mcsteve

So 2013 is here and everyone is excited to get it on hard water. Being one who never could get into ice fishing this is when I start thinking about what I need too do to my gear for a better soft water season.

I had a great time getting back i into trout on Lake Erie and Ontario this year with the new boat. Doing so has made me realise I have some deficiencies in my gear which, for the most part, has been gathered for shore and small boat use. So I am hoping some of you with much more tenure on the lakes would help with some educated opinions for a couple of my gaps in knowledge.

How do you deal with the fleas? Several times out in lake O I have ended up with a wads of these glogging up the eyes of my rods. My rigger rods are set up with 20 lb mono as I have always loved the feel and stretch of using mono. However, it has been suggested by a buddy thati should be using a braid to keep the fleas off. I would have thought that the smoother mono would have kept them off better but, based on my results this year, I am likely wrong n that thinking.

Also, has anyone posted, or is there a good thread on how to setup for using flies and flashers on the big lakes? I have dropped by Bass pro, Sail and Northern over in Kitchener and am now thoroughly confused. There are more options for this setup than there are versions of boats out there.

For all you hard water enthusiasts i I'm looking forward to all of the pics that should be staring very soon and personally I am getting set to start hitting the shows. The boat show starts in just under 2 weeks, then the big sports show in PA and then the Toronto fishing/sports show. New toy time!