A-Jay

That's a Funky Monkey ! A-Jay

If you're talking New (2019 and newer) the difference between the 150's - ProXS & Four Stroke is minimal at best. Both are 4 stroke and 3.0 L, Gear case is a little different & XS weighs 1 pound more; 456 lbs vs 455 lbs. https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/engines/outboard/compare/?e[]=11209&e[]=11214 Mercury no longer makes new 150 hp Two Stroke OB's. The old Optimax & the ProXS are discontinued. If you're talking older motors of the same or different years, the actual year can show some differences. You'll need to know what year each is to make an accurate comparison of specs. Of course the older XS is a two stroke and may be quite a bit lighter than the older four stroke. The XS will be louder, require oil & gas mix (which is an additional but necessary cost), but no actual oil change - and will most likely have a more pungent exhaust - (insert smoke a bit). The Four stroke should be quieter, smoke less and require oil changes. I have deliberately omitted perceived performance differences and which one cost more or less to own / run because IMO - the difference may not be enough to matter on both accounts. May simply depend on which way you prefer to go. In the end, as long as the HP is sufficient for your rig, you'll most likely get what you're looking for. Good Luck. A-Jay BTW - I recent re-powered from a two stroke Optimax to the new four stroke V8 4.6 L ProXS and I like it quite a bit.

I do this year round ~ And the few 'drive bys' we get have to be thinking the same. A-Jay

Good Topic ~ and one that I do agree can be over looked especially by novice bassheads. We often read here about new anglers who are struggling to get bit. Accordingly we are often very eager to offer all types of advice on where, when, how to fish as well as which baits to present. Rarely do we inquire as to the 'casting skills' as a possible concern. Guilty as charged. However, (and I'm certainly not alone on this one) I'm all about having the right tool for the job and just as important, being able to use it effectively. 'Casting' certainly fall directly into that category. Having been at this fishing game a while, all kinds of fishing, my personal casting skills have developed & adapted over time based on whatever the target species may be and the environment I was in to do it. As a youngster, bank fishing helped develop target & tight quarters casting skills. Later on as a ocean surf caster - using heavier gear, standing in waist deep water, battling waves and long bombing casts into orbit for nights at a time, developed a totally different side of the art. More recently chasing brown bass in the north woods, first from a canoe & now from the Pro-V Bass boat, the vast majority of my presentations require both distance & a fair amount of accuracy. Confidence of success for me here is fairly high and success can help feed that. As for rating my abilities as compared to other anglers or giving myself a 'grade', I don't believe I'm really in the best position to do that nor do I feel the need. Because the bass I'm hunting down will always let me know when I'm getting it wrong and when I get it right - loud and clear I might add. YMMV A-Jay

A-Jay

We average 11 + feet of snow - some gets blown off the ice some doesn't. Ice should be pretty thick this year with the cold starting so early. Below zero this morning without the wind chill. A-Jay

Hammering Smallmouth through the ice ? Perhaps. I'll never really know for sure because I'm not out there. But if my traditional early season brown bass results are any indication . . . I seriously doubt it. A-Jay

I hear ya ~ Thanks. A-Jay

I've been posting on the BR forums since 2008, how is this a surprise ? Thanks for your concern though, but as always, I'll be just fine. A-Jay

Buy two sizes and send one back. A-Jay

IMO, The HUK gear is decent, comfortable but not the driest. Not being 100% gortex it does not possess the ability to be what gortex is. So perhaps we get what we pay for. Top end Simms stuff is awesome but a set runs upwards of $1000 - So there's that. A-Jay

I have nothing but personal experience with HUK fishing apparel including several sets of rain jackets & bibbs. I have seen none of the negative characteristics you listed. I will admit that I do take care of and maintain my gear in a manner that promotes both durability and water repelancy. A-Jay

I picked up and wore the packable rain jacket and pants during the Mexico adventure in October. Rained hard 2nd and 3rd day of the trip. Kept me dry so I'm glad I had them. A-Jay

Sweet Rig Sir ! A-Jay

I've fished out of an Old Town squareback canoe for many years (still do). I run it both with a trolling motor & without - paddle power. I fish both solo & with my wife - those trips are the best ! Transportation is done with a small trailer. Rig is very stable, at just under 16 ft long it has a 40 inch beam - I often stand & fish without any problems. Might be something to consider. The video below is my most recent trip out in the Old Town and it's part of a playlist of over 70 video's fishing from it. A-Jay

Nicely Done ~ I'm a big fan of a red treble hook on the front of cranks & jerkbaits and I have to admit my addiction to vibrating jigs would have had me throwing one quite a bit right there. Finally the Super Stick Push Pole has saved my bacon many times . . . A-Jay

If you exchanged marriage vows with your wife, perhaps go back and re-read those. And then, here's a novel idea - actually live by them. Good Luck A-Jay

I suppose it is ~ And it's certainly whole lot more fun . . . A-Jay

I hear that ~ Life's short and getting shorter. Unreliable gear of any kind is a PIA Perhaps consider a re-power for your rig. A-Jay

A-Jay

LOL ~ Thanks, just goes to show how distressing this whole deal can be . . . Appreciate the heads up. A-Jay

Thanks but it's all good. I'll bide my time and when the lakes open up I'll have an opportunity to get back at it. Incidentally, IMO, the fact that these fish go unmolested for almost half the year - contributes greatly to the quality of the fishery. Finally a trip south was made in Oct this year - worked out well. A-Jay

Good Morning my friend ~ That one made be laugh. I'll admit that I too, am guilty of that sentiment most all the time. Especially as it relates to hunting & chasing down Big Brown Bass. But these northern Michigan winters have a way of suppressing that and replacing it with Realism. #frozennads A-Jay

Sweet ~ Core work for me this morning. Have Fun . . . A-Jay

Since the Fat Lady has been singing for a while now - signaling a early end to this fishing season for us in the north woods, the time has come to spool this thread up again. This time I'm selecting 22 April 2020 as my "I hope the ice is gone" date. This date is a exactly the same day the Ice went out on Lake Menderchuck this past 2019 season. (why fight it) What are the chances ? As of today, I'm looking at 161 days or 5 months & 9 days or 23 weeks (which makes it seem even longer). Either way, it is what it is and I'm hunkering down again (and I'm still not quite certain what that actually means, but I'm doing it). https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20200415T12&p0=2455&msg=A-Jay's+2nd+Annual+Ice+Out+%2F+Open+Water+Countdown+Thread+~&ud=1&font=sanserif&csz=1 Please feel free to add your comments, support, and yes, even the jabs; as I know they're inevitable & usually quite entertaining. At least they were last time round. And while you're at it, don't forget to add a few pics of recent catches. All of which may help to pass the time . . . . A-Jay btw- this is what Lake Menderchuck looked like on last years 'projected' ice out date of 15 Apr 2019 - hoping for something a little earlier.