A-Jay

Speed = Distance / Time Time = Distance / Speed Distance = Speed / Time A-Jay

Agreed ~ For 30 years, I was the help. A-Jay

Nice ~ I have some experience running off shore in salt water myself. Other than operating your rig safely, much of that scenario may not actually be applicable to Night Bassing. A-Jay

If you've not tried a Hot Foot throttle set up, perhaps you should test one before making your decision. Many Hot Foot users are very happy with them. The ability to operate while having both hands on the wheel is often promoted as a plus. I'm a total purist - Traditional hand throttle only for me thank you. Throttles work fine for me is these situations - So I'm good. Good Luck with your new rig purchase A-Jay

Hello Hugh and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

200 hp 4.6L V-8 Mercury Pro XS ~ There's no replacement for displacement. I like it. A-Jay

Super Smallmouth ~ And on a fly rod no less Congrats to Mr Strife A-Jay

I did not read that first question closely enough and have since edited my answer - Thank you for straighten me out. A-Jay

No one Beats the Bait Monkey. We can only hope to marginally contain him. A-Jay

Sweet Rig ~ Way to break it in too Congrats A-Jay

After the first trip where I took that monster Bazooka tube (thing actually has wheels) I switched to travel rods and take them as carry on. Helps me breath during the flight A-Jay

Getting closer for sure @Tim Kelly and you know what it's like. I'm usually poring over my gear making sure I have what I need. We also contact our guide a week or so out to check lake water levels (which are high now after the rainy season). Water level determines techniques, presentations, tackle and baits. However I left most of my 'Mexico Gear' (baits, terminal tackle & rods) at the lodge last trip (knowing I'd be back). So all I can do at this point is stare at the list of what I left and hope it's accurate. Reels are all cleaned, lubed & spooled with fresh line. My bag has been packed since Christmas I think . . . . . A-Jay

Hello Clive and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Good Luck on your quest for American Bass A-Jay

I'll opt for 1/4, 5/16, 3/8's and 1/2 oz heads a vast majority of the time. And most all of that happens is say 3-10 ft or less. If I'm looking to probe deeper - I usually fish something else. A-Jay

Great News ~ Here's to getting back on your feet and staying that way. Congratulations Sir. A-Jay

Updated version. A-Jay

We all do A-Jay

While I can certainly relate to the allure of that idea - make sure you understand what you'll be living in for at least 1/2 the year. But no worries, shoveling 4 feet of heavy wet snow off your roof is great exercise and really only takes about 10 hours or so. Enjoy. A-Jay

13 Sept 2019 ~ "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." #fitforlife #borninfiftynine A-Jay

What size bass are you targeting with a size 8 treble ? Seems pretty small. As for using EWG's on topwater baits - I am a fan and have enough success based confidence in them that I put them on most every walker & popper I fish. I prefer & use the same trebles I use on my jerkbaits and topwater baits, just match the size to the bait. IMO is many instances manufactures supplied stock trebles are too small. I up size a decent percentage of the trebles on my topwater baits. And keep in mind, I'm usually targeting Smallmouth. I think of two things whenever I hear a certain style of treble "won't hook a fish that swipes at the bait" . . . 1) Consider up size the hooks (especially for green bass) and 2) a fish what swipes at a bait often struck in a half-hearten fashion; so they may not have even actually struck at the bait in a manner in which ANY hook would get them. I say that because when a bass wants a bait, they'll get it; almost regardless of the hook type. What makes me a believer in EWG trebles is all about the strength in the design which IMO equates to More fish actually making into the Frabil after they are hooked. Big Bass are strong and the ones who choose to go air born add another layer of insanity to the mix. I have also had the opportunity to field test this theory many times over south of the border. Giant green bass in the 7-9 lb class are often very willing participants in the topwater approach. (have yet to get a DD on topwater). Over sized 1x strong and 2x short hooks rule there. Anything else will bend out in short order. Clearly my chances of getting into a DD brown bass are infinitely small, but using the same approach has put many 5's & 6's in the boat for me. So if & when The One comes along, I will not be under gunned. YMMV A-Jay

No - but it's a great example of what I was describing. But I don't have the specific type of camera equipment to take a night time exposure like that A-Jay

