Blue Raider Bob

On the board!

You're a durn sight smarter than me, I'll admit!

For those that may find this confession interesting, here goes! Let me preface this by saying I have worked on engines since a teenager, helping my Dad and Uncle fix everything and anything. I have completely rebuilt many engines ranging from muscle cars from the sixties, to tractors. I considered myself competent, till last week. My 2021 Suzuki 4 stroke outboard started running rough, then quit. I took it home and started to unravel the puzzle. Took out spark plug, held against metal and engaged ignition. Got spark, ck. Got fuel to filter ck. Got fuel to mechanical fuel pump, ck. Got fuel to fuel separator (New engines have a complicated round a bout way of getting there), ck. Got fuel to electronic high pressure fuel pump, ck. Wasn't happy with fuel supply to fuel injector rail, so I convinced myself that that was the problem. Bought 300.00 OEM Suzuki fuel pump. Went to river and engine would not start. Took it back home and repeated process. Got mad, said bad words, then took the engine to a certified Suzuki dealer, in other words, I gave up! Dealer called after a couple days and said he had my engine ready. Great, I asked what was the issue, he said "Spark Plugs"! I said NO FREAKING WAY! Picked up engine, went to river, engine ran like it was new! Turns out these engine plugs are so delicate that the slightest bit of fouling will ruin the plug. I paid 186.00 to the dealer and over 300.00 for the fuel pump. Which equals over 500.00 in idiot tax paid! Boy the Tackle Monkey sure could have used that roll of bills I wasted over 30.00 worth of spark plugs! So I don't feel so bad, sure would like to hear of my BR brethren idiot tax payments!

I get to use that year round! ☹️

No fuse. It is just straight hot and ground to the control switch inside the cowling, and from there, the different wires for the various speed. It is an older 45 lb. thrust Minnkota 5-Speed. Must have overheated during the prolonged trip up river in high. Working on the durn near new Suzuki now.

Nailed him!

Glad to hear you made it back. Got my river boat back to my garage and removed top cap of trolling motor. The hot and ground were melted together. Should have taken a picture. I cut them off and rewired and the motor works fine. Don't know why those thick wires couldn't handles the 12V battery.

Just need my BR Brethren to commiserate with me this morning. Saturday is farm day and Sunday is commune with the Lord day (fishing), in a usual week in my life. I spent Saturday laying brick veneer around the base of my wife's new sunroom addition, and I spent Sunday afternoon on the Duck River in middle Tennessee. Things started out well in spite of a record eight other boats on the river. These boats are large with powerful jet drives that cause waves that muddy the banks, (it is not a large river). I've never seen so much river traffic in my years there, but I did get to toss between visits. The trouble started when moving downstream, I noticed the engine sputtering occasionally. The sputtering got worse, so I just fished. Well, when it was time to leave, the sputtering became a full fledged issue and a couple miles from ramp, the engine quit. This 15hp Suzuki is fours years old. I splurged on this fuel injected engine because I have spent a lifetime fighting carburetors and just wasn't going to do it any longer! Well, I just kicked on the trolling motor for a nice two mile trip upriver, and kicked back to enjoy. I made it 3/4 of the way before my trolling motor quit with the hot wire sizzled and melted on the battery terminal. Something must have melted inside the trolling motor controls to cause a short! Anyway, the last 1/4 mile was the old fashioned way against the current. That was the longest 1/4 mile of my life. I am currently re-thinking my spiritual connection....🙂. Perhaps a little more praying, and a little less swearing is in order.

Haven't heard that one in years! Love those old baits still producing. I've got a couple still in package.

Yep....when gim see's that headgear, definitely going to be a citation!

He's just retired from the business side, not the culinary side!

That's not little Katie, this is little! Those are tractor trailers compared to what I net!

I know you guys play. Me Too! Pat turned me on to Tony Rice, and between him and Shawn Lane, I just through all my guitars in the burn pile!

Awww Shucks............😞 You're kindness always makes my day!

My guess is after fishing, you both broke out guitars and started rockin'! We all know that Pat has a trophy room full of vintage axes! Big hair may be gone but the spirit lives on!

Ya know what Tim.....I could read that right now and be scared of my own backyard in the dark! 😬 Talk about looking over your shoulder! Just ordered it online. Our younger generation just does not understand what they are missing by refusing to read.

Paradise!

Yep....We're not just a bunch of fish catching trophy husbands, we're literary beasts! And if you want heart shuddering non-fiction....Jim Corbett Man-Eaters of Kumaon!

My guess is you can add Joseph Conrad to that list. Heart of Darkness and lord Jim. One of my favorite authors of all time. Oh, don't forget the classic for boys and experienced anglers, Old Man and the Boy. Robert Ruark

Thanks for the visual Tightlines! Not sure how long till I can get over that! 😁

Big enough to chunck me in the river so I'm keeping my trap shut!

Looks like you got another bad case of "Noodle Arms"! I think 23 hogs like that would do me in! Nice to see an old timers lure like the Bomber catching 21st century Bass. Those are some really quality fish. I've caught lots of Spots but NEVER one 20"! Congrats! I can only imagine how that water rocket felt after the hook set! What a beast!

Raccoons fighting on a branch right above my head on a ink black night running trot lines. Thought I was going to meet my maker!

Solid fish! Obviously you were fishing by the Bass buffet, cause those brutes are stuffed! Wonder what they are eating to stay in such prime condition. You may not reach two grand like last year, but you are netting super high quality! That smallie had to have made your morning. I'd be tuckered out too, if I were on the other side of the line. Good luck this afternoon!

Terrific pictures as always. Couldn't agree with you more about the pleasure boaters. Yesterday, On Old Hickory Lake, a jet skier actually drove between me and the bank! That really happened! How can you not have the awareness that is just not a great thing to do? Sigh, but I'm proud of myself......the Glock stayed in the holster!