TOXIC

Great fish. Will be going to okeechobee on the 21st for a week. We normally go to Kissimmee but they were booked. Hope to catch a few myself.

I don’t know if there are any who are as picky as me about their truck/vehicles but just in case there are, I wrote up a review of a 303 product I decided to try since I trust 303 on my boat and vinyl and have been using it for years. I am no way affiliated with 303 and I ordered it off Amazon just like everybody else. My truck is a 2016 Silverado High Country and prior to trying this new product my twice a year routine was to: 1. Claybar 2. Polish 3. Sealer 4. Wax 5. 303 Aerospace Protectant on tires. I've used different products and I always apply by hand except for the 303 and I apply that every other month. I will reapply wax every 3 months. When I saw that 303 came out with a new “all in one” product that is supposed to last for 1 year and better than ceramic, I decided to give it a shot. Here is the initial review of the 303 Graphine coating. I did the entire truck last week. Paint, glass, chrome, vinyl and rubber. All exterior. 42 degrees partly sunny. Product has a strong solvent smell but absolutely zero cleaning ability. The truck was washed last week and was covered outside. We had some rain and snow. There were some water spots on the truck and the 303 turned them black without removing. I had to go over the truck with a damp towel to get it spot free. I tried multiple application methods. The recommended way was to put the product on the microfiber applicator and then spray the surface. The goal is to spread the product evenly on the surface without the applicator soaking it up. It is ready to remove when it beads up. On my white truck it is very noticeable because the product is a charcoal grey. Applied this way, it was pretty difficult to remove by hand. Reminded me of traditional sealer that I use. I opted to apply liberally to the applicator and spread thinner but still evenly. You will need 2 removal microfiber towels, 1 for initial removal and 1 to finish buff. If you leave even a trace of product, it will show up black like a scuff mark. Any dirt or bug or tar will show black and that is why I would recommend claying before application. My truck was clean but not clay bar clean. Glass was pretty easy and removal was easier. Chrome rims, grill and running boards were a bit trickier. Just when you think you have all of the product off in a couple of minutes black streaks would show up. Rims had some blowby from 303 protectant I put on my tires and this product would not remove it. I will end up cleaning and redoing the rims. Vinyl bed rails, bumper steps, side steps, splash guards and tailgate latch were easiest. Overall, the proof will be when I drive in the rain and weather to see how it protects and lasts. That will tell me if having my arms feel like spaghetti is worth it. This product applies like a sealer. Not as easy as a paste or can wax so it better be worth the extra work. I'll report back. There was some melting snow on the truck today and I am pretty satisfied with the water beading.

First, make sure you are turning the max rpms for your motor. I’m pretty sure it’s anywhere between 5000 and 5500 rpm if it’s a 2 stroke.

Generally speaking 4 blade props have more “bite” and are favored by those that run rougher water and are willing to give up a little top end. What you are explaining is cavitation or blowout. A 4 blade would help but there are other things to consider. Some props need a blowout ring between the prop and gear case. Where is your motor mounted on the jackplate and can it be dropped? You might need a different pitch prop for your setup.

When I give rods/reels as gifts it’s usually one of two scenarios. First is for someone who is either just getting started or is a novice and they want an all around combo. In that case I will give them an inexpensive combo that you can get in most big box stores. Not cheap but not expensive. The second is a retirement or other occasion where I know the person is an accomplished angler. For them I will dig into my private stash and let go of a more expensive setup. When I was pro staff for Bass Pro, I used to give the JLM reels because they came in a nice case and had spare spool etc.

All I know is this....when on St Clair one year we were motoring DOWN the face of the waves and when in the trough the water was 2 feet over our heads and then we had to motor UP the backside of the next wave. I have no idea exactly what the wave height was but I was sure glad I was with someone born and raised running that lake.

Hot bed topic that gets bantered around often. My advice is to follow the science. Many studies have been done on Lake St Clair and they have shown that fishing during the spawn has zero effect on the smallmouth population which is why they opened up their catch and immediate release season. We all want good fish care and to keep fish populations strong and that is why each state has their own fisheries biologists and they set things like the slot, season and bag limits. There are a lot of factors that go into setting the regulations and it’s just not everyone should do catch and release.

