Alex from GA

I still use mid 80s Shimado XHS Bantam reels and they're 5:1 gear ratio also. They work good for crank, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

I'm in the minority in that I use a med with an xf tip. Sets the hook better than a lighter rod and I skin hook my finesse worms.

Thanks for sharing.?

The only place I've ran into them is on the rivers. "Get off my property, where did you launch, I'm going to call the sheriff, ect".

Thanks King, got my laugh for today.

Tried fluoro once with disastrous results. Too stiff on a small reel so mono is what I use. Usually 6 lb for bass fishing and Stren Magnathin 4 lb for bream.

IMO the only drawback to the engine is the low gear ratio when all the rest are 1.75. Most available props are too short for the Suzuki.

I'm 82 and kayak fish every week during the summer, but, I only go downstream. There's really no maintenance on a jon boat or small bass boat in fresh water. I fish several times a week in my 16' bass boat in Lake Lanier but don't have to launch it. If there's a dock @ your hotel it's a no brainer. You can also maybe hook up a winch to get your kayak up the hill or use the lawn tractor.

I've been retired for a long time and fish several times a week usually for less than 1/2 day. I have a boat in the water when I'm in GA. In winter we're usually in central FL and I have to launch my boat which I'm able to do, again, several times a week. This winter I'm having health issues, for the first time, and didn't go to FL. Next year, when we're in FL, I'm going to contact Capt Phil and ask to join him for a day or so. I've done the GA Bass Slam every year since it's inception, usually in a kayak.

There's an upside to building your own rods. You can have your cake and eat it too. I have a kayak rod I built for small stream fishing that I've been using for a bunch of years. It's a 6'2" blank I cut to 5 1/2' xf tip. I use 1000 size reel filled with 6 lb mono. Very sensitive and light, 9 oz. I also have a full size rod with the same blank that I use in my boat.

Front yard and back yard are in full bloom.

I usually over estimate but carry a scale to see if I'm close.

You'll probably lose that 1 mph in the summer. Glad it worked out.

A riding lawn mower battery is about 30 ah and less than $50 if you have room.

Thanks. I've removed the handle and trashed the rest of the reel.

Tough break; hopefully tomorrow will be better. Hope you have health insurance.

I bought a middle of the line reel and when using 8 lb fluorocarbon it goes between the frame and spool with a professional override sometimes. I've been using old Shimano reels for years and never had it happen. The line is .011". Do any of you reel technicians know what the tolerances should be?

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Especially in winter here, N GA, I'll drive to 2 or 3 launchramps and throw a worm down the ramp and on the sides. The water warms up more on the concrete plus they release fish there.

Whenever I go with a certain buddy we always go in his boat and 80% of the time he front seats me. I took to putting my bait where he threw and now gives me the first cast 1/2 the time. I don't tournament fish so when I take someone I'll always give them the 1st cast and tell them where.

Most of our kitchen knives are Victornox as is one of my filet knives. Cheap knives are dangerous if not sharpened constantly.

I subscribe to a youtube channel because the poster fishes the same lake I do and I learn from him. He's also my buddy.

Threw a spinnerbait this afternoon and caught a 2 lb Alabama, which came home to dinner, Threw it a few more times and had a big bite. 7.09 LM.

I've heard good thing about Kel's Rod and Reel much nearer you. Castleberry, FL.

Caught a 2-8 several years ago and the next year caught a 2-10 while waiting out rain in a dock. Took my 8 yo son crappie fishing @ Lake Castaic and couldn't clean them fast enough to what he was catching. I fileted over 90 that day.