons) in the comments section, but they are subject to availability.

3-19-2007  The Grand Rapids Show was well attended.  I was part of a long list of vendors who skipped it though.  You were able to pick up some NICE pots and pans there though.  I guess you can cook fish in them, so that makes it a sport show thing.

OK, yesterday the Michigan DNR machines printed out something along the lines of "Inform your customers that an increase in fees is pending, but if they buy now, they will get their license at the 2006 rate."  That quickly became in the rumor mill, "buy by 12 midnight or fees will double tomorrow."  Well, they didn't double.

Here is where I think it is now:  Fees will go up.  The DNR is looking for a significant increase.  When you work in a bureaucracy, you always ask for as much as you can justify, because you will get less.  Politicians are always wanting to look like they are looking out for you, so they will insist on less, and they will want it phased in over time, because you will yell less that way.  "Throw a frog in hot water and he will jump out.  Put him in cool water and slowly warm it and he will sit there and boil to death."  This is just my opinion.

Many people are mad at the MUCC for supporting an increase.  I am not stepping in that bear trap.  I will say, quitting MUCC is the wrong way to react.  You can call them, you can talk to the leaders of your club, hey, you can GET INVOLVED if you are upset, but quitting just weakens a very powerful voice we have for all of our interests.  No club will always see things your way.

Anyway, now is as good a time as any, they won't go bad, but they probably will cost more if you wait.  Michigan E-License

3-16-2007  Dog owners should check out the recall of dog food going on.

So now the dog killers at PETA are going after monks?  Why does the press publicize anything the dog killers have to say?

3-15-2007  Some customers have expressed disappointment that I am not at the Grand Rapids Show.  The problem is, where the Flint Show costs me about $1000 to do, the Grand Rapids Show ends up about $2500.  Well, I have done the next best thing.  I have a "Buy 3 Get 1 Free Sale" on three of my most popular items, and I will be at the Walker booth at the Grand Rapids Show Saturday.

3-14-2007  Lyman Plugs are now in stock.

UV Reflective lures are the hot thing right now.  I think it will change the way we think about lures down the road.

The Lil Shooter UV reflective flashers have finally arrived.  I am restocked with Black Onyx Glow Kingfishers and have added a new color, Magna Glow Blue Splatter.

I have two new colors of Yeck Zippers.  I already had to reorder them, they have been very popular.  I didn't realize how many of my customers also troll for walleye.

I now also have Edgemaker Sharpeners available.

The below reply to my email from my State Senator's office tells me two things.  First, someone in her office know what they are talking about on the invasive species issue.  Second, outcry from the sportsmen's community has gotten through to our elected officials.

This is what happens when we get involved.

3-13-2007  I was just at the United Special Sportsman Alliance, Inc. [USSA] website.  Last year at the outing in Manitowoc we had some kids participating on some of the boats and it was the highlight of the day seeing them get their prizes.

Check out http://www.childswish.com//aboutus.php  Those who know me might say that I can have kind of a cynical side, but I must say this page moved me.

From their constitution:

I am determined to put together at least one event this year and get some kids out fishing.  If you have ever gotten a child out fishing and seen their reaction to catching a "small" King, you will understand what this would mean to a terminally ill or challenged child.

I will need some help with this, and I know I will get it.  I have seen the Salmon Fishing community come together before and this is a very worthy cause.

Check them out and seriously consider a donation.

I just received an email with some rather disturbing pictures.  If you get an email titled "backcast", you may think twice about opening it, but you might also take the time to think about eye protection this summer.

UV light and fish hooks are just two ways that a fun day on the water can turn really bad.  The eye patch might get you chicks, but it definitely is not worth it.

3-12-2007  70 degrees today?  Yeah, I know they are using the "s" word for later in the week, but this has got to get you thinking spring, and fishing!

This must be "trolling bag season"!

3-11-2007  I don't usually like to talk price.  I am not Wal-Mart, or even that big store outside of Toledo, and I don't have time to cruise the internet every day looking at what others have on special.  I look to keep this stuff in stock and get it to you fast.

At the same time, some of the items on my store are real deals.  For example, I have sold about 60 Offshore OR-19 releases in the last 2 weeks, including 24 today from Mike in GA.  I wondered why, so I looked on line and found a major retailer selling them for about $5 a piece.  My price in a 12 pack is $3.09 each, so the guy who just bought 2 12 packs saved almost $48 right off the bat. 

