Darth-Baiter

Buy an inexpensive multimeter and see what voltage is at the battery terminals at revs. Bare minimum you eliminate a faulty gauge. you don’t want to push too much voltage at a battery. In a car, it’s the voltage regulator,s job to limit how much the battery sees. On my car. 13.4v. A boat has to be similar. good luck. I’d tow it into a car shop if I had to. With a big tip in my hand.

Just asking. I think that Tyler kid used it to find whoppers to cast at. I rely on luck and prayers personally.

Live scope is helping as well?

I’m embarrassed. I’ve never caught a single fish on a spinner bait. I only own two of them, because of it. when, where and how? Summertime? I tried this winter and late fall, and it was just a casting lesson at that point. help? It’s this years “goal” bait.

I’m not experienced enough to even notice the nuances between reels and their various brake styles. This is the first I’ve heard of it. I just grab a rod/reel and brrrrrrr - cast it out there and hope for the best. It’s just casting. id hold the course. Why but high (new) sell low (used) only to buy high (new) again? The real sin is to buy stuff and not use it. Don’t make it worse

Today was tough. Very cold by our standards. Cold! Fishing was slow. But I managed to fool one fish. hehe. So fun. 5.2lbs. I was so lucky to bring it in. In my excitement I pushed the button and went free-spool. Minor backlash. Opps.

I can’t wait for you all to make that first. We all remember the first. we don’t get that feeling of “new” here. I’m not sure which is my first an which I’d last. We never stop. In a way you are lucky. I love the feeling of “new”.

I’d pick kayak fisherman based on lakes.

I have to replace an aging bridge. this thing is in the most remote spot on the delta I have ever seen!! I was eyeballing my gas gauge the entire drive. it's FAR!! I found my bridge. I walked around and my heart-rate got faster! the place is stunning. standing on the old bridge, I could see thru the clear water into "future" bedding areas. blown down trees in the water. rip rap, tule, undercut banks..small islands. it had it all. and it is very hidden. I hope it is sheltered from the wind somewhat. I found a tiny marina with no customers. I went in and the owner was so friendly. I did notice him slip his handgun back onto the table. haha. I talked to him and the old man is asking exorbitant prices for his launch fee. whatever. I'll try it at least once. he swore the place is haunted by giant green bass. hehe. (they all say that). I LOVE the DELTA!!

I avoided my usual suspects for the weekend. I am still keeping this place secret. so far so good. rigged up and ready to go!! I am hopeful.

I dug a few ditches in my college days. Made me study harder.

I don’t let the world revolve around me. My wife wanted to go hiking with a group to learn about local edible wild plants. I put away the fishing thoughts and strapped on my boots. It turned out fun and I learned cool things. Spent a good day with the wife holding hands. ironically, I learned what plant the indigenous people used to suffocate fish in pools. - for food. I have a lifetime to fish. I went the next day. Which was a skunk. Boo! I needed that owygen depletion plant.

I noticed a trend. I seemed to fish better when I wore a button up shirt. So I bought three of them. simms shirts.

I could not get past the loss of pockets I carry knife, whistle, sunscreen, phone and spare GoPro batteries. I also reserve a pocket to cram cut line and food wrappers. im set in my ways.

Spotted bass beat up my thumb. I kinda like it tho. if it’s problematic, Leukatape is what you want to use. It’s an athletic tape used to wrap muscle groups. I use it for backpack blisters on my feet It will stay on my feet for weeks it’s waterproof.

You summed up my life in this sentence. Haha. I complicate everything

I have two kayaks. It just made sense to buy a second flotation vest. I wear the ubiquitous NRS Chinook, like 50% of the people I see wearing. It’s fine. Good storage. my brother is coming to fish and I needed to buy another vest. First- it’s not wise to wait until spring is within eyesight. They are vastly sold out! Especially in the more popular colors. (black). I opted for blue. Dare I say “sapphire blue”? I pondered a black one all winter. Now I want one - back ordered until august. Oops. I ordered from REI so I can put it on right there for fit/comfort test. If it sucks, I return it. I looked at the inflating ones. I actually bought the Mustang khimera. Which is a hybrid. You rip a cord to inflate it, but just regular it will float 7lbs. It really seemed to complicated and it vented poorly. Id sweat so much, I could grow rice. I bought the NRS Ninja. It seems like a more compact vest. I hope it works. I’m 100% PFD compliant. I’m not a super strong swimmer. I hope the compact vest is comfy enough for a day on a bassboat as well. I may buy an inflatable for the boat. I’m tired of looking at vest.

If you run similar electronics. You still need a regular down image fish finder? or can you toggle back and forth between different views? I know Zero about any of it. Thanks.

Right side. I practiced sliding back in from the left side so I’m very interested in keeping my path free/clear.

Thanks. I’m pretty good at math it was just a question.

Thanks everyone! Lots for me to work on! Great advice.

Tough ti set the hook with a looser drag no?

Today was not great. Windy as heck. Gust up to 30-40 probably. fish were stubborn and dieting or something. Zero bites. I reached for my Finesse baitcaster and rigged up a super light weighted Texas rig. I used the tail section of a trick worm. It was like skinny TRD finesse. I casted it out there. I was quietly marveling at how far that bait flew. Daydreaming almost. TICK!! Huh? Was that a tick? I set the hook thinking hook sets are free. All hell broke loose. My reel drag was way too tight. I somehow got the rod and fish on the other side of my kayak before it sucked my rod tip under my boat for a for sure rod-snappage. There was zero turning that fish. I was reaching to loosen the drag when I felt it come loose. I let loose an, “AARGGHH!” That may still be echoing in that valley. There were too many children on the beach for me to say what I wanted. I looked at the hook and the point was twisted to the side. It was a 1/0 wire finesse hook. Gamagatsu hook. CRESTFALLEN does not describe my mood. It might have been a great fish. (Dare I say PB?) I’ve never felt anything so powerful. I’m sure my light rod/reel magnified the weight. so how exactly do you fight a bigun with such light gear? I’m not a great fish fighter. Do you supplement a looser drag with thumb friction? Teach me please. I’ll probably reserve the setup for the worst fishing days. A hail-Mary setup. it was ugly.

A smaller bass. Maybe my first catch of the day.

My good fishing friend moved to the Midwest. I still fish with another group, but it’s different. I enjoy a partner that explores. Finds new waters, etc. my good friend would go solo and explore, me I do the same. We share notes. And we do really well. It’s fun saying, “I found a new spot!” Or, “let’s go check out this small lake”. As a result I have a decent inventory of lakes. At a giant lake like Clearlake, just finding a new kayak launch that puts you near a new honey hole is solid gold. my remaining group? They like to rely on me. Haha. While I prefer to NOT fish solo, I know if I take someone, they take someone else. We know now more than ever, things spread. I know it’s stupid, but I think fishing info should be traded. I found a new spot yesterday with real promise. Nobody was interested in exploring with me, but now that I hooked a few Mrs. Bigs… people are, “hey, where did you go?” nowhere. I was nowhere.