Lake Michigan Ice Out!:clapping:

[mudpuppy]

Hit a Lake Michigan beach this morning...you recognize the place, I've been here a lot and am trying to figure out its secrets...I learned the ice floes and prevailing wind and currents classified a lot of finds on the downstream side of the main swim area...so there were plenty of targets to hold my interest for a few hours..I tried the upwind side and got nothing...

.Got a little 925 toe ring that sounded just like a bottlecap, High/low...I was running Iron Audio On and then flipping it off to evaluate signals, so that was fun...I waded out a bit to where the ice used to be all pushed up and was rewarded with a string of targets in about a 10' band...look at how much beach is gone! This is one massive cut!, it goes on for MILES, a guy has to settle down and work the primary zones, its so delicious looking all the way down, impossible to work it all, and very few really great days/yr to do it...the Big Lake came up 2' in the past year and took all the beach off in this manner![attachment 311534 apr17-15.jpg]

I went and bought a new pair of waders last night, but after getting them home and putting them on, I had buyers remorse and took them back early today...they were just too fancy and nice, and for the cost, it would take a 4gr 14k to pay for them, so I figured I'd make due in my old leaky ones until the water warms up enough to go bare or wetsuit..At my age, I'm getting used to a wet crotch anyway....I wont really need waders until November I guess...still too sick and weak to go all day...and its a really nice day...I did buy a 48 pack of AA's for $18...those should get me into the Fall and easily pay off big...

Running Iron Audio On and switching it off to evaluate signals...all these targets were sort of deep, 8" or more...gold in here for sure...found it here before...somebody find something big and goldy this weekend please!
Mud

 

[WaterWalker]

One day I'll find the car that goes with the car key!
Too bad all the beach just goes into the water and does not keep moving on, leaving all the good targets behind.
Love to see a cut and clear water like you have...it would keep me going for a year. The cuts I see are 6-8 inches.

Enjoy!

 

[jim tn]

That is an inviting looking spot, Mud, and you got some digging in. Just checked the web cam at the resort we go to up in Mn and two docks are out. Ice went out there 3 or 4 days ago. Sun is shinning and the shallows are really beginning to beckon. HH jim tn

 

[mudpuppy]

Hey WW...is that a 20' cut or what?
Jimmy, all the Northern Lakes are a hubbub of activity with people putting in their docks and getting ready for the Summer...I even saw a flock of Jetskis on trailers heading north on the Interstate today, so thats a sure sign of Summer!....

On another important note, regarding that recent post of John E's about the 'temp inversion in the heat and cold water'...it got up to 65 today here..I had the Pro up front in Rosie riding shotgun, so I went out to do some maintenance....popped the cork and pulled out the batteries, and by gosh, they were hot to the touch! Just from sitting in the cab for a few hours is all it took! I greased up the Oring with what I've been using, a heavy grease for outboard motors...and was cleaning things off a bit and took this shot of the Pro in travel mode, popped apart at the top knuckle...

See that can of Fiji Body Spray? I found it on the beach two years ago and have been waiting to tell you all about it....Its the best dang stuff! I keep it in the cab and give my underarms, boots, mouth, nether regions, and the inside of Rosie a little spritz after a long hunt, even use it like an asthma inhaler!...sure knocks the stink off and makes for a pleasant ride home, all fresh and Fiji like!...Makes a person feel all Summertime Fresh and Tropical and want to sing the soundtrack from South Pacific!!

Its nearly empty, so I hope I find a new can this Spring, or I will most definitely have to buy one.. Just another handy little tip to make your hunting and Life experience a bit more pleasant or enjoyable, sights, scents, and sounds you know... Good gosh the heat sure showed up here all in a hurry! If I get better over the weekend, I'll call you and set up a visit next week...I dont want to bring you this bug I got...its a lung buster...I bet there will be Morel mushrooms popping up tomorrow! Hopefully out in the yard and not out of my nose!
Mitzi Gaynor was a stone cold fox!...sorry for the ramble...Nyquil syrup+vodka+gatorade+theraflu makes one hell of a redneck margarita!!....
Mud.

 

[JimmyCT]

Hey Mud,
Glad you are feeling better. Ever think of buying rechargeables? About 4-5 years ago I bought Tenergy brand AA (12 of them) off the Bay (now around $22.50 with shipping) and I am still using them to this day. I bought these rechargeables as my Digital camera was devouring AA akaline batteries at an alarming rate. I then picked up a Maha MH-C808M rechargeable battery system (I believe the unit was around $80.00) I see they are close to $100 now. MAHA It can charge up to 8 AA, AAA, C or D rechargeable batteries at a time! I couldn't believe how much money this device has saved me over the past several years. Check it out as it may save you $$$ as well. I bring two plastic containers (each holds 4 AA batteries) with me detecting when I am using the AT Pro. Fully charged I can usually get 10-12 hours out of them and then I may be down to the last segment(possibly close to dead) on the battery display on the AT Pro. But who cares, I just switch out and use the four spare that I have. I then charge them back up! Glad to see you on the "dirt road" again.

...I did buy a 48 pack of AA's for $18...those should get me into the Fall and easily pay off big...


Mud

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[tabman]

Mud nice going on the silver toe ring. That place looks a little too cold for me. Take earthlypotluck's advice and get some rechargeable batteries and a good charger. It very important to get a good charger, because they recondition and test batteries as well as charge them. One bad/weak battery out of four being used in your detector is like having a weak link in a chain. The Maha and the Lacrosse are both good chargers. I've been using the Lacrosse BC-700 and Eneloop batteries for years now.

tabman

 

[mudpuppy]

You know boys, I was all set to get a Eneloop or something and go with the recharger this year...but then, I got to thinking...If I had a charger any where in the house, all my batteries would come up missing! I have just one little 2x2' area that is dedicated to MY STUFF...yet, that doesnt seem to stop anybody here from moving MY STUFF around or just flat stealing it altogether!...my greatest fear would be to get up early of a morning to go on a hunt, and all my batteries are missing! It would happen too, sure as I'm sitting here...
Mud

 

[scott.f]

That is a beautiful spot Mud, there is sure to be some gold there. Go get em.

 

[John-Edmonton]

Only I WILL wear chest waders. I can't stand getting that temporary high pitched voice I get in ice cold water without them. I hope to get some gooders too. Congrats on a silver toe ring.