DaubsNU1

The insert in the tip guide finally broke. Time for a new tip. Any idea what size I should order for this old Cabela's casting rod? Purchased new in 1994... Cabela's -- C44x CDH 704T 7' M-Heavy 10-25, 3/8-1 oz. Suggestions on brand and place to order would be greatly appreciated!

White power grub on my Spinnerbaits.

With the old boat, I would tie off on branches and timber often. Did use the anchor when launching the boat @ ramp. Handy. Rarely used the anchor when fishing. With the new boat, it's all about spot-lock. I do like it very much. Although it tends to hunt in light winds, and almost tossed me out of the boat more than once.

Buddy had a Tracker. I won't go there. I believe Ranger is owned by BP. I looked long and hard at Alumacraft. Good luck with your search!

I don't fish Smallies much...but when I do...it's... 1. NED 2. NED 3. NED 4. Wacky

With my 40+ year old Lawn Boy push mower, I turn off fuel and run until it stops after every use. Just leave the mixed 2 stroke fuel in the tank...stars up when I need it (which isn't very often now that we moved to acreage). Always pulled the fuel line on my 1974 Mercury 20hp outboard, and run out of fuel. Again, kept the gas in the tank, mixed...no issues.

I run ethanol gasoline in my 2005 Accord. It is my daily driver on 65 mile round trip to work and back. No issues. Everything else gets ethanol-free gasoline -- boat, ATV's, mowers, power washer, generator, weed eater, chain saw, etc. No fuel issues in 30+ years. Never use fuel stabilizer. Power washer will sit for 6 to 12 months at a time with fuel in the tank...starts without a problem. Even my 2-stroke / oil+gas mixed small engines have no problems sitting for extended periods of time. Weed eater sits all winter...starts on 2nd pull every spring. It is 10+ years old. Moved out of the city 5 years ago...our small town has a propane / oil / tire shop...he sells petro-diesel (non bio-diesel), and alcohol-free + ethanol-free gasoline. Even better!

Growing up (I'm 56 years old), I do not remember anyone in my family wearing seat belts. We used to pile our entire family of 5 in front seat of a standard cab pickup all the time. Riding in the car, sister would lie on the back seat, I would lie on floor, and brother would lie above seat in the rear window. Our state mandated seat belts when I was in high school...so I started to wear one. I could not IMAGINE driving without my seat belt on today.

Following...

I don't even consider Dick's here in Omaha. We have a Scheels, Cabela's, and Bass Pro right across river in Council Bluffs. I do get a lot from Tackle Warehouse.

Kuiu Attack pants for chilly days. When it gets really cold (or I'm ATVing the hills during deer rifle season), I layer merino wool under Kuiu Attack pants...then top with Gore-Tex bibs to stop the wind.

4lbs-8oz. caught on a drop shot, wacky rigged, green pumpkin Senko. This fish was hanging under under a dock in 2-1/2' of water. Almost noon...I was thinking about heading home. Did not even feel the bite...weight hit the bottom...and the line started to move...set the hook!

I am bass fishing this fall for, well, pretty much the first time in my life. I'm a big waterfowl and deer hunter. Normally when the temps dip and the leaves start to turn, I'm concentrating on the blind and gearing up for chasing mule deer. With a new boat in the garage, and loss of permission on a ranch, I will be spending more time chasing bass this fall. There are a ton of youtube videos out there with fall techniques, lures, etc. Looking for some guidance from those of you in the midwest (I'm in Nebraska). So far I have been throwing and catching bass on spinner baits and square bills. From what I have been researching, I should be able to boat bass until the water freezes(?)

Back in the mid 1990's, a bunch of buddies and I made the trip to Lake Fork in Texas. One of our friends was from there, invited us down. We pounded the water relentlessly for two days and caught nothing. Were are our wits end...and just wanted to catch some fish. Talked to some locals and they recommended getting some BIG shiners, rigging up slip bobbers, and fishing the flooded timber. We did, and had a BLAST! One guy boated an eight pound largemouth. Bunch of bass in the 3-4 pound range. My previous boat didn't have a live-well...but new boat does. I may get some live-bait and give it a try. My brother can't stand and fish for long periods of time, so he likes to run bottom-bouncers with worms or minnows for walleye. He will catch bass, pike and panfish as well. Watch the local rules and regulations. There are a few lakes around here that prohibit live-bait.

