DaubsNU1

@gimruis, yes, it has swing-away tongue. When I position the boat right, it's not needed.

@greentrout, yep, not my preferred way of bass fishing. I will tell you though, back in 1996 some buddies and I took a trip to Lake Fork. We pounded the water for three days with plastics and artificials...nothing. Some locals suggested since we traveled all that way, should get some shiners and rig on slip-bobbers...we did, and hammered the bass for two days. Fun times for sure! When I am walleye fishing it's minnows or crawlers all day long.

@casts_by_fly, sounds like your search should concentrate on boats that fit the existing space. Mine is a tight fit, and stored at an angle...but it fits. And it is Ranger approved : )

When you say "boat payment" what boat are you researching? You can find lots of different boats at different price points. Sold my old Rich Line for $2,200, it fished the lakes in our area well. In my opinion, finding a place to store a boat is more difficult than finding an actual boat. Heck, even finding a place to store a Kayak or canoe can be difficult. Friends? Relatives? Neighbors? Put the word out and keep looking. I stored the boat above at an outdoor RV storage area...I think it was $22 per month. If you really want to get a boat, maybe adjust your budget, downsize boat, and factor in storage. Find a way.

I'm with you @Smokinal! If old NED fails, then it's a simple white power-grub on a lead-head...that will catch bass/crappie/bluegill and get hit by pike as well. Not fancy, or sexy, but gets bit. I do like a spinnerbait and t-rigged worm as well.

Since my rod locker only holds 7'4" rods, I have been on the look-out for a telescoping heavy-ish casting rod. And it's no secret I am a fan of the old school Cabela's branded rods(!) Swap meet here in Omaha, I found a Cabela's Fish Eagle II, 7'6" heavy, telescoping casting rod (10-30lb, 3/8-2 oz.)...barely used, the cork looks near new. I did not even haggle on the price...a steal for $40! A few tables over old guy was selling some of his casting reels...found a Shimano Citca CI-200...he has recently cleaned and maintenance...and added a ball-bearing to replace a plastic bearing. Again, did not even haggle on price...$40! And to top off the "old-school" set up...I found an original spool of Fenwick Iron Thread sitting in my shop...20lb green braid. Spooled up the Citca, cast out the lure...this is now the most smoothest casting reel I own! I'm now up to 15 total fishing rods and reels. Eight casting, seven spinning.

LMB and SMB's are still my favorite fish to target. What else has your attention, and why?? Crappie: grew up catching them on a sandpit near the Platte River. Still fun. Bluegill: fun little fighters. Continue to be good times. Catfish: never really targeted them with rod-and-reel. We used "set-lines" in the Platte growing up. Love eating catfish! Pike: fun to catch, still one of my favorites Walleye: Good eating, never really cared much for targeting them. Recently started researching more and I am starting to get intrigued. Musky: Buddy was obsessed back in the 1990's...he never caught one. I have boated five Musky in my lifetime. There are a few local lakes stocked...and I am once again getting the fever(!)

I've always run hot...don't mind the cold much. Once sat on a hillside waiting for deer in 9 degree temps...thankfully there was not much wind (a rare day here in Nebraska). 95 degrees is not horrible...but if the humidity is high, and there is no wind, or access to shade...well, that is the epitome of hell. Give me cold...I can always layer up, bust out the handwarmers and get through it.

I like Randy's videos that show techniques and places to fish. Interesting stuff. And YES, it is attention seeking behavior...because more views = more $$. And I am 100% sure that all those bass fishing videos out there are sharing just enough information to keep you coming back for more...more views = more $$. If I ever "discovered" a great new bait / technique / method / location...I have two options: #1: find a way to monetize(!) #2: keep my mouth shut, and keep catching fish (cause if I do #1 and the word gets out...fish will get wise)

Guy at work discovered his own little honey hole. A metro area pond with a nice fishing platform form...kids loved to catch and release bluegill. He rigged a bluegill and dropped beneath the platform and BANG! 6 lb LMB! The bass were hanging under the platform, picking off bluegill as the kids were releasing. He caught MANY large bass this way. I told him to keep his mouth shut...but he did not...and the party stopped shortly thereafter. Sadness.

Wacky rigged senko on a drop shot. I can pitch the weight way back...and it pulls the senko so far back. Deadly.

Always wanted to be a carpenter like my Dad...but tough times in the 1980's changed my perspective. Got a job as a Resident Advisor in college...then landed a job as a Residence Hall Director in mid-sized University in Northeast Missouri after graduating (graduated in may, got married in June, moved in to 450 bed all male residence hall with my new wife in August). Interesting times! Did the Hall Director thing for 5 years, living right on campus. Fun gig...free room and board, free education (Master's degree). Spent two years as a computer consultant / trainer in St. Louis while the wife finished medical school. Moved back to the the small town and got job at the same University...this time director of campus activities. Fun gig! Got to meet Dave Chappelle, Jim Lovel, Alan Page and bunches of others that came to our campus for events / concerts, etc. Got promoted to Director of Student Union and did that for three years. Then moved to Northwest Missouri State University as Director of Student Development at a high school academy for academically gifted (think Big Bang Theory). That was a good gig for 5 years. Doctor wife and I moved back to Nebraska, and I was then a stay-@-home Dad for 4 years to our daughters. In 2009 we split up, and I took job as Director of Advising at local University. Been there ever since. Around ~2007 I started taking pictures...been doing that as a side gig ever since. It's not huge amounts of $$, but helps fund my fishing and hunting addictions : )

I've been out three times since the ice has cleared...water temps are in the 42-44 range. Not one bite. But I'm having fun, messing with my electronics, and spending time with my brother. I did get to help rescue a Kayak fisherman...but that is another thread...

