Ski213

Here’s where I am. I tow with an older Chevy 2500HD with a 6.0. I don’t know what my rig weighs as towed but I’d guess 4000# max. on a tournament day (including trailer). It’s newer truck time. I love my truck and I’ll not part with it, but all bets are off at 18 yrs old and 1/4 million miles as far as my confidence towing long distance. If I took my truck cross country and back with zero issues I’d not be surprised. I’d also not be surprised if something flew apart between my house and the road. Thinking about going to a newer used 1/2 ton truck. There’s not a doubt that I can tow my boat with a 1/2 ton. Most of the boats I see at the ramp are behind 1/2 ton trucks. My question is for anybody who has switched from a 3/4 ton to a half ton for towing. I know what the numbers say I’m looking for just real world experiences and opinions. I aprreciate any input you guys have.

Unfortunately I didn’t lose a lot of lures in ‘19 cause I didn’t get to fish very often. Typically I lose a lot of Ned rigs though. I don’t fish them that often but if I do I can count on losing most of them.

Thanks fellas. She maybe would’ve bitten whatever passed in front of her but it felt pretty good anyway.

I got an airbrush a couple years ago and wanted to just kind of play around with painting some crankbait blanks here and there in the winter. I’ve got nothing on you guys. I see some awesome work on here. I probably have painted 20 baits (that I actually clear coated). Some turn out okay but I’ve taken a scrub brush and hot water to many and painted them 5 different times. There are a few that I’ve actually put hooks on and fished from time to time. Never caught a fish on one though. The weather was pretty nice here for January today so I was able to get a little time on the water. Caught a 4-13 largemouth one of my baits. It’s nothing fancy but I was pretty excited about it.

I appreciate all the good advice! I have done the snap caps with pistol but not rifle. I’ll have to spend some time on that. The flinch started with a .300 win mag. I spent a little time with a 10/22 and a 5.56 to try to work on it. That helped but the snap caps would allow me to spend a lot more time working on it. It’s better than it was but still an issue if I’m shooting paper for a good group. Dont want to derail the original point of your thread so I’ll just say that I’m shooting fixed parallax, what I’d call pretty run of the mill triggers on all my long rifles. Not horrible but by no means good. Most of my stuff is pretty basic off the shelf stuff. I’ve got to work on technique though more than anything I think and your post above will definitely help with that. Then maybe upgrade equipment. Thanks again for your help.

I do like to go out and punch paper from time to time. When I punch it from 100yds it dang sure doesn’t look like that though. That’s a nice group! Some years I’m a box a year and others I’m probably closer to 1000 rounds but when it’s a thousand round year probably only a few hundred are for true precision (and with me I use that term lightly). I’d like to start doing some more precision shooting. No doubt my guns aren’t as clean as they should be but for me it’s probably more my techniques or lack thereof. That said I think I might check the scope out. I need all the help I can get. I developed a wicked flinch several years ago that I need to deal with as well.

Might have to check one of those out. I’d almost hate to know what it would show me though. So if I’m understanding correctly it would work plugged in to a windows based laptop just not on an iPhone?

Good info above. I typically use backing on reels only when I’m gonna spool up braid the rest of the way. I use mono for backing. I have had braid slip when it was a full spool of braid a few times. The tape fixes that. I use the arbor knot occasionally to start at the spool. As mentioned, anything that will pull up tight will work. I had a couple reels in the past that had a little hole as a line tie. In that instance I used it. Probably just tied a square knot there. To join backing to the main line I use the uni to uni knot, also mentioned above. I’ve tried others but that’s the one I’ve stuck with. It’s simple and in my experience works well.

Merry Christmas everyone!

@galyonj I’m with you on the senko. Not one fish. It’s no doubt on me but still it’s been a shutout with the senko. I know it works awesome for others but not for me. I don’t claim to be a pro fisherman but I’ve been doing it for a long time. It’s one of my three zero confidence lures. Number two is the a rig. I remember when there was talk about banning it. I was amused. If it was never available I would’ve literally had no less fish boated. Again not one fish hooked. It’s a grappling hook, you’d almost think you’d accidentally snag something even if it wasn’t interested. Three is any bass pattern bait. Not one bite. If I didn’t know otherwise I’d swear bass don’t eat other bass. To be clear I know all my three are successful for others. Those are just not in the cards for me.

That’s the deal. It’s that initial plan and the discipline following it to the point it becomes routine. Once it’s routine it’s almost harder to not do it.

Don’t feel bad. I’m 43 and I have some catching up to do myself. I’m probably getting more at keg level than pony keg. Feels like a long time since the six pack. I have to get back on top of fitness myself. There are literally hundreds of reasons it’s a good idea, both physical and psychological. Easy to fall off the fitness wagon. Thanks @A-Jay for reminding me that I have no excuses.

