Rick Howard

That is what I thought. Thank you.

So I have been doing some more research on depth finders. I am leaning towards the 9 SI GPS. I have not even considered the Lowrance units yet. My head was spinning just considering the humminbird lines lol. Right now it looks like I want a unit with DI SI and GPS compatible with Navionics. (to be honest I do not really know what Navionics is but if it is what I think it is... I want it) I also like the fact that I can add the 360 scan in the future if I see fit. I have a queston though. What happens if I am trying to look at structure under a weed bed. Will it show me the structure in there or will it be blocked by the weeds? If so is there a specific technology for looking through the weeds? Man the choices are just astronomical considering depth finders. There are so many models and each model has several variations... It was easier choosing a wife than a depth finder lol.

I am curious as to how it turns out. Please keep us posted.

Sometimes the hardest part is just having the time to get out. I spent a few years without fishing due to work obligations. Finding fish is the most challenging part. Sometimes its easy though. Other times its not. On a consistent basis, this is the biggest challenge for me. Obviously the most rewarding part is catching fish. It means everything came together perfectly at that moment. The most satisfying part is being out fishing. Forming plan, reacting to changes in that plan. The anticipation of each cast. The natural world around you. The learning that takes place is what passes the time between catching fish, for me.

Well as soon as I get things settled down here probably, early February, I will be headed that way. I have not been out at all this year. Work and working on the house has kept me busy. LOL I just got home from the office! I texted Dan a few days ago and he was itching to go. You gotta tell him when your going and to meet you. That kinda forces him to get off his fanny and into the woods with ya.

Yup I would opt for something larger for deer. Clayton is correct. I was referring to a regulation on possessing a center fire rifle afield while deer season is open. They should have allowed for the use of the most popular center fires for coyote hunting, the .22 cal (22-250,.223, .222). Balistically it makes no sense that a .204 is okay and a 22-250 is not. Comparatively they are almost identical (in the standard case). I am just made because I was forced to buy a new gun lol. In any case I much prefer a .243. That gun killed a lot of coyote and had very few run offs (I can only think of one). It was not the fur disaster that most people would think either. An entirely different topic though. Clayton, I told Dan when I get back out your way to hunt my spots out there I will let him know. You should come with us. So long as you can keep your stomach in LMAO. I have seen some silly stuff while coyote hunting but that was a first for me.

Exactly. I rarely get up at 4am to go hunting or fishing but strolled into work at that hour to be bum rushed by soccer moms who are foaming at the mouth and pumping lates into their veins while raging that there was not enough of the Black Friday deal for all 10,000 people at the store. LOL I am only poking a little fun here. I mean no offence to black Friday shoppers. I can see why some folks might enjoy camping out in front of their favorite retailer, in the freezing cold, instead of eating turkey samiches and nursing a cold brew on the couch. Only to stand in line for 5 hours for their turn to hand money to some sleep deprived individual who is dreaming of turkey samiches. Bliss. Okay Okay I am done. I really do not have negative views on all holiday and Black Friday shoppers. To each their own. Its just not for me, obviously.

I don't know much about boats. It seems plausible. Maybe more a question of your skill level and what your desire is in final. If it were me doing the work than I would keep looking for an old bass boat that needs an overhaul. So long as the integrity of the boat warrants said overhaul.

Fun topic. I just bought my first bass boat. An old boat but good enough for this guy. I fished out of a row boat for a lot of years. Never had an issue with too many people asking me to take them fishing then. I am betting I will find a few that crawl out of the wood work now. Rewind to the 90's. My old man had a bass boat. I Burned up his gas, lost his lures, broke his rods, wore out his trolling motors, and almost sank it once. I should just give him my boat but instead I take him fishing or let him use my stuff while I am at work. So far... He's burned up my gas, lost my lures, broke my rods, wore out my trolling motor, and almost sank it. I said to him "at least it took me a decade to destroy your stuff". He replied "I'm not sure I got that kinda time so I wanted to be sure I got it all in." Love him.

I did some stints in retail. I would never go back. I confirmed my hatred for retail when I did some seasonal work at cabelas, for a minute, last holiday season. Nothing against Cabelas but retail is retail. Brutal from both ends (customer and employer). Especially around the holidays. Sh!t gets nuts.

I spent a few hours making these recently. I have many more but these are the only photo I have.

Leatherman Wingman. I like the pocket clip. I like that the blade is on the outside and opening the entire tool is not a requirement to use it. The pliers are used often. The scissors see little use but they are nice to have. The drivers get some use. I have been using mine for 4 or 5 years and I abuse it. For $30 I feel I have gotten my moneys worth.

Went to gander mountain for some Christmas shopping. These were on sale. Merry Christmas to me.

I can make an argument that fishing takes more of both lol. Yeah I think about the sciences and how they apply to fishing. Its just the way my brain works. Sometimes knowing something works is not enough and my brain wants to figure out why it works.

I would ditch the centerpoint as soon as I could. Good glass makes a huge different for me. I stay away from the added cost of 50mm objectives. I do not see the gain. It may gather more light into the scope but most are still limited to how much comes out the other end.

22-250 is a nice round. If your reloading you have tons of options. I shot lots of coyote with an old remington 588 22-250. Still have it but it's been retired for a few years. Killed my first coyote with it in 1997 and last in 2010. I would go for good glass before a stock change. Vortex makes good glass and their warranty is top notch. Very good value in their mid range glass. Same with nikon but I hear their warranty is not as nice. I would not hesitate to buy another Nikon buckmaster though. I have no idea why they excluded .22 cal when they changed the rules on centerfire. Stupid.

Awesome and congrats!

Okay I will figure it out.

Nevermind. I figured it out

Whats the cork for?

I like the guide idea. A few days on the water with someone that can show you some things will jump start the learning curve.

I watched his videos. Some insight but there is a lot of filler. Bottom composition is muck or rock. Muck most often. The muck is part of the reason I want 12' poles. I am considering fashioning an auger end also.

So I saw it on a boat recently.... Now I cant stop thinking about how helpful it would be for me. I cant justify spending the money (Mrs. H is pretty cool but not that cool) on powered versions. It got me thinking on a manual version. I am clearly going to have to put 2 on the back of my boat. I have been looking around the internet and found places that sell pre-made versions as well as places that sell parts to make my own. The price decrease is significant with each route however, its not a drop in the tackle box. So before I start tinkering this winter on making my own rig... is there any advantage to buying the highly coveted mechanical versions beyond the ease of deployment? A difference in holding ability? For me it only make sense to have 12' version so I am speaking on these. I do not intend to purchase a powered version. My intention is to try to build a manual version that will work just as well minus the mechanical deployment. Also seeking suggestions on building manual versions. Places for part, design ideas, or anything someone finds pertinent.

Lol I just moved from buffalo. If your north of the 90.. You use your shovel a normal amount... If your south of the 90... Buy a snow blower. Maybe a truck and plow. Unless you ice fish... April is going to be a likely starting time.

I hunt.