J Francho

A PBG is my other boat. you'll like it! You'll fall off it, before you roll it, LOL.

Actually, a better idea is to put it behind the buzzer. Red, nickel, silver....doesn't really matter.

Yes, and I actually caught the darn thing. Prefishing for a club TX on my home waters. My partner Cam says, "Stick the next fish, so we can see what size we're getting bit by." "No problem, I've got one now." I've never been so disgusted to catch a big fish. No weight, but one the top 4 fish of last year for me: That fish would have put us in contention for the win, with one dink that we just couldn't cull. Definitely would have taken lunker. Final standings:

I'd keep it simple, and light. I wouldn't go with full casting decks, or even pedestal seating, as that would get in the way. A solid, flat floor, and boat carpet on the entire interior would be perfect. Add a TM, and a graph/GPS unit, and you're good to go.

My "snow gear" is whatever I have on, a pair of hip waders, winter coat and gloves. I guess we're just more acclimated to the cold up here. We get a day in the mid 30s, and you'll see people in shorts, LOL.

Which size are you using on your drop shot rig? Can't say for Crestliner, but I use the 4 or 4.5" size. You could probably us the bigger ones, but that size seems to match the size of the alewife up here. I see the bigger ones as more of a t-rig or wacky rig bait.

Yes, BIG skirted jigs, but for Northern Pike, not bass.

The Premier is my favorite Revo. Great little reels.

My buddy has the old, full grip version of the LTB 7-3 rod. Great for pitching jigs to heavy cover.

The government did it.

I had great success with the Duo Slaver cranks last spring.

The Who looked like what I thought they would...a couple of old buddies "gettin' the band back together." It wasn't what they were in their prime, but it was fun to watch anyway. I'm pretty sure Daltry's scream was a sample from the original, LOL.

I've recently done yearly cleanings on about a dozen E7 and five E5 reels, and I can tell you without a doubt your impression of these reels leads me to think something's not right, even with just one brake on. Exchange it for a new one, or call Shimano 1-877-577-0600.

Your right, most do. However usually its a HP recommendation and then a total weight limitation of the entire boat (including engine) allowed by the coast guard. For example, no more than 1500 lbs or 4 persons including gear. They usually state if that weight limit includes the motor or not. The HP recommendation is basically based on three things. 1) Direct weight of the engine on the transom at rest (I believe they base that off the industry average for a 4 stroke but I can't remember) 2) Applied force of the engine on the transom under power 3) Ability of the boat / hull to perform under the peak HP / torque of said engine. Not only does it include the HP force, but the weight that the engine puts on the stern of the boat. (ie a 300 lb motor would make a 12ft jon do a wheely ) In other words if you go over that number you are most likely pushing the structure integrity of your transom by both engine mass and applied force. You are also risking your life in the fact that most likely your boat wasn't designed to be safely operated at speeds that engine is capable of producing. I could have swore that mine had a both weight and HP for just the motor, not the boat's total capacity. Something like, "75 hp or no more than XXX lbs."

Look at a BPS Microlite rod and Shimano Sahara 500 or 750 reel. 2-4# Silverthread AN40 will work well.

I thought my boat had BOTH a motor HP and a motor weight limit. It was so long ago, I can't remember.

So bad I went ice fishing yesterday. Two lakers, 22" and 16".

6/0 Owner Beast works great for me.

Drop Shot. Oneida football on a drop shot 4" Kut Tail Worm

How'd you get a pic of my assistant? 8-)

Why would someone in VA buy a snowblower? LOL. I have a snow blower, and I'll use it for the heavy stuff, and hand shovel for any light stuff.

No. This dink was caught on a bait that's almost 5" long.

Dry. Though if they're fouled, I recommend giving Smooth Drags a call, and getting replacement Carbontex washers. If you want smoothness, and soft slippage, lightly lube with Cal's Grease, or go dry for maximum stopping power.

I fish for big fish, rec. or tournament. I never saw anyone win a tournament with a limit of dinks, but I have done well on tough days with 2 or 3 big fish.

Snowballs.