That is great news! Merry Christmas to you and your family. Sounds like she’s a strong lady and I hope you’re “stuck” with each other for a lot longer.

Not super frequently but I definitely do. Typically when the water clarity is poor. I’ve never “ripped” one but I also don’t just slow roll them. On the days it’s worked, it’s worked well.

So far it’s mostly just been time consuming getting it all cleaned out. I’ve already ordered new wheel cylinders. They weren’t terribly expensive. I’m going to look into the electric over hydraulic though for down the road. The drums and shoes are actually in pretty good shape once I got it cleaned up. It’s a UFP setup which Dexter acquired a few years back. It seems that they’re very similar, but there are a couple differences. I’d have to do a little homework but I’d almost bet a dexter setup would bolt up. Thanks!

@CountryboyinDC that thought has crossed my mind. I’ve not looked into the kits very deep though. Good to know it was worth the effort. You said cargo trailer, so was that a cargo trailer with surge drum brakes converted to electric actuator or was that a drum to disc conversion with electric actuator? 600 would seem cheap for that. Just curious.

That’s not too far from me but I haven’t been there this year. I did hear some talk earlier today that fish were being caught on crankbaits where there was decent water clarity. Sounded like down around Beaver and Indian creek out close to the main lake. Don’t take that to the bank though. Just what I’ve heard. I think that was a mix of LM and SM. I don’t have a ton of experience there this time of year but I’d do exactly what it sounds like you plan to. The one thing I know worked in similar conditions several years ago was a suspending jerkbait on steep walls in the arms off the main creeks, followed up with a jig if the bite was there and then slowed down. Cumberland has been a year round lake the last couple years. The potential is definitely there for a good trip. Weather looks like it’s gonna be decent. I think there’s a tournament launching by the dam in the morning but late fall turkey season might keep some guys off the water and in the woods. Good luck!

I agree with a lot of the above. Most of my c’mon man moments are when something I’m used to and works for me changes. Sometimes it changes for the better but a lot of times it doesn’t. Cmon man, if you’re gonna buy that mom and pop/small time outfit that has such a following just keep doing what led to that following. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. It can be pretty handy to “know a guy”!

@A-Jay surely with your USCG connections you could get hooked up with something nice for that last one.

Thanks for the replies! Gonna get them back to properly functioning order. @NHBull never good when what you’re towing passes you. As always it’s going to turn into a little more than anticipated. Should’ve gone through them years ago. Wheel cylinders are trash. Look like they have been for some time. Once I pulled the little rubber dust protectors off that became obvious. All pretty simple, worst part is gonna be cleaning all the crap out of assembly. Thanks everybody for the advice!

Question. Every trailer I’ve ever pulled has had either no brakes or electric brakes, with the exception of my boat trailer which has drum type surge brakes. So although I’ve been pulling it for almost 6 years it’s the only experience I have with surge brakes. I don’t feel like they do much but I also know I’ve never adjusted them and doubt the previous owner did. It’s been on my list to do just never got to it. My truck has pretty good brakes so stopping isn’t an issue but while doing wheel bearing maintenance I’m thinking about showing the brakes some love. They’re dirty and the adjusters are locked up but I can remedy that. Are they worth even messing with. I know I’ve heard of people who just abandoned them cause they said they didn’t really do anything anyway. Just curious as to your opinions on them.

Stay strong. You will all continue to be in my prayers. I’m sorry that the trial in Texas didn’t work out but hopefully it not working out will open the door for something better. I don’t mean to speak for others, but I know that there are many here who feel the same, if there is anything at all that you guys need let us know. Adam

You are in my prayers and your attitude towards this is nothing short of inspiring. The right mindset can make all the difference in outcome I believe.

I’m kind of in the same boat as you. We have a lot of turkeys. I spend a lot of time out in the field (except for this year) but not hunting them. I’m planning on starting after doing some scouting to make sure their numbers are still good. Lots of coyotes out here this year and I’ve seen them dent the population in the past. I know a lot of folks that turkey hunt and they usually have a lot of calls. Mouth, box, and pot calls. Usually one or two pots, one box, but several mouth calls. They have many more they’ve tried and shelved over the years. Unfortunately I can’t offer you any experienced advice but I’ll for sure be watching this thread for info. Where Ive started was this. I bought a slate pot call that I’ve been messing with some and added truglo sights and a turkey choke to my 870. I bought some 3” mag rounds for it and I stated to pattern the gun yesterday with limited time but hope to finish it tomorrow.

I’m sorry that your son and you and your family are having to deal with this. I hope that things start turning for the positive with this Houston trip. You guys will be in my prayers.