FishinScuba wrote:
Well my first lesson I learned is that my new hut ( otter xt pro lodge ) is a really big pain in the arse to pull by hand even with my smitty sleigh, took me 5 rests to make it 1/2 km. My second lesson I learned is to turn on a light once you can't see very well inside the hut BEFORE you hook into a hog. Man I lost a big one last night right at the hole because I fumbled for the light as I was fighting the sow. I did get the light on in time to get a very good view of the fish and it was well above an 8 lber. I could hardly sleep last night replaying that image in my head as it was the only fish I hooked into that day. I had started out jigging with a 3/4 oz macho , but judging by the perches reactions all afternoon I decided to downsize to a 1/2 oz macho and when I got that fish to rise off bottom at 5:10 pm it took a lot of little movements to coax it into biting.
That's what keeps on bringing me back out to Quinte every chance I can , but definitely bringing my atv for my next outing.
Otter is awesome but for sure - I sold mine like your yours and got a XT Pro Hideout and works nicely for one person - have it on a smitty set-up for transporting when walking. I have found key is to have eye bolts in your skies tips but facing down along with a good harness with support. Best is still pulling with a machine.
A good rechargeable head lamp is what I use (Nitecore HC60), can use easily all day if I desired and offers up too 1000 lumins so you can light up the lake LOL! Quality made and small so you don't even know it's on your head - too bad about the loss but lesson learned - lighting is important! You will get some more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjlNqq56QIo