Then it gets even worse.  The major retailer wants $11.75 for shipping, for a grand total of $131.63, compared to $79.98 at this store, INCLUDING SHIPPING.  Mike saved $51.65 over the major retailer.

How can this be?  Well, the major retailer sells only in a 2 pack.  I sell buy in bulk, in 4 packs and 6 packs.  Who the heck uses 2 releases?  Their theory is that if they keep the "price" below $10 they will sell more.  I am betting you are smarter than that.

The same goes for the Opti Terminal tackle I sell.  I don't carry the 3 packs, mostly 12 packs where available.  If you wait and go into a tackle store this summer and buy a 3 pack, you will be spending BIG BUCKS compared to picking up a couple of 12 packs now.

Notice I am not talking about cheap junk.  Offshore and Opti-Tackle are a couple of the most respected names in this business.  I personally use their products all the time and they work!

I now have Power Pro Phantom Red, by popular demand. 

3-10-2007  Can it be?  Highs in the 40's to almost 60 this week.  Can winter be over?????

I will do some work on the boat this week.

I have the new Walker Deeper Divers in Stock.

Data courtesy of Walker Downriggers Inc.

I also have a selection of Leatherman Tools that should be very useful on the boat. 

3-9-2007  I guess I underestimate my customers from time to time.  I figured that the Accudepth Reel, at about half the price of the Sealine, and the "fisherman's series" snubber with a crane swivel instead of the ball bearings, would be the hits of the shows.  Instead, you bought the more expensive (and better performing) items at about 4:1 over the less expensive.

What's the deal with "Red Power Pro" (I should have this Monday) and 50# Power Pro (on backorder)?

Capt. John Stieben owner of Elite Fishing Charters and Co-Owner of Opti-Tackle Co. will be speaking at the following Sportsman's Warehouses starting this weekend. Highlighted topics to include: Copper and Stainless Steel wire line fishing, "Thumper" rod and SS Wire Dipsy rod fishing, Fishing techniques, Flasher/Fly combos, question and answer.

3-8-2007  I just got a box full of Walker Deeper Divers.  My plate is getting quite full, with a large surge in orders (thanks!).

Senator Richarville's Answer to the heavy criticism he had received about the ballast water bill:  http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070307/NEWS01/103070040/-1/NEWS

Well, you must be some kind of master politician to try and say this bill is to HELP the Great Lakes.  You want to learn something about the economy Mr. Richardville?  Get into your car and start up the coast of Lake Huron and stop in some tackle stores and ask "How's business".  That is, if they don't already have a "closed" sign. 

I have an idea, how about a bill to eliminate State Senator's pay and benefits entirely?  We can say its intended to enhance their pay and benefits.  They should understand that logic, right?

3-7-2007  A couple of changes to the store.  I added Mike Gnatkowski's Cookbook to the store.  My Father-in-law gave me one for Christmas and I thought it was the greatest thing.

You can find your local Senate District at http://www.senate.michigan.gov/2003/senatedistricts.pdf

My email to my local Senator:

Incidentally, I did vote for her, mostly because her opponent telemarketed me with a machine, and when I emailed him to complain his reply convinced me he was a complete idiot.  A person running for office who says he is not a politician has already lied to you once.

You will notice I kept it short, POLITE, non-threatening.  Some staffer will be counting emails and reporting to her in three categories:  For, Against, and nut ball.  Keep out of the last category.

BTW - I called her also and left a brief, polite message with the nice lady who answered the phone.

3-6-2007  From Rick Balabon, president of the Michigan Steelheaders:

3-2-2007  The first day of the show was a big success.  Everybody seems to love the Ultimate Air Dogs.

I will have something super special in the realm of meat rigs tomorrow.

Off to the show!  See you in Birch Run.

2-28-2007  March is Tomorrow!  Barring the coming of a new Ice Age - The Sarah Ann WILL float in March!  It feels good just to think that.

I have a request.  I tried a new ad this month in a "major outdoor publication" in Michigan.  That's the only hint I will give.  I have bought 2 months of ads.  If you see my ad, email me and let me know, just say where.  I want to know if it is worth spending more money on this.

BTW - The GLA website is down for some routine maintenance, it will be back up as soon as they can.

