Jig Man

Give them both away and buy new ones when you are legal again. It will only help the lesson to fix in your brain.

What series are the batteries? How many reserve amps do they have?

I prefer fishing alone though I don't get to very often.

Along with the power also get a longer shaft. My boat came with a 67# 42" shaft. I upgraded before delivery to an 82# with a 45" shaft. It has been going for 6 years and hasn't missed a lick. The extra 3" makes a lot of difference in how well you can hold on windy days.

Clean all of your contacts real well. It sounds like a grounding issue to me.

When fishing from a jon with a transom tmotor, I run it backwards. I put the motor in reverse and let it pull instead of push the boat. Control is easier for me that way.

Learn to trim down as you slow down. After all you want the trim down for the next departure anyway.

Get yourself a 27 series deep cycle battery with as many reserve (not cranking) amps as you can find. Get at least 185 reserve amps so you will have power for a long time. Be sure to charge it up at the end of the trip. Keep water over the plates and you should be good to go for several years.

I fish rig them 3 different ways. Trigged with a slip sinker Trigged with a bell sinker inside When trigging I use a homemade clip to keep the bait in place Weedless jig insert I use a piece of tubing with a nain inside for the weedless. I run it through the tube then put the weed guard inside the tube and push the insert in. Pulling the tube through the hole lets the weedguard come out the hole and exposes the insert hook eye.

X2 + You can fish more windy spots if the motor stays in the water.

If you use common sense and set your drag properly you should be alright with any # test of braid.

Lots of states have Conservation Departments or Departments of Natural Resources which offer free stocking programs.

I have tried a bunch of digitals and couldn't get consistant readings so I broke down and bought a Boga. I am very pleased with it.

I have used the lighter, superglue, and candles. They all have their place, none of which is in the boat on a windy day for a quick fix. I looked at the unit from Cabela's but decided to go less expensive. I bought the Power Zap from Bass Pro. It also works well for putting different colored pincers on craws and for cutting braid. I'm getting my $18 worth of good from it.

So we have 2 for the calendar and 2 for the thermometer??? :-?

I use Power pro 8# and 30#. I fish clear water so I use a fluro leader. The Alberto knot is the best for me. I start with a 4-6' leader and it usually lasts through breakoffs all day.

JB Weld for sure.

The 783 is my fav. spinnerbait rod. I also use it for tubes. The 843 is my jig from 1/4 oz to 1/2 oz rod and buzzbait rod.

If I were in your situation, I'd take the battery back and get a bigger one. A battery with 135 reserve amps in a 24 series is a very minimal sized battery. If you want to be able to stay on the water you need at least 185 reserve amps in a 27 series.

The smallmouth should be spawned out by this time here in MO. Normally we would find water in the lower 60s but it is in the high 40s to low 50s and depending on the lake from 16-40' above normal pool. The shallow water is so far back in the trees and brush that there is no real way to fish it. There are trees and brush everywhere out to about 25'. My question is: Will the smallmouth have gone into the brush and spawned because of the daylight hours or will they be holding off because of the colder water?

I am a San Diego jam knot user but will have to admit the Palomar is a bit stronger on fluro. I hate it but am using it.

Here is a pretty good read. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Reel_Care_tips.html

go to www.tackleunderground.com for info on what and how You can get components at Jann's netcraft, Stamina Inc., Barlows, and Ztackle just to name a few places. A gallon will make more than you will want to pour. Do a search here and find out how to make your own 2 part molds from plaster of Paris. It will cost you less than $5 and you can have any size you want.

Jann's Netcraft

I carry 20 in the boat. I only take 4 or 5 if in another guy's boat.