schplurg

Google maps here. Extensively when I bank fish new areas.

I made a power box with a plastic ammo box and parts from Amazon. Has two USB ports, one cig lighter port, plus 2 sets of pos/neg posts. I put it in my milk crate. Controls the fish finder, my light, charges my cameras and phone, plus whatever else. I think the batteries are 11ah. I actually leave one camera plugged in at all times. I'm no electronics wizard as you can probably see, but it was easy to make and fun. I charge it by connecting the charger to a set of posts then hit the corresponding switch. I like it because I can also use it for power while camping, either in the van or a picnic table. I made the sticker too (Darth-Baiter!). Says HotBox and has my name and little phrase on it "Bad*** Homemade Stuff". I put epoxy over the sticker to protect it

Conversely, if you didn't learn anything then you probably should pay less But seriously, if the idea is to teach you and you learn something then he did his job. If I feel I got more than I paid for then ya, that's when I tip, at least outside of bartenders n such. Or maybe if it's a lower paid employee and not the business owner. I don't normally feel the need to tip the owner of a business. I'm coming from the perspective of seeing a tip jar on every counter in just about every small store. And outside the store is a guy asking me for change as well. I was asked at a drive-thru one night recently if I wanted to "round up" my change and give it to charity. "No, how about you round down for me with all the taxes you save for donating other peoples' money in your name?"

Actually me too, mine wasn't on a hookset.

Yep I always questioned the idea of throwing X-mas trees into the lake for that reason (snags). Again, what kind of plastic are we talking about here? Many will break down at some point and leach chemicals into the water. This sounds like a very bad idea, especially if it's just "some plastic I found" One thing the last few years have shown me personally is that there is a lot of bad information and an equally number of stupid people in this country.

Had a frog fly past me at about Mach 80 (someone here uses that term ) a few weeks ago. I have it on video. I chuckled and said, "Hmmm that was close" It'll happen. Oh a few weeks ago I caught a dink right after reeling in a 5 pounder and it rocketed into the side of my yak. Poor little guy. That's what happens when you're next after a 5 pounder!

What kind of plastic? Geez people can just go and dump crap in their local waters? I don't trust my neighbors with that responsibility.

Agree. Fishing to me is about finding the fish. These new gizmos are like an Easter Egg hunt with a map showing where the eggs are. Wow I found a lot of eggs, aren't you impressed? No. I would find less satisfaction fishing this way. Not sure I'd even call it fishing. I wouldn't use one if you gave it to me for free. On the other hand, regular fish finders could be called cheating too compared to nothing at all. Then again mine has yet to lead me to a single catch.

I've watched other pros, not just B-Lat recently. I tend not to watch them though, I like watching whoever is interesting regardless of fame. I used to watch Scott Martin but got tired of him. Not enough fishing. Roland too. Love them both but not really getting much from them. I like Greg Blanchard, for instance, because he fishes pretty much the entire time, and he's local and he keeps it real. No product endorsements really, just a cool dude who fishes. I don't learn a lot but I enjoy his videos. I also credit him for getting me into yak fishing.

Sounds like people think it's an either/or when it isn't. The successful bass tour pro will be competitive as well as have a social media presence. Many of the pros do have Youtube channels, I just started watching B-Lat.

I haven't bought much from inside any fishing store lately, they don't have anything in stock. I have a Bass Pro 5 miles away. Always out of stock. When they have something I want I order from them online and pick it up at a little door in back of the store. No reason to go inside, it's really dark in this one too so I need my glasses to read anything. Dick's has no fishing gear here, and when they did it was expensive. Never liked them. I just shop online these days. Find what I want at TW, Walmart, BPS, or stores I've never heard of. I'm not loyal to anyone right now because nobody can supply me with everything I need, and I don't need much. Edit: Last time I saw fishing gear at Dick's they did have a Googan section. I suppose Googan is paying for that and have some deal with Dick's. I'm glad this thread is not locked like most threads that mention Googan. We should be able to discuss all brands of tackle as long as someone isn't blatantly spamming.

I've done some downright offensive things with lures (get a few beers in me), but the most successful is using a stick worm as top water, like others have mentioned. I used one on a mat one day like others would use a frog and caught a bunch. I'm like "Why is there a mat suddenly here today? Hmm I have a worm tied on..." I'd let it sink, then if no strike I'd start bringing it in and it would quickly end up on top. There's no way they could even see what it was from beneath.

Some days I like steak, some days I like pizza. Not sure why. The advertisers are like the fishermen, tossing ads in my face trying to lure me in. "Buy pizza! Buy steak!" Tonight I just went with beer. Those food advertisers skunked today.