2-27-2006  I heard something disturbing the other day at the show.  A good customer had his boat sink last summer on the Wisconsin side.  Making a long story short, it was a boat design issue that allowed a following wave to swamp the boat.  We are all sure glad everyone was OK.

What has me torqued is he told me that as he was being pulled out of the water by the CG, he saw a boat collecting his planer boards.  He assumed he guy intended to catch up with him later.  Apparently he was wrong about that.

If you are reading this and you stole equipment from a guy's sinking boat, you really are low.  In the off chance that you have any conscience at all and want to avoid "Bob's Eternal Curse of the Empty Cooler", mail them to me.  Otherwise, I hope you never catch another fish again, and I would be perfectly happy if you found somewhere else to shop.

An intelligent, well reasoned, different view of my comments below by Bob R.:

"I was noticing some of your comments about Dan Keating and some of the guys that were on that chat. I agree completely that they should listen not lecture. We are all on there to get Dan’s opinions.

You hit the nail on the head.

I also wanted to comment on you statements about color. I have commented in the past on this subject myself so I wanted to a least clear up my view in case anything I wrote added fuel to the fire.

 .

What I have said is that what we call the visible light spectrum gives the lures their colors so we can argue whether a fish can see Red or not but Red is Red regardless of the eyes looking at and whether the eyes can detect that color. A person who is color blind may not be able to see red but it doesn’t make red another color. In addition we know from physics (not diving) that water absorbs the long wavelengths of light first.

So as a red lure goes deeper in the water column it no longer looks Red. followed by orange, yellow etc. This should not be confused with brightness which is a function of light penetration which has many variables including cloud cover, wave action, stuff in the water, etc.

Also we know that the brightness of the color is different across the spectrum. Actually the yellow to light green are the brightest colors. So say at 30 feet down a red lure still looks red and a green/yellow lure still looks green/ yellow however the green/yellow lure will actually be brighter in the water this is physics not diving.

However with all that being said I agree completely with the who cares part of your comment. Just because a red lure doesn’t look red at 90 feet doesn’t mean it won’t catch fish at 90 feet!

For me personally I do use these facts combined with personal experience along with dozens of other variables to decide what I want to put in the water.

Hope that makes some sense."

Hey - I hope no one thinks I believe I know everything there is to know about our sport.  The fish often judge my efforts and find them wanting.  I enjoy discussions like this that are polite, well reasoned and are a clear effort to understand. 

The only three comments I will make to the above is the fact that there is much evidence that fish see ultraviolet light.  Certain paints and plastics reflect UV, and do so in different "colors" in that spectrum.  UV penetrates water much better than "visible" light and I think changes the whole picture of what fish see.

Also, color is important, but it is only one of several factors that make a lure attractive to fish.  I bought a spoon once that was dark painted, I think it was black with purple tape front, white paint back.  The first fish removed the tape, the next two removed the paint, front and back (The blank had not been cleaned properly before painting.)  The fish continued to hammer that spoon, and little else, as it changed from dark to chrome.  In my opinion it was the action of that spoon that drove the fish nuts, not the color.

I also believe glow changes this discussion entirely.  No matter how dark or deep it is, fish can see glow lures.

Of course, you have to remember that my comments, like any other "expert" are my opinions, based on my experience.  You need to judge what is important to you and what is not.

2-26-2007  I am back from the Madison Show, I don't know how.  Thanks to all those who braved that weather to stop by.

The new Raiders are in, I will be shipping most, if not all, backorders tomorrow, and getting ready for the big show in Birch Run this weekend.

2-22-2007  I was just reading some of the chat last night with Dan Keating on the GLA board.  A lot of good information there.  Personally I love the light line thing, but then again I sell tackle.  I run 20# ANDE as "light line" myself.

One guy hopped into the chat, obviously with an agenda to make a statement that "color doesn't matter below 75 feet".  Without dwelling on the rudeness of the incident, no one was logging on to hear his views, I want to take a shot at an answer.

You will see a lot of stuff on the web about colors.  The flaw in every one of those statements is they are based mostly on observations by the human eye.  "I dive a lot and everything below 50 feet is black".  Well, if you are fishing for humans, great.

