TOXIC

Read where DT today agreed with a WAPO article that explained the splitting of the Polar Vortex and what it means for us.....Snowy and frigid through February at least. Extreeeemly cold.

No, not TV shows but the traveling road shows that come to your area. I used to set up a booth for the guide service and spend 3 or 4 days doing seminars and talking fishing with a lot of like minded fishermen and women and kids. There were a lot of tackle vendors and some big name talent who used to travel in for personal appearances. All of the local boat dealers would have the latest and greatest models on display and you could ask a lot of questions, get show specials and crawl around in the boats. I pulled a lot of boats to a lot of shows for dealers. I did this for a number of years. Then I noticed the boat dealers started dropping off complaining about floor rental space and the tackle vendors switched from fishing to Sham-Wow and jewelry makers including more out of state outfitters and overall a lot of non-endemic vendors. Second on the list of wintertime activities are the Bass Fishing flea markets and swap and sell events at firehouses and local venues. They used to be a good place to stock up on used baits and equipment. So my question is...do you still go to these events and why or why not?

Ye old color debate I can tell you that Yamamoto's #1 nationwide selling color is 297 Green Pumpkin Black Fleck. Personally, I have fished that color from Canada to Florida in all water conditions and colors. Normally it will produce everywhere. For whatever reason you have developed a confidence color, that is the color you need to throw. I have serious fishing friends who all fish Yamamoto pretty religiously and every one of them has a different confidence color. It's my personal opinion that Yamamoto's 297 works in the biggest number of water colors and conditions. Can you refine the color selection to the current conditions and do better than the 297. You bet ......but most want a universal color that will work in the biggest number of situations.

Exactly. That's the best.

Just my opinion but I like the Yamamoto DShad because it generally is heavier than other fluke style baits in it's size. I never weight mine. 4.0 EWG hook Texas rigged is the only way I fish it. Because of it's weight, I can fish it at just about any depth I want. Rigging is paramount if you want it to run straight on a steady retrieve. Personally, I twitch the bait on the retrieve and that keeps it from spinning. I have dragged a DShad in 9 feet of water on St Clair like a tube and I bounce it across the tops of weedbeds on the Potomac and every depth in between. One of my favorite baits.

Just might be some new perspectives in that department......Like mine. So what is the preferred method to open a discussion on a previously covered subject and let's face it most EVERYTHING has been discussed at one time or another? Resurrect the old discussion for new input or start a new thread?

Yes, I am sponsored by Yamamoto but let me offer a few reasons to stick with a brand and it doesn't have to be Yamamoto. Consistency. Take the Senko for example, probably the most imitated bait out there. "IF" you go with whatever brand was the cheapest the day you were shopping, chances are (if you were used to throwing a Senko original), the bait is not going to have the same action. Also keeping in mind that there aren't that many bait makers who pour their own plastics so a lot of the knockoffs will perform the same. Another aspect of consistency is the formula of the bait. I know how I have to rig Yamamoto plastics for the best action and a lot of that is based on the formula. Some makers may have a scent you like. And as has been said, if you are a stickler for color, you know your favorite color will be the same across the entire line. May be small differences but it inspires confidence and you better have that with whatever plastic you decide to throw.

Well, we got wolloped pretty good. I got around 10 inches and it was mixed at times with sleet. Shoveled the driveway 3 times. Government closed yesterday and I am teleworking today. Balmy 11 degrees when I got up this morning and we could slammed again this weekend. Guess my crappie fishing is on hold unless I want to sit on a bucket on the ice.

No matter what you do drifting and the wind will be a constant battle. When I river fished, I had a coffee can sized concrete anchor on a long nylon rope to anchor in the current with. ALWAYS anchor from the front or bow. I also carried a good knife and could cut my anchor rope if it got hung up to the point I could not get it loose. I never had to. I mounted my TM on the stern and it had an extendable handle. When I was alone I sat as far to the middle of the boat as I could to reduce the swinging effect from the wind. I did use the anchor occasionally on lakes to just hold me on a spot.

Some of my higher end Quantum have line weight indicators in the butt section of the rod. You just turn the dial to whatever weight line you have on that rod/reel.