Plusinno sent me free stuff and expected 5-star reviews. When they didn't get them from me they were not happy and I told them to get lost. I made a long thread about this a couple years ago. Other companies tried the same thing with me. Do not trust Amazon reviews at face value. If anything I sort the reviews by "newest first" because usually the companies want a lot of 5 star reviews when the product is first released. That's when they recruit reviewers. You see the Amazon reviews with a lot of photos and even videos for some cheapie product? Those are usually phonies. They ask you to include photos. Who would take 9 photos of a $12 dollar set of hooks and swivels? Someone getting free stuff, that's who. With prudence you can sort through the BS on Amazon, but just know these paid reviews happen a lot, and they appear to be, and are labeled as, "Verified Amazon Purchase" or whatever. They PayPal you the money, you buy the product then review it, so yes you "paid" for it. The fishing gear is full of such companies. I would avoid Amazon unless you know the product you are buying. Do not "shop" or browse there, my advice. Edit to add: Almost forgot, these same companies have review websites that look legit, but they always list their own crappy brands in their top tens. You can sometimes tell by the poor translation from another language, or just by the products they recommend. If you Google "best reels" and a website offers Piscifun, Sougyaling and whatever crazy sounding brands as the number one reels, you know you found such a site. Some of these companies offer "okay" bargain gear but their business practices are shady. I can find good deals on brands I recognize elsewhere.

Don't know where else to put this without making a new thread. I hate Santa Clara county. I paid for a launch online at Calero Lake last night. $8. I figured I'd be charged for parking maybe when I got there. Oooooh no. I got there today and the guy says $15 more! Me: "I already paid" "No you just paid to reserve the spot. You still have to pay launch, parking, and inspection" "Say what? And I paid for an inspection last time I was here, guy said I wouldn't have to pay again as long as I have this tag on my kayak." Points at tag. "Oh no that would be a different tag you need to get at the END of the day from the inspector" "So I have to pay $23 to launch a kayak? Okay I'm going home" And I did. I was not rude to the guy, it's not his fault, but **** you! So ya, Delta it is from now on until I ditch California. What a load of crap to get on a tiny fishless lake. And of course the website to make the reservations is 20 years old, is totally confusing and says NOTHING about this fee being only to reserve a spot. Even my receipt says nothing. I would have never done this if I'd known. I can kayak there all weekdays without a "reservation". Last year I was bank fishing a tiny lake here and I asked two Rangers if I was okay to fish here, because the creek that forms the lake was closed this time of year. They looked on their phones for fifteen minutes, made a phone call, then said: "We can't tell if you can or not so go ahead and fish. Our system is so outdated we can't make sense of it" California Screamin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ya those bass boats are under constant attack on the water. https://www.google.com/search?q=bass+fisherman+robbed+or+murdered+on+the+water&ei=z7JfYdjZJJCa_QbUnKbQDA&ved=0ahUKEwiY_cDx57nzAhUQTd8KHVSOCcoQ4dUDCA4&uact=5&oq=bass+fisherman+robbed+or+murdered+on+the+water&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAM6BwgAEEcQsAM6BQgAEM0COgQIIRAKSgQIQRgAULsdWOBRYMRXaAZwAngAgAGXAYgB6xGSAQQwLjE3mAEAoAEByAEIwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz

Back in the day my Dad built big block v-drive and jet boats, you know the old Schiada 19' molds where your entire body from your hip up was above the gunwale and if you sat in the back your legs were right next to the headers. My Dad told me once he and I were riding along in a drag boat he built. He said we did about 100mph (the boat did 106) and he was holding me on his lap in the front seat. He said, "I'd be arrested today if I did that" I basically grew up in these boats. I did see someone fly out of a boat at the Delta once, but there are some gigantic waves if you hit the shipping areas. But ya the OP sounds like a bad idea, same as these old boats do now Edit to add: I was in another boat he built and we did about 100 on Trinity Lake. 100 mph in a boat is SCARY. I remember the tach bouncing around like crazy between 8 and 9 grand. Not sure if it was a 454, I think 455.

I like the magnet idea. I've seen vids of people pulling all kinds of stuff out of the water, especially near docks. Might be fun to have.

Stick your plug on your steering wheel so you will see it, old skool style I guess, or leave it in and keep a spare in case that one gets old. I just talked to my Dad who built boats for many years. Told him how last weekend a co-workers Dad sunk a boat after launch just a mile from my Dad's house on the lake. The guy borrowed his good friend's lake house and his boat, launched the boat, drove it to the private dock, had dinner. Owner calls and asks "Why did my neighbor just call me to say my boat is 85% underwater right now?" Didn't put in the plug. They paid to have a crane pull it out. My Dad says just leave it in unless you're draining it. "Everyone forgets the plug once". Bring a spare. Makes sense to me. Pretty sure it was a wake boat so not all bad news. I saw photos of it, I'll see if I can get one.

Big surprise. I see zero masks in all the photos I looked up. Surprise number two - it was in Florida. Shocked I tell ya! Stupid is as stupid does, famous or not. https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20210727/icast-2021-shows-off-latest-innovations-in-fishing

I know a few electricians and believe me, you have no reason to feel un-smart around them.

Ugggh!

Oh this isn't a continuation of the "do you carry cash?" thread?

Awwwwww we all wish you did!

Never give up is good advice! Can be tough to heed sometimes. 2020 was my worst year and I didn't catch anything at all for a few months! Tough area but still. I persisted and finally figured stuff out. It was demoralizing but that fist catch made it worth it.