Your eye evolved over millions of years (or designed, I don't need THAT debate!) to see on land, mostly in daylight.  Why would you expect it to work the same as a creature that lives in fairly low light 99% of the time and very, very low light most of the time, and in a liquid environment?  There is a great deal of evidence that they see a different spectrum than we do.

All I know is what works, and what does not.  I have had days that what worked was a red lure 90 feet down.  The blue lure, the green lure and the white glow lure did not work, the red one did.  Was it the color, or the action, or who knows what else?  I DON'T CARE! 

And lastly, if you go to a seminar, or a chat room, to hear an "expert" speak, go to listen.  As questions, feel free to disagree (I don't agree with every last thing Dan says, I can't argue with his results though), but if you want to give your own seminar, do it elsewhere.

With that I am off to Madison until Monday.

2-21-2007  I said "stuff happens".  The packing list did not match the spoons in the box, for both me and somebody else.  It looks like I should have all my spoons at the Madison show, and then both I and my colleague across the lake will also have his.  Ooops!

On the bright side, if you go to the show you will get the first peek at the new powder coated Ridgeback Rattlers.

Outdoorama started today in Novi.  If you're not in Wisconsin seeing me, you should check it out.

2-20-2007  I will have the Mag Green Tiger, and all of the Raider Extended Glow Spoons, and the two new non-glow colors, at the Madison Show Friday through Sunday.

2-19-2007  The new Raider Spoons are on the way!  UPS should deliver them Wednesday, most, if not all, of the back orders should go out before I leave.  They fly in the ointment....mag Green Tiger.  Josh supposedly received them today, they are not in the shipment to my house.  I should have them at the Madison Show and they should ship next week before the Flint Show.  I say should because Josh has not seen them and you know stuff can happen.

2-18-2007  The co-inventor of the TV remote, Robert Adler, has died.  He won an Emmy Award along with fellow engineer Eugene Polley for the 1956 Zenith Space Command remote control, died Thursday of heart failure at a Boise nursing home at 93, Zenith Electronics Corp. said Friday.

2-17-2007  All of the new stuff from Opti-Tackle is in stock now, except the LIL Shooters.  I am working to get orders shipped before I leave for the shows.

• New - Blue Inticers, and some white and green with new Holo and chrome tape Inticers. 

• New Finless Inticers with a slower roll for those lazy sunny days. 

• New Red/glow Crushed Ice Dodger. 

• New 18" Snubbers, and a new "Fisherman's Snubber" with crane swivels instead of ball bearings and a nicer price. 

• New Flat Chrome and Hologram Tapes

• New 45# Copper Ready Rigged

• New Kingfisher II by Oki Tackle

2-15-2007  I added "Babel Fish Translation" to the page.  Someone is talking me up on a French language website http://www.quebecpeche.com/forums/index.php from the traffic and orders coming in.  I can't read the site so I don't know who or what they are saying, but the results make me want to say "Thanks".  In keeping with my strict policy of making it as easy as possible for anyone to shop on my store, I added that feature.  That policy might sound funny, but I go to some web sites and I think their policy is to prevent me from spending money there!

For fun, click on some of the flags below to see my site in various languages.  Isn't technology wonderfull?

2-12-2006  I am busy getting ready to go to Wisconsin next week.

2-10-2007  I added some text to my copper line page to try an explain the confusing situation with Copper line.  Unlike Mono or braid, there is no long standing standard for copper line, so different manufacturers call it different things.  I hope my explanation clears this up a little.

I also rearranged the store so you can directly compare the brands of copper line and stainless wire side by side.  I hope that also helps.

2-9-2007  One wonders at all the attention the dead "model" gets in the news compared to the toddler left out in the cold.  We have some funny priorities.

2-8-2007  I received my first shipment of tackle from my distributor today.  More Heartland Wire Rods, Yeck Zippers, Accudepth Plus Reels, plus I am all stocked up on the Sealine 47LCA reels and the Precision Angler Books.  I will be working on getting the new stuff on the store.

2-7-2007  I ordered a whole bunch of stuff from Opti-Tackle yesterday.  I expect that the items will be here next Thursday.

• New - Blue Inticers, and some white and green with new Holo and chrome tape Inticers. 

• New Finless Inticers with a slower roll for those lazy sunny days. 

• A new Red/glow Crushed Ice Dodger. 

• New 18" Snubbers, and a new "Fisherman's Snubber" with crane swivels instead of ball bearings and a nicer price. 

