Fishing Rhino

This was my favorite topwater in the early 1960s. A Creek Chub Plunker. The other two were the Jitterbug, and the Hula Popper. Looks like many of the topwater poppers available today. Yesteryears Todays Rebel Pop Rs

You are correct. I can remember having some Rebel lures in my late teens. That was over fifty years ago.

I seem to recall that when I took delivery of my Z-7 nearly three years ago they told me to handle the cowl with care. It would cost about 1500 to replace it. Three years later, and a larger cowl with decals two grand would be a decent ballpark figure. If I'm wrong, I hope for your sake that I erred on the high side.

I don't make any resolutions. It is an interesting tradition however.

I think most lures copy each other. You surely don't think Zoom, Strike King, Yum, Berkley, Yamamoto, each invented plastic stick baits. Same with the Alabama Rig, which is just a version of the umbrella rig which has been around for at least forty years. I can remember when Rebel, Rapala and Mirrolures dominated the market for the fish resembling baits. That would have been over forty years ago. I'm not a fishing historian, but I've seen enough to know that when a particular bait gains a reputation and is selling lures by the truckload, just about all the other manufacturers hasten look alike baits to the marketplace. If Bass Pro is some kind of villain for copying other's lure designs, I'd submit to you that they are hardly alone in that practice. I'd go so far as to say most of them indulge in such practices.

One other thing I'd suggest. If it doesn't have one, get a Keel Guard installed.

I hope it is. Anything to improve mental capacity. I'm reaching the age where I'm forgetting things faster than I can learn them. .

I've got a Z-8 with the standard 75 pound, 24 volt Motorguide. As an aside, the Nitros now come with MinnKotas. Back to the subject. The Motorguide is a five speed. On most days I'll fish with the setting on 2. If it's like glass, 1 is enough. If it's windy, I may use three. The only time I've kicked it up to five was to move a hundred yards or so, rather than starting the main engine. That's happened two or three times in the past three years. It may be an entirely different matter if you fish where there are currents, but for my style of fishing the extra money would be a waste. Different strokes for different folks, one of the great things about fishing. We can each do it to suit ourselves.

I didn't have a jackplate on my Z-7. The hydraulic steering is a nice option for the Z-7. Don't know if it's the same with the new style hull, but mine had cable steering and the motor pulled to one side until you got up to about fifty, then, for whatever reason the "pull" vanished. With hydraulic, the motor cannot turn until you turn the wheel. I cannot help with the hotfoot. I've never had one. Do a google search on hotfoot reviews and you should get the pros and cons.

I think it's a good price. The base price on a 2011 Z-7 that I've seen at the BPS in Foxboro, MA ran 24 - 25 thousand. Add another 600 for the cover if it's a Nitro ratchet strap, at least 3 grand for the electronics and another two grand for the power pole, and you've pushed it to over 30,000. If you have hydraulic steering, and trailer brakes, that's a few hundred more. Couldn't tell from the photos if it had those two options. One thing I don't like. The way the console mount for the Humminbird is set. It may be the perspective in the images, but it looks like the unit overhangs the rail. If it does, it's vulnerable to docks, bulkheads, pilings etc. It should be inboard a few inches so the rail of the boat takes the bump. You should be able to adjust it to a protected position with that mount. the other thing is the arm of the mount is horizontal. Even if it is the two inch ball, you'll need to make sure it is really tight. That's a lot of leverage on the ball and socket joints if you're pounding through a chop. Ideally, that type of mount should be as nearly vertical as possible. It should do sixty mph, maybe a tic more. My '09 Z-7's fastest on the GPS was 58.7 mph. That was with a Merc 150 EFI. The Optimax should be good for another couple of mph. It has the rapid planing system, so it should get up on plane quickly. My major gripe with the '09 version was that it was sluggish getting up on plane. I like the colors. Hmmmm, I wonder why? I think the price is right. When I traded in my '09, the BPS was asking 21,000 for it. Don't know what they finally got for it. The storage is great. Both rod lockers can handle eight foot rods. I have fifteen combos in my starboard locker. I could put another fifteen in it and still have room for more. I'd hate to have to get at a rod on the bottom. I think you'll be well satisfied with it.

