shady oaks

I found boat 2 on Kalamazoo's CL. He listed it there at 1600 last week. And on that note, be diligent and check all CL cities within the distance you are willing to travel. And if you have a smartphone the CL app is awesome. When you search "bass boat" or "fishing boat" it will search what ever distance you put in.

After getting a RH reel sent to me not once, but twice by a company when I ordered a LH I took it as fate and learned how to use it. So glad that I did, now if someone invites me out for a day on the water when out of town or with my gear, no worries. I will say though my hook set is more of a body hook set than an arm hook set when using RH reels versus LH. But in the end, you have to do what is most comfortable for you, not others. Learning to versatile with a great weapon, and good way to find stellar deals sometimes!

Wife's PB, 3lb10oz caught today in on and off drizzle and 20 mph winds. Wife's previous best, 3lb06oz, caught on Grand Traverse Bay. Not my PB, but the best colored one I've caught, again on Grand Traverse Bay.

What is prime time fall water temps for smallies, but more specifically jerkbaits. Heading to Traverse City area.

Another vote for the Veritas. Have 2 myself, soon to be 3. A 7' MH micro guide would be a great all around rod.

Having a scale is nice, but not something everyone wants to buy. Instead, use the said estimator with length and girth. Here's the trick to that when you weren't planning on catching a fish worthy of wanting numbers. Take a piece of fishing line and cut it the length of the fish. Take a second piece and measure the girth and then use a tape measurer at home to get your numbers. You could always tie a knot in the one piece of string instead of having two pieces.

I vote for both.

Some reports I've been seeing say they are in the rivers, but not in huge numbers. In a couple of weeks it should be pretty hot.

Exactly what lunkerlust says about breakoffs. An overhand knot and you'll keep your hook and bait with a quick retie for a weight and you're back in action.

Sent you a pm.

+1 on that, boy have I..........

One of the best things I've done. The wife and I went with a guide on Grand Traverse Bay for smallies (my avatar was an average fish that day!). I learned so much that day from smallies, to the Bay, to dropshotting just to name a few. Even put us on fish on inland lakes for the rest of our vacation. I realize I've lost many years of experience of not fishing and am willing to pay to learn from someone else's dedication and knowledge. Plus there's nothing like watching the wife (at least in my case) haul in a 4+ lb. smallmouth topping her personal best by double. References are important to get, but honestly have you ever heard of somebody giving a referal of a bad experience? Ask about success rate, but also ask about the tough days he's had. If he's NEVER had a bad day with a customer, move on to the next.

I believe it is the latest from Merc, it's on a 2012 Nitro Z7.

What can you tell me, good and bad, about both these motors. I will be testing both out next Monday, but before that would like to hear what peoples opinion on the 2 are.