FryDog62

I had a Ranger with 21 warranty-related items (Trailer, interior/hull issues) that needed to be fixed in the first 2 years. Wasn't even close to the lemon law limits in Minnesota. In good conscience, I had everything fixed before the 3 year warranty was up and sold it. The trailer was clearly defective and Ranger would not replace it, the dealer finally did though and ate the cost.

You mean they went out of style?!?

No arguments here - but happy wife = happy life !!

Its not my favorite but I have some on hand for the 3 days a year my wife agrees to a cocktail... ?‍♂️

I just threw out a bunch of Bud Light and JD... anyone up for some Bourbon maybe Whistle Pig, Angle's Envy or Woodford Reserve ??

A couple of us in FLA too. It's the only Lew's I have but works well. Agree with you on the Daiwa comments as well...

It's not the year, but the miles...!

I’m a year older than you, just had my first stent and am on my second season with an AP 120. Boat control and motoring to your spot is the way to go. I spend so much more of my time fishing than fussing with getting into and staying in position. The Autopilots are a beast - both good and bad. It’s tough and rugged and nearly indestructible (mine survived Hurricane Ian). The down side is moving it. If you have a trailer and a good way to launch/retrieve without injuring yourself, you’ve won the battle and it’s 100% worth it.

Careful when you Google things you can catch from beavers… ?

I used to wear the bass thumb proud, until I ended up with a Staph infection once. (I'll spare you the photo ?). I guess that's what you get when you have soft, wimpy desk jockey hands like I do..!

Part of my ambivalence to foam vs. cork is I wear Fish Monkey gloves... so the grips all pretty much feel the same. And no "bass thumb" any more either!

About half my rods are cork and half are EVA. I switch between rods all day long and don’t even notice the grip change. In fact, I had to sit here and think about a couple of my favorite/most used rods and if they were EVA or cork… surprising because I’m a bit OCD about a few things..

I have a 7’2” Medium Heavy+ ALX Toadface. A Medium-Heavy tip to cast hollow frogs a log ways and a Heavy butt section to pull fish out of cover. This balance also allows multiple other techniques including swim jigs, Chatterbaits, and larger walk the dog lures. Really, one of the more versatile rods I own…

Yes, I got the new lower unit out of that drought ?

I remember the discussion last Fall about drought and if we’d ever catch up… Looks like we have!

I agree, when everyone beats the bank over and over on the same lake with poor results, time to try something different. I usually find with speed trolling out a little deeper that I catch less fish but the ones that hit are a bit bigger and more aggressive. Fun to break it up once in a while…

Trolling DT14 at 2.2 mph in 77 degree water - caught a couple 5 lb largemouth, 13.75 inch crappie and a Peacock bass to boot!

Good friend of mine is 9 months into his recovery after having his prostate removed. He can look back now and feel very good (mentally and physically) that he got it done in time. You'll get there soon too!

Looking great Rick! Will be interesting when you get on the water and start doing adjustments to FFS but can't imagine you won't really like it. Also have always admired your rod set up - something I only think about whenever I hook a rod behind me on my backhand (frequently)!

There is so much on the topic of jig retrieval... even if they say they are doing the same thing - it varies a lot from one person to the next. Would be great to see video of Tom and Catt retrieving jigs... a lot of subtleties to learn from watching versus reading.

Do you use Arkie, finesse jig, etc? Yes, this is why I use the 3/4 and 1 oz Dark Sleepers. They are so compact anyway and to properly drag them - and keep them - on the bottom you need some weight. Otherwise they rise up, stop and hop...

Catt, when you do this is it primarily/exclusively a football jig or something else too..?

Would be interesting to know how the 7'1" (3/32-1/4 oz) BFS rod compares to their 7'1" (1/8-3/8 oz) "regular" baitcasting rod (which I have and like a lot). Hopefully this new BFS model isn't as light as Dobyns 700 or 740... the tips on those can't pull much of anything in/near even light cover.

Lol, technically you should be ok w/ping pong… but maybe wear eye protection and a flak-jacket just in case!

My wife just talked to a friend of ours staying a mile away... was just playing pickleball yesterday and another woman in the group fell, separated her shoulder and broke her arm... The wrath continues ~