DaubsNU1

I picked up some Kastkings via Amazon... One pair for low light conditions, one pair for brigh-sunny conditions. I wear them all the time when fishing. Yes, polarized gives you advantage when looking for fish...but my main reason is eye protection. I don't want to catch a hook in the eye. Ouch!

I wouldn't buy used G2. Opt for the new G4 @ $550.... Buy once, cry once...

I hated the wind when fishing in my old boat. Did not have spot lock, got blown around a lot, difficult to position boat and cast to spots. New boat and spot-lock has really expanded my fishing opportunities. No problems fishing in windy conditions. Last weekend the wind was blowing 25-30 MPH, with gusts to 35. I found some crappie stacked up on a submerged tree...hit spot lock and started catching them left and right. I could have never done that in the old boat. I'm in the "love it" category...unless I'm on a big reservoir in South Dakota...and the chop is heavy. No likey.

Excellent work!! First three summers after high school I worked in a beef packing plant (actually a slaughter house). I was in the cooler loading sides of beef on to trucks. Hard work. But it was 28 degrees all summer inside that cooler. The fourth summer I worked for a concrete crew. Ran a jack-hammer some of the time, and helped with pours the remainder. Difficult work for sure! I would rather work the packing house. Love the stamps!

Update: whelp, the problem has resolved itself. Family stepped up and got Dad to the places he wants and needs to go. And we got him using the Uber app for some other rides. A few weeks ago our insurance agent called and said Dad cancelled his insurance policy. She wanted to know if he was done driving, should we keep the policy active? Nope, he's done. His words, "This Uber thing is pretty cool...if i'm getting a ride back to the house...they will stop at DQ and I can get an ice-cream cone." He was giddy. So now we are tackling the issues of Dad living in his house alone as his knees are getting worse, and the stairs are not his friend. I've begun discussions with a placement agent to see how that all works (independent living, assisted living, etc.).

My Brother started a non profit to help get kids fishing. He gets LOADS of tackle donations. Might be something in your area worth investigating.

My old boat was pretty small...one sunny Saturday afternoon I was getting sleepy...so tied off on a tree and lay down on the front deck. The boat was so small I had to lay my knee up against side... Guy and his wife were kayaking the lake...and stopped by to check on me. They said it looked like I passed out. I thanked them for checking on me. And went back to napping : )

AMEN!!! My home lake is relatively new, and gets lots of boat and kayak traffic. NE Game and Parks added a dock launch, and gravel launch area for kayak's (circled in red) a few years back. Most still use the ramp, and I don't have any issues with that. But for the LOVE OF GOD, please do not use the area in red box as your "get all my stuff figured out..." or "hang out" area. Park along the circle...there is plenty of room...

Strong work!

Air temp was 55 degree to start the day, overcast and drizzle. Barometric pressure was 30.07 and rising. Water temps were 58-60 degrees. Second cast with the spinnerbait yielded an 18" LMB. About an hour later a 20" LMB 4lbs-6oz slammed the SB. Good times! This lake holds walleye, and I was a bound and determined to land a few. Noticed a tree in middle of the lake and the sonar looked like Crappie were stacked up...so I ditched the bottom bouncer and started pitching a jig-n-minnow. It was on like-Donkey-Kong. This absolute slap went 14" and 1 lb, 8 oz. I probably caught 20+ on that one spot. And did land a few dinky walley to boot. A good day!

Lots of options out there. If you look around, and are patient, you can find a very good deal. I looked for quite a while figuring out what I liked, what I didn't like, what fit my budget. Sometimes you can even find gently-used boats for a very good deal. Good luck!

I'm stubborn. All my casting reels are old school Shimano Citica (5:1) or Curado's (6:1). I have some newer spinning reels, but all are in the 5:1 to 6:1 ratios. They work for my type of fishing.

Buzzbait Spinnerbait NED

Acknowledged!

Ugh! I've done that before...always wise to head in to the wind on the first leg : )

Thoughts and prayers!

Wind has been blowing here in Nebraska. Got my Dad down to Harlan Co Reservoir last weekend to chase wipers and walleye. Winds were 25-35MPH with gusts to 45MPH...but settled down a little around lunch time. We managed to put some in the live-well. Have not bass fished much yet this spring. Just one bass in two trips so far.

I have super wide feet (4E / EEEE). Finding shoes is easier than years ago...but still rather difficult. Shoes that big rarely ever go on sale. For fishing stuff, I try to look for sales...but in general, if I need it, I buy it.

Yep, this SCREAMS upper midwest walleye angler. : ) Local Scheels packages dead minnows and freezes them. I think they give them away. There are quite a few lakes in the area that prohibit live baitfish. But you can use dead...and people do...and they catch lots of fish. I've fished them on a jig, hooked through both lips. Catches pretty much anything.

Spinnerbait PowerWorm Senko NED PowerGrub Rapala DB series Drop shot Squarebill Jerkbait Bladed jig | bladed jig

Man, that's rough @gim. Hang in there! I am very thankful I am pretty tight with my older sister and younger brother. Just spent the weekend fishing with Dad, Brother, nephew, and a good friend. Quotes like this have really spoken to me lately...

Interesting. My home lake is a mess of flooded timber and gets very "mossy" in the summer. Spinnerbaits are one of the few consistent producing lures in my arsenal. Even landed largest Nebraska bass ever on a bluegill colored spinnerbait.

I've ordered tips and epoxy from Mud Hold. Works well. Even replaced a few guides. I'm not the best, but looks okay on my 30 year old rods.

Excellent work @jitterbug127!!! Picked up this 1960 Rich Line with 1970's 20HP Mercury 2 stroke in early 2000's. It went through several iterations before getting sold. Great old boat...kind of leaky...but served me well! And I never worried about banging in to docks, trees, stumps or rocks. Enjoy your boat!!!

I do not want to know the answer to this question. Seriously! I know thyself...and know that if I purchased a "high-end" rod...and got that thing in my hand...I would most certainly be ditching all my old rods, and succumbing to the Bait Monkey(!) 🤣