It may clean them well and is fine for cork but it is an abrasive. I cringe whn people say they use them on their seats or topcap. It's a mild abrasive but an abrasive nonetheless. Be careful.

Forgot to add, if your Trolling motor has "Spot Lock" then it is an upgraded model from what came on it originally. Your call on the Talons. I have Powerpoles but another personal preference. Just make sure everything works. Electronics, pumps, livewells, lights, gauges, have him run it up to top speed (or close to it) to make sure the motor handles under load. Look at the bottom of the hull for any real damage beyond normal scuffs and scrapes. Anything with the glass mat showing is not good.

Could write a book on a response to your question. The Skeeter is a good boat assuming it has been taken care of. Seats/Carpet/Bilge are all areas to check out. You will find those who love and those who hate Skeeters. It's a personal preference. I spent a lot of time in the exact rig you are looking at. My current Ranger is a 2005 model with that same Yamaha. The motor is a good one with those hours on it. There were an abnormal amount of failures with the big block HPDI's with the #2 cylinder leaning out and popping. Issues supposedly corrected in the next generation that bear the label "Series 2" on the cowl. Mine has close to 500 hours and is on the original powerhead and Lower Unit. I have had no problems but they do require regular maintenance and they have a LOT of filters and pumps that can fail and do require maintenance. That motor will be a little thirsty on gas and oil but it's bearable. Run mid-grade, ethanol free (if you can find it) with Yammalube and Ring free. If you are serious, I would have the motor compression checked and a leakdown test performed. Ask some specific questions and I'll try to answer. Also don't forget the trailer because without it you won't get to the lake. Tires/Bearings/Axles all need to be checked.

Then you will need to study some Topo or lake maps to find the type of cover/structure to fish depending on season/fish stage, that is close to your launch points.

Couple of observations on the Video you posted from my experience with a Bass Hunter. First, put some old carpet on the wood "dolly" so that you are not bouncing the pvc against the wood. Second, those wheels are waaaaay too small if you have to move the boat over anything other than smooth grass or gravel. You will want bigger wheels. Third, I would strap the boat to the dolly across the entire boat not by the grab handles. If you have to move it over rough ground you will eventually pull the handles loose or break them. As for the Gator Patch, I would use the boat and after a couple of seasons, see where the rub marks are and then install the patches for more durability. https://www.gator-guards.com/product/gator-patch-2/

Used to be a go-to bait on the lake I guided on. C-Rig bait.

You are correct in that it totally messes up the "natural" action of a Senko but adds a different one that in certain circumstances may be a better action. I certainly wouldn't waste a Yamamoto Senko on that technique due to cost. I would use the cheapest knock-off I could find.

Since it is pretty big water, research the launches or places you can get access and choose water based on what is close by as far as what the fish are doing during the period (deep water, shallow water, spawning grounds, etc.) you are fishing. Never leave the house without a Senko, Tube, Dropshot, Fluke and depending on the time of year some hardbaits. Jerkbaits/crankbaits/Lipless. Get more specific on the time of year and the places you have access to and the answers can be more specific.

Give a little more information on what type of boat you are looking for. Size, construction, type of motor, etc.

Lake St Clair Killer.........Saved a trip for us one year. It was the bait of choice and by far the most productive. We went through over 40 bags.

Did you mount any electronics?

First thing I do when cleaning my rods is to take a Q-tip and run it around the inside of every rod guide. If it pulls off any fibers, then the guide is bad and that rod get's set aside for repair. Since I fish the Potomac a lot, I get a good buildup of "sludge" from the weedy water. I use Simple Green and then follow it up with a spray wax like Lucas Slick Mist or Bass Boat Saver to put a little protection back on the guides.

I think we give far too much credit to a fish with a brain the size of a pea.

I can't remember who but one of the Elite Series anglers showcased this presentation on I think the Red River an number of years ago. You use a hitchhiker screw in keeper for holding the blade to the bait. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Tru-Turn_HitchHikers/descpage-TTHCH.html

I guess there will be no Crappie fishing for me this weekend.