Choporoz

I got a couple 8 foot cables from hardware store and some padlocks. I lock them in the yard, to car racks when parked somewhere overnight...and occasionally to a tree near launch or beach if I need to leave them for a bit. Won't deter someone determined with bolt cutters, but it will deter opportunist thieves. In the yard, I keep them on the carts, covered by a plastic tarp, locked to a post. Wife would like them up and out of the way more, but so far, I'm happy just how they are.

Cut a lot of grass; and did some baby sitting....delivered newspapers every day from a few days after my 12th birthday until I was 16 and the dime store would hire me. I never spent much on fishing stuff....there was no interwebs and I didn't yet know that I needed all this crap I gots now

No totality...and partly cloudy...but that made for cool viewing...just enough clouds for ok filter....I expect my eyes to make a full recovery in a few weeks...:)

Internet can make things seem confusing. It's been a few years since I was at Walmart looking at batteries, but IIRC, there's really only 6 choices there. All are everstart deep cycle; the only difference is in sizes; 24, 27, 29; and each comes in 'regular or maxx'. 24 is lightest weight; 29 will last longest on a charge. 27 is good balance of weight and power. And I wouldn't put too much 'stock' in Walmart's 'out of stock' note on the web page....historically, that hasn't been too accurate for me. Just go into a WM and buy whichever everstart deep cycle battery you want. All that said, I go back to what I said way above. I have switched to Interstate and won't go back. Cost a few bucks more, but they are better (for me.)

my thoughts are that you're being asked to pay $120 for a hundred dollar motor. If you test the used one and it works well, offer $70 for the motor and battery. As has been mentioned above, you're almost certainly going to be buying a new battery in the next year...a used one, the condition of which is unknown isn't worth more than maybe $10 or $15 ....to me, at least. Even though I have my doubts about MK's QC lately, a new battery will come with a warranty and a certain level of peace of mind. If you're comfortable testing the used one, do that and make an offer. If you want the warranty that comes with a new one...then go that route

sorry...no....I was saying 'NO!' to the battery that you linked... the Everstart is a decent value battery..https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Marine-Battery-Group-Size-27DC/16795212 .but I now prefer Interstate...cost a little more, but worth it to me

Agree....the value of the battery is negligible....maybe $10...the value of the core. Test the motor. If it works well, then you have a decision to make. My experience with transom mounted Minn Kotas is limited. I bought one (35) used; probably 5 or 6 years ago? It is still going strong...no problems, whatsoever. I have had one brand new (55) bought three years ago and after a number of problems died for good late last year. So, old doesn't mean bad. ================================== Not that battery. The everstart deep cycle. I used WM everstarts for a number of years. They do fine, but I switched to Interstate and they have been better all-around...longer day of trolling per charge...and no noticeable drop-off over time.

I'm a bit surprised and a little upset that none of the photo/gallery/editors, etc. on my Galaxy S7 will resize pics. I've used resize web pages, but its a pain. Lowest rez that I can take pics is about five times too big for BR posting. I've actually texted pics to myself...three or four times...to get them progressively smaller so I could post them

I've gotten better just by trying to follow a little bit of Gerald Swindle's advice: Work at maintaining positive mental attitude...and its corollary; Fish the cast...every cast... I used to waste probably 3/4 of my casts....nowadays, I'd like to think I'm closer to 25%

I've used them for years, but last fall/winter/spring, I really dedicated myself to fishing them better. If you skipped over it, I highly suggest that you check out the link that @A-Jay posted above. It has a video that is quite instructive. As @ww2farmermentioned, fouling can be a real issue. There aren't many on the market that come truly ready to fish...you'll have to play with different hooks, best clip for you, right line, etc. Once you get one the way you want...can cast with little fouling and you can keep it from snagging on wood and weeds, they're extremely effective. It will catch just about any fish besides bass...you get near crappies, you may have trouble keeping them off long enough to catch bass.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/06/16/apparently-the-once-feared-snakehead-is-just-another-fish-in-the-potomac/

I use grips, spreaders and hemostats....and @geo g, I throw all back unless there's someone close by that's wants to take it home to eat. No indication that they have been the disaster that was predicted

No. I especially don't understand what's unbearable. I get that folks with opinions that clash with ours can be a bit frustrating. But, don't get upset at statements without facts or data behind them; just because they don't comport with your beliefs/understanding. Life's too short....I know....I know....the implied question probably had to do more with whether or not CA is a 'good' bass state....still not a discussion worth getting upset about.

