volzfan59

When all I did was go bank fishing or wading I had a Ford Ranger with a camper/ bed topper (depending on where your from). I even used it to pull my first jon boat. Anything I didn't use was locked in the truck bed. No matter what you decide, I would recommend either four wheel drive or all wheel drive.

I've got one on my 16' X 50" bass jon. I really like mine, smooth and quiet operation. Pole storage can be a pain. I bought four rubber mounts meant for a light pole. Attached them at 3' intervals, so far so good it's working well after 3 years. Hope that this helps. Edit; I'm sorry, I missed the part asking if anyone had ever seen them on sale. I have never seen them on sale. When I was working at BPS, I even asked a rep if they ever put them on sale or had any factory seconds or repaired units for sale. He said they didn't. Again, my apologies

I saw the northern lights years ago when I was an 11 year old living in the upper peninsula of Michigan. I remember getting scared because I didn't understand what was going on. It was like the sky was moving with color. We saw them last night down here in southern Arkansas but it was weird. I really couldn't see it with my naked eye, but my step daughter changed some settings on her phone's camera and voila, the sky had a pink tint to it. We're going out to some country property tonight, hopefully it will be better.

I'm with @BayouSlide, doesn't look messy to me either. Mine looks similar, even after I rewired the boat. Wish I still had the before pictures, that was the definition of messy!

What Ken said, dielectric grease!

I've always used the basic vertical wall mounts like Berkeley, Rapala, BPS (they're all the same). They are inexpensive and work well. Each rack can hold five rods. Thought about building my own rod racks out of wood and staining them, but the above noted racks are a lot less expensive.

How do I find my spots? Purely by dumb luck! I'm a "bank beater", drop the T/M on a bank with docks, rocks, stumps, etc and have at it.

Years ago, after retirement, I went to work at Bass Pro Shops in the fishing department. I had been in law enforcement my entire career, never working in the retail field. On one of my interviews, I asked a question similar to yours, but I don't remember the exact question that I asked. I took the Operations Manager's reply to heart. He said "We're in business to make money. We have to stock rods, reels and tackle that fit into every budget. All some folks can afford are $25.00 rods or reels. Some folks can spend hundreds."

He'll complain, he always complains.

My dad, Thomas Hutson was a Sergeant in the old Army Air Corps. He was stationed in Alaska at a radar outpost.

I watched this morning, saw a little bit of everything. Some guys using FFS, some guys pitching, Hackney fishing Cypress trees with a spinnerbait. Enjoyed it all.

Congratulations on your retirement! I highly recommend it.

@Jar11591, Jaimoe Johnson is still alive and well at 79 years old, he's the last of the founding members. He was one of the drummers. For those that might not know, the Allman Brothers Band always had two drummer's, Jaimoe and Butch Trucks.

For you southern rock enthusiasts (like me) Dickey Betts passed away today. He was best known as a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band. He had his own band called Dickey Betts and Great Southern. RIP Dickey, thanks for the music and the memories!

I'm with Ken @MN Fisher, he suggested Mighty Max batteries to me. I checked them out and got one of their 12 volt 100 a/h lithiums. Seems like I paid around $650.00, shipping and taxes included. I don't remember the exact price. It's been a great battery, no problem what do ever. I use an AGM for my starting battery.

Heck yes Glenn, this should be fun. I would like to see some mom and pop tackle shops over there. See first hand some of their finesse tackle.

@Koz, like @Mike L said, you are a good man for reaching out to an old friend. Know matter how this turns out, it's not mom and dads fault or doing. The responsibility lies solely with the son. In my 30+ year law enforcement career, I can't count the number of kids hauled to jail that were raised by good men and women. Heck, sometimes there would be other siblings that were exemplary people. You just never know what makes a kid snap; easy money, drugs, the "wrong crowd", mental illness? One of the Officers under my supervision has a kid in the penitentiary right now, been in and out since high school. His daughter is an RN. You just never know.

@MN Fisher is right, you have a great blank canvas to do as much, or as little as you would like. I like your new rig.

You are 100% correct! @cw_nsmf, you did very well! Not sure how correct this info is, but I was told that the old wiggle wart's have painted diving bills. I'm sure that someone will correct it if it's wrong.

Seems like a good decision to me.

Great interview with James "Worldwide" Watson on this week's Low Budget Live. It's a little long, I listened over two days. @Walter Eye is correct, boyd is no Ray Scott.

One of my favorite childhood memories is fishing with my dad in Escanaba, MI and catching my first smallie and my one and only northern pike. What a great day it was!

I tried kayak fishing, didn't care for it. Sold the yak and went back to fishing from a boat. Like has already been mentioned, there are several rigs that will come in under your 2000 lb towing capacity. Just a suggestion, if buying new, spring for the trailer brakes if offered. They really do help.

I use them all, Rooster Tails, Panther Martins, Blue Fox and Joe's flies. A couple of years ago Mepps came out with on called "Bronze Slammer". I've been using them in the 1/4 ounce size for bass fishing with good results.

I went back to all mono, all the time. I just use different test line for different applications. That's what we did back before the braid became a thing again, and before floro, which I personally detest. All I use is BPS Excel mono. It used to be made by Pure Fishing, assuming that it still is.