slonezp

I lost a smallmouth this spring that I am sure was over 7lbs. Made it to the boat when she took 1 final jump. Line snapped and away she swam.

Get Shorty Sounds like you're training to be Aaron Martens

The hull has a max weight rating. If you build a deck, you are adding weight. You are also raising the center of gravity. Doesn't mean it can't be done. I have a 1970 14' Lund. Max weight is 800lbs. That means people motors gear and whatever else. Before you start adding weight, you need to calculate how much weight you can safely add. First thing I would do is get the max hull weight rating. Subtract the weight of yourself, the wife and daughter. Subtract the weight of any motors, fuel, and batteries. Subtract the weight of your gear. Determine if there is enough weight leftover to build a casting deck.

Saw that as well

Is that Clayton who was doing fiberglass work for the railroad?

6 hours in and it's awesome \

Both

Snow is falling and chili is on 3 hours in, a few more to go

Without dissecting every fish to determine the cause of death, it is speculation. Let's speculate that all the fish hanging out together were from the same year class. It's just as easy to speculate they all died of old age. They died from some type of bacteria which was passed around the school, or something else that shocked the body of water

While I respect your opinion, the article had nothing to do with the stress a fish may or may not go thru by being held in a livewell. It was about transporting fish away from their stomping grounds which caused them to expel too much energy trying to make their way home, which is speculated to result in 35-50% mortality. I believe that if a fisherman is within his legal rights to take 5 fish for a boat ride, then he has every right to do so. I believe that fish aren't as stupid as people think they are. I believe that people who equate non human life to human life have a screw loose.

spec·u·late /ˈspekyəˌlāt/ verb 1. form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence. "my colleagues speculate about my private life" synonyms: conjecture, theorize, hypothesize, guess, surmise; More

Sorry to hear. Best advice I can give it physical therapy. I suffer from loss of motor skills in my left hand and arm as the result of a physical injury. Simply using my left arm and hand has been the best therapy.

So let's say call what you are looking for is a cookie cutter tin. Most 17-19ft mod v aluminum boats will give you the same ride no matter what the brand. Xpress and Sea Ark will rise above. They will also cost more money. The Lund will be the only riveted option. It will be the only hull that won't warp or crack. The rest of the hulls are similar and only the interior layouts will differ. If you're not beating the crap out of it, any brand will do. If you are beating the crap out of it, go with the Xpress, Sea ark or Lund.

Owning a boat is about freedom. I had motorcycles prior to owning boats. Freedom on the open road is nothing compared to freedom on the open water. Freedom to fish wherever and whenever you want (weather permitting) Freedom to chase the big ones in a tournament. Freedom to chase the big ones to show off your trophys. Freedom to chase the panfish for dinner. Freedom to take a kid fishing. Freedom to take your dad(or grand dad) fishing, if, for nothing more than to spend quality time with them. Freedom to drag the wife along so she can tan while you're training to be the ultimate angler. Freedom to take the kids and grandkids out for a day on the water, be it fishing, tubing, or just riding around. Freedom to be one with nature. Freedom to say no to your neighbor who asks you to take him fishing yet offers nothing in return. Freedom just to get the F away from the crap that life throws at you. Freedom to wave at the bank maggots knowing you've got a boat and they don't. No regrets. I spent more money than I needed on more boat than I needed. Were it not for that, the time I spend with my son and my father would be minimal at best. People buy boats for different reasons. My purchase was based more on the needs of my dad than the needs for myself and my son. Dad is pushing 80 and has caught more big fish in the last 5 years than he had 75 years prior. No regrets.

Smallmouth somewhere between 26 and more than 26

Lake Michigan has depths up to 900ft. Visibility may get to 30ft. I doubt a plane or satellite could see deeper than some guy in a boat.

Bears kicker is going to be looking for a job

Miserable cold? If you have open water in January that is nowhere near miserable cold. If we don't have 18" of ice in January, its been unseasonably warm.

Who's the father?

Mike should be able to answer your question and/or resolve the issue.

You are correct

Awesome trip!

Have you called mike?

Congrats. I know you've been looking for some time now. Hopefully after ice out, she is all you dreamed she would be.