I'd avoid that Honda. It is strictly a battery charger, and not good for much else. How do you charge your trolling motor batteries now? If you have a charger why buy another charger? Buy a generator that will provide 110 volts. You can use it in conjunction with the charger you have now. In addition, you can use it as an emergency power source for lights, a refrigerator or whatever.

Treble hooks are made for just that purpose. I had some years ago when we'd drag 'em through a school of pogies (bunker/menhaden) to get bait for stripers.

If it's the "new boat smell", I'd suggest getting a quart of JJ's Magic and apply two coats below the waterline. Allow two hours between coats at temps of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, or warmer. It goes without saying, apply in a well ventilated area, and wear a respirator.

I must have missed that commercial, but I did recently watch the MWC episode from which your avatar is taken. Is that like sleeping at a Holiday Inn Express?

Did you see that in the movie "The Bucket List"? Coffee beans that had been processed by a goat or a sheep. Forget which.

My post was regarding the contest for brewing coffee with the highest caffein content. I can remember having about five cups of coffee with breakfast in a restaurant. The cook was very busy, or very slow. Either way, the waitress kept filling our cups. I was lightheaded when I stood up, and it felt like I was walking about six inches above the floor. I was very conscious of my coffee intake after that. I'm not a coffee drinker. There are two times when I'll drink coffee. If we go out for breakfast I'll drink decaf. When I'm heading well before daylight on a long drive, I'll stop at the first Dunkin Donut I see and get a medium size, regular coffee and a couple of bagels for munchies. That will keep me going 'til daybreak. Bennies were popular among the long haul truckers years ago. I'm not sure they were legal back in the day, but they were readily available. Their use is most likely what prompted the feds to regulate driving times, and requiring that driving logs be kept current at all times. It has been decades since I heard about them being routinely used by truck drivers.

Are you going to filter it through your kidneys first?

Why not pop a few bennies? See benzedrine. "Benzedrine is a form of amphetamine that was once in widespread use in the West...................... By the Second World War, the drug was also being manufactured in the form of tablets. Doctors prescribed it to people who had difficulty waking up in the morning, along with patients who suffered from narcolepsy, and Benzedrine tablets were also shipped out by the caseload for use by soldiers on the front. Benzedrine, along with many other stimulants, was extensively used by soldiers from all of the nations involved in the war, and it was especially popular with pilots. In fact, advertisements for this drug stressed this point, saying that it would make people more alert. Benzedrine was widely available in tablet and inhaler form in most drug stores, and people from all walks of life used it. Movie stars, flight crews, and truckers consumed large amounts of Benzedrine in the course of their work, and the drug also proved popular with bored teens, housewives, and many others." http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-benzedrine.htm

One thing that did pique my interest was the new deep V, deep water "Nitro". Looks like a hybrid between a bass boat and an open water boat. Should be great for those who fish places like the Great Lakes or Champlain. Bigger and deeper than a standard bass boat. On the other hand, it's not as likely you will lose gear over the side. Will be interesting to see if, as Archie bunker once said, "it's too much of each, and not enough of neither". For sure it opens up opportunities to fish and travel in rougher weather. But, are the trade offs worth it?

It's like finding another gift under the tree this morning. But no picture of my personal best drum?

You.u.u.u (clank) wiil.l.l.l be.e.e. (tinkle) visited by.y.y (clank/rattle) thrre.e.e spirittss to.o.o.nightt. Not the alcoholic type.

Merry Christmas to all, and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Don't let Redline Robert see that.

I thought you were the longjohn type.

That looks to be the same as my square stern. I think they weigh about ninety pounds, and I have stood in mine without a problem, but knowing me, I'm not one to tempt fate. I'd find some way do end up in the drink. It is a great canoe for two people. I added these folding seats on on a piece of half inch plywood with a swivel sandwiched between The seats are much better than the folding canvas type, and the swivel works splendidly.