A-Jay

Got it, Thanks. Well, you are about to head down a rabbit hole that has many twists & turns. @Way2slow knows this deal far better than I. However my limited experience is that the Reasons for 4 Blades: The increased blade area afforded by the addition of the fourth blade can provide increased water displacement capability, lift, and grip, as compared to a 3-blade propeller. In terms of actual boat performance, these characteristics can combine to enhance: Handling Hole Shot Low-speed planing ability Cruise efficiency Fuel efficiency Load-carrying capability Performance in big or following seas Ventilation/cavitation resistance Motor-elevation capability In short, a 4-blade propeller can improve all those characteristics vs a 3 blade that make for practical, all-around boat performance. This is what you have now, minus more speed. At 75 hp, the easiest way to get more speed IMO, is to lighten your load. The lighter your rig is the more speed you can get with what you have. But it's going to be a SMALL improvement. It's not like you're going to get 10 knots out of whatever you decide to do. HP is king and at 75 hp, you can only do so much. Going to a 3 Blade will probably reduce Most ALL of the handling characteristics listed above, but MIGHT get you a little more speed. But at the expense of what ? Which is what I think you've already experienced at least once. IMO, stand pat on the prop. Good Luck. A-Jay

What is the Max HP rating for your rig ? A-Jay

Staying on schedule with Workout Day 5 this morning. #borninfiftynine https://youtu.be/ld9H3fZ9-UI?feature=shared A-Jay

Favorite method of catching fish and why ? That's a tough one. My initial reaction was, "whatever the plus size brown bass are eating". And there's some truth to that. But favorite doesn't necessarily mean most effective all season. And as looked a little deeper into my bass fishing soul, a few more things started to percolate. I do LOVE to chunk & wind - I mean it's in my DNA. So spinner baits, Vibrating Jigs, Rattle Baits and just about any type of crank bait; all have a special place in my heart. And who doesn't love topwater - Walking baits & Poppers have accounted for several very respectable fish for me over the years and the fun meter is always pegged over hard on that deal. However beyond even all of that, there's lies the jerk bait. In the hands of a tuned in basshead, it's so deadly. The fact that it's right down there in the fishes face, Twitching, pausing, long stroking, and all manner of movements. It's so dependent on angler in put. Beyond where I cast it and when, it's all about selecting the right one (and I have a few to chose from) and then talking a Big Brown Fatty into taking a poke at it. Nothing makes me feel like I do after a day on the water when a wide open jerkbait bite has been the deal. Nothing. And there's no changing my mind on that. YMMV Fish Hard A-Jay

CONGRATULATIONS @bishoptf ! ! ! Sweet rig. Really happy you found what you were looking for. IMO, you did it right. Tons of research, asking all types of questions, plenty of what if's. Lots of folks start 'I'm buying a boat' threads and NEVER follow through. Nicely Done and Thank you. Looking forward to your rigging thread. Finally, a word to the wise. The new rig 'zeal' is a real thing. Don't let it get you to & from the Lake and especially on the water. Take it slow. Situational Awareness is paramount. Have Fun A-Jay

Good Luck Sir ~ I hope the weather & the critters are kind to you. A-Jay

Yup ~ Here to. I'd have a lovely box of dirt after the first night. 😎 A-Jay

I have Humminbird Helix units both at the console & the Bow. I use the "Stand By Mode" when on the water and not using either. Essentially puts the unit to 'sleep' including the transducer. Super easy to do, it's like 3 button clicks. Take literally less than 5 seconds to do. One click on the power button 'wakes' it up and it's back in full operation with zero lag time. So running down the lake, bow unit is in stand by mode. and when fishing on the bow, the console unit is in stand by mode. Saves some battery juice at the end of a long day as well. A-Jay

Holy Smokes ~ That's less than 3 minutes per bass. Cast, hook, land, photo & release - isn't that some kind of record ? Either way, Congrats on fishing that place into a froth. A-Jay

