BayouSlide

Sad to say, as much as I love my many Dobyns rods, the cork handles on any of my $129 Falcons far exceeds the quality of the cork on my Dobyns rods, all costing well over twice that amount. ?

Timber Tiger by Luhr-Jensen.

I'm currently using and find the 1/0 suitable for full size worms (Senko, etc.) and the 1 size for thinner worms (Trick, etc.), FWIW.

Went out Friday and Monday, both days with plenty of wind and people coming back to the dock complaining about skunk. I hit on a pattern of fishing submerged wood in 3 ft. of heavily-stained water with a white Siebert chatterbait and Hog Farmer Spunk Shad trailer. Only two bites Friday, but both 2.5 # largemouth. One bite Monday in an hour's effort, but it was a 3.5#. In this pressured lake, I consider both days very satisfying. Guess what I'll keep throwing. ??

Gators definitely respond to commotion on the surface. My errant cast to a log once ensnared a large anhinga (a slender, long necked diving water bird). It dove and I reeled it in to the boat so I could cut it free. A 4 ft-or so gator made a beeline towards the splashing (the anhinga wasn't cooperating with the rescue) but fortunately I was finally able to free it from the line before the gator arrived on the scene for his free lunch.

Typically encounter gators sunning or swimming while fishing here in Louisiana. All of them, like this big guy today, dead ahead, will submerge and disappear when you get too close. Never seem to find any bass in their vicinity, go figure ?

Big gator, dead ahead! Funny, I never seem to find bass around one of them ?

Sapphire blue is my go-to in worms, creatures, etc. Confidence bait. ??

Catt, I fixed this for you...I know because somehow, like WRB, age seems to have snuck up on me when I wasn't looking. We older guys who refuse to concede to age and weakness of the flesh make up the difference with guts and perseverance. ?

Captain Phil just gave you the keys to the bowfin kingdom right here. ?

I've used the following and recommend it highly: https://thmarinesupplies.com/collections/trolling-motor-accessories/products/troll-jacket-trolling-motor-cable-organizer-sleeve

Basic fishing license is $60 for non-residents, an additional $30 saltwater license is required if you're going south of the salt line.

Back when I was working, I had a saying: "I don't pay $ (costs of hunting, fishing, shooting competition, etc.) to be miserable, people pay my hourly rate of $$$ for the opportunity to make me miserable." ?

On the Gulf Coast the Vudu plastic shrimp under a popping cork seem to be highly recommended.

In the stump laden, submerged log filled, stick up catching waters of South Louisiana sometimes 18 mph feels too fast ?

I use a little Yamalube marine gear oil, leftover from outboard oil change.

I have quite a few of their Magellan fishing shirts and hunting camo...always served me well, FWIW.

My pups in front of a space heater. Heck, even south Louisiana has been dropping into/will be in the 20s. All those shivering gators! ?

What I WON'T be drinking tonight ?

Kinda late to the party but take a lesson from my experience. I have the same setup (folding bracket) on a 15 ft. Talon on the transom of my G3. MK says that you should trailer with the Talon up because the plastic supporting prop arm is not designed for support while trailering. I trailered with it up on our state's rough roadways for a over a year and eventually it cracked the underlying aluminum on the transom, requiring a strengthening weld. Your Talon is probably shorter so YMMV. But it's easy to fabricate a sturdier support out of wood and cushioning (pool noodle, etc.) and a bungie tie down, then you can trailer lowered without worry of breaking the factory prop arm.

I now have two Curado 70 MGLs spooled with 10# Sunline Shooter FC on two Dobyns Champion medium 702s: perfectly fit the gap between the lure weights for my BFS setups and standard baitcasters. All in all, they reduce the need for spinning gear. Love 'em. ?

I'm a big Dobyns fan but the Phenix is exceptional paired with the BFS, especially considering the price. It has replaced spinning setups for 1/8 to 3/8 oz. baits for me. I'm using a couple of Dobyns Champion XP 702s Curado 70 MGLs spooled with 10# Sunline Sniper for 3/8 to 1/2 oz. baits and that is also working quite well.

I now have two Shimano BFS reels, both on Phenix Feather light rods and spooled with 8# Sunline Shooter. Love 'em!

You're absolutely right: I simply forgot that. I just install all the stuff in the packages and when it works as advertised I'm happy and go fishing ? That's one reason I hang with the products from a single company: integration. The best technology is stuff that works so well you don't have to think about any of it again once it's all bolted down. This from a happy Ultrex-Humminbird-Talon owner ?