AJ Hauser

Skip the pics - just yank one and mail it to me... I kid, I kid... ?

Gotcha - more explorin' - thanks!

So in ponds that max out at say, 12 feet or so, they tend to hug bottom in the summer months?

I was thinking about this EXACT thing - even coating it with a hard epoxy could add a layer of protection, unless that epoxy reacts with the plastic of the hull... only other issue I can come up with is the added weight (potentially).

My brother - why are you yelling so much? I appreciate your passion regarding trailer lights, but perhaps it is time to switch to decaf? ?? I believe this is what I'm looking for but not quite sure: https://www.northerntool.com/products/ultra-tow-xtp-ultra-pack-trailer-hub-4-on-4in-1350-lb-capacity-572241

Interesting... and thank you for the info! When they suspend, do they tent to relate to... anything? I'm either in a kayak or a jon boat without livescope or super-fancy radar

What brand and where did you buy them? Unless they're stupid expensive for mine I think I'll just replace both with pre-packed bearings instead of spending an a day swearing at the old ones... Thanks to all that responded - much appreciated!

Awesome - great tips fellas - thank you!! Really appreciate your time & feedback.

Thanks Scott! They're pretty wide, and they drop to 45 and even 60 feet at the max. Steep shorelines, some flats, and those areas had been productive so far but they have cooled off big time... any idea why that would be? Sounds like I need to go bigger, and further down the depths...

Hey fellas, Been working some nearby borrow pits a LOT this year. I was out again yesterday in one that has been very productive - and I was surprised to find nothing but dinks along the entire shoreline. I caught 14, but they were all runts. Let me paint you a picture: 1. We had rain the night before 2. Water clarity was down slightly (probably from runoff), but still at least 6 to 8 feet 3. Water temps were between 74° - 75° 4. Banks are steep, and covered in Chara Algae with some Curlyleaf Pondweed out a bit deeper 5. Slight cloud cover, air temps from 64° up to 76° over the 5 hours on the water (started at 8:00 a.m.) I fished a Neko Rig, skipped a plastic up under bushes along the shoreline, threw a wakebait, a small swimbait, and they all caught fish, but again - everything was small. Over the past month most days have been high activity, peppered with good fish between 1 and 3 pounds. Back bays and shoreline fishing have been very productive. Today was different. So I'm wondering two things: 1. Is it likely the bigger bass moved out of the bays and off the shoreline into deeper water, and is this because weather, temperature or time of year? 2. If the bass have in fact moved deeper - how would you target them in clear water with his kind of cover? Any insight would be appreciated, especially before my next trip. Thanks!

Ah... memories... ??

So another update - I bought some Sawyer permethrin but we're gonna send 'er back after reading the warning label on the bottle. My loving wife - bless her - is still along for the tick-prevention ride, and she read a bunch and found out that apparently cedarwood oil spray repels & kills 'em. So we're gonna give that a go with some big 'ol socks, and we'll tuck pants into them and just coat everything with this stuff. I'm not usually big on essential oil mumbo jumbo (peppermint oil cures cancer if you're a Libra and the moon is in it's second chakra phase, dontcha know!) but this stuff has pretty good reviews... We will see. On another note, I had a few Q's regarding trailer hubs & wiring if any of y'all had a sec to check that out. I'll be patching the kayak up today too - it's like living in Productiveville over here! Happy Sunday boys.

Hey fellas, I have a little jon boat trailer that is about 40 years old. I'm getting new tires today, but when I removed them I noticed on the back of the right side tire, it looks like the seal on the hub has blown out and grease has sprayed everywhere. Is this something that can be repaired - and is it worth repairing? I was also considering just replacing the hubs with some "pre-packed" new ones that I can order. If we go that route, I'm curious how to get the proper size. Do I need to measure the axle (2" diameter) or the spindle that the hub mounts on? (I have Bearing Buddies - do those actually keep the bearings continuously greased, or just add a layer of grease to keep water out of the hub assembly?) On another note, I noticed that my rear turn signal won't work. How would you recommend going about fixing this? Thanks guys - I'll try to grab a few pics. Much appreciated!

@TOXIC dang man - that sucks. Nick was my main contact over there, ow that you mention it. Good dude. I thought it was odd that everything came to a screeching halt one day - this unravels the mystery... on another note, I did pick up a patch and will be installing it today so... hope it works! ?

I Googled it. My wife is a nurse - I might drop "meatus" in some random conversations just to see if I can get a reaction.