• New Flat Chrome and Hologram Tapes

• New 45# Copper Ready Rigged

• The new Kingfisher II and Lil Shooters by Oki Tackle

I posted this on GLA in a thread about fishing alone and controlling the boat:

I remember sitting while a boat crossed my bow once in the fog. Autopilot on, both guys were in the back, one with a fish, the other with the net. They must have jumped a foot when they finally saw me. I was in a generous mood that day I guess, once I saw the fish on I decided to give way instead of sounding the horn.

It's a good thing one person on either boat was in control.

Seriously, and this goes for in your car also, while under way your #1 responsibility is driving the boat and ensuring you are not a danger to anyone else. Not fishing, not drinking, not even the babes on the pier, driving.

"Captain" is not an honorary title, you are RESPONSIBLE (there's an underused word these days) for the boat.

2-6-2007  Kingfisher IIs are back on the store.  Opti-Tackle is distributing them, so I won't have the issues I had in the past.  I will be adding a bunch more colors, those are what I had from the last time I carried them.

I put my name in the drawing for a 2007 Maine Moose Permit today.  If you want to take your chances and want to put me down as your secondary, contact me.  I will be happy to travel out there with you and split expenses.

One thing I read about all the time is "roller rods don't work for wire.  The line gets caught in the guides, gets kinked, yadda yadda yadda".  I have been wondering what special mojo I have because I have been using roller rods for years without any of these problems.

Well, after the latest round on a discussion board, I started "private messaging" some of the complainers.  What I got back was mostly "that's what I was told", but the ones claiming first hand knowledge named two brands that retail for less than $50.

OK, there are legions of excellent fishermen that will tell you that a regular rod with a twilli tip works fine, and for many of you that is probably true.  It will certainly save you money over a GOOD roller rod, because a GOOD Roller Rod retails for over $75.  REALLY GOOD Roller Rods are $100 and up.

Look at the Heartland Wire Rod.  It is a $24.99 HL-D-862MS-G rod with tangle-free Aftco® Roller Swivel Tip and low profile Aftco® roller guides, and the good guides and tip add $125 to the retail price!  Why would anyone pay that much?  Because that's what the good guides cost.

What a good roller rod will do is decrease the friction between the wire and the rod.  That means that you are fighting the fish, not the grooves cut in the guides.  A good roller rod will last for years and years.

Don't buy junk.  Okuma Blue Diamonds are OK, Convectors are better, Shimano Taloras and of course Daiwa Heartlands.  I am sure there are other brands that are good, but if someone offers you a diamond ring for a dime, then you are buying a diamond ring not worth a dime.

2-5-2006  After hearing all week that the Super Bowl was going to be so much better in Miami where the cold weather would not be a factor for the partiers, it was kind of fun to watch them sit getting drenched in their $$$$ seats!  One word people - DOME!

Question - why has GM not yet just hired Budweiser's Ad guys?

Tip for the day - make sure your leader AND rig are not so long that you can't net the fish on your dipsy!

2-3-2006  Well, considering the nastiest weather I have seen in years, the swap meet was a great success.  I was cleaned out of many items by 11 am.  I didn't quite leave with nothing, but came pretty close.

Tip for the day - Bob's #1 Rule of Salmon Fishing - When in doubt REEL!  It hurts nothing to reel in a false release, but many fish are lost when the fisherman thinks that the fish is gone and stops reeling and the fish is charging the back of the boat.  Steelhead/Rainbows do this a LOT, as will Spring Kings.

2-2-2006  Tomorrow is the Free Swap Meet Feb 3 - Grand Rapids at Homefront Church, just off 196 near the Rivertown Crossings Mall. The address is 6265 8th Ave SW Grandville, MI 49418.  Exit west on 44th St. off 196 about 1 mile. 1st light past the golf course, turn right at the light, then left into the parking lot.

I will have a bunch of stuff there, most, but not all used from my boat.  I will have some closeout stuff there also.

This stuff will be CHEAP, bargains and prices you will get nowhere else.  I plan on leaving with NOTHING.

OK, I just read another forum post where someone mentioned seeing fish "come up from the bottom and look at his downriggers" on his fish finder.  Well, the trolling camera's will show fish swimming up from behind, and maybe some do "come up" from deeper water, but it is my belief that this is VERY RARE.

