Bird

Yes, the boat is a 2023. Luckily we only 300 yards from the ramp when it let go.

Never hit anything, lower unit just gave out on plane.

Wife and I were cruising up the lake at 30 mph in 32 ft of open water " I'm observant " lol, When all the sudden a loud pop and the sound of marbles bouncing around inside the outboard. Took the boat to a certificate Mercury center and they said the entire lower unit was trashed. Mercury was very accommodating and said new lower unit is on it's way. Good news is, I won't have to change the oil in the lower unit this winter. Ha Ha

GREAT video sir. 2023 was an epic year for this guy as well but not because I'm a great fisherman...... countless hours on the water.

Sounds like work overload in it's finest form 😳. Hope your not one of those that stresses easily.

I've always serviced my own boats, head and lower unit in the heart of winter each year regardless of hours of use. Add Mercury fuel stabilizer, grease fittings, done. Is winterization a proper term for a 4-stroke when there isn't anything to freeze? Battery maintained ?

It's obvious at this point we're all going to have to live through another Tom Brady era. The AFC championship game will once again be played in KC against Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reed. 😞

Gorilla tape works great to snug things up. Glad to hear you were taken care of, great company. Oh, I've broken many tips over the years, why I have a drawer full of various size tips. A 7ft med turns into a 6'6 MH. 😅

I'll be in our hunting cabin for most of November but will be back on the water in December. I just play the weather game and look for the warmest days and target the afternoons. I just love fishing in general but April has always been the most productive month around here for bigger fish.

Just did all my reels yesterday and dropped one of those micro tiny screws 😔. Had to put on a pair of 300 readers and crawl around on the floor for 15 minutes with a shop light. Oh, I use rubbing alcohol, super Lube and sewing machine oil.

Until I retired, I ran a small engine repair shop out of my garage, just as a hobby and mainly chainsaws. The effects of ethanol was very obvious on small 2 cycle engines that sat for months. Ethanol draws moisture which settles below the fuel causing pitting in carburetors. It was much more efficient to just order the carburator and replace it. Do as you please and hopeful that you don't have a failure. I'm running non-ethenol in everything that doesn't get ran regularly.

Jackall flickShake - Cola

@GreenPig Very true and why I always wear a safety harness.

This thread is making me sleepy 😴. Lol Sleep is something I've never struggled with. Stay busy and you'll get sleepy later that evening. The lack of sleep is VERY detrimental to good health.

@gimruis I can't think of a better LT than Williams. If we erase all injuries, lots of good teams with many " Dallas, Miami, SF ", I'd like to see Miami vs Niner SB and it's not far fetch.

Interesting year so far. I'd rank Miami #1 thus far, that speed 😳 and Tua throwing darts. #2 SF Injuries to Deebo and CMC are concerning....... Purdy looked very average without them. #3 Philly has their share of issues, new OC has Hurts playing like Mac Jones, sorry. But the D-line and O-lline are top tier. #4 Detroit Goff is having a stellar year.

I threw more wacky finesse worms and Shakyhead this year than any year previous and never exceeded 1/8 oz. They kept producing and I kept throwing them.

Hey John, this thread is 14 years old.

I've always froze them completely submerged in water but most often, the fish never make their way to the freezer.

My favorite top water baits remain the same throughout the year. Devil's Horse Buzzbait Whopper plopper Rapala top water jerkbait Rapala Skitter

I throw nothing but jigs in winter months, nothing else. They catch big fish.

Having the desire and health to do what I enjoy is an accomplishment. Put 5732 miles on the truck while dragging the boat so far in 2023 and still have a few more trips planned.

84 DD bass in 1 year and less than 90 trips to the lake speaks volumes ?. I doubt I've caught 84 5lb fish in 50 years of fishing.

Wow, didn't hear that ?. Yes, I was in fear watching him as a kid. RIP...... legend.

My wife's father wears a monitor and gives himself shots. My best friends mom had both legs amputated. It's serious but can be mitigated, yield to your doctor's advice.