slonezp

This is the truth. There's an island on my home water that is also home to multiple cormorant colonies. If the flock is flying in or out, their dropping bombs on the boat on purpose.

By me they just crap on you

On my home water in Northern IL, there is a decent population of musky in the 35-45" range and a few 50" swimming around. Same water, the pike population is much larger and a 35" pike would be huge. I tend to catch bigger pike on water void of musky.

Crappie do the same in cold water. If they feel no resistance they just stay there. The line is the giveaway. 5 minutes? Did you gut hook him or hook him in the mouth?

Were those transom straps or trim tabs?

TRD Pro. I like the color combination on this.

Start the video at 4:30

It's a tough business. If I hook you up with the wrong part, what are the chances you'll come back? 99% of my business is commercial and industrial hvac/r. Mistakes are very costly.

Helpful and friendly. I spoke with her this morning. She asked if I had the prop with me. I told her I had it at home. She said to count the splines and call her back. I called back when I got home from work. Fortunate for me, Tacoma is 2 hours behind Chicago time. She still had her notes from our conservation earlier in the day. Double checked everything and we placed the order I'm in the parts business. A good parts guy/gal is hard to find. I hear complaints all day long about other hvac/r supply houses. I'm a step above the rest. The proof is in my sales numbers. When I was trying to get bearings for the 40 year old trailer, I went to 3 auto parts stores. They could get the bearings, can't get the seals or vice versa. Guy at O'Reilly's found the bearings and seals sold as a set on Amazon. Printed the page and handed it to me. Said it would take a week or longer for him to get them and it would cost more than on Amazon. I stopped going to NAPA and Auto Zone. O'Reilly's gets my auto parts business now.

A quick shout out to Tacoma Propeller. I spoke with an extremely friendly young lady. We confirmed via phone the correct prop is the 9-1/2x10 13 spline. It was in stock, and she shipped it out today.

Google says 1985 as well. If this is the incorrect prop, what would determine if it should be an 8" or 10"?

Thanks for the link. I have a 7 character model number the link is for an 8 or 9 character model number.

Motor is not titled, just the boat and the trailer. It's a 15hp and I believe it's from the 60's but not sure. I bought the motor maybe 15 years ago by itself, without the boat.

@Jig Rookie are you mostly fishing retention ponds?

@Way2slow or anyone else. Trying to determine the year of my outboard and the correct part# for the prop. I spun the hub and need a replacement prop seems there could be multiple options. It's a 9-1/2x10 M#E15RC0B S#E0494966 1966???

Hit the Fox in the Elgin/Carpentersville area. Got a late start as dad didn't get to my house until 10:30. Launched at the ramp where I90 crosses the river. Water is real low. I haven't fished this stretch by boat since I had my Mirrocraft so it's been 10 years or longer. Water was 76*. Fished until 2:30. Landed 2 dink smallies and a dink largemouth. Lost 2 keeper smallies at the boat. I ended up hitting bottom while on plane on our initial run to the first spot. Spun the hub on the prop. Fortunately I didn't do any major damage and we were still able to putt around and fish. Now to find a prop...

Yep

Ran across this video. I haven't fished the Chicago River from shore since I moved out of the city 20 years ago. Haven't been there by boat in a few years. Good populations of bass and crappie swimming around. Even caught a salmon once that made its way thru the locks that connect the river to Lake Michigan. Anyway, the video is put together well.

A pro ball player plays within a specific set of rules. His/her opponent plays within the same set of rules. A professional fisherman doesn't have that luxury. When I was competing, I was happy if I could wash my expenses with my winnings. I competed locally in US Anglers Choice and traveled for the championship tourneys. Nothing compared to what the BASS/FLW/MLF guys do. It's a tough gig. Even tougher if Momma don't like it.

Fishing gear and tools I have difficulty parting with.

I would define "Pro" as someone who can make a decent living at what they do, not necessarily being in a league of their own. All superstars are pros but not all pros are superstars.

Pics or it didn't happen

I gave up tournaments when I destroyed my shoulder 10 years ago. I really don't miss it. Traveling, fishing, traveling, fishing, is very tiring.

I competed against this guy for more than 10 years. He dominated the local scene. Qualified for the Elites 3 years ago and hasn't done very well. Unless he pulls a rabbit out of his ass, I think this will be his last year. https://www.bassmaster.com/anglers/chris-groh