Salmon like two things, food and temperature.  They find food at a depth and they can adjust to the temperature, but it takes a lot to get them to change.  That is why a difference in 5 feet on a rigger or a dipsy will trigger strikes.

Salmon Fishing 101 - What is my fish finder telling me?

The fish finder is telling you the distance from the transducer to the fish.

The fish finder is telling you the distance from the transducer to the fish.

The fish finder is telling you the distance from the transducer to the fish.

The fish finder is telling you the distance from the transducer to the fish.

Repeat this until you get it.  As you approach a fish, he will be, say 85 feet from your transducer.  If you cruise directly over him, you may see his true depth is 70 feet down.  As you move away, you will show the distance increasing.  This appears as an upside down U shape.  It does not mean he was 85 feet down, swam up and then swam back down.  It does not mean it was anywhere near your downrigger ball.  You may be overtaking him, he might be overtaking you, he might be swimming in from the side, YOU DO NOT KNOW.

Most marks will be short, if the fish is not within the "cone" of your fish finder very long, swimming in any direction but the exact same one as you.  A long mark like this means the fish is probably swimming in about the same direction as you, and is probably a very good sign.

Also, the top of the mark is not necessarily the fish's depth, unless you go directly over it.  So seeing several fish at a depth ranging from 50-60 feet deep tells you they are most likely all slightly shallower than 50 feet.

This effect is greater the deeper you go, as the "cone" of your transducer's range increases in diameter.

Same thing goes for your downrigger balls.  The out down rigger on the far side of your boat is 20 feet down, and it is 10 feet away from the transducer, it will read as 23 feet from the transducer.  This effect DECREASES the deeper you go, as the angle between the transducer and the ball decreases.  At 100 feet down the ball will show as 100.4 feet.

This is not to say that you should not keep a close eye on the 50 foot rigger when you see that mark "coming up to it", it could be a fish coming from somewhere toward that rig to nail it.  Just don't think you are looking at a television picture there.

Part 2 - I just marked a 28 lb'r!

The fish finder sees the fish "bladder", the air bag fish use to keep at a depth.  Big Mark=Big Bladder, NOT Big Fish, necessarily.  At the same depth/temp, the bigger bladder should belong to the bigger fish, but a fish in warmer water will have a bigger bladder.  Cold water is more dense, so that Master Angler Award fish just below the thermo cline might be the smallest mark on the screen.

Understand what the fish finder is REALLY telling you and you will be a better fisherman and catch more fish.

1-31-2007  You will notice that the list on the left is getting shorter and shorter, that's because several new products will soon be added to the list!

1-29-2007  No matter what your stance on the war, we all owe a debt to those who "answered the call", and a greater debt to those who were wounded in service to our country.  Often times it is difficult to find a meaningful way to express that support.

Everybody wants to do things at Christmas time, but now, after the rush is over, the need still goes on:

2005 Scott Stantis, Prickly City Cartoons

1-28-2007  If you want more information about the 'animal rights" movement in this country, check out http://www.petakillsanimals.com/

1-26-2007  The Mid-Michigan Steelheaders bought all of my remaining Spin doctors for their auction.

1-25-2007  The Spin Doctors are clearing out fast, but there are a lot left!  Welcome Robert M. to our "discount club".  Robert will discover with his order today that our discount program DOES include closeout and sale items, unlike so many other discount programs.  A couple more orders like today's and he will be receiving the full 10% discount.

1-22-2007  I went to the W. L. Baumler Distributor Show last weekend.  I saw the new Walker "Deeper Diver".  The new features include NO Rings to come off and tangle in the diver, a "click to adjust" direction setting and a improved release.  They also feature a much more reasonable price than the Luhr Jensen Diver.  Apparently the cost savings from moving their operations from Hood River to China were not enough to pass on to the consumer.

I will be offering these divers in the 4 1/4" and 4 7/8" sizes.  The backs on these divers are interchangeable, so you can have the "big diameter, lower weight" in a high diver and the "smaller diameter, heavier weight" on your low diver if you wish.  Remember, the bigger diameter does not just pull harder or further out, it changes the action of the diver also.  For less aggressive fish, the smaller diameter down deep may be an advantage.