An old shipmate sent me this to me this morning. Really hit me hard. Decided to share it. Don't know the author but clearly, they've been there too. I miss it every day. A-Jay The Coast Guard I Once Knew I liked standing on the bridge wing at sunrise with salt spray in my face and clean ocean winds whipping in from the four quarters of the globe - - the cutter beneath me feeling like a living thing as her engines drove her swiftly through the sea. I liked the sounds of the Coast Guard - the piercing trill of the boatswains pipe, the syncopated clangor of the ship's bell on the quarterdeck, the harsh squawk of the PA system, and the strong language and laughter of sailors at work. I liked CG vessels -- nervous darting 255s, plodding buoy tenders, and light ships, sleek 378s and the steady solid hum of the twin engines on the HH16E. I liked the proud names of Coast Guard ships: CGC Monroe, Boutwell, CGC Taney, USCGC Cosmos, the Wind class Icebreakers and the USCGC Bibb just to name a few. I liked the lean angular names of CG "shallow water cutters" the 82 footers, Pt Hudson, Pt Lookout, Cape Trinity and the Cape Higgon. Named for locations around the states. I liked liberty call and the spicy scent of a foreign port. I even liked the never ending paperwork and all hands working parties as my ship filled herself with the multitude of supplies, both mundane and to cut ties to the land and carry out her mission anywhere on the globe where there was water to float her. I liked sailors, officers and enlisted men from all parts of the land, farms of the Midwest, small towns of New England, from the cities, the mountains and the prairies, from all walks of life. I trusted and depended on them as they trusted and depended on me - for professional competence, for comradeship, for strength and courage. In a word, they were "shipmates"; then and forever. I liked the surge of adventure in my heart, when the word was passed: "Now set the special sea and anchor detail - all hands to mooring stations for leaving port," and I liked the infectious thrill of sighting home again, with the waving hands of welcome from family and friends waiting pier side. The work was hard and dangerous; the going rough at times; the parting from loved ones painful, but the companionship of robust CG laughter, the "all for one and one for all" philosophy of the sea was ever present. I liked the serenity of the sea after a day of hard ship's work, as flying fish flitted across the wave tops and sunset gave way to night. I liked the feel of the CG Cutter in darkness - the masthead and range lights, the red and green navigation lights and stern light, the pulsating phosphorescence of radar repeaters - they cut through the dusk and joined with the mirror of stars overhead. And I liked drifting off to sleep lulled by the myriad noises large and small that told me that my ship was alive and well, and that my shipmates on watch would keep me safe. I liked quiet mid-watches with the aroma of strong coffee and PBJ sandwiches -- the lifeblood of the CG permeating everywhere. And I liked hectic watches when the exacting minuet of haze-gray shapes racing at flank speed kept all hands on a razor edge of alertness. I liked the sudden electricity of "General quarters, general quarters, all hands man your battle stations," followed by the hurried clamor of running feet on ladders and the resounding thump of watertight doors as the ship transformed herself in a few brief seconds from a peaceful workplace to a weapon of war -- ready for anything. And I liked the sight of space- age equipment manned by youngsters clad in dungarees and sound-powered phones that their grandfathers would still recognize. I liked the traditions of the CG and the men and women who served so valiantly. These few gave so much in service to their country. A sailor could find much in the CG: comrades-in- arms, pride in self and country, mastery of the seaman's trade. An adolescent could find adulthood. In years to come, when sailors are home from the sea, they will still remember with fondness and respect the ocean in all its moods - the impossible shimmering mirror calm and the storm-tossed green water surging over the bow. And then there will come again a faint whiff of stack gas, a faint echo of engine and rudder orders, a vision of the bright bunting of signal flags snapping at the yardarm, a refrain of hearty laughter in the wardroom and chief's quarters and mess decks. Gone ashore for good they will grow wistful about their CG days, when the seas belonged to them and a new port of call was ever over the horizon. Remembering this, they will stand taller and say, "I WAS A COAST GUARDSMAN ONCE."

A-Jay

Yes my Talons are mounted to the hull - and there have been no issues. BUT - during the mounting process - the mounting hardware MUST be through bolted and back plated on the inside of the transom. While in use, these units place quite a strain on the hull & the hardware in anything other than flat calm conditions. If not mounted as mentioned - they may pull off or out of the hull - which is highly undesirable. As for the jack plate - I used a 6 inch manual Sea Star unit - besides offering a small bit of performance improvement, my main reason for installing the unit was to offer some relief (space) between the hull & the ProXS lower unit. Needed it as I was getting a 20 % obstruction when using Side Imaging. This was eliminated by the jack plate. If not for the side imaging deal - I was very happy with the handling & performance of the Pro-V bass WITHOUT the Jack Plate. Finally I set the new motor on the jack plate & hull at the same level / position as the original motor. It runs great. Hope that helps A-Jay

Thanks - but your 2nd best pike could eat my PB pike . . . So there's that. A-Jay