Darren.

@J Francho and I are technical like that. Like this

Whatever you find, be wise and ALWAYS wear a quality PFD. You can top it with stuff like these:

Nice hawgs!

I've had mixed results using tubes where you/I fish. I have caught bass, crappie, pickerel there. I like the Gitzit tubes, but they're not weedless. I'm looking at doing the TX rig thing with some SK tubes I've had for years, sitting in a box, unused. Actually did a major change for tackle storage (back to boxes) and made a box with those tubes. Plan to try use them this year.

Whatever the case, I'd also burn the house down if that spider got loose, LOL.

I always thought they were different species. Similar by all accounts, but different. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_opossum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_opossum https://www.livescience.com/56182-opossum-facts.html "There are more than 60 species of opossum. The species that many people think of when hearing about this animal is the common opossum, also known as Virginia opossum. However, these are two different species. The common opossum's scientific name is Didelphis marsupialis, and the Virginia opossum's scientific name is Didelphis virginiana."

Key words: AMAZON Rainforest. Not the possums we have here. Not the spiders we have here. No need to.... No need to.... Worrrrryyyyy.

Welcome aboard @Leba27! If you hover over VABasser's picture, you'll see he's not visited the site since June 17 2018. Doesn't mean he won't respond, but he hasn't been active for a while. Other folks here could chime in on your questions. I'm on the Peninsula, no experience with South Side fishing.

IIRC, the 3000 is the same paddle handle as the 2500. Above 3000 moves to the T handle, if memory serves.

I do not like threads on top. Bottom is my pref. My Premier is thread on bottom and I really like the slim/narrow cork better than others I have except for the old Shimano Compre cork model with the index finger cutout.

Fantastic start! Bug-eyed monster! Nicely done!

Congrats and welcome aboard!

If I were in your position, I'd likely opt for both to maximize visibility. My PFD is drab. I would have bought a bright orange one if BPS had it in a color other than beige. Currently do not use a flag as I mostly do not fish motor boat waters, but have been seriously considering one for the possibility of night fishing for striper in small inlets around my locale.

Very true on the choices out there. As for removing the clips, I do basically the same thing as putting them on. A little twist usually does the trick, but I can see how that could be frustrating, esp. at night. I also have "regular" clips on some setups.

I use them all the time for my cranks and sometimes on frogs. The trick is NOT trying to squeeze them open. Turn them sideways and work the clip circle open onto the bait eye. Very easy to use when you do it this way.

Big Congrats to you both! And I was thinking the same thing as @Bluebasser86 when I opened the post!!

Welcome aboard, Matt!

Welcome aboard, Al!

Wow! I don't think I knew there were sturgeon in MN! Awesome catch...ice fishing...drilling 5 holes to get it.

Same issue with treble hooks for me. I was looking at rubber nets but then my DIY mind decided to Google it. Found several folks who have used rubber sprays and loved the result. I happened to have some spray so I rubberized my net this afternoon. So far it feels great. A little stiff for now, but I hope to test it soon. I've got a telescoping version of one of these. If I had clear rubber, I'd have used it, but I only had black. Since I don't really use the measuring stuff I didn't mind spraying over.

https://deadspin.com/patriots-owner-bob-kraft-charged-with-soliciting-prosti-1832807440 He's probably mortified to the Nth degree. Well, maybe.

Welcome aboard, Jerry!

Welcome aboard! From what i've read, NuCanoe, as others have said.

This year I had to do a lot more "maintenance" than before. Reason: salt water. I previously used mostly zinc-coated screws and bolts for DIY stuff. Yeah. Striper fishing caused those to degrade too quickly, so I've been slowly changing out to all stainless. Problem I have now is my mounting plate for my trollng motor. It is painted steel and after exposure to salt started bubbling and pitting with rust. Took it off, ground out the bad stuff, coated with some anti-rust paint, then a few coats of rubber spray. Hopefully that'll make it last a while longer. Need to find a sacrificial anode for it. Bought a sacrificial anode prop screw to make the TM last.

Try to tension it to where it is not too tight or loose, somewhere in between. Now cast your senko out, let it sink for a few seconds and "set the hook". Does the drag do a little zing? Perfect. Does no zing? Loosen and try again. A ton of zing, tighten until it does just a little zing. From here you can play with the tension when you actually have a fish on. This is a completely unscientific way to do it. I don't use weights and measures or math to figure the sweet spot. But then I'm not a math guy . I found this method via a fishing show years back, and it has worked for me.