I will also be offering the 1 3/4" and 2 1/2" "Walleye Sizes".  I will be offering more Walleye tackle this year, and I intend to do a lot more Walleye fishing.  Unlike other "mini disks", these divers have a true release

I will be offering a line of "Yeck Zippers", small Walleye (and maybe Steelhead on the right day) spoons.

I already offer the Daiwa SG47LCA, I will also be carrying the smaller versions also.  I will also be carrying the new Accudepth Plus, which sports a greatly improved drag and construction over the old Accudepth.

For lead core and copper, I will be carrying the Penn 230GTO .

After looking at the alternatives, I may have to offer the Convector 55L.  There just is not, in my opinion, a lot of alternatives in that size.  The Penn 340 and 345 are just way too bulky and heavy.

I will also be trying out some new things, like a couple of Leatherman tools and a couple of real neat cap visor lights.

"Don't say you were not warned."  Burglar Sheldon Reece, 32, was shot in the abdomen by homeowner Abel Sisneros in Fort Worth, Texas, in December. According to a report in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, to enter the house, Reece had to boldly disregard two signs outside: "Warning. Nothing inside is worth risking your life for. Owners of this property are highly skilled to protect life, liberty and property from criminal attacks" and "No trespassing. Violators will be shot. Survivors will be shot again." [Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12-21-06]

1-20-2007 

January 17, 2007
SHAKESPEARE FISHING TACKLE ACQUIRES PENN FISHING MFG. CO., A LEADING SALTWATER REEL COMPANY

For Immediate Release

Columbia, SC – Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, a leading manufacturer of fishing rods, reels, fishing line and accessories is pleased to announce the acquisition of Penn Fishing Tackle Mfg. Co. Founded in 1932, Penn is the market leader in saltwater trolling and spinning reels and saltwater rods.

These products include the famous Penn International®, Senators®, GT, and GTO trolling reels, as well as Slammer® and Spinfisher® SSM and SSG spinning reels.

“For 75 years, Penn products have been the gold standard for offshore, inshore and surf fishing,” according to Scott Hogsett, President of Shakespeare. “Shakespeare is excited to be able to add Penn’s broad assortment of saltwater products to complement the current Shakespeare, Pflueger and All Star freshwater, inshore and saltwater offerings.”

“We look forward to bringing to Penn the vast new product introductions and innovation that our customers have come to expect from Shakespeare and Pflueger each year. The Penn name is one of the greatest brands in fishing, but has lacked the resources to grow and develop markets. Our volume and economies of scale will allow us to reinvest in the brand and grow market share.”

1-19-2007  The Bulldog Clip Catcher is one of the best items on my store (next to the Fish Holder, of course), IMHO.  If you run big boards, this is a must have on your boat.  Well, due to its popularity "Bulldog" has been able to have some components mass produced, greatly reducing his costs.  I am now able to offer them to you at LESS than my wholesale cost last year.

1-17-2007  I have decided to only offer the Daiwa SGLCA Reels on my store.  I will be looking at some larger reels for copper and lead core but I will not be offering "inexpensive" reels on the store.  You can buy them from, and return them to when they break, the big box stores.

Right now I have the SG47LCA, I will be ordering a few 27LCA's this weekend.

What I do have is a reel good deal on SG47LCA's spooled with wire and 2 and 3 colors of lead core.  You can check them out here.

Happy 65th Birthday Muhammad Ali!

New Walker Deeper Diver features five sizes with upgraded release mechanism, and no rings.
Sizes: 45mm, 65mm, 82mm 107mm, 124mm

(1 3/4", 2 1/2", 3 1/4", 4 1/4" 4 7/8")

Currently, there are 11 colors available with many more to come!

1-13-2007  Almost everybody fishing the Great lakes for Salmon or Trout uses Dipsy Divers.  My first attempts doing Harbor patrol before I even bough manual downriggers was with a pair of Cheap Dipsy Rods and LJ Dipsys.

They work real well, but they have their short comings.  I had enough laying around to  feel comfortable gluing the rings to mine, as they can be frustrating, and I never know if I'm going to have false releases or not be able to get one to release.  Well, the Patents have expired on the Dipsy and there will now be a slew of competitors.

Walker has developed a new Dipsy with no ring and an improved release.  Walker ALWAYS makes high quality products that work well, so i have no doubt about these.

