J Francho

Always make sure your purse matches your shoes and belt.

Maybe.

Sounds like the current cranking batt is getting long in the tooth. I'd get a new one with more capacity. I've never had any smaller than group 31 in my boats, never had an issue that wasn't self inflicted. Always put your boat on the charger when you get home.

Wow!

Can't tell it's there...

No, it's for the Mirage Drive.

For actual flipping (not pitching) I prefer a sturdy single filament line. When flipping with braid, I look for a large diameter braid with a softer texture. It's a little easier on the fingers, which are messed up enough without braid slices.

Yep, it's a feature I call the relief valve.

Freshwater clams are always funny.

We have monster American Shad up here. I only see them in early spring.

That reel was sent to me back when they were a new sponsor. There was so much unfounded internet hatred for them, I wanted to try and prove them "right" by ruining it in the most ridiculous way. Turns out, it was nearly indestructible. I say nearly, because another former moderator actually ran his over with his truck, and that did it in, lol.

I have a Kastking Assassin that has never been serviced, beyond a drop of oil on the spool bearings, but only when they started squealing. It's been intentionally left out in the rain, soaking underwater, dropped, and treated with a disregard that most reels would never see. I've caught a ton of fish with it, including some pretty big mud sharks (spawning run king salmon) that usually burn up the gears and drag, along with the typical northern pike, bass, and drum. I would have never thought it would hold up, but it has, and I still use it. I really tried to kill it because it seemed like a too good to be true deal for $70. I remember when it came out, some here called it a plastic piece of junk. Indeed. I have some Daiwa TD-X and OG Zillions that are 10-20 years old that are still in use with good maintenance. A few Shimano Chronarch E series work as new. There are several from Pinnacle and Okuma that are flawless after years of use. I have run into to almost no reels that have just totally failed, and even then they were sub $100 reels and well used.

Hoping for a fast recovery, and for your plans to work out.

Specific reels or brands in general? I have one reel that has had zero issues. It remains in the box it came in, and was never used.

A dry carbon fiber drag set up doesn't stick, even in freezing cold. All the reels that are not part of our "road tests" get the upgrade. Smooth Drags can make you any size if they don't have it in stock.

Ouch!

Cross Tail Shad Roboworms Gulp! Minnows and Leeches

1500 sounds about right for the hull dry weight. Add batteries, gas, an outboard, rigging, etc. plus all your gear and it's probably more like 2500. You'd have to figure on the trailer as well.

I'm a Rush fan, so I shake in 7:8. Seriously though, I use a Plano Edge 3700.

Top is a Scotty mount for sure. Oar lock receivers aren't plastic and are welded in. The bottom is some sort of downrigger mount.

Wood or steel is always a good spot to check in spring for prespawners.

That wood warms up the water faster. They park there to get a boost in metabolism.

That part of the river is basically unfishable. I've seen carp hanging around there. Below lower falls to the lake is good, as is well upstream. Downtown is a toilet.

It's the water they use from the mighty Genesee.

All my Avid full cork rods float with a reel that is less than 8 oz. I found this out in a similar way.