Sturgeon Excursion, April 18th and 19th 2009

[Big Country]

Frank and I will miss you guy's this year Tom. Wish you could be there. Jr. will have a blast with his buddy Nate,my son. Same age. They don't know what they're in for pulling in Sturgies as long as they are tall BC

[harvey lee]

Well, lets hope the boys smack a couple hogs. Don't forget some photos.

[Papa Grump]

Good luck to everyone this year! I'm actually kind of jealous, but I have other committments plus the RP is in pieces right now and won't be back together for a while. I'll be back next year though.

Brian

[Matt C]

6 days.

[Wiskers]

Papa, that is too bad.. Im pretty sure I would have room in the New Beavertail for ya if I could go.. It might spoil ya but then again.. RP and Beaver tail are some real machines!!!! I just have a ton more room.

I will be spring clean up soon and I might have to do some curb shopping to see if I can get the wildest furniture for some photos LOL..

Last time I was up there we were using an odd rigging. We tried seeing how the Foam Walkers would work for Eyes and Sturgeon. By gollie, it worked awesome. Rigged up a heavy snell and gobbed on some crawlers with a big blade spinner for noise. Was pretty cool how we were able to get some great sturgeon along with some piggy Eyes for a change of pace. Pending on the currnet, I used either the large Walker weight or made a 3 oz no roll into a drop sinker with some snell line and that was the bomb.

This got the crawler up off the bottom just a bit for some noise for them beasts to zone in on.

[wastewaterguru]

I was thinking about the couch idea myself. 76" across the inside beam and 92" outside.......

I think a standard 6 foot couch would fit just about right....

I think I am really going to like the forward console in my RP.

Four reclining lawn chairs and a poker table will work too.

[wastewaterguru]

Crazyice....

What time are y'all headed up??

Just seeing if we can caravan up there Thursday AM. Planning to leave Prior Lake at 6:30AM and arrive up there early afternoon.

Be nice to hook up out on the water as well.

[crazyice]

We're leaving Rochester late Wednesday night, be on the water by 8 hopefully. We haven't set an exact time yet, should be on top of that either tomorrow or Tuesday. If'n the weather is decent, low wind speeds, I believe that we are heading for the bay.

[hanson]

WWG-

I'm leaving my place about 5am and picking up my buddy in Buffalo about 6am Thursday morning. Our schedules are close enough together where we could probably caravan.

My plan was to take HWY 10 up Motley and then 64 up to Bemidji.

[ec30_06]

We are leaving New Prague early Thursday AM.

[fishuhalik]

Hey guys, think we could get a talley of everyone that's going, and the boat they're gonna be in? It'd be nice to meet some of you guys.

[setterguy]

I'll be in my black alumacraft with a 150 yamaha on the back.

what channel is everyone going to be on?

[ec30_06]

olive green 19' roughneck with a 115 evinrude jet.

[Team Otter]

White Eddie Bauer Expedition, guide service decal in each back side window, FM decal in back window, Blue Lund Explorer and 75 hp Yamaha tiller.

I have a marine band radio too. Pick a channel and I'll be there.

[hanson]

Something like this...

Hopefully I'll be lifting a bigger sturgeon over the side.

[harvey lee]

Hey I know that spot Hanson. I have seen that house on the bank before.

[OTCBigBass]

I'll be up there in a white Ranger with a 150 Yamaha.

[wastewaterguru]

RiverPro inboard jet.

[CraigM]

First time sturgeon fishing for myself,11y.o. son and future son in law. Staying at Wheelers Point. If the weather cooperates, it should be a blast. We'll be in a green Stratos 219F w/ Evinrude 175 Intruder.

[Hibbing]

Will be coming up on Fri and staying until the following Friday. Will be in a burgundy Lund Explorer with a 40 Honda on back. What marine band channel will people be on?

[Surface Tension]

Mid 80's gray Alumnicraft Trophy w/90 Rude.

Which channel? Fishing Lake Superior and using Marine VHF Radios maybe I'm taking it for granted that all radio operators know what the proper protocall is.

In a nutshell, you monitor channel 16, hail another boat from there, then move off to another open channel. So why not just camp on an open channel and not use channel 16? Channel 16 will have weather alerts, emergency calls, and other information that you as a boater should be monitoring. You as a boater on the water are expected to lend aid in those emergency situations.

That is proper protocol if you intend on using a marine radio.

VHF Radio Basics.

Registration, operation and etiquette!

III: Radio Protocol and Etiquette

Channel 16 is for hailing or distress calls only. You may not chat on channel 16. Use 9 or a working channel.

Every channel on VHF radio has a specific purpose. Channel 16 is for hailing and distress messaging only. It is meant to be monitored all the time while underway to assist in emergencies if necessary, to hear Coast Guard alerts for weather and hazards or restrictions to navigation, and to hear another vessel hailing you. This channel should never be used for casual conversation or performing a radio check. Please keep in mind that you could (without even knowing it) be preventing someone from reaching help in a disaster.

Obscene or objectionable language, transmission of music, and subversive transmissions are forbidden. There are individuals monitoring the airwaves and the Coast Guard can locate the origins of signals. The consequences can be severe. Children should be taught proper radio use and should never be left unattended near a radio.

To hail another vessel, simply call the name of the vessel two or three times, followed by your own vessel’s name and station ID if applicable. Wait for a response then immediately switch to a working channel. For example, depress the microphone key and say “Seascape, Seascape, Seascape, this is Espresso WDA9048 on channel 16, over.” You must release the key to hear a response. The term “over” let’s the listeners know you are releasing the key. The response might be, “Espresso, this is Seascape. Switch channel 68, over.” Espresso would answer, “Espresso switching 68.” Both vessels switch their radios to 68, hail each other and converse normally. At the end of the conversation, “Espresso returning to stand by channel 16,” or “Seascape out.” The term “out” signifies that you are terminating the conversation. Never say "over and out." Those are conflicting terms.

All ships should maintain watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) when within the service area of a VHF maritime coast station and while at sea. Ships with digital selective calling-equipped VHF marine radios should also keep watch on channel 70. After February 1, 2005 ships over 300 tons and passenger ships will no longer be required to monitor channel 16 but will be required under international law to monitor channel 70 for DSCSS signals.

Vessels not required to carry a marine radio (e.g. recreational vessels less than 20m length), but which voluntarily carry a radio, must maintain a watch on channel 16 whenever the radio is operating and not being used to communicate. Such vessels may alternatively maintain a watch on VHF channel 9 (156.450 MHz), the boater calling channel. Note however that urgent marine information broadcasts, such as storm warnings, are announced on channel 9 only in First CG District waters (northern New Jersey , New York and New England ).

U.S. vessels required to carry a VHF marine radio, such as commercial fishing vessels, must maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHZ) while underway whenever the radio is not being used for exchanging communications. Every power-driven vessel of 20m length or greater, every vessel of 100 tons and upward carrying one or more passengers for hire, every towing vessel of 26 ft length or greater, and every dre

[DTro]

Have a great time guys!

I'm more than with you all in spirit. 60's all around! Go get em.

I'll be anxiouisly waiting to see photos and smiles.

[harvey lee]

Yes, good luck and lets post some pictures for those of us who are stuck at home.

[Matt C]

I picked up our 2 flats of worms and 20lbs of lead today from Moores.

1/2 of Team, Team Otter will be up there late tomorrow night.

Black Alumacraft with a 150 yami.

I may need sleeping pills tonight...

[setterguy]

Sounds as if the forks may have opened up in the last day or so...hopefully the river can clear by the end of the weekend. I'm guessing there will still be good times had by everyone.