I am going to order these at a dealer show next weekend.  I need feedback on colors and sizes to order, please email me at bobsoutdoors@yahoo.com (no obligation to buy or anything) on what colors and sizes you would buy.

On a completely different note, I just got my Maine Moose Hunting Permit Lottery Application, wish me luck!

1-12-2007  48 Nets in Ludington this year?  I made the decision not to renew my slip because I don't fish Ludington as much as I used to, and when I do its on my partner's bigger boat.  I am glad of it now.  I hope no one is hurt or killed there this year.  One fishing boat was sunk caught in the nets and even the Coast Guard has been caught in them.

Last year we got a break, there was only one permit holder and he was considerate and cooperative with notifying the Charter Boat Association with net locations, and basically kept all his nets in one area north of Big Sable.  He also VOLUNTARILY placed extra markings on the nets, which helped a lot.

With 4 permit holders I am sure it will be a free for all.  The tribe "hopes" it can get them to cooperate.  Good luck on that.

Well, my plan is to fish a lot more ports this year anyway.  I hope that the situation is figured out by the last 2 weeks in July, "prime time" in Ludington.

1-11-2006  You can pre-order the 2007 Raider Spoons now.  I am promised that I will get them as soon as anyone by the end of February.  The GLA latest issue unfortunately mixed some things up.  4 of the 6 new colors are "super glow" but the 2 colors they mention in the article, Manitowoc Sunset and Orange Muffin are NOT Super Glows.

I went shooting last night at the Oakland County Sportsmen's Club in Waterford, MI last night with a buddy who is a member there.  My shooting was, shall we say, a little less than spectacular.  The club is made up of a bunch of great guys, I look forward to getting back there on a regular basis and be shooting sharp before the next hunting season.

If you want to see what makes a healthy club, take a look at their calendar.

1-10-2006  One of the guys who put on the 2006 Michigan Sportsman Grouse Hunt  had an episode with Carbon Monoxide recently, and his Dogs received an award for waking them and saving his and his wife's lives.

"The "Man's Best Friend" award this year will be given to Grace and Ice, English setters who woke up their owners, Della and Wally Shook, in October, and saved them from carbon monoxide poisoning, Serra said."

You can read the whole article at http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070110/NEWS01/701100317

The article has several other heroes, including a 5 year old girl.  An interesting and inspiring read.

1-9-2007  The Fishing show season begins this weekend with the Ultimate Fishing Show in Novi.  I will not be having a booth there, or at any of the "Big Shows".  The cost is just plain too high.  Over $1200 for 20 feet of space, and most venues charge hundreds of dollars for electricity and phone.  Throw in gas and a hotel and the shows get to be a big cost.

It will be at the Flint Steelheaders Show in Birch Run and at the Madison (WI) Fishing Expo.  I also have been looking at a couple of smaller shows I might add at a later date.

One of the shows I just learned about is the Huron Valley Steelheaders show, which at their very reasonable price I will most likely go just to show my support for a new show.

1-6-2007  A couple of customers got all over the last of the Blue Diamond Rods today, so they are gone.

On the bright side, the new Heartland Wire Rods are available, I received my first ones today.  They are, shall we say, a little pricey, but a good $30 less than a comparable Shimano Rod with a Swivel Roller Tip. (Don't be confused with the pricing on the non-swivel tip Shimanos)

1-5-2007  The "Mid-Winter Sale" above has been a big success.  I am down to 5 of the Okuma Blue Diamond Dipsy Rods and that will be the end of them.

I have some exciting new products coming for this spring.  Opti-Tackle is evolving from a dodger manufacturer to a full line distributor of Salmon Trolling products.  They will be providing us with Kingfisher Flashers and some other new cool products I think you will like.

1-2-2007  Orders will ship tomorrow, the Post Office is closed for President Ford.

The Great Lakes Angler Magazine has added one issue per year, now 9 issues, without changing the subscription rates.  The best price available, including shows, is available right here.  You can order from me and still stop and talk to Kirsten (or Dave Mull if you really want to) at the shows.

My understanding is for current subscribers, your subscription runs out on the date on your mailing label.  If that is after the Christmas 2007 issue, you will get that "extra" issue.

1-1-2007  Well, we're back from Florida.  Looking out at the gloomy weather I am wondering why, looking at the pile of orders I think I was gone too long!

For 2006 news click here

For 2005 news click here