slonezp

Here's the 17" bass that got the hot oil treatment along with some perch.

And some chickens

Match the hatch. That would be an alewife

I'll post the pics you were hoping to see sometime this weekend LOL

There's aluminum and then there's aluminum and a few brands retain their value, just like 'glass. I don't get the whole buy a boat because of the resale value. A boat is not an investment, it is a tool, a hobby. Unless you're buying boats every couple years, buy a boat because it suits your needs, not because you are worried about depreciation.

I recently took over a store. I sell commercial hvac controls/parts. I am not familiar with many of the customers. A guy called who is a COD account and ordered $500. worth of stuff. He comes in and adds another $1000 onto the order and another $700 in product to pick up on Wednesday. Meanwhile, another customer who had already ordered $1500 worth of stuff waited. I treated both of them equally and gave them both my undivided attention. Neither customer was offended. It's all about customer service. I have tens of thousands of dollars in quotes that go out every week. Follow up is key.

Was the boat used weekly...monthly...a few time a year? Was is garage kept? Under a cover? Left to the elements? Was it maintained properly?

Fish eat fish

Dad bugged out today. Headed up to his summer home in Door County. I'm heading up tomorrow after work to meet him. I'd post the social media stuff I have about burning down Chicago but the thread would get deleted.

Dad taught me how to respect a gun and clean a gun 47 years ago. He taught me how to fire a gun 45 years ago. I'm 50. Mom hated guns. When I was a kid, we'd go to the range, but would always have to stop off at dad's office to pick up the guns because mom wouldn't allow them in the house. Fast forward to today. Mom passed away 3 weeks ago. Riots in Chicago, apparently scheduled in dads neighborhood. He just called me. He's locked and loaded. Asked him if he wanted me to come by. Said he's good.

Tried a new twist on hot wings. Smokey garlic. Wings in the pellet grill for 50 minutes on 220 with the smoke tube full of hickory. Sauce would be your favorite buffalo sauce with a bulb of garlic saute'd in it.

Was only 4 fillets I threw out. Aside from what I had for dinner yesterday, the rest is already frozen and waiting to be consumed. Can't even say they were parasites, could have been aliens. 2 of the gills had numerous small specs of something in their meat. I was able to pick them out with the fillet knife. Didn't want to chance it. I caught some bass a few weeks ago on my sons lake that had parasites in their mouths. Had no plans on keeping them but it was still alarming. Those parasites aren't even in the good meat. LOL

I have a gin clear lake I keep fish from. Bass, panfish, pike whatever. Cleaned almost 30 crappies/bluegills yesterday. 2 gills had parasites. First time I have thrown out gills in 30 years of fishing the lake.

Fish don't always speed off. Try and get them landed quickly. The less energy they expel during the fight the quicker the recovery. 3 minutes out of water isn't a whole lot in general.

Gotta love EPA gas cans....

Nice fish

Maintenance costs should be identical except for the additional spark plugs on any newer engine.

I'm assuming he means if he breaks down on water. There are 2 lakes in northern IL that have official tow services on them, one being Lake Michigan and the other being my home water. Any waterfront dealer/shop should offer tows as well. If I broke down on any small inland lake with no marinas, I'd find someone or call someone to get me back to the ramp.

https://www.globalmarineinsurance.com/ These guys will set you up. You want replacement coverage.

Just finished deep fried crappie with Zatarans breading

Got out today with dad and the kid to my favorite panfish lake. The lake is only a couple hundred acres, gin clear water, max depth of 30ft, 70* surface temp. Did more "hunting" than catching. Crappies were bedding but most of the schools we came across had lockjaw. #2 long shank gold aberdeen Eagle Claw hooks and minnow underneath a small splitshot and a Rocket Bobber which is the best bobber on the market. Screw Mick Thill and his overpriced under performing bobbers. LOL Pulled the crappies from one hole and the bluegills from another. Also got a dozen or so short bass on drop shot, poppers, and live bait. Think I cleaned just under 30 fish. The deep fryer is heating up as I type this.

In a few weeks the eggs will hatch and the bass will target the schools of carp fry

There are plenty of tin boats run in salt water. There is a large number of manufacturers that build large aluminum boats for ocean use.