Smokinal

I agree... ...and agree

Are you saying that you feel pesticides and chemical fertilizers are not harmful to fisheries?

^^^Nice to see some fish posted though. And a "nice fish" to you too Shane. Those are some pigs.

Yup Yup, seen it myself. When I was younger, my Grandparents lived in Cotuit Mass and we would fish some ponds down there. I would run a seine net with my Dad when we first got there and catch chubs for bait. When we first started going there, one pass with the net would give us far more than we would need and the white perch/bass fishing was absolutely phenomenal. Sometimes during the day we would see trucks pull up to a house with (literally) "ChemLawn" on the sides of the trucks and spray the yards. Now these yards were beautiful and ran right down to the water's edge. Well, after a bunch of years, we would go back down there and couldn't buy a chub outta that place, none, not a one. The fishing was horrible and the algae blooms were disgusting. Sometimes we would find dead bass with algae stuffed in their gills. I guarantee you that a councilman lived in one of those waterfront houses...and was not a fisherman.

I can't understand why that's one of your favorite pics?.?. jk man, priceless...

Nice fish Maine!

Power Pro Super Slick ftw

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I love a jig bite!

Darnit! That was the first thing i thought of!

The only way I'll ever own a LC bait is if some BR member sends me one...hint, hint

Any bottom oriented bait (jig, t rigs etc...) I hold the rod just above the reel and have the line run over my finger. I learned this from Gary Klein and it just feels right. I also feel I have a little more power on the hookset because my hand is slightly higher on the rod than if I was palming the reel. Once I stick the fish, I let my hand slide down onto the reel for the fight. I know it sounds complicated but it's like switching the rod from casting hand to cranking hand...it just works.

^^^Definitely. Follow some steps and you'll be just fine. First, you need an accurate weight of said boat. If it truly is a small glass boat, you will need nowhere near 5K lb capacity. My 16' Nitro with 75hp only weighs in around 1800lbs complete. Second, make sure you check with the dealer, car manual and auto manufacturer's website to find the tow capacity of the vehicle. We just purchased a 2012 Subaru Forester and I was doing some homework on it and one year made about a 2K lb difference in towing capacity due to a change in the transmission. And, yes, trailer brakes will help but you will find that, typically, brakes start out on 19' and up. I've seen some on some 18's but not many. So, I guess it depends what you call small. And of course, you and your girlfriend may have different opinions on that...the boat that is.

There's nothing like your first fish on a new bait or technique. Way to go!

The first thing I would do is to join a local club. I'd sit in on a few different club's meetings and pick a club that "feels' right to you. Typically, a club will have a tourney once a month and this is a great way to spend the day with a different person each month and pick their brain for info. Go in as a non-boater so you can just ride along and observe. You will be able to tell who knows what and those are the people you want to pay attention to.

I wouldn't go changing much because 1 fish shook it. Everyone loses one once in a while. Now, if you start losing 50% or more, I'd start looking at things.

Stay safe and "Thank You"! And if you are ever in Maine, I'd be honored to take you fishing.

I use 20 Power Pro Super Slick on 9 of my baitcasters, of all different makes, and have never had any issues with it digging in. As far a fluoro goes; I can't quite grasp why people jump through the hoops and go to such great lengths to make the stuff even usable...soaking in hot water the night before, spraying every 37 minutes etc... just go braid with a fluoro leader...imho...smooth as silk.

That's mint brother. I'd go a little longer on your leader though. You're going to have to cut back some from nicks so if you start out a little longer, it saves you from retying the leader so often.

I have a 96 Nitro with 75 Merc and been using Pennzoil semi-synth since new and not an issue that I kow of.

I never cast a bait with grass on it.

10 lb power pro super slick with 8-10 lb fluoro leader checking in. Most manageable setup I have found.

I'll echo A-Jay with a welcome and thank you. Definitely worth mentioning btw...