haggard

I misplaced a PopMax in a tree on Mousam Lake due to a slightly aggressive cast.

I used cargo tie-downs until my buddy showed me the bolt-on Boat Buckles. Fast and easy and they seem to be well made. As someone mentioned it wouldn't hurt to clean and lube them once in a while since they get dunked when the trailer's in the water.

I have the EchoMap 93SV Plus and my buddy has two EchoMap 73SV (one of them a Plus). We can't say enough good about them. Highly recommended. While I love the small (4 inch) Lowrance on the kayak, the Garmin beats the pants off it (I know this isn't an apples to apples comparison...) The "Plus" version adds a touch screen, which is very convenient. I don't have experience with the other models you listed.

You're a staple around here. Glad to have you back. And your GIFs are still the funniest ever created.

Kraftwerk The Afros (Kickin' Afrolistics) Tangerine Dream - (Quichotte live, parts 1 & 2 is a 46 minute masterpiece)

No problem there. If they supplied 22 gauge wire, your larger diameter 14 gauge will handle the max current of the 22, plus more (even though it will never see that much current). In other words your 14 gauge is just "overbuilt." What you wouldn't want to do is run a smaller diameter wire than what they provided. Put the fuse on the positive cable, close to the battery. Close means maybe a foot or so. It can actually be placed anywhere, but the farther it gets from the battery, the more length of wire you have that could possible get shorted out, with no fuse protection.

Given where you seem to fish most I'd say a mod V will do well and just pick your days based on weather.

That's insane. Just several weeks ago a hail storm blew through about 12 miles from there and took down some big trees, including some on the edge of one of the bigger ponds. As of a few days ago there was still a big tree downed against the second floor deck of a waterfront property. Only reason I knew it was hail was because I found dimples on the roof of the camper. Good day to be not fishing. Wait, is there any day that's good to be not fishing?

Green pumpkin or browns, with a little red flake. For deeper, black with some blue flake.

Both great choices and price for a new boat, Mercury motor and trailer IMHO. I had the Grizzly in a 1448 and loved it. Solid boat. I was very happy with the all welded construction and the stability of the mod V hull.

Nice! Now all we need is a pic of the Cub towing the jon

Beautiful fish, congrats. I've only ever caught one rainbow and can't wait for more.

I'm a cog in the wheel, the logistics guy; the driving force here is @jbmaine and his total adoration for his wife and her well being. In one word: team work. Wait, is that two words? Jim's wife's recovery, and seeing the two of these dear friends on the boat again, will be the highlight of the 2020 season. Though a 5 lb bass wouldn't hurt ?

Check out a 1448 Tracker Grizzly, all welded, mod V hull, comes with casting deck, a good platform for modifying too, with good thick aluminum, feels solid not flimsy. Go with max hp (I think it's 25 hp) as the boat feels a little sluggish with less.

Last weekend on the reservoir the bluegills liked the white Powerbait curl tail grub on a 1/8 oz jig head. Then again, so did the the black crappie and some largemouth bass. I briefly switched to a green/black sparkly crappie magnet, caught a couple crappie but ended up switching back to the all white smaller curl tail grub because I was just more confident in it. This one was foul hooked (sorry buddy) but swam off. As @Bass_Fishing_Socal says they like they love the trout (and crappie) magnets. Green/black flavor worked well on an ultralight spinning setup in still waters. Pink/orange, never had as much luck.

Is that the one where it ends with saving the last tiny bit being used to clean under your finger nails?

I don't have a whole lot of experience with this yet but I figure time is an unavoidable part of the process and there's no substitute, not even a great day of fishing. He's so fortunate not only to have family, but family that cares enough to make the effort to spend time with him while he goes through this. The excitement he once had may not come back at the same level, but that doesn't mean he doesn't enjoy it. It's just different. When my aunt passed, a couple months later my uncle described himself as just rattling around the house, as if he was just not into it anymore and waiting to be with her. Until he passed, he still had a smile on his face and savored the time with his children and especially his grandchildren. Wishing all three of you a memorable Fathers Day.

Maybe try backing the trailer farther down into the water, give the boat a little more floatation, but not so much that it drifts off the bunks before you get in to tow it up.

@jbmaine and his wife are the sort of people anyone would go out of their way to help. I don't have many friends, just a few great ones. Thanks for the kind words.

Regarding the argument of "you stand a greater chance of being struck by lightning" etc: I've had fire extinguishers in houses and vehicles for 50+ years and have never needed to use one, but wouldn't be without one. Carrying, or even fire extinguisher use, isn't for everyone. If you're not comfortable with it, you may stand a better chance at focusing on how to get out of a bad situation. Nothing wrong with that (unless you're trapped with no options and it's life or death).

on the + side and as close to the battery as possible.

Kayak is a pedal drive, with a removable pedal drive unit, which, when removed, leaves a convenient and discrete hole for #1 in the middle of the deck. As for #2, haven't been there, don't want to be. Plan ahead and get that out of your system before you go.

That's a great pic. The imperfect photos are often the best ones. They give you a hint and let your memory re-live and describe the rest, specifically because it was not captured. Congrats to you and your 5 year old for a memory you'll both have forever.

I'm not sure if the thrust numbers will simply add up to 96 lb but unless I'm missing something this means you're controlling two different motors simultaneously at different ends of the boat, which sounds cumbersome. I'd just get a single bow mount 24 V motor and sell the existing 12 V.

The young ones on the forum are scratching their heads and googling Great idea and nice work Dan!