Keep hammering...my PR came in a small NE Missouri pond, maybe 2 acres in size. This was a private pond, and I am pretty sure those with access to the pond has been routinely "re-locating" bass from other lakes. I had caught a few 2-3lb bass...one afternoon was pitching my Rainbow Trout colored Slug-Go near some trees...twitch, pause...twitch-twitch...BANG! 8 lb bass!

Last summer I went from this old 1960 tin boat to something a bit more modern. I had side imaging in the tin, and have SI in the Humminbirds on the new boat. I am catching less fish in the new boat, mainly because I'm fishing new water, fishing off-shore more, fishing in more difficult circumstances (spot lock makes fishing in any wind much, MUCH easier). And I'm fishing for more species than just targeting bass. I do not watch tournaments, nor fish tournaments. I could not care less. I don't care if people use FFS, or not. Their choice. I don't see myself getting FFS any time soon...heck, I'm having enough challenges figuring out my new electronics.

I wouldn't over think it too much. I started fishing Fenwick Iron Thread back in the 1990's on my Cabela's branded casting rods and Shimano reels. Didn't do anything much different than mono. Tried braid on spinning rods, but it wasn't for me. I fished that Iron Thread for many, many years. Now I'm running straight green Power Pro on my casting rods. After learning of this site a few years back, i once again tried braid on my spinning gear...this time with fluoro leader. Game changer! Love it! And I'm still fishing the same 30+ year old Cabela's rods and Shimano reels. No issues. Still strong.

Buddy has Sea Ark, loves it. He had a tracker wide body...did not like that so much.

About 2 PM I was headed back to the ramp, going to call it quits. Couple comes running down the ramp, said a Kayaker needs help...his buddy flipped kayak. Wind was blowing 25+ today, water temps 42-45 degrees. Two mid 60's fishermen in two kayaks...One fisherman lost paddle, so the other was trying to tow him back to the ramp, in to the wind. Kayak got sideways and dumped fisherman in to the water...had his lifejacket on. They managed to get to shore, and left the wet fisherman standing on small rock-dike. Other guy tried peddling to ramp, but got exhausted...that's when he flagged down couple and got me involved. I was able to find the capsized kayak, and a hat...but we could not find the wet fisherman. He has muscular dystrophy, and his buddy was worried he didn't make it through the shallow water and reeds back to the shore. We searched for about 40 minutes...then finally headed back to the ramp. Guy was getting worried his friend did not make it. We found the wet fisherman in the parking lot...upon realizing his friend was safe, the guy in my boat fell to his hands and knees and started sobbing. Relief! Got them both in my boat, headed back down lake...tied on their kayaks and towed them to the ramp. They could not stop thanking me. I'm glad I was there and able to help(!) Wow.

I'm headed to fish here in about an hour. And tomorrow as well. : )

Made the trek down to Fork back in the mid 1990's, with some buddies who worked for Cabela's here in Nebraska. Great fun! And yes, hit a stump on the first day...buddy about lost his mind. We managed to stay "stump-free" for the remainder of the trip. Good times!

I have fixed a few rod guides and tips. Mudhole is a good resource for parts and how-to.

Wise words @Glenn!!!! Twenty years ago, took daughters and my old tin boat to a family vacation on lake in South Dakota. Boat looked like this...before renovation...20hp Mercury. Drove boat around north side to ramp, and loaded up my 6 year old daughter (wearing life jacket!), and headed south towards the cabin. On launch, did not realize wind out of the north was starting to howl...about 1/3 way across the lake, the white-caps were 2-3 feet, and I did not have my life jacket on. My daughter was standing in front or me...I had one arm around her, the other steering the Mercury. It was getting really dicey...but did not want to worry my 6 year old daughter...so I kept calm and assessed the situation. I was able to keep the boat pointed south with enough speed to keep waves from crashing in the stern. Contemplated putting my life jacket on, but that would mean letting go of the motor, or my daughter. Nope. Kept calm and steady and made it to the cabin unharmed and with very little water in the boat. Vowed to never put myself or my family in a situation like that again! Appreciate your video!

Wife dubbed the boat, "Marge" (Simpsons). She also named my truck..."Precious" (i.e., Lord of the Rings...my precious!)

Agree with @bowhunter63, hit up Wally-World and pick up some spinnerbaits. I like 3/8 oz., get white, chartreuse, and black. Good to go!

Co-worker is former military, served in the 1990's...tells an interesting and hilarious story of a software that was being developed. Of course, military guys being military guys, someone had the bright idea of turning on this new software on the exact date when SkyNet was turned on in the Terminator films (August something in 1997). HA!