S Hovanec

I don't care for any of the super light reels, regardless of brand. They make every rod feel tip heavy with the exception of customs built for that particular reel.

I believe that is a typo that has been ongoing for a couple years. If it isn't, the 610mlxf is rated to be a heavier rod than the 610mxf.

Something with high reserve capacity. Maybe even 2 wired parallel.

I like the 610MXF for throwing jerks. I don't know why, I just do.

No kidding there. There's one ramp at a Corp lake I fish, that late in the summer, the waters edge is in front of my truck to get enough water under the trailer! The exhaust is under water and the step tubes are too.

I can't stand the bay. If I can't fish the main lake, I go back to camp and do maintenance or drink beer......or both!

I cancelled my trip last weekend due to the forecast. Didn't want to un-winterize camp with the risk of a freeze! Won't be able to go til Memorial day weekend now.

If it is that difficult getting centered, I'd venture to guess you're putting the trailer in too deep. All boats are different, but I'd start by backing it in til the top of the fenders are just above the water. Guides in the front won't help. I would install those by drilling through the diamond plate where ever necessary to make them work.

Where is camp? I have one at Camp Eriez on Rt. 5.

Crap mono backer, 50yds of 10# or 15# braid, 18' fluoro leader. That's what is on all of my DS setups. Well, not all. I do have one with 8# braid.

One? They all pay cash!

I paid extra principal every week (credit union did weekly payments). There was a couple months I was laid-off that I didn't even make a payment and I still paid it off 2 years early.

depends on the lending institution. some will finance for longer than you will ever keep the boat! Problem with that is, while your payment is low, after a couple years, you're still upside-down on the loan. I financed mine for 8 years and had it paid off in 6.

This is what I do every fall. A couple pumps of the bulb and gravity takes over. I use the gas in my truck.

I had a 16' tiller with a 25 Johnson. Nice boat, but I outgrew it quickly.

For years, I used a 6'8" MXF. Stepping up to a 7'3" MHXF this season.

My bass boat is a deep-v. I wanted a deep-v because I mainly fish big water and I prefer to be IN a boat rather than ON a boat. Plus, we take our dogs with us and the higher sides of the deep-v are more pup friendly. When I was shopping, I narrowed it down to 3 boats: 617 Ranger, Skeeter ZX1775 and the Lund Mr Pike 17. It's sad to say, but I picked the Lund based solely on it being the most affordable of the bunch. I do not regret getting the Lund and I've been happily using it since 2005.

We are fortunate in our part of the country to have some Amish that make custom covers. The ones I had made for my 17' Lund were in the $400 neighborhood. First one lasted 9 years of towing and being stored outside, winter and summer. I'm on year 3 of the new one. They are made of TopGun Canvas.

I'm a st Croix freak, so that one gets my vote. Have a 69mlxf and a 610mlxf extended to 7' and another 610mlxf in the que to be built. One has TiSic guides and one gad Torzite. IMO, the Torzites aren't worth the extra money and I only used them just to see what they're all about. Next rod will get the SiC.

That's a nice looking rig. Little on the heavy side for a 40, but nice for its age.

I was thinking a faulty throw-out bearing in the blank.

A Chevy and a Mercedes do the same thing too, what's the need for a Mercedes? Some people just like nice gear that will last.

On two occasions, I made the mistake of shipping rods in those 1/4" thick cardboard tubes that St. Croix ships in. Neither rod made it to its destination intact. It is my belief that cardboard is a one-and-done shipping container. Is it really worth risking a $200+ rod to save the $10 a PVC tube costs over a freebie cardboard? I learned my lesson.

PVC cut 2" longer than the rod + bubble wrap around the rod to center it in the tube + bubble wrap on each end + FedEx.

Neither! All mass produced rods suck!