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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | board is a little slow ... so, are you ready for the upcoming season? what things do you need to do or did you do to be ready for the upcoming season??
for me:
- new pro-kicker for some down-rigger trolling in Oneida and Vilas Counties (will have a long-shaft 15hp mer elpto for sale cheap!)
- new Xi5 trolling motor on the docket
- cranking battery died on me last year so might be set of batteries
- need to either invest in a complete re-fab of current or get a new boat cover
what is on your mind/budget to get you comfortably back on the water in 2015? and will you be ready??
i put mine away after a rough late season trip to Vermillion with lots of broken stuff ... it will earn the B-O-A-T or a few thousand this year!! |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | I haven't prepared anything but would be ready to go in a couple hours tomorrow if needed.
On the big list of things is a new boat though. My Alumacraft Navigator 165 has treated me well without any problems for probably 8 years now. Looking to try out a glass boat and have my heart set on a Tuffy 1760 or 'possibly' 1890 GT. Will not be an easy boat to find (used) but I am hopeful.
Other than that, I am planning to buy a Revo Toro, and a few baits for my 2nd trip to LOTW this year, but that's about it. Possibly buying or building another rod, maybe a MH something for smaller baits or something Pounder specific. I am pretty well covered for the mid range 4-8 oz baits.
Other than that, some new line on a rod or two, touch up some hooks, and I'm ready to go.
Tucker
Edited by curleytail 3/4/2015 11:07 AM
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Location: Eastern Ontario | Only intend to buy one new lure this year and it's ordered and promised for May. ( custom built ) ( actually I did buy one other lure over the winter also custom )
Could use a new rain suit
Thinking about a Gen 3 touch
If I could unload a couple hundred lures I don't use much would be a plus
Edited by horsehunter 3/4/2015 11:38 AM
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Location: sneaking out to get on the water ;-) | Almost ready to go! Put a brand new 25hp 4 stroke yamaha tiller on my ol amf crestliner and have to install the new 999ci hd si i just got last friday. Just waiting for a nice day to install electronics, maybe friday. Also gota change out trailer bearings. Hooks are sharpened and lines have been reversed or replaced and reels are cleaned. I do gota grab a pawl and worm gear from wausau this weekend. Biggest thing will be learning my new electronics lol I'm upgrading from a $60 piranha fish finder so new to side imaging and gps. Looking forward to this season. Time to visit that 50"er |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | Thinking about some new electronics for the tin boat. Want something portable so I was thinking about a Humminbird 698 SI or a Helix SI and installing it in one of the Humminbird portable setups. Sent in my reels for some work and I'm waiting for for them to come back. Thankfully the opener is almost 3 months away so I'm not too worried about it yet. |
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Posts: 20227
Location: oswego, il | Didn't need to do much of anything. I did buy a different set of line counter reels for trolling muskies, repurposed and bought some new line counters to expand my salmon arsenal as well. First trips will probably be for salmon.
I also purchased an airboat for trolling Vilas and Oneida counties. At 260db it will wreak of FIB love.
Edited by ToddM 3/4/2015 12:11 PM
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Posts: 8788
| My reels are a mess. Some need cleaning, some need repairs, some just need line. But they ALL need something.
Back when I was organized and single I'd have had all that #*#* done by Christmas. Now I don't even remember which ones work and which don't.
Tempted to throw them all in a box and send them to PikeMaster with a note that says "find what's broke and fix it" |
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Posts: 1000
| Thinking side imaging in June after I pay this boat off. |
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Posts: 2333
Location: Chisholm, MN | I've decided to finally buy a TranX and a Predator to go with it. Other than that, and a couple new baits, I'm good to go! |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Replacing all flooring in the bottom of the boat. Rebuilding (with mods/improvements) my drop-in rear casting deck. Also, going in halves with Fishcrazed on a new Humminbird 899. About done with the project and ready to get on the water. Pics to follow. |
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Posts: 880
Location: New Berlin,Wisconsin,53151 | I used to have all my lure hooks sharpened or replaced, now I can't even remember where half of them are. I still have 3 C3's and a C4 apart needing some TLC and I hope to get them ready by the start of the season. I put the boat away not running this year, that's a 1st ever and still need to replace the lower end on the 115 Evinrude. I guess to say I'm not ready would be an understatement, but somehow someway I'll be out there on opening morning.....God willing!
Netman |
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Posts: 397
Location: Wisconsin | Im heading downt to Cave Run in 2 weeks, so I need to hurry up and get all my gear ready really soon! haha |
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Posts: 470
| Humminbird 800 or 900 series and an Ipilot link for my x2... |
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Posts: 88
Location: Wisconsin | Updating electronics seems to be a common theme. With that, just got a Motorguide Xi5 last week, and two Lowrance HDS-7 Gen2 Touches should be arriving on the Big Brown Truck any minute now. Now just have to figure out how to get everything hooked up... One more rod and a few new baits from the Wausau show this weekend and I SHOULD be good to go. Oh and most important, spend more time on the water. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | 2 months of some of the best fishing of the year coming directly at me, before the early WI season even opens. If we'd had another cold week forecast, I'd have gotten my reel spooling/rod breakage from 2014 situation remedied. Because I have enough gear to get myself and boat mates started, and no major upgrades planned for the 3 rigs other than a floor for the river jon, I'll get to readying my equipment 5/1/15 the the next day. Till then, can't wait for the next 6 of 7 days off ice fishing, with the upcoming warm-up. |
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Posts: 2753
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Deciding on new trolling motor.... Spent some bucks at Milw Show & Swap and Madison Fishing Expo...Going to trick out Esox Maniac with some new LED lighting for night fishing. New stainless steel quik cleats, no more snagged net bag... Some more rubber from RubberHairy -Muskie-E! Got a bunch of custom lures coming from Beaver. Need to do 2015 fishing gear inventory for insurance file..& get new insurance on on boat, etc. -old policy sucks!
