Bird

Reels - Shimano Rods - Dobyns Is where I'd start with a modest budget.

I bought a new Suzuki king quad fuel injected 700 in 2007, it's been bullet proof, trouble free. Suzuki has been doing 4-strokes for roughly 30 years and have a great track record. Would love to take this engine for a spin.

Been retired for over 3 years and have been thoroughly enjoying it. I was a workaholic, working 6 / 10hr days the last 15 years that I worked. Wife begged repeatedly that I retire and can say with certainty DON'T MISS IT A BIT. I fish every Monday, Tuesday and most Thursdays by myself mostly. My longtime fishing partner is battling health issues. Only advice........ your health should be top priority.

We butcher a half a beef every other year and I usually shoot a deer. Everything gets vacuum sealed and if a package ends up breaking a seal, you'll find it. I really despise to waste food but if someone brought over freezer burnt meat, it would promptly get tossed and like you, I'd keep it to myself.

My buddy has a 19ft glass boat and mine a 17 1/2 mod v aluminum. His boat is quite a bit heavier, less effected by wind and much quieter in chop. My only complaint with the aluminum boat so far is when I'm in stealth mode trying to sneak up on a hot spot in a chop. The slap is similar to a drum and makes me wonder how much of this is being transmitted to the fish. Idk

Sometimes a loan is the best option, dictated by interest rate of course. I bought a new truck when I retired, 72 month at 2.7 %. Invested the cash at a guarantee 4.3% return over 72 months. Having it and not spending it is another whole issue. We have a family member who has a dozen rental properties, drives around in junk, goes nowhere....... basically living in poverty. Get out and enjoy life.

Keep it simple and throw proven spring baits. Slowly drag swim jigs and throw Spinnerbaits and underspins. Try Jerkbaits and brush hogs. It may be regional, not sure but I don't start catching fish until water temps get into low 50's but that's when my biggest fish of the year come. Crappie start biting here early, before bass using Beatle spins and Crappie jigs, black and Chartreuse. Don't give up, it's slower in cooler temps but think where bass might spawn and work out from that area where they stage. Stay away from mud bottom and look for harder bottom and fish the west bank of your body of water, where the sun hits first.

Not sure what goes on behind the scenes here but it's much appreciated. This is the only forum that this 'ole guy is a part of....... thankyou.

Never heard of braid when I started tying the Palomar. I was using Stren back then and that's when cursing became popular, for me. Thinking that Spiderwire was the 1st braid that hit the market. Idk

Had to be at least 5 because that Rapala stretches halfway across that pond.

My experience as well.

It was actually a remote lake in WV that sees little pressure. I catch my best fish of the year there each and every year...... and it's always early April and always a jig.

Evidently I'm not that good. Today we fished and for fun, weighed every fish we caught. My buddy hooked a good one and I estimated a 6lb fish, it weighed 4.11. I then hooked one and swore during the fight that it would exceed 8lbs and thought the same in the net. It weighed 6.9. I need to recalibrate my eyes because was off respectfully on every fish we caught. It's been years since I've broke the 8lb mark but without digital scales......it would happen every time out. ?

Palomar is the only knot I've used with braid and can't recall it ever slipping.

If you're hungry enough, fingers will get any food item to the mouth. If I'm not with someone who's prim and proper, still like using my fingers ?......the ultimate tools.

Fishing from bass boats for over 40 years, the guy in front catches more fish 90% of the time, just the way it is. If I take someone with little experience I get more enjoyment putting them on fish then catching them myself. When I'm in the back I make sure to throw something totally different than my buddy up front. If he's throwing a Senko, I'll throw a fluke ?

Definitely have the Bruins for the cup......... but I also " definitely " had SC in women's basketball ?

Welcome to Bass Resources. Texas should provide plenty of opportunities to enhance the addiction. Lol

Oh and always stay humble. 2 weeks ago I fished a deep clear lake with a 1 fish reputation. I caught 8 so went back with a buddy expecting to put on a clinic......1 desperate fish. The fish are more in control than we are.

When the water is extremely muddy try fishing tight to the bank, very tight.

Ha Ha wish all rods were homegrown.

Super nice fish, congratulations

Ahhh got it. So I can officially call my 3" Keitechs..... little seekers. ? Thanks for the replies.

Never heard the term " search bait " until I joined this forum and have heard it several times lately. Trying to wrap my head around what bait deserves this title. All the baits I cast are searching for bites so after a fish is caught is it still searching ? or has it completed it's task and time to move on to other baits. Please elaborate.

All my rods have longer handles to accommodate a 2-handed cast. My right wrist is shot.