That's sorta interesting....I generally think about off-shoring manufacturing as a result of lower labor costs. I wouldn't have thought that labor was a key cost driver in making tungsten fishing tackle....could be, I suppose...but I'd be interested in the 'cost of machinery' part, too.

It's a perpetual question that you may never feel you're comfortable with your answer. One peculiarity of mine that I've noticed is a tendency to change baits when I get bit after a drought. If I go hours without a bite, and for no apparent reason, catch a fish....I tend to want to switch baits. Something in my brain says "the fish are there....and they're willing to bite...I probably got the one bass that didn't care if I offered the wrong color...but if I'd have been throwing something else, I'd have caught a lot more"

What swimbaits do you use? I tried a few (cane thumpers, swim senkos, keitech s.i., etc.)....I never felt they were near as effective as structure bugs and incrediclaws

I get how they seem to be similar/related. I agree with the replies above. One other big difference for me is that I work ned rigs exceedingly slow...I try hard to maintain bottom contact; and with such a light head, that isn't always easy to retrieve on the bottom. I am much more likely to move and hop a shakey head much more than the ned. I still like a slow drag much of the time, but it allows a lot more versatility in the way you move it, IMO.

yep....and, as @roadwarrior suggested, white Structure Bug is killer trailer. Only other trailer I use is slim incrediclaws....still a lot of motion, but longer and skinnier

They used to sell them at the Fountainhead marina. They may still. Here's where I got mine....also got tidal Potomac, Anna, SML, and others: http://www.gmcomaps.com/product/occoquan-reservoir-pro-series/

@A-Jay, @Finesse Wayfarer, and @geo g hit a couple great ones for me. Never ever would have considered that I needed a hoodie on the hottest summer days. But, now that I have them, I don't go out without. I don't do the buffs so well, but a summer-weight long-sleeve hoodie is just the ticket. And the plug knocker is another great mention. Most cranks don't work their best unless they spend a lot of time in the wood. I didn't have the nerve to throw them into the wood until I had the confidence that I'd be able to get some of them back.

And...now we get to the real problem...as bass fishermen, its in our blood to want every surface splash to be a big bass. Unfortunately, nobody told the carp...or the bluegills...or the catfish...or the walleye...or...dare I suggest it...the beavers. Nobody has to raise their hand, but I'm probably not the only one here who chased a beaver slap around a bay...LOL

I think it'd be fun to revisit this....like in 15 months.....and again in 15 years...lol

Well...I get to try their warranty out once again. Got that new Aetos (7'MHF) on Friday and put it to work on Saturday. Very first fish - 3.5 on trig, the rod snapped...while fish was still in the water! Not lifted or flipped, even. It made a run towards me like it was headed under the boat and before the rod even got bent bad, it snapped in half. Will call them today. That's two new Aetos - one, the previous version, and one new version. Will probably have them send an ET Bass instead this time. Will let you know how it goes this time around.

Ventured out into the mud and logjams Saturday. I've been on the reservoir after a lot of storms, but I don't think I've ever seen it quite this bad. Went down out of Fountainhead. Fished between there and Lake Ridge for most of the day. Lots of debris early, but visibility was nearly 18 inches, which actually isn't terrible for there. Fish were funny, probably because of the churn. Got a half dozen or so, nothing over 3.5. Shakey heads and jigs, mostly. Probably around 1PM where I was at (second bend past Jacob's Rock), the crap came in pretty quick. The mud thickened and the logjams got wider and longer. Such that I couldn't even fish what had been a fairly exposed main point anymore. Ran up from there, which wasn't the brightest idea. By the time I got past Ryan's Dam, the visibility was such that I couldn't see my spinnerbait only 6 inches from surface at boatside. Tried mudlines and any clearer spots I could find, but no joy. Went back down again and with extreme patience, was able to land some jig fish. Took a dozen casts to some wood....had to drop it on their heads, but they did hit hard when they found it. Good learning day.