Maybe new planer board mast so I can pull my Bay of Quinte boards up North by Sled! I figure if I can go fast enough I should be able to snag every muskie & walleye in the lake - i've got to put ~ 8 more hours on the new Etec above 4K rpm to get it out of breakin mode...
Stocking up on Zalts & Zams before they are gone- Going to start making Alien's again in the basement - bought the entire Alien line back from my buddy Mike.
Looking forward to 2015!
Have fun!
Al |
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| Well, we just built and moved into our retirement home so I am on a tight budget this spring but I did add another set of hammer curls to my workout at the YMCA today and will continue to do so, making sure my forearms can take a long day of casting now that I am retired and can walk out my door and go to my boat any time I want. I try to stay in shape year round but there is something about casting with long rods that causes my forearms to tire, so I make an effort in late winter to really focus on that. |
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Posts: 1828
| This reminds me - I gotta send my two Revo Toro's to PIKEMASTER for some pimp'n'.
need a new foot pedal for trolling motor.
and dealing with the internal struggle of whether or not to buy a new graph (for the third consecutive year).
I already have enough spots picked out to keep me busy for the next few summers. Google Earth and Navionics are major time suckers.
I've also watched enough videos to convince me, once again, that catching muskies is incredibly easy when you wear a GoPro.
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Posts: 39
| Last year I upgraded to a "Bird 1199 on the console, I have a 959 to mount up front now, and a cable to network them, and of course another lake chip. I hope this setup last at least 5years................
I bought a Lexa 400 over the winter I am looking forward to using, and other than a few led light upgrades in the boat, I am good to go. |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | I opened the wallet a bit this winter:)
Ranger 618T: check
Terrova with I-pilot: check
Humminbird electronics: check
Cisco Systems mounts: check
Thorne bros trolling rod:check
Saltist Line counter: check
Supernatural Liplock: check
It's gonna be a great season!
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | I bought a new boat, so I have been trying to get it ready.
I bought some stuff already, but still need more.
Would really like SI. I am interested to see reviews on the Hummingbird Helix after it has been out for a bit.
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Posts: 2024
| Learn more about fishing the basin. Then Get Sled's address so I can teach him my soon to be acquired knowledge.
<y goal, try to get more than 1 trip in this year. 4 trips last year spoiled me I fear.
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Location: MN | I need to clean the duck blood off the boat so it looks like a musky rig again.
I need to buy and install two new humminbirds for the boat.
I want to get a dedicated jerk bait set up before the season.
I am going to spend way too much money at the MN show and hopefully get rid of some baits at the swap that I don't use.
I need to build a casting box for the back of the boat.
I need to recarpet the front casting deck.
I need to recover the bunks on my trailer.
I need to sharpen all my hooks.
...this thread makes me realize how unprepared I am. Too much ice fishing this off season. |
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Posts: 410
Location: Wakefield, MI | Throw a coat of paint and varnish on the new boat (figures, I'd be the guy that buys a row troller right when they legalize trolling), get my new Lowrance Elite 7 Chirp installed on the row troller, and probably get a couple new line counters. |
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Posts: 32890
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I am ready to go. Charge the batteries to full and go fishing. |
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Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | I've got about 3 weeks work left on ShowStopper I....plan on putting grass carpet on the upper deck for hitting golf balls while we troll. The 10 Bose exterior loudspeakers and 2 subwoofers still have to go in too. Weber gas grill is ordered. I decided on Twin Merc 4 Stroke 150's instead of the Verado 300....save some fuel and still get up and roll.
Can't wait for the opener UpNorth.
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 ShowStopper I.jpg (43KB - 279 downloads)
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Location: Sawyer County, WI |
I guess I need to stock up on some trolling equipment as well. That and a smoker for the smaller musky we catch. Should taste good on crackers. |
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Posts: 999
| On the same page as Sled. Going to rig up a long shaft kicker with an 6' handle extension so I can make precise turns trolling in Oneida County. Also investing in a Mast system. I'm looking for big Jon downriggers with a digital readouts and water temp gauges. Also want to invest in a down and side imaging unit possibly two 12"s so I don't miss anything. Lastly I'll need a mud hole kite trolling system so I can effectively troll my livebait off the surface from 40 feet above. That should do it. |
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Posts: 397
Location: Wisconsin | dfkiii.... you eat musky??
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | WiscoMusky - 3/4/2015 10:28 PM
dfkiii.... you eat musky??
I haven't yet, but my neighbor tells me they are good smoked. |
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