THANKS! My "home lake" is 220 flood control reservoir in Omaha...they left the timber standing, and created a bunch of brush piles in the 12-15 foot range. Deepest this lake gets is right close to 20'. Lots of weed beds, and that sticky green moss. Spinnerbaits have worked lately...but only two on Saturday. Appreciate the words here!

What lures / techniques were putting bass in the boat @gimruis?? Water temps here in Nebraska were 59-62, and I was not successful : (

Great and wise words @Captain Phil!!! I finally got in to a new boat after many years of planning, dreaming, and saving. It has been great setting up the boat, getting everything just right, learning the electronics and technology...but I am not catching as many fish. Hmmmmmmm... Yesterday I fished a local lake known for "big-uns', but I got skunked. Kind of frustrating. Reading your words reminded me what matters...fishing the way I want to fish, keeping things simple, the peace and quiet of the lake and nature, and creating memories. Thank you!

When I picked up this boat in 2000, it was just boat, motor and trailer, nothing more. Paid a whopping $600 for the entire set up. Quickly added trolling motor, a make-shift casting deck+chair up front, and chair in the back. It served me well for 20 years. In 2021 the daughters got me a Garmin Echomap 7SV for Christmas, that prompted a rebuild / re-imagination / renovation. It was fun creating the framing, decking, installing fuse block, lights, bilge and a rear Garmin Striker 4cv. It was a good boat, but could only fish two (at best), no live-well, limited in a few other ways. The long term goal was to get in to a Lund. Something in the 16-17' range, multi-species boat that was more capable and comfortable. I researched, looked, watched countless youtube videos, planned, saved, planned some more, and picked my brother's brain non-stop. Three years ago he purchased his dream boat, a Lund Alaskan 1800. Well, goal accomplished when I purchased this 2021 Adventure 1775 in August.

You might consider cutting out vegetable oils, process foods, sugar, and gluten. Yes, very restrictive. I eat lots of meat, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and some cheese / dairy here and there. Lost 20lbs and have not felt better in my entire life. I sleep much better. I eat three eggs and almonds every morning. Today had broccoli, avocado, peach, ham/turkey, tomatoes, some carrots and two bananas. And I'm intermittent fasting as well...I think 14-16 hours at a time.

Good advice from @A-Jay. Consider the Lund Adventure...less $$, smaller platform. I've been very happy with mine.

@BigAngus752 great points! I certainly have that "something doesn't feel right" feeling when getting in to a car, and not having my seat belt on.

I had a Garmin Echomap 7sv with GT 54 transducer on my old tin boat. Mated it to my trolling motor...it did fine and got me in to the side-imaging world. When I got new Lund, opted for the Helix MEGA SI+...my brother had been running Humninbird. I am VERY happy with this choice. Side imaging in the Helix seems much better than the Garmin.

I was building an order yesterday....and all of the sudden, the web site looked different (must have caught me right in middle of the change). Got my order placed. It's going to take a while to adjust.

Sadness. When the big motor is on, my PFD is on. I need to remember to hook up the kill switch...old boat didn't have one...I need to get in this habit. Thanks for sharing this article.

^^ Wise words from @casts_by_fly ^^ That size, you might want to lease for bow hunting only this year and see how it goes. Ask around and see what leases are going for in your area. Most deer hunters want to lock up a lease, and have exclusive permission so no one else is running around the property, messing things up, etc. Yes, get an attorney involved. Lots of liability issues and potential to get sued. Might look in to land management companies like @Tennessee Boy mentioned, but they will want a cut of the $$, and you lose control of who is on your land. Most hunters would cherish a chance to lease land, and will take care of your property, make sure gates are shut, leave no trace behind, respect the land and game, etc. There are some turds out there who will take advantage of you and your land. Probably best to have it in writing. Good luck!!