BrianMDTX

Yes. All the time. It’s a rarity if I get hung up coming through wood.

Thanks. The price is certainly right.

Interesting, as I do keep my TR in the garage. But it’s 40 years old, so I expect some issues lol.

“Eye see” says the Bait Monkey.

Well, the water certainly helped with that! 😂

I have a 1985/86 vintage Minn Kota 17 lb. TR on my inflatable. I’ve noticed that is has some vibration and sometimes if I toggle between FWD and REV, it won’t operate in one direction until I toggle back and forth a few times. I can purchase a new Endura 30 lb. TR for $139.99 from numerous stores locally. Anyone have any experience with this motor? Having better reliability, a smoother ride and almost 50% more thrust seems like a bargain, but I’d appreciate any real-world feedback if anyone has or does use this TR.

Use a hair dryer. But NOT a heat gun!

I posted this in an similar thread last August: To add: my registration numbers are staying on perfectly. The registration decal from the state? I almost lost them lol. I covered them with Gorilla transparent tape. Still looks good and now secure. It’s now 9 months later and no issues.

I always had this desire to be a writer. An author of that next “Great American Novel”. But desire is one thing and dedication is another. Needless to say, that novel remains unwritten. I have respect for a lot of professions but someone who is able to convey the world in the written word has always been high on my list. Anyone can write a story. Whether it will be captivating is a talent that few possess. You have that ability to place us in those places we’ve never been and experience them as if we were there. The sights, the sounds, the emotions. That’s the hallmark of great writing. And you take some pretty good photos as well!

To be honest, it said <sic> Arid, and I didn’t see the X.

Katie, I am truly humbled by your reply. I’m speechless.

This reminds me of reading such stories back in the day in Outdoor Life and Field and Stream. I think they were called “Me and Joe” stories. Over time they began to fade as the emphasis turned towards articles that were more driven by technique, or gear, vs. true tales of fishing and hunting with family and friends. Where the trip, and all it entails, was the focus and not the actual fish or game caught or taken. We live in a fast-paced society that gets faster each and every year. It’s bittersweet that some will never have the opportunity to fish a beautiful, productive pond like this with family, as they pass from childhood into adulthood, and lose that magical time when a simple trip on bikes, with a rod and reel strapped onto the handlebars with rubber bands, was a true adventure. Or simply the comfort of fishing alongside dad, when he was the rock of our world, and with him we were always safe and secure. I loved this story, Katie. It brought back a lot of similar memories from my youth. That first bluegill. The annual trips in early spring when the yellow perch started running. The first decent bass I caught that I thought was a trophy. It was probably 2-1/2 lbs. but it was a trophy that day. Thank you for the memories @Swamp Girl

I save old, empty refill spools, and use a bolt through the spool into the chuck of a drill. Just use a piece of electrical tape to hold the line on and once you get a few slow turns, go for it.

I use circle octopus hooks. It’s rare that I guthook a bass and just raise the rod and reel it in to set the hook. But yeah, it does happen on occasion. Learning to remove the hook through the gills has been a godsend.

Hooah!

My MF spinning rod is exactly that- my wacky rig rig.

D’oh! I thought you tied your line to that lol. 😂

What is the benefit of that? I assume it’s something lol.

I don’t see how this was Hyde’s fault. Lost starters before the season began. Hitters don’t hit. When’s OTA’s start?

@MN Fisher I’ve used acid brushes in aviation for years, but reels have much smaller areas to grease lol. They are great for cleaning, especially if you trim the bristles shorter to make them stiffer. Really good for cleaning off encrusted algae from reels and rod guides.

They truly are decent rods. And for the price, they are hard to beat. Four rods for $200.00 is a bargain.

Your grease may come with a lid and brush, but I find using a Q-tip does a superior job in greasing evenly without applying too much or too little grease.

I agree with this 100%. I think many reel in to take up slack line, stop, and swing for the fences. Keep reeling to ensure the line is tight and there is no slack. I think most of the “my line stretches” is not stretching, but slack line.

Katie, I’ve never caught a DD. But I did hook a pair of XXXXL panties one time years ago. Almost pulled the drag! It’s all good. Things happen. I once went on a guided black bear hunt in B.C. decades ago. Brought a .338 Win Mag and a 7mm Rem Mag as a back-up. Both with meticulous handloads. First day out we get to the hunting ground and I brought the right rifle and the wrong ammunition. Worked out as days later I finally got a nice bruin with the 7mm, which was my dad’s rifle which I completely redid the stock, glass-bedded the action and worked up some great handloads. I did that for him for Fatter’s Day and he turned around and gave it to me. So that “error” turned out for the best. As I get older, I’m really starting to let the small things slide.

lol. Just one of those weekends.