jbmaine

Spent years with a fly rod, got out of it, but hope to get back into it this year. One of the things I like is fishing towards shore. Strip out line, make a cast, check your distance, strip more line and cast the exact distance again and again. Fishing with a fly rod is a whole different kind of fun. Jim

Does any one know is sticking on a grass cutter affects the warranty on a new motor?

Woke up this A,M, to 12-18 " of the wettest most miserable snow, and no power. Got the genny out, going and had coffee. In the dark it looked bad, in the day lite worse. Trees snapped off, branches every where. Had to pull the top of a tree out of the drive way. Started snow blowing and hit tree branches, snapped the shear pins, twice. Finally got it done, power came back on an hour ago. Here's some pics My drive way is some where thru those trees ( see the deer ) More pics So much for early ice out Thanks for looking Jim

Do you know someone that fishes? Or drive to your local body of water and talk to local fishermen. One on one interaction with a more experienced person knowledgeable with local waters and conditions can be a great jump start in the learning curve.

Honestly, most of my striper fishing was done with a fly rod. The biggest striper I caught was 35" on a fly 3" long. I would suggest a call to my local sporting good store, the Kittery Trading Post 207-439-5605. We are on the coast and they can give you a ton of info. Schoolie stripers aren't picky. I have seen the water white and silver with them, and caught fish every cast.

The wording is somewhat imprecise, Probably because it was written by non fishermen. Before the ban took affect I talked to a couple of people at the Kittery Trading Post and a game warden. The general consensus was nothing with un painted lead and no lead sinkers. I can only tell you I have painted all my bare lead, including weighted swim bait hooks and believe I am within the law. Actually painting them may have helped to catch more fish, it certainly didn't hurt.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input. Jim

Last night my wife started a commotion. I thought she was in medical distress. I came around the corner and found her at the computer, banging her fists on the table. She was checking the weather and the coming storm was updated to around 19" of snow. She was just about shouting " NO, NO MORE SNOW, WE NEED ICE OUT, ICE OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

me too. I do all the prep, but once I am on the water I take in the peace and quiet, kick back and enjoy the day. We have never had a bad day on the water. Rain or shine, catching fish or not.

Maine prohibits bare unpainted jigs. I am going to all non lead but in the mean time I have painted all my bare lead jigs, weighted hooks etc. From the 2018 Maine rule book

Thanks, I'm trying to be patient. We bought the boat last fall. Scheduled to pick it up April 10. This is our retirement boat. can't wait to get out in it. As for pics. I put some in the boating section " our Lund dealer teased us " Thanks again Jim

I would look for piers, jetties, coves, inlets. Buck tail jigs, kast masters, that type of bait work well. I have often wondered how Whopper Ploppers would work for stripers. I bet very well. Early morning and after dark any type of surface poppers etc. work. As for location-- take a ride and see where the locals are fishing.

I'm just over a month out from picking up my new boat, and they are calling for up to 19" of snow over the next two to three days. This sure won't help ice out.

Can't say enough good things about this site and the people on it. Made me a better fisherman, and inspires me to help others whenever I can. Thank you so much

Which part of Maine will you be in? I'm in southern Maine, and here we have ocean front, coves. back channels, rivers, bays, etc. This covers surf casting with chunk bait to throwing lures in more sheltered spots. It's quite a range. I would suggest if the area you are going to be in has a local sporting goods store, a call to them would give you the best advise specific to that area. Jim

If you are looking for a secondary safety or security strap, boat buckle makes one. I had one on my old boat and it gave me piece of mind.

I've spent years fly fishing, some for bass, and in my opinion the best all round for bass would be a 7 weight. Its heavy enough to throw bass bugs, poppers, even into the wind, yet lite enough to use all day. I've caught a crap load of 2-6 lb stripers on a 7 weight and it was a ton of fun. Also I strongly suggest you have some one help you get into fly casting. It will make a big difference. Jim

We got the full sun top and what makes you think we're getting any sleep

Thanks, 11" should be plenty. If I bottom that out then I'm in the wrong place. Jim

Thanks, Do you know if the shear pins are specific to each model?

Hi All, We'll be picking up our new boat in a few weeks, our first with a trolling motor ( ulterra ). I have read everything I can on using one and it seems pretty straight forward, however I could use some input on what are probably simple things I'm not sure of. spare prop-- do all of you carry one ? I mean is it common to break these? Are they really so tender that any tree branch or gravel bar would snap it ? Accessary grass cutter-- Up here in Maine I can see going thru lilly pads and some grass but nothing as bad as down south. I mean without one am I going to have to stop and untangle the motor every ten feet? Thanks Jim

I'll be storing back up at the dealer next winter. Within a couple of years we will be moving, and the plan is to buy a house with a garage.

How much ground clearance to you have under the bracket? Have you ever bottomed it out? Thanks Jim

We would love to pick it up, but don't have a garage to keep it in, so it would be sitting out side. I picked a date to pick it up based on when I was sure we wouldn't have any more snow, when the ice would be out etc.

The other night my wife and I were watching a late movie. There was a couple on the shore of a lake that were " getting busy ". Clothes were coming off, things were getting " steamy ". At this point my wife and I turned to each other, excitement in our eyes, and at the same time said " Man, did you see that fish jump!!. It had to be a 5 pounder!!! It's been a long winter Jim