I Love throwing topwater baits for bruiser smallmouth. Popper & Walking baits mostly. Even when I do see the 'strike', I always wait just that split second before I hit the fish with a quick snap hookset. Works for me. Here's what some of that looks like. https://youtu.be/Vsl5A_YmHzs?feature=shared&t=42 https://youtu.be/6Ds4Z22ywnY?feature=shared&t=136 https://youtu.be/QB1VOTaQuvE?feature=shared&t=97 A-Jay

After plenty of fishing and some recovery time, it's been 4 straight days since I've been in the home gym. Don't plan on making that a habit so I was back at it this morning with Workout Day 4. I did hit the target sets & reps I wanted. However, a little less resistance was required to keep the whole thing clean. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

The U.S. will celebrate Armed Forces Day 2024 on 18 May. This holiday pays tribute to the men and women who serve in all six branches of our military and acknowledges their dedication, sacrifices, and the pivotal role they play in safeguarding our nation's interests, security and ideals. These military personnel come from all backgrounds, serving together as one, and united by a common mission to defend and protect. And this diversity strengthens the armed forces, reflecting the rich tapestry of the nation they defend. Celebrating them on Armed Forces Day underscores their strategic significance and fosters a collective appreciation for their contributions to national defense and global stability. A-Jay

No doubt you're fishing some fertile habitats. 150 plus bass, a thick fish every 3 minutes, for three trips in a row, makes for one busy angler. I might need two naps. Congrats A-Jay

Like most any braid main line to leader application, size, type & length of the leader is usually dependent on where and what we're fishing for. For a big spinning reel off the beach with a mostly sand bottom, a lighter leader of 25-30 lb can often work OK, as long as you're not targeting giant fish or using 2 pounds of lead sinker. As for length, I prefer a longer one of at least twice (three times is better) than rod length. The first time the reel bail closes (prematurely) on the cast, you'll understand why. Especially with lighter braid main line. Good Luck. A-Jay

Two years in the making and Lynn has been able to build herself back up sufficiently to safely be back out on the water. Didn't really know if that was ever going to be possible. Should have never doubted her. She asked me to post this here - https://youtu.be/NowcU3kaWpU?feature=shared&t=21 Thank you again A-Jay

It was a cool sunny morning to start and the Old Town Canoe was put to use for the first time this season. Hope it's not the last. However the highlight of this trip is that I was not alone. Two years in the making and my wife Lynn has been able to build herself up sufficiently to safely be back out on the water. Didn't really know if that was ever going to be possible. Should have never doubted her. We picked a decent enough day as there were a few bass & plenty of pike around to keep our strings tight fairly consistently. We moved around a lot but we didn't care, we were making it happen. Fish ate Swimjigs, spinnerbaits, stick baits and a few on a vibrating jig. We didn't push it and if recovery goes well, we'll be back out there again. #grateful You tube cut the end off the the first video - I hate it when that happens. This is it ~ A-Jay

A-Jay

From its most humble beginning to where it is now. Bass Resource is the web's oldest, largest, and most popular bass fishing site. Which includes the most active bass fishing forums in the world ! Seems like a pretty big deal to me. A-Jay

I have and use a mix of both the older & new LTB sticks, as well as a couple from the Victory line; one MH casting & one M spinning. They ARE ALL Killer rods but each one is a little different. Which one I like Might not be the same as which one you like. The LTB has always been my favorite stick but lately that Victory rod has been coming on strong . . . . Good Luck A-Jay

Swimjigs were the deal today ~ A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Big Head on this Gator Pike ! A-Jay

LOL ~ Pretty sure he wanted a piece of my AZZ. 🙃 A-Jay

Have You Ever Caught A Snapping Turtle ? Does it count if it's in my yard ? A-Jay

Thanks ~ OK, here's what I've got. This fish ate a 1/2 oz SK RES I was throwing for SMB along a deep weedline. 7'4" cranking rod & 12 lb FC WITH Wire of course. Caught a decent one the day before in the same spot. I have a mostly raw video of this catch (pre-Go Pro's). So the quality's not the best. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/181116-gators-were-chewing/#comment-2040936 It was a good one but I've caught a few that were just a long but bit quite a bit heavier. (insert thicker) A-Jay