Pretty easy answer. As a co you are not required to ask your boater where you can or can’t fish. Sure, there are some rules about fishing past the console but last time I checked the front of the boat passed the area you fished before you got there and if he chose not to fish it then that’s on him. If he wants to “back boat” you and feels it’s ok just because he asked.....then my response would have been the same. You get first shot from the front. If he wants to hit the other side, pole down and fish both sides before moving on. I’ll gladly fish behind you. You paid more entry and have total control of your boat and where we fish for that consideration.

I thought about the undercarriage after I posted and understand your priority to keep your inventory newer?. Luckily here in Virginia they don’t brine much and now that I’m retired I am not required to drive in it. My last truck was a puller only and not my daily driver so it never saw salt either. When I traded it the new car manager told me that it was not even going on the lot one of the shop mechanics already had spoken for it. I’m a little anal with keeping my vehicles clean. I just tried a new product from 303 called Graphine. It’s only been on a week so I can’t report on it yet.

I’ve been retired for a couple of years now and have my retirement finances pretty much figured out. We have a house that we have been in for 28 years and is on a unique lot in an area that has become a bedroom community for DC and Northern Virginia. House in our area sold in less than a week this month and for an amount I thought was ridiculously high. My wife has been wanting to explore moving closer to her sister and brother in law who live on the beach in Cresent Beach Florida. Pretty close to St Augustine. We agreed we don’t want to spend what it takes to buy beachfront so we have been looking anywhere within an hour of Cresent Beach. Preferably on water....lake, canal, inter coastal, etc. I lived in Jacksonville for a couple of years for work and had a house on the St John’s across from Doctors Lake so I know my way around. Real estate is hot in Florida right now so I think we are going to make a few trips down to scout out areas we like and will be ready to go when the opportunity presents itself. Still looking for that deal of the century.?

Nice ride, I’m sure it will serve you well. I can’t seem to let go of my vehicles in a timely fashion. My last truck I bought new in 2004 a 3/4 ton HD Silverado 6 liter with 4.10 gearing. Awesome truck overall and I ran it to 175k before trading it in on a new truck in 2016. I am still driving that truck a 1/2 ton Silverado High Country, 5.3, and the 8 speed transmission. My dealership manager who is also a fisherman told me I would like the new truck much better for towing my boat and he was 100% right. I’m right 52,000 now. Get your truck professionally ceramic coated and never worry about the paint again.

I’m contemplating a move to Florida and depending on what we find, hopefully it will be on the water. Either an inland lake, canal or on the intercostal. So far beachfront is out of reach or requires waay to much fixer upper and if anyone is familiar with beachfront codes, it’s crazy. My point being a center console may be in my future.

If you are considering Smith Mountain in the summertime, then my suggestion would be the biggest glass boat you can get in your price range or a center console. Smith Mountain gets really rough and busy in the summer months. Next consideration is getting a motor that can be serviced close by.

Bladed jigs for me for sure. I am heading down to Okeechobee in February and my intel is that I better not show up without them and GYCB Zako trailers so I am going to give them another try.

My experience with tubes is mainly for smallmouth on Lake St Clair and mostly dragging or popping on the sandy bottom and in sand grass so triple dipped are what I use or I would be changing them out every 5 drifts. I like Case or Lunch Money tubes.

Exactly my experience. I originally bought a 2500 HD Silverado 6 liter V8 with 4.10 gearing because I tow across country and never wanted to worry about over working my truck and for sure didn’t want any transmission problems. That was in 2004 and I tow a 21 foot Ranger. When I was looking to upgrade the truck in 2016, my dealer who is also a fisherman told me the new (at that time) 1/2 tons would be just as good if not better. I bought a High Country Silverado 1500 with the 8 speed transmission and tow package. It is a better tow rig over the same roads I drove with my 3/4 ton and gets between 12-16 mpg towing whereas my old truck got 8-10. The reason I posted this long way to get to your question is this: The one thing I do miss from my 2500 is the braking and that’s where your problem will be. Let the roads be less than perfect and you get into an emergency stopping situation and I guarantee you a mid sized truck will get totally manhandled by a 21 foot boat even with surge brakes. The only way I would do it would be if I had 20 miles or less to the ramp and didn’t plan on towing long distances. And just as an aside, I pulled my boat through the mountains in West Virginia and managed to get a CEL in my 2500. I imagine the catalytic converters were red hot.

