A-Jay

The additional brackets might be cheaper than having to play out of pocket for an issue that would have been covered by warranty. which, whether we realize it or not, we all pay for within the initial motor purchase. Also, my transom, square as it is, offered the ability to 'separate' the Talons quite a bit more than a either motor mounted configuration. The additional space between the two Talons offers the widest stance and most secure holding potential for me. As long as the brackets are back plated within the hull during the mounting process and properly sealed, the hull mount should be quite secure. On my aluminum hull, it's been good so far. A-Jay

I was thinking that if Mercury doesn't want an "accessory" mounted using the same factory bolts that are used with the outboard and they designed the outboard to be attached to the transom (or a jack plate) without any spacer present, these units attach to the Jack Plate, which is not attached to the hull using anything made my Mercury, so they may have no beef here. A-Jay

Wonder how utilizing the Talon or Raptor Jack plate adaptor to mount these units would be viewed ? https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.com/accessories/shallow-water-anchor/talon-jackplate-adapter-bracket-portstarboard https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.com/accessories/shallow-water-anchor/raptor-jack-plate-adapter-bracket-starboard-6-black A-Jay

Great Musky ! Congrats A-Jay

Funny you mention chrome. Not a fan, despite my past several trucks having quite a bit. You're right it's toast in a year. Love that the new rig has virtually none. By design I might add. Stay Safe my friend. A-Jay

Might be able to wash the truck this weekend. It's certainly need it. #disaster A-Jay

Pre-Spawn Is Upon Us! What's your favorite bait? Third slot from the left - Either one of those. A-Jay

I have been running Twin hull mounted Talons since 2016. When I was researching the boat, motor & accessories this topic came up. Since I was looking for a hull mount anyway, I never perused it further. But it's been 'mentioned' on & off for going on 5 years now. At this point, I'd call Mercury Marine Before any install. A-Jay

It is now ~ A-Jay

For those folks serious about checking this newest offering out in person, if you look hard enough, there's already a few being offered around the interwebz . . . Minus a couple headed my way. That's all I am permitted to say at this time. #verysneaky A-Jay

"There's talk on the street; it sounds so familiar Great expectations, everybody's watching you People you meet, they all seem to know you Even your old friends treat you like you're something new" . . A-Jay

Thanks ~ and Congrats on a Great Summer. Here's to an Even Better one this time around ! A-Jay

Thanks - Point well taken . . . A-Jay

Recent contact with the A.R.E. dealer indicates the CX Revo delivery date is still on time for the 1st week of April. Install is tentatively scheduled for very soon after the delivery truck pulls in. So the AT4 remains 'Cap-less'. Hope it comes arrives in advance of open water. A-Jay

Just a quick local 'conditions' update. Seems we may be WAAAAY ahead of the usual open water schedule. We have quite a bit of bare ground (which is crazy for March here) and the forecast looks very favorable to keep the ball rolling in the right direction - More to follow . . . A-Jay

Braid or mono for topwater? For me, when braid is part of the topwater 'system', the pro's include but may not be limited to; solid hooksets even on the longest casts & great soft cover abrasion resistance. My frog deals get straight braid with no leader; heavy cover areas demand that IMO. Treble hook topwater baits (poppers & walkers), which are often presented in spare cover or even open water, I go with braid & a mono leader. I prefer to get the braid away from the bait and I seem to benefit from whatever the mono leader does when it comes to working the baits as well as fighting & landing bass. A-Jay

20 lb braid with a 12lb. Big Game green or Maxima Ultragreen leader. https://youtu.be/PNaFczbbKEU?t=36 A-Jay

If I could turn the hands of time back 51 years, then I would definitely like to fish the way I did when I was 10. In the mean time, I like where I'm at. A-Jay

Great Bass ~ Congrats A-Jay

Nice Bass ~ She's a Natural . . . Congrats A-Jay

Not really - I would agree that where I am presenting the Bait determines which head I choose. Deep, steeper and or harder bottoms, I go with the RPE Tungsten. Shallower, slower sloping and or softer bottoms; especially with soft cover, I'm choosing the Lead New Freedom Head. Just about any trailer will play nice with either head, but we all have our favorites. Hope that helps. A-Jay

The two baits that address and satisfy my desires/needs for the local Brown Bass population are the RPE Tackle Tungsten Swinging Football Jig and the Freedom Tackle Stealth Swim Jig. The RPE rig is Tungsten, comes without a hook, can be purchased in bulk, and possesses a unique and very secure hook hanging system. I use the ½ & ¾ oz only here and I do add a #2 Owner Oval Split Ring to the front (line tie) of this rig to prevent the tungsten head from moving forward and wearing away at the knot (a simple & effective fix). https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/RPE_Tackle_Tungsten_Swinging_Football_Jig_No_Hook_/descpage-RPEFJ.html The Freedom Tackle product is offered & sold as a complete bait. And while I do retain the hook & quality skirt that comes with the bait to use in different applications, for my swinghead fishing applications, I am just using the head. And what a killer head it is ! Available in different weights, the ½ & ¾ oz are lead and the ¼ oz offering is plastic – all have a very stout hook hanger. Haven’t had one fail yet. This head design fishes much different than the football head. It’s much more of a swimming, almost gliding action across & along the bottom; rather than bouncing & digging into it like the tungsten head will do. Superior for shallower & light weed areas. HUGE Fan of this one ! https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Freedom_Tackle_Stealth_Swim_Jigs/descpage-FREESSW.html More swinghead info here ~ https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/211811-brown-bass-tools-~-questions-answers/?do=findComment&comment=2467689 A-Jay

Not sure if they go back 50 years ~ But these guys may be able to show you a thing or two about catching fish. https://www.youtube.com/user/InFishermanTV/search?query=bass A-Jay

Black & Blue Vibrating Jig Trailer Colors ? The Yamamoto 4" Zako Swimbait in Black & Blue Flk and the color called "Zako" which seems like a Black/Blue Green Pumpkin laminate, are probably my favorites. A-Jay

My top three right here ~ btw ~ the Rage Tail Eeliminator gets honorable mention A-Jay