VolFan

Yup, it’s winter…

Go with me on this - cut a hole for a dry hatch lid (preferably the screw type) on a vertical face inside the cockpit. Easy access, unlikely to get more water in it and you can leave it open to let the innards dry well. You’ll still need to find the leak unless it’s in the cockpit.

If I remember right, one of those Creek arms that s the warm water estuary but is closed off from the rest of the lake via a dike. It does drain through however so there should be ‘a spot.’ Even if not that dike should warm and hold some fish.

Go towards the nuke plant - there’ll be warmer water there and you can chuck that spinner bait!

Where in NC are you and do you have a boat?

I’m still waiting for the stories about iguanas falling out of trees in FL. Weather has always been about predicting which way the wind is going to blow. It’s easy in the short term, more challenging the further in the future you get.

Miss Cleo???

When I saw this poll I would’ve bet three paychecks that the majority of people on here are dg people; I think it’s just a personality thing. I am a dog person but our cats are fun little jackals too.

What he said⏏️ ( @roadwarrior) Between a few of those and some Roostertails in ‘Grasshopper’, it’ll keep you busy.

Big top water flies in the troughs, the big fish like to look for swimmers swept off the beaches.

Dead straight with just enough speed to spin the blade. Or stroke it like a blade bait. Or with erratic twitches. When it’s cold I usually go with slow and straight just ticking the bottom or at the level of fish/bait.

Roadrunners with a 2” Shad body crushes it all winter around Shad schools. It’s the ultimate in grab-bag fishing; you never know what’s eating.

It’s like a spoon…but more dangerous and less useful…unless you like grapefruit on the half shell

There’s really no reason not to get the JDM grapefruits at this point, with the exchange rate. But be forewarned- the JDM grapefruits are just rebranded USDM oranges…

I still think Trilene XL is your best value…

4 lb CXX is closer to 8 lb break strength and just doesn’t manage well on light reels. I either go braid or use Trilene XL and change it very regularly. There is no margin for error with abrasion on light line. Trilene XL is available pretty much every where. I guess my real question is ‘how are you fishing what for trout?’ If you’re casting power bait, use the CXX.

These are my favorite pics of the year. Every year. Nice hunt

Just because you have a fast car doesn’t make you a good driver. There’s much more that goes into catching fish than knowing fish are there. It’s definitely moved the tech forward but the tech is always moving forward.

Ha ha that’s awesome man! I’m down in Charlotte and had the Swimbait bug for a while. I do less big baiting now so let me know if you’re interested in some rods or lures. Not sure where you are but Jordan is big time for big fish!

If you love to work on them you probably love the Ford’s most then ?

Mine has 170k on the V8. Virtually all of my bills have been regular maintenance or stupidity on my part. It’s just been a great vehicle

How OLD is OLD? I drive a 2006 and she’s just breaking in…

The work seems clean; I think that’s a decent deal. It sucks that it’s 3 hours away. I’d want to stand in it on the water before I bought it. $1250 for that in good shape is pretty good nowadays

Figure out why you’re not happy. Is it work? Is it residual from losing your dad? Is it being 58? Figure out why she’s not happy. Is it you? Is it her work? Is it something entirely unexpected? Get to the root first before you cut the tree down. It will help you no matter how/where you end up. Counseling is probably a good idea. You’d be surprised how well you can talk through things with an impartial party.

Ugly Sticks are good at starting arguments about how useful Ugly Sticks are. I love them for ultralight, catfish, and large treble hook lures, not so much for single hooks.