J Francho

I wish you a speedy recovery! Mine aren't ripe enough yet, but I'll be getting the surgery down the road.

How would they enforce that rule?

Seeing as the SMB record has been broken twice in the past few years, as well the LMB record getting obliterated, I'd say no correction is necessary in my state.

Not really, they watch videos of people fishing and know everything about fishing, except they have never fished.

I have a '94 Bass Buggy that's great for taking kids and seniors out on. Things I'd add to yours: Vertical rod holders toward the stern Bow mount TM with an auto deploy and spot lock Don't completely ditch the low fishing seats, but get a back rest style bike seat Kayak J-hooks so you can mothership Long handle landing net Docking pole Learn to use the big OB to control drift You already have the Bimini top Some type of gimbal mount for the graph so you can see it from anywhere Inboard trailer guides for easy retrieves

I don't think it's as critical a spec so much as it is to prevent difficulty in removing the prop. The retainer keeps it from coming loose. Anytime I stayed at a camp site or motel with my boat, I always removed the prop, along with the graphs and tackle, before letting the boat out of my sight.

Thank goodness! We need you to weigh in over here:

It's not to say I never touch the line. Working through wood it can help you feel you bait through the branches. One thing, be careful setting the hook with braid, if you do this. Braid doesn't care about the skin on your index finger.

A little bigger, and I could live there.

I'm gonna need a picture of these floating toilets. Preferably, not a selfie.

Is this a smaller motor? All of mine have had torque master lower units except the pro max, which had a sport master. I've seen different set ups on older motors too. Our old stern drive actually had a cotter pin. At any rate, a prop wrench and a spare hub are must haves in my boats. I've even carried a spare prop at times.

Not for what you think.

I have a few good #2 stories. Most occurred during tournaments. None can be told here.

Sometime in the very early 90s, when I upgraded to Fenwick rods, I stopped. It wasn't necessary anymore since graphite rods had become sensitive enough to dispatch with the technique.

Get well soon man!

That assembly diagram looks nothing like mine. Merc 50 4 stroke w/ Bigfoot LU. Spec says 40 lbs. I've never dragged my torque wrench out it's case for this since I have a Merc prop wrench. I keep it in the boat. This looks exactly the same as the last four Mercs I've owned - a 90, 115, 2.5 L ProMax, and this 50.

Yep. Better get a prop wrench. They're plastic. Torque rating is about 40 lbs., or basically snug. The plastic prevents going any higher.

It's the same as why I still make music despite not recording, touring, teaching, or even playing with a regular band. It's a hobby that I enjoy, and it defines some parts of me. They're both crucial to my mental health.

Crank baits, especially the deep divers. They were a staple for so long. I'll probably get back to it someday. The other will sound crazy coming from me. I think I spent about an hour total fishing jigs this season. It's not that they don't work, I just wasn't in the mood. A slippery Texas rig was doing it for me. Speaking of T-rigs, for a while Jika rigs about replaced them for several years for me, but I didn't fish them at all this year either. I didn't do much froggin' this year either, but that was more a function of taking my almost 80 yo MIL out fishing with me. Those areas would make it too difficult for her to fish comfortably. I did fine with my usual repertoire of stick baits, top waters, and drop shot.

Did someone say bacon?

Last of the Giants on Nat Geo has a couple GT episodes. They are beasts.

The only rods that don't have much crossover are crankbait rigs, so I have a bunch of them. I also have a half dozen drop shot rods, but they can do other things. If I'm out on Erie or Ontario chasing smallies, they're all rigged for DS. No one wants to retie in big lake rollers.

I like Santee Cooper, but it's too far out in the sticks. I've thought about SML/Roanoake, VA as a retirement option myself.

I've pulled the battery from my truck to get a boat started, lol.