DaubsNU1

Agree 100% with @gimruis, keep that spot to yourself! Don't tell another soul. Don't post pictures anywhere on the internet. Don't take people there. Fishing pressure is a real thing. Brother and I fished the Churchill River system in Canada this summer. To say it's HUGE does not do it justice...boat ride from lodge to our fishing areas was 30+ miles up river....and we saw just two boats in the five days we fished. The walleye were hitting our pike spoons and bucktails. Let me say that again...catching walleye on pike spoons(!) Another story: work buddy discovered large bass sitting beneath a fishing pier on a local pond, right in town. There is a small walking trail around this pond...it's maybe 3-4 acres total, and has two fountains. Does not look like any sizeable bass would be there. Lots of bluegill. Kids love to fish this pond...it's easy, close, and fun. Buddy figured out the large bass were sitting under the pier, snagging bluegill as the kids were releasing them back in to the water. He would catch a few gills, back hook them, and pitch off the pier....BAM, huge bass! I'm talking 23"+. My suggestion: don't tell anyone, don't post pictures, and above all, don't catch those big bass when anyone can see you. Whelp, he couldn't keep this quiet....and the gig was up shortly. Sadness.

Found a Fenwick HMG GPX 69ML-FS 6'-9" (medium light, 6-12lb | 1/8-5/8oz.) at Scheels on sale for $79. Pretty darn versatile rod in my stable. One of my favorites. Get a few in your hands and see what feels best.

I've been very happy with the Lund and Mercury. Picked up used just over a year ago. Heck, I've fished 26 times already this year (counted my fishing logs this evening). The motor / H-bird battery crapped out last weekend...I think it was original to the boat. Aside from that, no issues, no problems (knock on wood). @UmairF, you might consider used boat? I saved some $$ buying used...and put that money towards brand new electronics. The used market is about to pick up....all those fishermen looking to dump boats before they have to store them for the winter. Nice thing about the Lund V-hulls....I've had it in 8" of water here in Nebraska....and on the Missouri reservoirs in South Dakota running through heavy chop. Handles both with ease. Be careful though...you want the Lunds with composite transoms...I think they transitioned to all with composite in 2018. Good luck!!

I don't throw huge jigs, and utilize medium to medium heavy rods. They work just fine. And are a little lighter (helps with the old wrists). All my rods are 7 foot or less...that's all that will fit in my boat : ) I do really like 6'6" rods...but my jig rods are 7' Good luck!

I've had Garmin Echomap and my brother had Humminbird Helix. When I got my new boat, I went with H-Bird Helix 9's, networked. Side and down imaging is much better than the Echomap. If I ever add FFS, then I will add a separate screen and go Garmin. Note: I have never fished Lowrance.

Here is what the Lund web site lists...

I agree with @gimruis, safety and especially stopping ability is paramount! My wife's Outback 3.6L is rated to tow 3,000 lbs. We have never towed anything with her car, but I would be very hesitant to put my Lund behind it. My Lund 1775 listed right around 2,000 dry weight. Add in fuel, all my junk, I am probably right around 2,400-2,500 lbs., for reference.

Last weekend overnight temps in the lower 50's...water temps 72-76 degrees. Days were in the mid 70's. Both days I was on the water before sunup, and caught fish. Seemed to be a frenzie around 9 AM both days.

My Brother does this a lot. Especially in preparation for our trip to Canada to chase pike. I do not think he caught any fish on his "franken-lures," but it sure was fun watching him design, build, and fish them. Good luck!!

The Chefs are going to be salty this year. They have very much improved their receiving corps, have an additional tight-end, Pachecco runs like a beast, have a great defensive coordinator...and have Mahomes. Guy at work is a huge KC fan...says the new nickname is "Hat-trick-Mahomes."

Hi @ol'crickety. Looks like you have a good fishing plan and routine. I do not think anyone is criticizing...I think people are trying to help. Post the pictures you like. @MN Fisher, yes, it's amazing what you can do with a good computer, software, camera and Go Pro. I pulled together this video for my daughter's HS basketball team a few years back. It was really fun to learn and create. ESHS Basketball (460)

There is an elk population here in Nebraska. Rancher where I Mule Deer hunt absolutely hates the Elk. Apparently herd gets to running and will wipe out a section of fence 30-80 yards wide...rancher puts fence back up...elk ruin it again next day. He keeps telling me to get a tag...will put me on them... It's a draw tag, and pretty tough to get. I keep trying. Good luck @Rockhopper!!!

@ol'crickety had one of these in my old boat...and put one in the new boat as well. My Samsung Galaxy has a feature...turn on the camera...say "cheese" and it will count down three, two one...and snap a picture. Like this...(angle was a bit low, but you the gist) GoPro's are very cool! But you need a good computer and some software to download images, pull them to computer, process and output.