If you don’t have a SPRO Little John crank in the Cell Mate (Crappie imitator) color, you are missing out. It catches everything that swims.

In my case it did not. If I had hit something it would have but I know I didn’t and there was absolutely no damage to the case. When the shop pulled the lower unit off they said there was zero oil in it and also zero water in it. Water would have indicated a blown seal. They suggested someone tampered with it. When I called my insurance guy he told me to make a claim and see what happens. I chose not to.

Lots of information to digest for you but let me tell you what really sucks......buying that new boat on credit and making the payments while it sits in the shop. Just because it’s new doesn’t mean it will be trouble free. Personally, I have financed my boats but I prefer one a little older with average hours and all the bugs already worked out. I grenaded a lower unit to the tune of $4,000 replacement and it could have happened on a brand new boat just as easily. Instead my boat is paid off and while it still stung, at least I didn’t have to make a payment as well.

I assume you have done all of your research and know the pros and cons of each brand relative to the water you are going to fish and the money you are willing to spend. If all things are equal then a test ride in each will tell you which boat fits you better. Believe me when I say different boats fit people differently and it makes a huge difference.

My truck has a 7 pin round on it. That allows me to tow 4, 5 pin and electric brake trailer setups. For the 4 and 5 pin I have separate adapters that go from 7 pin round to 4 or 5 pin flat. And as has been said, the 5th pin in a 5 pin setup is for the lockout solenoid that energizes when your reverse lights com on so you can reverse uphill when you have surge brakes. Also of note, it is against the law here in Virginia to disable any trailer that has brakes factory installed and if your trailer has brakes (either surge or electric) you have to get it inspected every year. It’s a pain but it’s the law..

A lot of good responses so far and some that I use. A couple that haven’t been mentioned are a dropshot with a short tag t-rigged with a GYCB Shad Shape Worm. One of my go to baits on St Clair for bedding smallies is a GYCB D-Shad weightless t-rigged in bubblegum color. I just cast it past the bed and let it flutter down. Needs to be a fairly calm day until you get really proficient at throwing it. That bait also works well blind casting in bedding areas or dragging on deeper beds.

I can’t believe I read 3 pages of reply’s and nobody mentioned my daily blend. Now, I have favorites that are more of a splurge but for my day to day Joe it’s Tim Hortons. I got hooked when we first went to St Clair to fish 17 years ago and through the years, I would bring a case home to Virginia every year. Now we can order off Amazon or get it at our local Wegmans grocery store.

I pivoted away from media bias years ago. ?. Now if I want the true facts on anything I go directly to the source. The internet is a wonderful thing. I can go pull up most any speech, study or anything else and read/listen for myself.

Define “epic”. Every trip is in someway epic to me. Whether it was wading the Shenandoah for 100 smallness a day, driving to St Clair for 100 smallness a day in or first trip which turned into an annual trip for the las 17 years, or just going out locally with friends, they are all epic. I haven’t been to Mexico or Brazil yet but I imagine those would be epic as well. I will relay a story that was pretty epic and will always be in my memory. I flew into Vegas and rented a car (a Malibu ss but that’s another story) and drove to Page, AZ for a Yamamoto pro staff get together. I got to spend 2 days on Lake Powell. I had never fished a desert canyon lake before. I fished the first day with a touring Ranger pro out of Utah and we caught smallies in creek washes where a creek carved out the bottom of the canyon and cracks in bluff walls where it was 300 feet to the top of the wall and 300 feet to the bottom of the lake straight up and down. The second day I went out with the husband of a GYCB employee. We had just started fishing out of a 21 foot Ranger when a guy in a v bottom tiller motored up to us and asked if we wanted to catch some stripers. Of course we said yes. For those who have ever fished Powell you know there is no limit on stripers and DNR wanted you to keep all you caught. The guy I was fishing with said he needed to fill his freezer. We get to the canyon where all of the stripe were and let me tell you it was on for the next 6 hours. We filled both his live wells and then the entire floorboard of the boat. Powell has cleaning stations at all of the ramps with water sprayers and constantly running grinders in the center. He called his wife and had her bring his electric filleting knife and by the time he was done there was 50lbs of fillets. It took a month for my thumb and hands to heal. That was pretty epic.??