Alex from GA

I fish a spring run in FL that, if the fish see you they're gone. It's clear and long casts are necessary to catch a fish. Otherwise on lakes or rivers with a lot of traffic and stained water IMO it doesn't matter that much.

Just installed my new locator and wanted to check it out. It was warm enough for me this afternoon to see if my new fish finder works as advertised; it didn't but that's another story. Got to a place where gulls were diving and a few boats were trying to trying to catch the fish, stripers. After chasing a few blowups and dropping spoons on marks I quit that and went to a few brush piles I had marked . Caught a 2.66 Alabama and fished the rest of the bank with worms from 3-30' for no more bites. Went across the lake to some brush piles I haven't fished in several years and caught a 3.22 Alabama and another about 13"er. Water temp was 55* late on a sunny afternoon and the wind was under about 5 mph. Fished for just over 2 hours and went home satisfied except the finder wouldn't work on the sonar mode only the sidescan and downscan modes. Merry Christmas everyone.

As others have said the original floating Rapalas and Rebels can be used as jerk baits or just reeled in.

My one and only reason for a kayak was to get to places my boat wouldn't go. When I moved to N GA I passed good looking rivers and creeks and have had a kayak for 20+ years. There are bass species in rivers that don't live in lakes and I've caught those. If another person goes with me we'll float down and shuttle back. As for tackle I carry one or at the most 2 rods and the rest of my tackle in my PFD.

You've filled out nicely. Up to a couple of years ago I was in fairly good condition then I got sick. Hopefully you'll be healthy enough to fish for a long time. I'm still fishing but not as much and would like to have a partner when I go, but sometimes I'll go alone. Getting in and out of the boat is a sometimes challenge.

A jigging spoon with really small jerks sometimes is the ticket for me.

I tested mine out a couple of months ago when I fell off the boat; worked fine.

White and chartreuse and white.

Invisibility.

Until I had 2 aortic aneurisms in 2024 I fished several times a week on my boat and the weekends in rivers with the kayak. Had/have other physical problems that don't bother me as much and still fishing at least twice a week but no kayak, balance problem. Can't fish very long at a time and sometimes I just sit in the seat when I tire out. Right now I'm preparing my new boat for our winter in Florida.

Usually LM and Alabamas aren't in the same location. LM are in shallower water, up tributaries, rivers, etc.

Mostly I fish in one part of a 38000 acre lake and know where most of the brush piles are and underwater features are. But don't know where the fish are.

IMO the best thing to check the trailer is jack up each wheel and spin the tire. Any deviation from dead smooth is a problem in the future.

I'll look at the housing and if there's wear or grooves I'll buy a kit, if not just the impeller.

I used to backup a 3 rail motorcycle trailer with my truck with an overhead camper. Dead slow and get ready to stop. I extended the mirrors so I could see 1" of tire on the trailer. I put a hitch on the front of my truck to park in my driveway with my 23' boat, narrow street and driveway.

I usually use a cheap pair of jersey gloves. I can feel bites and cast with them. I carry several pairs and change them when they get wet. I also carry hand warmers in my pockets and wear a heated vest in under 50 weather.

I tried to buy used electronics but found a great sale on a new 10" Lowrance Elite FS for less than $1000 without my military discount. Got a $100 gift card for my military discount.

If there's a large discrepancy in price I'll try the cheaper aftermarket part. Sometimes they suck and you need the OEM part. A good example are the SEI lower units. At 1/3 the price of an OEM I have a couple of friends that have had good luck with them.

I agree, a multimeter is a good tool to have.

I used to have 3 Diawa Regals that broke bail springs. I called Diawa and they sent me several.

No tackle but things for the new, to me, boat. Transom saver, trolling motor seal, impeller and Lowrance Elite FS 10".

Texas rigged finesse or trick worm. Jigging spoon.

If the brakes come unstuck it's probably OK.

I'm a lightness freak and I use either Mudhole SSR guides or Minima with a ceramic tip top. I've built a few Immortal rods and think they're the best for the least $.

No problem with zip ties or tape, your choice. Use the black zip ties, they last much longer.