J Francho

My time doing something other than inhaling lead fumes, tying up a toaster oven to powder coat, all the trial and error getting good at wire tying skirts, not to mention ordering materials and maintaining equipment, making a space to do all this work safely, etc. My time is worth a lot more than your grossly underestimated $40/hour. If making your own baits is your hobby and you really enjoy it, then I'm all for it. You asked why doesn't everyone follow your thinking, and I answered: time. Not all of us want to do it. Yours is but one perspective, and not wrong or right for everyone. I don't buy mass produced jigs either. I get mine from Siebert Outdoors. Mike does a better job than I could ever learn to do. All I have to do is open the envelope, tie on the jig, and fish. Not bad for less then $4. It gives me more time for other hobbies. Hot tip: skip the rubber bands and learn how wire tie your jigs. Skirts last forever and have better flare.

Put a hair band on the rod butt, and loop the weight in it for storing. But I get it, drop shot is boring and often isn't even the right rig for most places and situations. When it is right, it is really right. I love days catching 50+ of these things:

Time.

Carolina rig

I usually fish a bait before rendering any verdict. Sounds like your gonna have to tie it on and cast it out to see what happens.

On the blank somewhere between the first guide and the butt. Depends on how I'm feeling. That's the beauty of them - put it where you want it.

If I need a hook keeper, I put one of those Fuji hook holders on.

Those are also two of my favorites. In many ways, I like Seconds Out better than Three Sides overall, but this was a thread about specific songs. I can't say the same for ATWAS, but I think that's an age thing. I'm more into their middle "epics" phase.

I simultaneously owned an Xpress H18/115 and a Bullet 21XDC/2.5L. For tournaments on Erie, where I had an hour drive, and really no clue of the conditions other than various weather reports (lol) and USGS data, I always took the Xpress. Despite being almost 22' long, that Bullet was not at all made for anything more than moderate boat wakes. The Xpress on the other hand... well let's just say it being totally out of the water wasn't fully unintentional and was without any consequence besides adrenaline. It was the right formula of tough construction, hull design when not running flat out, and my driving abilities. I'm not the best driver by any shot, but growing up on Lake Ontario with all sorts of boats, you learn a few skills. I've been in an X19 on Lake Ontario in some decently lump water, and that boat was even better than my Hyperlift. I believe the hull was similar. That boat had 100 more horsepower, and all the low end grunt that comes with it, so it was probably a bit easier to drive. I would say be smart, go with the max HP. Learn to drive the boat slowly. As always, use your kill switch, and wear a PFD. Have fun!

Most can tell you exactly how big it is if it breaks off.

You should have been there last week. That's fishing.

What are the ethical issues with live bait if it's legal?

Congrats!

I'd offer $75. Used should be less than half of retail when new, not current prices, unless it's a particularly rare or desirable item. This is a workhorse setup that's fairly common. It would be a great setup at less than $100.

Price seems a little high, but if it's immaculate get it.

I think you can exist in any stage and still do stage 5.

Let's some video if it in the water!

Last I checked, they don't make a Pointer or a Sammy that works as well as the genuine article. That's okay, they have the Popmax.

It's always a surprise until I get them on the scale. I've had little guys put on a show. My PB fought less than a waterlogged boot.

Probably legal where they are fishing, but not everywhere.

That's a lot dough.

I would have told the nosy neighbors it was just a bad reaction to the penicillin.

Yikes! Is he okay now? The P is silent.

That's kind of what it was for me, but much lower grade fever. I guess the weird skin sensation is the sensory nerves responding to the carriers in the vaccine liquid itself. It was weird, but went away.

By whom? The OP hasn't posted an update. I hope he figured it out.