Junger

Is this your model? https://www.mercurymarine.com/us/en/engines/outboard/fourstroke/fourstroke-40-60hp 18 amp hour alternator. Does your cranking battery power anything else?

I've been running a dual purpose LiFePO4 from Florida Lithium for 2 years now with no issues. It's also my house battery (stereo, electronics, lights) and have zero interference. The lowest I've run it was 72% fishing with all my graphs on for 8 hours. They say they are compliant with Mercury outboard specs, which is what I have (2021 Mercury v6 200HP 4 Stroke). FloridaLithium12V 105ah Dual Purpose LifeP04 batteryFlorida Lithium's advanced performance dual purpose Lithium batteries provide the best of both worlds! Our 105ah battery features an upgraded 150Ah BMS, providing maximum deep cycle performance AND 80

I had no issues with the 3M tape it came with. Just follow the instructions. I'm on year 4 with them, but also keep my boat garaged.

LiTime will be the best mix of reliability and price, and actually being around when/if you need to use their warranty. I purchased 3x105AH LiFePO4s from a brand Fiune, and they’re defunct now so that 10year warranty they came with is probably worthless. But it was a cheap battery ($160) so I’ll just replace them if they ever go bad.

I moved it to the console, so now I have the two Helix10's at the console and can run one with full SI and the other with a map or map/DI combo. I agree, they're solid units overall, and I think I'll get another year out of them and then upgrade to Xplore10's so I have full networking combability, including being able to see ML2 at the console.

I'd say my fishing time is 80% boat, 20% bank. I don't have easy access to good fishy water, so I have to drive at least 1 hour to good spots. Nearest boat launch is 20 mins away, but fishing the local reservoir has more cons than pros, and it's feast or famine for catching. But I'm 12 mins from predictable fishing along the C&O canal, so when I only have a couple hours, I take a cigar, one rod and a small tackle bag and hike and fish it.

Yes....it's like they have a super power to take the exact line I want to fish everytime. Near the bank, on a deep ledge line, in a small narrow creek that leads no where....they just find a way.

Around me, it's usually kids doing it, and their parents are right there watching them do it. I'd say 20% of the parents tell their kids to stop when they get near me fishing, but the rest are oblivious. It irks me for about half a second, but I always realize they're just kids being kids, and most adults don't know how to fish and don't understand what noise/sound does to their behavior. Don't let that ruin your day.

I was in the same situation with Humminbird Helix 10's. I purchased my boat in 2021 and came with two Helix 10's, third generation. I had one on the bow, and one on the console, networked with an Ultrex. I kind of always knew I wanted two graphs at the console. Fast forward to 2025 and MegaLive2 is now out, but not compatible with any Helix's. My only option was to buy their new line, the Xplore, or buy a used compatible Solix/Apex since a new Xplore was less than a new Solix/Apex. Ultimately, I bought a new Xplore12 for the bow to pair with the ML2, and moved the Helix10 to the console, and installed a double graph console mount (Beatdown). The only thing the Xplore and Helix don't do is network, so they can't share WP's, but I think I can live with that for now. I'll probably update the console graphs to Xplores if I like the new touch system. The Helix buttons are OK, but it took so long to manage waypoints, that I would just mark them on the water then edit them at home. So ultimately, I'm getting 90% of what I wanted, but that last 10% upgrade to 2 Xplore10's will be costly.

