Susky River Rat

@TnRiver46 you can bump into them but, it’s not an every trip catch. I personally have never caught one on the river. I’ve caught pretty much everything but a northern pike, pickerel and snake head on the susky. The southern part below the wingo dam has a better population of them. Most above that are ones that escaped from lakes.

I have a jump pack and a TM. If those two do not work I’m going to need a tow. That is one thing that does worry me from getting to stupid is busting something and not getting back to the ramp.

A little lube goes a long way. Another motto to live by is it will move bend or break. i have a pull out tongue which basically makes it flush with the tip of the bow. My boat hull is 18’1”. 88” beam. Add another 2-2.5 feet for the motor/jackplate. My TM extends probably 6-8 inches past the bow. I save maybe 20” with removing my tongue. Than get about 6-8” added back to that on the bow with my TM. I’m looking over 21’ of stored length.

I am terrible at fishing for both equally. It seems like when I go to a lake with large mouth in I catch more large mouth. The river really only had smallies so hard for me to say which is easier or not.

I know this isn’t your caliber of small jaw but, I for the first few of 2024

@herder in fishing/ the bait monkeys defense is find something else to blow my money on. I’d just gamble like a “normal person”

I use the berkley power bait stuff on anytbjng not scented. I am good as I should be about putting it on. I can say I have had days where I didn’t put it on wasn’t catching anything and then rub some on it and start catching. I’ve also had knock out days without using anything. if this place is as pressured as you say I’m sure everything and the kitchen sink gets thrown at them. Stick to your guns but, you won’t find any magic answer to catching more fish.

I’m sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and his family .

I use braid to FC leader. I feel more attached to to the bottom with the braid. The rocks in the river fray and tear up straight braid to much to run that or I would.

Took river to pet smart today to keep him in a busy area with dogs. Wasn’t interested in any toys. He was very interested in the Guinea pigs though. He couldn’t understand why I told him those aren’t toys. He said they look like they’d squeak to me!

If you ever want to watch a bite die let me show up on your waters. Sure fire way to make everything stop eating and hide.

I have catch bass musky flatheads and walleye all in the same areas. Predators are predators.

@TnRiver46 I raced motocross I analyzed rise vs reward the whole time. I don’t think I ever had it pop into my head I need to take an insane risk to catch fish. @A-Jay am I correct in saying it’s in the boating hand book saying you should only travel as fast as conditions allow? I believe I read this from that. This would have fell into that as well. @Koz most states require some sort of boater safety course to use boats over 25HP or personal water crafts. I know the year varies. In PA i think it’s anyone born after 1983. So the last 40 years those individuals have been required. The point is taking the time to read and comprehend them or refer back to them. Much like a hunter safety course it was an accident thst could have been avoided following many protocols. That does not make it any less sad. What it should do if make everyone refresh their boaters handbook.

One of the most scared I’ve ever been was anchored down in fog catfishing with a buddy and hearing boats throttling down around us. Fog to me is one of the most dangerous conditions. Even if you are being safe it doesn’t mean the other people are. I just wish people wouldn’t think taking excessive risk to catch fish is worth it even in tournaments.

That would work for me if it was all Ned rigs.

Ned rigs, prop style top water. done.

I’ve fished mainly small lakes and the susky. I wouldn’t say I thrive anywhere. I just have the most fun on the river.

@TnRiver46 yes, it’s vertical up. With the motion and pause that you have to do the beads to get wider. I don’t do vertical up often but, I need to send out these settings for acid etching to see if there is enough penetration.

Vertical up lap 3/8 A36 steel plate single pass MIG pulse 170 wire feed .092 trim .045 ER70S6 92% Argon 8% C02. I started to get impatient towards the end.

@softwateronly I’m glad you do but, it’s the last day of Jan and I am fishless. Weather didn’t not play into my hand as I couldn’t really get out

Enjoy your retirement! I think many feel like they lose purpose when they retire. Just keep your lines tight and your mind clear.

I failed 2024

I always wear a life jacket while under power on my G3 no matter the conditions. I fish alone a lot. Even with someone I still wear it. My kill switch lanyard stays hooked up to it. If the worst would happen I do tell my wife where I am going and she has the ability to track my phone. Hopefully this is something she will never need to do.

@Choporoz this plant does this every 3-5 years. Actually about a year and a half ago one of their trains derailed in the one creek with used coal sut. I guess that’s what you’d call it.