Smokinal

I'm usually all over the place to start until I see a pattern form. Then I narrow it down. If that bite stops, I'll switch things up after about 15 minutes. Every day is a puzzle.

^^^Wow, that's an odd one. I'd PM a Mod and ask them about it. Just kidding; one will chime in here soon and check it out.

So when you click on your user name to the left of the "search" window, the green list of options does not have "personal messenger" or "my gallery" in it?

^^^Correct. If it's a 2 stroke, you just keep the oil tank filled with the correct marine 2 stroke oil and it mixes itself. The level will gradually go down the more you run it so you just top it off again and that's how the cycle works. No need to drain any of that.

Yep, definitely check out the "videos" tab on the top of the page. And welcome!

I had this problem years ago and if I remember, there is a little pintle in there with a gear on the end which mates up with another gear so it spins when the motor turns, pointing in the direction you are headed. That pintle has broken off. Oh geeze, I just looked and mines a Motorguide; disregard everything I just said. There should still be some sort of plastic gear in there mating to another gear. Jump on in there and see what's up! What model is it?

So glad to hear it Tom! You're going to be a new man; but no hard hooksets for a while! Take care

We'll be thinking about you bud. I had shoulder surgery last year and so happy I did. I fish pain free now. Hope yours goes just as well. Keep us posted when you can.

She would be better off learning to set a hook. That way you could put on a Senko and she would catch fish. She gets bit, point the rod at the bait, reel in some slack and jerk back; pretty easy. Explain to her why she is doing these steps though. It helps the whole process.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-E-Z-Lure-Retriever/product/44428/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL I have t^h^i^s one and it's paid for itself umpteen times. I'll never be without one in my boat.

Are you guys for real? Man, I though we had a long winter! Ice on my home lake went out on the 20th. I'm going this Sunday!! I feel for you guys.

^^^ Those are some slab smallies! All on the Ned? On the TRD or another plastic? On another note, how are you liking your new boat?

Didn't get up to free ship. Only $32

Does he have a thread on the Ned? Link?

That's the way to start the season!

Gulf and Turtle, I'm giving my wife your contact info when she sees the paypal statement to TW. Just ordered 4 colors of TRD's and 2 sizes of Shroomz.

I fish this bait alot in the early spring and do really well with it. I have not tried any of the big $ jerks but I can't imagine the bite on one of those being much better than the HJ. I noticed that it floats right up too so I did some mods to a couple over the winter. Here's a thread on it: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/153223-yesterdays-tinkering/

What head are people using for this? I guess I gotta try it. Do you use anything fancy as far as a bait or just bite a senko in half?

Opie, are you talking about getting less or more bites with braid in clear water or physically sticking the fish with braid? If it's the number of bites you get, I agree with the thought that active fish probably don't care but finicky/pressured fish might. I also agree with Gulf in that you really do have to be confident in your complete setup; from rod to reel to line to knots, hook, baits, scents etc... Personally, I want the best shot at getting every single bite I can so I use a fluoro leader all the time. I have never had an issue with any part of this setup so why not?

A little dip in some chart JJ's should do the trick.

Well it's good to see someone catching fish....

I find myself using a T rig more in grass and a jig when the cover is a little more open.

Congrats Senko! I'm happy for you. I could feel your excitement in your post.

Same here but the other end is even better. I believe Maine used to end around Sept 15th maybe? So now we can fish until ice-in; which for me was Dec 14th last year.

"Son of a betcha thought I was gonna swear" "Shut the front door" "That was a nine..." "I just lost a customer" "That ones gonna leave a mark"