@Hawkeye21, I fished Prairie Rose one time. Lots of people chasing Crappie. I caught a few bass. Interesting lake. I need to get back over to Iowa this fall. Suggestions?

I have had good luck pitching buzz-baits shallow, and bouncing them off trees when possible. A slow steady retrieve is my normal. There are times when I vary the retrieve...slow...then buzz quick for a bit...then back slow. Buzz-bait is one of my favorite ways to catch fish early in the morning. Don't be afraid to throw it in the same spot multiple times...ticks the bass off : )

Filling a gap in my casting rod stable.... Scheels Outfitter Pro Angler 6'6" | medium | fast | 8-12lb | 1/8-3/8oz. = $49 Fenwick HMX Casting 6'6" | medium | fast | 8-17lb | 1/4-3/4oz. = $99 $54 Fenwick HMX Casting 7' | medium | fast | 8-17lb | 1/4-3/4oz. = $99 $54 They should arrive early next week. The plan to keep one...but will likely keep them all for these prices ; ) I have an Outfitter Pro Angler | medium | extra fast...really like that rod. Picked up a Fenwick HMX spinning rod earlier this summer...really like that as well.

All of my bait casting reels are Shimano Curado's and Citca's from the 1990's....they are 5:1 and 6:1 ratio. They work great. I did find the 6:1's did not work great when pulling big spoons / lures fishing for pike in Canada this summer. Liked the lower gear ratio.

I've seen power poles used exactly two times here in Nebraska. One guy used them to anchor his boat after launching. Another used them to anchor his boat when tying on new lure. That's it... Randy is funny....the ultimate bass fishing "get off my lawn" guy who is pretty darn good at marketing and getting people to click on his videos. Good for him...cracked the code on that. I cannot tell you the last time I even paid $0.01 of attention to a BASS master tournament, TV show, or anything related. Think I had their magazine subscription back in the 1990's. I just don't care. I will probably get FFS some day...but only after I let my Brother get it...and figure out all the nuisances and trouble shoot. For now, I'm just happy using down and side imaging to find spots off-shore. The biggest game changer for me has been spot-lock. Wow, now that has been very helpful to my fishing success (or fishing stress)!

Most of the lakes in my area are 5 MPH limit, no-wake. Kayak fishermen are very respectful...the kayak recreational peeps and paddle board peeps are kind of clueless. @A-Jay, thanks for posting that. Great information.

Not a fan of Google. As a small business owner | entrepreneur, I find their business practices monopolistic, overpriced, complicated, not-user friendly. But I am tied to Google through my Android phone. Like @Tennessee Boy I use DuckDuckGo for search. Note: I won't even mention Google's policies related to the "google-doodle"...not a fan. They lost me...

Several lakes in the metro area...I fish three primarily...they are 2 miles, 7 miles, and 19 miles from my house. Menards is 10 miles, Walmart is 11 miles, and work is 31 miles from home. I try to fish Saturday and Sunday mornings on the regular, unless we have something going on, or a project around the house. Don't sleep much...so I am usually on the water before sunrise, and back home around lunch time. Wife likes the new boat...she named her "Marge." Most mornings she will bring me snacks around 10 AM, and ride around with me for an hour or so before we head home for lunch. Brother and I take my Dad to South Dakota every spring -- we split cost of fuel, Air BnB, and Dad's license. Good times! I'm guessing Brother and I spend ~$300 total. Drive up on a Thursday...fish Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday...then drive home. This summer Brother and I made the trip to Canada to chase big Pike. Just the two of us...cost was ~$1,400 each. Two days to drive up, five full days of fishing...two more days to drive back. Food, lodging, fuel, licenses, etc. (I'm not including the 4-6 months of Bait Monkey prior to this trip 🤫). Looking to do this trip again in 2026.

That is an absolute STEAL! Outstanding!!!!!

Just this...

Picture guy as my side gig (seniors, families, occasional wedding). Wife and I love to ATV, camp in the 5th wheel, and travel. We average about three vacations per year (don't ask me how she does it...pretty darn amazing how many free flights, discounted Air BnB's she has found). Love to hunt waterfowl, deer and turkey. Have an old 1972 Chevy K-20 to restore some day. Like to mountain and road bike and exercise as well. And fishing...well, that's a given ; )

Brother tells story of a friend and his Dad...they purchased new Lund Pro-V back in the day, loaded...(20 years ago). Boat had a roller trailer.... ...you can see where this is going.... Maiden voyage...they get to the ramp...unhook the boat.... And watch as it slides off the trailer on to the cement(!) Thankfully there were other fishermen around who helped them muscle the boat back on the trailer. Ouch!!