Amber Ox Public House - My favorite there. Modern southern, local sourced, scratch made, but not pretentious. Great beers, and reasonably priced whiskey selection, like Stagg Jr for $20. Pretty casual spot. Blue Talon Bistro - Modern french inspired. Their mac and cheese is out of this world. Top end whiskey shelf, but you'll pay for it, such as William Larue Weller, George T. Stagg, etc. Casual as well. Fat Canary - New American, with some good italian dishes. Pretty upscale spot. Paul's Deli - Go here if you want to feel like you're in college again. If you don't order the food correctly the guy will yell at you, like Seinfeld's Soup Nazi. I like their style of pizza, and hot subs. Green Leafe Cafe - Good spot to try some interesting beers, like sours, and non-typical IPA's. Williamsburg Inn Rear Patio - This is a great spot for happy hour/small bites. It overlooks the golf course and is really relaxing if the weather is right. Hospitality is great here. Side story: They had some OK whiskeys on the patio like Booker's, but the waiter said they had better stuff inside. I went inside and saw an unopened Pappy 23, the bartender said it was $150 for 2oz, which was way under secondary, so I said let's do it. As he was ringing it up, it wasn't in the system so he checked with the bar manager and he said $270...but since I was quoted $150, they charged me that for the one pour. Fat Tuna Grill & Oyster House - Loud, busy, but fun if you like that ambiance. Our kids always liked this place. Can't say anything bad about it other than it can get really busy, hence slow. Tuscany Ristorante/Sal's By Victor - I usually get take out from these spots, depending where we stay. Nothing bad to say about them, but nothing amazing either. Just no frills italian food. Le Yaca - Went here once with my wife for our anniversay. The restaurant itself is really nice, but it's really expensive, and I'm from the DC area so I'm used to $75 entrees, and I thought the food was mediocre. I wouldn't go back again. Just checked their website, and it looks like they've moved to a price fixed menu. I'm surprised I haven't tried any Latin cuisine down there, I'll have to do that next time I'm down there.

I'm not from the area, so I'm just listing my limited experience when visiting Williamsburg and only get a couple hours to wet a line. Chickahominy Riverfront Park has a playground, and some decent bank access if you're willing to walk. Work a popper along the rip rap. There's also some access on the north side of the point. https://maps.app.goo.gl/r2drYhCCgTbmZ3hJ8 Not a playground, but beach spot for kiddos: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iYnRqwbPh9GvxeZ77 The tide can rip pretty good at the bridge north of the beach. I usually just throw a shallow crank here. You're about 30 minutes away from some really good salt/brackish water species (Redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead). You may want to consider a charter and see what's biting in April (assuming that's your Spring Break). Need any food recs?

With YZH I’ve had the trilene slip with 6 wraps so I got 7, but I think it’s just the line itself. No issues with 6 wraps with other lines, like Tatsu or braid.

I would pay an annual subscription fee to see this!

This. Also, is there a rush to perform maintenance on it now? An upcoming trip south (if so I'm jealous). Or just cabin fever. From Quicksilver (Mercury): So that would involve running the engine on muffs, which introduces water to the lower unit which could freeze and cause damage. So personally, I wouldn't do it in this subzero weather.

The ZLC card is $63 on Amazon right now.

Same as others, I keep one on the boat and one in the truck. I've only had to use it in the boat once, my big engine wouldn't crank and used the boost to crank it. It ended up being a loose battery cable.

@BigAngus752 Nice pickups. The WF DDO has an amazing nose. I'm actually headed to Louisville in March to do a barrel pick at Bardstown Bourbon Company, which will be my first experience on the trail. Hopefully I can get some nice pick ups when I'm there too.

I tie it at home. Improved albright on the water. I've seen @Fried Lemons tie a FG in the cold in about 20 seconds.

Should be fine, I use my 6'8 ML/F Lew's Custom for shallow cranks too, I just loosen the drag a little so I'm not ripping the trebles out.

I have a couple Lew's Custom rods, the older Custom Plus Pro and Custom Plus Speed Stick, both rated for 1/8-1/2oz. I think the one you are looking at 1/4-1/2oz will struggle to cast a 1/4oz small squarebill unless you have the right reel that can handle lighter baits, but not necessarily BFS. I have Daiwa SV105's on my rods, with a mod for fixed inductors, and they can throw 1/8oz, but 1/4oz will fly on them.

Seems to be working for me. There's a mark forum read button too:

Best way I had it was in a PBJ shooter. Its very sweet so you have to be in that mood.

In the winter, 4 person ice fishing tent with a small heater. It keeps very warm, ventilation isn’t amazing but I keep the zippered door open and it’s good enough that I’m not swimming in cigar smoke.

Inadvertently met her about 10 years ago. There was a kayak tournament at my usual fishing spot. I was there 60 minutes before sunrise, and so were about 10 other kayakers. I pull up to the roundabout and start prepping my boat, and then when I'm ready to launch, there's a bunch of kayaks on the ramp, taking up the whole double launch. I'm not sure if they're still rigging or chatting, probably the latter. She was the first person to walk up to me and ask if I was ready to launch, and then she cleared one side of the launch. She has a good noggin on her shoulders.