A-Jay

First off they're all on the flea & tick preventative year round (NexGard) - that helps. Second, there is no secret or magic to it for us - always involves a ton of 'hands-on' work. When the meds are working right, a good percentage of the ones me miss initially are found dead on the dog on the next pass. btw - our white shepherd seems to be a tick magnet - but they're ridiculously easy to see. Looks like black pepper in the snow. A-Jay

Please don't. It's Perfect. A-Jay

I enjoyed this even more with the typo. A-Jay

Ok - Perhaps on the Fishmas exchange - I'll send you one and you can send me one. I want a black one. A-Jay

I'd use one if you bought it for me though. A-Jay

Times are a changing JB ~ First 10 years here in the north woods of MI - Never a tick - not one. This summer - it's been one after another. All kinds of fun with a kennel full of heavy, double coated dogs . . . A-Jay

That's not my motor ~ I snagged that pic from the interwebs. And for the record, I've always felt that if it needed one - it'd come with one. A-Jay

A-Jay

25% off select gear https://www.hukgear.com/collections/kryptek-sale A-Jay

25% off Selected HUK Apparel ~ https://www.hukgear.com/collections/kryptek-sale A-Jay

Or perhaps no check at all. Often times units will by pass vessels with stickers as there's usually plenty on previously 'unchecked' vessels to board. Taking the time to have your vessel checked & certified by the U S Coast Guard Auxiliary for compliance is a really good idea but not a 100 % sure way of not being part of a 'random boarding'. A-Jay

https://www.hukgear.com/pages/identity A-Jay

I terminated many a voyage for this very thing - Made everyone sad - but no one on these vessels died that day. A-Jay

Just returned from my Mercury Marine Dealer ~ All kinds of Good News. First off, I had received incorrect information initially regarding the need to convert my rig to 'all digital gauges, controls & steering' to facilitate the new motor. Not the case. The newest Pro XS is available in multiple configurations to accommodate most any fitment - Meaning it will be Plug & Play more or less. (besides I prefer the standard manual throttle I have) Makes the re-power less work & Less $$. Fan of that. Paperwork getting written up over the weekend and I'll return on Monday to sign the final draft. At which point I'll "be on the list". Current time frame for delivery looks like mid July right now. Looking forward to it - besides being a welcome distraction. A-Jay

My "Hair Jig Rig" uses a 6 lb Sufix 832 Advanced Braided Superline braid mainline & a 6lb fluorocarbon leader on 7' ML spinning gear. As previously mentioned seems quite a bit 'stronger' than 6lb but is still super thin and a little tricky to fish in a stiff breeze. Also has ZERO abrasion resistance so this is an open water presentation only. A-Jay

Great write up. Sounds like it was everything you had hoped it would be. Congrats and Thank you for sharing your most excellent experience. ? A-Jay

The anticipation of a Killer Trip ~ Such a great feeling ! Weather for the week looks decent. Appears mid-week you might be fishing in some version of a North wind. But before & especially after that moves through, you could be in "Lay the Smack Down" conditions. Good Luck. A-Jay

LOL ~ Didn't really know if I was going to like it . . . . A-Jay

Picked up the Silver Edition - Really Like it. A-Jay

A-Jay

Interesting perspective ~ Perhaps all you need is a "Rapala floater perch color, one rapala floater silver color, some yum dingers, some brush hogs, a rapala skitter pop, a hula popper, a rapala ultra light pop, ribbon tail worms, 4/0 hooks, 3/0 hooks, worm weights, a Booyah Frog, some tubes, some Plano tackle trays." Oh and maybe a crankbait or two . . . Good Luck A-Jay

Fantastic Smallie ~ Congrats A-Jay

Sweet Rig ~ Good Luck A-Jay

My cranking needs are handled with Quantum Cranking Classic & the Shimano Calcutta 200D A-Jay

Big Fan ~ A-Jay