Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, the guys sit down with Rob Racine of J&B Cycle and Marine to talk boats, business, and how boating in Canada is changing.

Rob breaks down Freedom Cruise, a seasonal boat rental program that lets anglers and families enjoy a brand new boat all summer without the commitment of ownership. The conversation also dives into the Toronto Boat Show, how buyers actually shop for boats, and what today’s pricing, inventory, and demand really look like across Ontario.

The discussion expands into boat protection gear like Boat Armor, the rise of forward-facing sonar and marine electronics, and how modern technology is reshaping fishing strategy. Rob also shares insight into Northern Ontario tournament fishing, including the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail and what it takes to host major competitive events.

This episode is packed with real-world boating insight, industry knowledge, and behind-the-scenes perspective from one of Canada’s most active marine entrepreneurs.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

The Toronto Boat Show is here, and this week on Outdoor Journal Radio, we break down why this is the best time of year to buy a boat, what to look for on the show floor, and what new tech is shaping modern fishing boats.

We’re joined by Jean-Philippe Martin-Dubois, General Manager of Princecraft Boats, to talk about the unveiling of the new Platinum 190, how boat pricing really works at shows, ordering vs spring buying, financing options, and why aluminum construction still matters for Canadian anglers. JP also explains what buyers should actually be paying attention to beyond looks, including durability, electronics space, and long-term ownership.

We also dive into a wild fishing headline as Japan’s first tuna of 2026 sells for a staggering $3.2 million, why the first tuna of the year matters so much, and how tradition drives price more than quality.

Plus, a listener's question sparks a debate on music while ice fishing, whether sound and vibration affect fish, and when silence might actually help you catch more.

Topics covered:
• Toronto Boat Show insider tips
• Princecraft Platinum 190 first look
• When and why to buy a boat at a show
• Boat financing and rebates explained
• Electronics, durability, and aluminum hull design
• The $3.2 million first tuna of the year
• Music vs silence while fishing
• Invasive species awareness

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

How do you really know if the ice is safe before you step onto it?

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, the crew is joined by Dr. Paul Cooley, founder of NextGen Environmental Research and the mind behind Angler’s Leaderboard, to break down a groundbreaking new tool called Ice Time. Using satellite radar technology, Ice Time provides near-real-time ice condition data for lakes across Canada and beyond.

The conversation dives into how satellite radar can see through snow and darkness, how ice actually forms and shifts on large lakes, why pressure ridges are one of the biggest hidden dangers on ice, and how anglers, snowmobilers, and outdoor enthusiasts can use this data to make safer decisions before ever leaving home.

Topics covered include:

• How satellite radar maps ice thickness and ice types
• Why early-season and late-season ice is most dangerous
• How pressure ridges form, move, and collapse
• Real-world ice safety failures and what causes them
• How Ice Time can help anglers, guides, and winter travellers plan smarter trips

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who spends time on frozen lakes, whether you ice fish, snowmobile, skate, or travel winter ice roads.

Listen now and learn how modern technology is changing winter safety forever.