desmobob

Thanks very much for taking the time to respond! I really appreciate the help, and I know my buddy will too. Tight lines, Bob

My fishing buddy's boat started acting up a bit last fall and I was asked to help, but don't know much about outboards. The engine is mounted on a very nice Ponga Skiff and has a large add-on fuel filter/water separator mounted near the transom. This fall, the owner changed (replaced) the fuel filter cartridge on this accessory, as well as the small OEM filter mounted under the cowl on the engine. Since then, the motor sometimes quits unexpectedly, but will restart after pumping the bulb on the fuel line. What would you experienced boaters do in this situation? Thanks very much for any advice I could pass along, Bob

Hey... nobody mentioned "Uncut Angling." =:-0 Tight lines, Bob

How about losing one before you even cast? Last summer, I reeled in to change lures. I cut off my lure and got out a new 1/2oz. Stanley rattling jig and carefully rigged a Pit Boss trailer on it. I tossed it over the side and picked up the rod to cast. It was then I realized I had never tied it on... Doh! Tight lines, Bob

Yup. "N" and "O" have been favorite letters of mine. Tight lines, Bob

I had a couple of wild days this summer throwing the big 7" Senkos T-rigged, weightless, into the lily pads! Tight lines, Bob

I couldn't resist for about $35... I had to order one to satisfy my curiosity. I know the odds are pretty low it will be a serviceable reel, but I had to try one. A Kastking Royale Legend, 12-BB left-hand (RS1000HL) is on the way. I'll let everyone know what it looks like inside and how it performs (at least in the back yard on the snow; the water is hard here now). Tight lines, Bob

I have experience with only two sub-$100 reels: the Abu Orra Winch and the Daiwa Tatula. My other reels are more expensive, and I expected the lower-priced reels to feel and act differently; to be at least somewhat inferior to their pricier stable mates. The Orra has been a good reel (I bought a second one), but it doesn't feel as good as my better reels. The Tatula (which I also purchased a second example of) feels pretty much as solid, smooth, and good as reels I own costing much more. I was extremely impressed with their value. You can find new Tatulas on the big auction site for under $100. Great reels for the money! Tight lines, Bob

I've had the same experience twice with rods I lost. The first one was dropped overboard while I was fishing with live bait on Lake George, NY. I returned a day later with my SCUBA gear and found it. When swimming back to the boat, I felt something tugging on the rod. I surfaced and reeled in a bullhead. The minnow that was on the rod when I was fishing must have died and laid on the bottom and a bullhead ate it that evening. The second rod was lost overboard by a youngster I brought fishing on Lake George. It was baited with a nightcrawler. I returned to the spot with my dive gear and found the rod. Again, there was a bullhead on the line! Tight lines, Bob

I have the Pro170 with a Mercury 40HP four-cycle and it goes along fine. It is also VERY economical. I'd recommend that engine on your Pro160. If you're buying the boat new, it should be ready to run when you pick it up. I trailered mine directly to the lake, loaded my fishing gear and started having fun! I hope you do the same! Tight lines, Bob

Tohatsu makes the 30HP and under four-cycles. The 40, 50 and 60 four-cycles are made by Mercury in China, and the larger ones are US-made. Tight lines, Bob

Neither of those are on my menu or listed in the App Store... I think I've watched most all of the BR vids in my pre-TV days! :-) I do rely on Youtube for lots of information but, sometimes, I'd just like to kick back and watch a fishing show or two.... Mine is the third generation version. Tight lines, Bob

After being TV-free for just over 20 years, my friends bought me the Apple TV device for Christmas. So, I went out and bought a 50" television to use it with. :-) I'm still exploring all the offerings, plus I subscribed to Netflix. Does anyone know of any fishing shows I can find on my new setup? Tight lines, Bob

I really like the St. Croix Panfish Series spinning rod I have. It's the first budget-priced long ultralight rod I purchased that truly has a fast/Xfast action. It's a great rod for around $120. Tight lines, Bob

I'm thinking you might be happier with a medium, but I don't have much cranking rod experience. I know that I bought a MH Kistler and it works well, but I just don't get the nice, connected feel with the smaller/shallower baits that the rod gives with the bigger/deeper ones. I'll be picking up a medium power cranking rod next. Tight lines, Bob

I think that after a very little bit of interpretation, 2D sonar is not able to tell you a whole lot. That's why a great number of fishermen have bit the bullet and shelled out the dough for modern units with side- and down-imaging. There is LOTS more information and lots less mysteries in interpreting it. The Garmin 93SV I bought last summer is the best fishing tool (and navigation aid) I could imagine; worlds of difference from the 2D sonars I used in the past. Tight lines, Bob

My garage doesn't have the ceiling covered. I tacked a few lengths of soft line (rope) about four feet apart across the bottom of the floor joists and hang my rods between the joists. I've been doing it for many years with no problems. They're out of the way and pretty safe up there. Tight lines, Bob

I own a bunch of handguns, but my home defense gun is a short-barreled 12 ga. pump... Tight lines, Bob

+1. I just ordered a bunch of packs of the little ones. Tight lines, Bob

Oh, I'm pretty well twisted, corrupt and contaminated. Just a bit slow sometimes... Tight lines, Bob

Thanks for highlighting that... it somehow slipped by me. I hate to miss a good laugh! Tight lines, Bob

I used to use a light spinning rig, but I don't care for switching back and forth between casting and spinning gear, so I got a baitcasting rig that will throw them well. It's a 6'9" MH "Finesse Worm" rod from Kistler that handles the weightless 5" Senkos beautifully. I also have a light power Major Craft Volkey casting rod that tosses them effortlessly. Any of the "finesse" baitcasting reels do well with light baits. I have a Daiwa PX Type R and an Alphas SV105 that are excellent for the task. Tight lines and happy holidays, Bob

If you reel back-handed, it feels like someone else is doing it. :-) Tight lines, Bob

Interesting. I mostly fish in muddy water and most of my favorite crank baits are predominately yellow and green. Coincidence? Maybe not! Cool thread. Tight lines, Bob