Dwight Hottle

Is your trolling motor plugged into a receptacle? If it is the plug could be arcing in the receptacle. This will cause a burning smell. If it is you will need a new receptacle & plug.

Nice outing.

Really cool post and I love those pictures!

Cool story. Two keepers for sure.

I have at least half a dozen hawgtech handles. The deal about the cap nut is some people find them clunky but I think they look just fine. The most important attribute of the handles is the quality. They will not break, delaminate or distort. You can get cork, septon or winn grip knobs. The two owners are great guys & great fisherman.

Isn't that the truth.

Yes that is a legal fish in my book. Often times fish have a hook pull from the mouth but another hook catches on the outside of the mouth or body. Congrats on your new PB.

Matt they work best in clearer water but still effective with a couple feet of visibility. If you really want some good info on colors & baits take a look at the thread pinned at the top about jerkbaits. Lots of good info here. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/108594-jerkbait-help-advice/

Looks just like the water above your hand.

Great fish.

PB's are always sweet. Congrats.

52 gallons for me plus oil. I usually refill at half empty so around $75.

Glad you found out before you wore yourself out trying to catch them.

Same thing I was thinking. You could try each reel on the rod to help you decide which balances better.

You posted this same question at 11:30 am.

It would be alright for musky! They like 5-10 mph.

The first fish was 5lbs plus. The 2nd one went 6lb-12oz and went 23" long. My buddy and were fishing together for about 5-6 hours before we got bit. I only caught 3 fish that day but all three came from the exact same waypoint as we drifted for miles trying to find fish.

Three highly respected rod builders gave you the same advice. Hard to understand why your friend the rod builder advised you to leave it be.

Washed out coloration is usually from being tight to the bottom especially soft bottom. Both of these fish were caught from the same waypoint. My theory is the washout ones have been tight to the bottom where you caught them or just migrated there from some place else.

Sounds like a classic case of harmonic imbalance.

Not being a snob just helping to educate. Pike & musky over 20lbs need to be held horizontally.

WTG Kyle.

Welcome to BR. There is a lot of smallie info here from lakes to rivers & streams.

At least you trimmed your piggies before the photo opp.

Trophy fish. Congrats to you both. Those tigers are beautiful.