If you like fishing in freshwater, and/or looking for something to do with little kids, look at guide Paul Mueller in western CT. He fishes Candlewood Lake and some others. Very skilled, also a great guy to spend a day with, terrific with little kids. I found him this winter when I wanted to take some cub scouts ice fishing, did our third lake trip with him yesterday, so much fun.

He has amazing electronics that he is so dialed in with. He had my youngest up front looking at the big screen, showed him how to read the screen to see where schools of big crappie were, had him casting these tiny soft plastics, you could actually see his lure working the water column, actually see the fish come up and eat it. The kids loved it. Combining a video game with real life.

At one point all three of us were on at the same time, and we each reeled up different species. Very cool.

He fishes the Bassmaster Elite Series when not guiding. Really knows his stuff, and he's so passionate about fishing, his love for it is completely contagious.

My little guys were on the internet last night, finding his same boat for sale (Lund Alaskan 20 footer with tiller), geez those things are expensive. "Look, Dad, this one's only $32,000, why can't we get it!" And God knows how much the electronics cost, but man was it a cool setup.

What's Freshwater?

What's Freshwater?

i never had much interest in freshwater, but my younger two love this fishery. constant action. and the electronics are so cool.
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What's Freshwater?

What I'm now relegated to. :rotf3:

What I'm now relegated to. :rotf3:

No one held a gun to your head....

[QUOTE=Jim in CT;
My little guys were on the internet last night, finding his same boat for sale (Lund Alaskan 20 footer with tiller), geez those things are expensive. "Look, Dad, this one's only $32,000, why can't we get it!" And God knows how much the electronics cost, but man was it a cool setup.[/QUOTE]


Nice report and good picture of you and your boys.
May I make a suggestion?....as they grow and they get more serious about fishing and boating ......a great father and sons project would be to build a little skiff together. You dont need a big budget and only basic power tools...and its a great winter or part time project.
My skiff build ...including all materials, motor and trailer cost me a little over $10,000. A lot of labor not included in the price....my son and I spent many hours working and pondering together on it and that is priceless.

Nice report and good picture of you and your boys.
May I make a suggestion?....as they grow and they get more serious about fishing and boating ......a great father and sons project would be to build a little skiff together. You dont need a big budget and only basic power tools...and its a great winter or part time project.
My skiff build ...including all materials, motor and trailer cost me a little over $10,000. A lot of labor not included in the price....my son and I spent many hours working and pondering together on it and that is priceless.

i’m not exactly handy, that might be a bit of a stretch but man a great idea!

priceless is exactly what that is. what did you guys build?
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Jim......these stitch and glue boats are being built by lots of guys with no previous woodworking skills .... out of marine grade plywood, epoxy and fiberglass cloth. I originally bought plans for a 14' skiff, then decided I wanted to build something bigger. The 17' center console skiff we built has been the subject of a few different threads I've posted on here. You can keep your build simple and stick to the plans which are very easy to follow. In my case I did customize and add custom touches. http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/showthread.php?t=72254

I will admit that I have a lot of woodworking experience and a big shop to build in.
Since I did not build and still have the plans for the 14' skiff .... I believe I can transfer them to someone else... according to the licensing agreement. They are yours if you want them.....just pm me.

Google... Bateau.com FS14 skiff...to see study plans

No one held a gun to your head....

True, Ross, but on a positive note, the odds of someone holding a real gun to my head and demanding money are so low as to be virtually non-existent. ;)