YUT18

I get all of my powder paint from TJ's Tackle at a reasonable price.

For a boat that old to have a trim solenoid go out isn't bad at all. I had the same problem last year on my 1998 cabin cruiser. The install of the new part should be a simple one. Good luck and happy fishing.

I don't have a go to because I set each one up with a different lure/line. If I had to pick one out of my rod locker and say it was my favorite it would have to be one of my Fitzgerald's (Stunner/Vursa); paired with a Lew's Tournament or Abu Revo. I use bait casters a lot and only deviate from them when I need to go with lighter line or need a micro lure. But when I need to tie on a light lure or need lighter line I reach for one of my Lew's combo's or St Croix paired with a Abu reel. Sometimes I will reach for the old cheap BPS/Gander brands. I often get asked which rod out of the 45 that I have is my favorite. And every time I answer back with All of them are. This tactic helps keep them from trying to reach for my rods instead of the cheap ones that I have set aside for guest to use.

I haven't tied hair jigs yet. I just finished with my first batch. I plan on making a few with hair this weekend.

I've always been a go big or go home kind of person. But making your own lures tops the go big part. It's an addiction that actually has a reward on the back end. Last year I had someone custom make my lures and cannot wait to set the hook on a hog with one I made from scratch. I really appreciate those that post their experience in this forum. It truly helps reduce the learning curve and expenses.

I prefer left handed reels. Even though I am right handed it feels more natural for me to cast with my right and reel with my left. I tried using a right handed reel a few years ago and did not like having to switch hands after casting. Prefer to have the rod ready to rip lips versus transitioning after the cast.

Besides the basics (life jackets, rope, anchor, and oil), I carry a set of jumper cables (in case crank battery dies), extendable rod (to push off banks if needed), fuses (got to have electronics), and of course TP.

An addiction is right. I started making my own jigs last month to pass some time and to give me more options than what I can buy in stores. After I got everything I needed to get started I quickly realized that what I had wasn't enough. I had to have more mold options, more hooks, skirts, paint, and lets not forget some eyes. My addiction is worse than Ray Charles's and I am constantly itching to get home to fire up the melting pot or break out my tying vice. I want to thank Smalljaw for all of the youtube vids. They have helped reduce my learning curve.

I'm in Fredericksburg and spend most of my time fishing the upper Potomac and Rappahannock.

2004 Triton TR 186 with a Mercury XR6 150.

In 2012 it was mandatory to kill every snakehead caught. Today it is no longer a mandatory requirement, instead the game regulations request that you do. I will admit they go good with some butter, onions, and seasoning.

If you can get someone to help you out I would suggest winterizing your engine by doing the following 1. Lower the engine to ensure no water remains in the foot. 2. Spray fogging oil into each cylinder. 3. Put Sta-bil or Seafoam in the tank. 4. Get a battery tender on the batteries. 5. Put under a cover to prevent damage to carpet, seats, etc. 6. Recover and get back on the water soon.

Make sure you check the transom really good for cracks and/or dry rotting. Also check the hull for chips, cracks, and chunks missing. I would definitely pay for a compression check and have the lower unit checked as well. Sometimes the engine will check out fine and later you find that the lower unit is bad. If you make an offer stick to your price. If he doesn't at least meet you in the middle keep looking. Just because he doesn't come down on the price doesn't mean you have to break the bank to get it. There are plenty of used boats in good condition that might suit you better than this one.

I became a member last week because of similar experiences. I decided to take my fishing to the next level by making my own jigs and spinner baits and every time I searched in Google this site popped up. There is a ton on knowledge on this site and I hope that I will eventually have something to add.

I spend a lot of my time bass fishing. The only time I stray from bass fishing is when I'm trying to get someone interested in fishing. Only then will I target the easy catch (bluegill, crappy, etc.) in order to keep them from losing interest. In some of the water ways in my area we have a nasty predatory fish called Snakeheads. Now I absolutely love bass fishing. In fact, that is all I am set up for. But my love for catching bass goes out the window when a snakehead hits my hook. They hit a hook like it's a fight between Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed. Every time I fight one to the boat I just cannot help but to let my line out just to fight it again.

I just started making my own jigs/spinners. Is wire better than using wax coated thread?