They cut ties with employees and everyone? Do you happen to know how long ago that was? I'm curious of that coincides with when I stopped hearing anything from them...

I think you're actually lucky you get some sort of an "indicator". I couldn't feel 'em, didn't even know they were getting burrowed in... Disgusting

Thanks @TOXIC - I picked one up - you reminded me they are actually a website client of mine (DUH!) - I plan to double up on that patch, then coat the bottom part that I drag with heavy-duty black epoxy. I don't think that will add much weight, and since it's black I'll be able to see when it wears off (if it does).

Thank you for all the feedback fellas - just picked up some permethrin spray for the yak, gear and my shoes & pants. I will also be shrink-wrapping my junk. I didn't mention, they were both dog ticks for sure. Thankfully. Do deer ticks hang out in the same areas usually, and do they ALL carry Lyme or just some? As you can probably tell... I'm ready to go back for those bass... just gotta talk myself into it. Thanks!

Yesterday, I had a very traumatic experience with ticks. If you have any tick advice, please pop over to that link and share. I also managed to puncture a hole in the hull of my kayak. When I put in at the second pond (out of 3), I noticed I was taking on some water. Huh. Emptied it out, thought it was just a weird coincidence, but in pond #3 I quickly realized I better evacuate, because water was glug-glug-glugging and I was sitting very low, very fast. I was able to get out and empty, then hike back, but do any of you have any suggestions for repairing a hole about the size of a quarter in a plastic kayak hull? I have some thoughts... but any tips would be appreciated. I have to get this fixed in a week or so, because I have to get back to these bass ASAP. They were unblemished, unbothered and willing to hit topwater. Thanks! Leak is near the back: This is why I need to get back... lost one much bigger than this...

Yesterday, I found a few amazing little fishing spots with unblemished bass. They were in the very back of a remote SFWA. All it took for find them was a long hike through very tall grass. I haven't lugged my kayak (a sweet little Payette by Lifetime - super squeaky & noisy, it's frustrating but it's light) through an area quite this dense before. Well, fast forward a few miles, more than a few bass, and a few hours later. I was wiped. Headed back. Stopped & bent down to tie my shoe, and noticed tick #1 on my ankle. Yuk. He was removed, and the slog continued another good mile or so. Back to the truck, back to the driveway, and as I was telling my wife the tale of the day, I got to the tick part. She said: "You better take your clothes off and check everywhere." "Oh yeah, gee whizz, OK dear!" I laughed, and as someone who finds full frontal nudity hilarious, ripped my pants off right in the kitchen. I looked down and noticed a new spot on my thigh... tick #2 was starting to burrow. Yuk. He was removed. My wife, now thoroughly grossed out, said: "You better toss those boxers and check EVERYWHERE..." "Ha ha ha, OK sure dear. There is no way there is anything THERE." I dropped 'em, still laughing. She pointed and gasped: "THERE'S ANOTHER ONE!" I made a skeptical face. You see, my wife and I like to jerk each other around. She has become quite good at busting my chops after many years of marriage. This was the perfect setup. Too good to pass up. "Oh yeah, sure babe, I'm not falling for that, there is no way t-" I looked down. There he was. Right where she was pointing. Tick #3 was right on my unmentionables. "GAHHHH!" Fellas, I do not startle easily, but in that moment my life flashed before my eyes. Removal was traumatic, but thankfully, relatively painless. And so, my brothers, I stand before you today asking for your advice - because I have to go back. These bass were unbothered, eager to hit topwater, and I lost one much bigger than the largemouth in the pic below. Would you please do me a solid, and share your best advice for avoiding ticks? Especially if you drag a kayak around in tall grass like this from time to time as well. Thank you. P.S. - I also managed to put a hole in the bottom of my yak, so after ALL OF THAT NONSENSE, my fishing time was cut short. If you have any tips on "yak repair", please advise. Thank you. Hoofin' it through Tickville... The reason I have to get back... these guys were perfect:

Oh wow - nice!!

Nice - thank you guys! So @Team9nine you throw a jig in there?! That is very interesting, and you are right these green guys sure seem to like the stuff. @casts_by_fly thanks for the feedback as well - I guess I'm lucky because the curly-leaf pondweed seems to be correct as well, but in my lake it's down deep at the moment. Now, everything from 8 feet and shallower is COVERED with that chara. Maybe that is preventing the pondweed from growing up close? Thanks again fellas - this has been very helpful!