ElGuapo928

Just a “burst” capture I kind of liked from last weekend.

You can get 3M “adhesion promoter” wipes at just about any auto body supplier. They’ll make the double side tape stick like it’s welded on.

Another thought is to join a local bass club. Getting some local knowledge and some back seat time can really change your perspective.

A 17’ with a 60 should run about 30-35, which is about as fast as I’d want to go in a mod-V (Gets a little wet beyond that). My 40 would only get 25-ish on absolute glass, which got a little scary when the wake boats started running around.

I know that they’re pretty popular, and have a good reputation. I used to fish out of a 17’ Bass Tracker with a 40 Mariner, and I never really had any complaints other than when the lake got rough and it was SLOW.

This could get interesting. I want to know how “random” the selection of events will be though - somehow I’m expecting it to be a little weighted.

Honestly, those rectangular ones are quite possibly the worst tail light housings ever made. Optronics and a few others make an LED replacement with better sealing, or better yet (but a tad more work), you can get prefab light boxes that take sealed LED lights for $40-50.

Long as it isn’t too rocky or woody, I see no reason not to.

I think I still have some from when Kinami (Yamamoto) was pouring them as “Norie’s Bug”. I haven’t thrown one in years, might be worth giving a shot again.

Some of the best hulls ever made came out of that era - 360 series Rangers, Champion 187, Stratos 285 and Gambler GT’s just to name a few. Ranger did away with the wood transom in ‘88, everyone else wasn’t too far behind. Carb’d 2 strokes will last virtually forever if you take care of them (and disable the oil injection). Rough on gas compared to the 4 strokes, but simpler and more reliable at the end of the day.

I never would’ve imagined there to be a book on these things!! I think I still have the box and the little tool/grease kit for it too.

Don’t get discouraged, it’s all part of the learning curve. I am betting that your park lakes get really pressured, so you should be thinking subtle/natural movements and slow it way down.

This time of year is when I really like to throw a small spinnerbait, like a Pond Magic or an H&H. Seems to trigger strikes when their bigger brothers won’t.

My first Shimano baitcaster. Got it for Christmas at 12 years old. The “hood” has been missing since around ‘98-ish, still looking for a replacement. Still works great, just a bit of boat rash and time wearing on it.

Weightless Fluke Jr Light/small spinnerbait

I like this idea for a thread!! Giving me motivation to crank up the Motley Crue and do something with my 80’s reels that I can’t seem to let go of.

They oil the molds, then lightly mist them in the packaging process. Far as I know, it’s the same oil. Some that add scent afterward are REALLY bad - I like Chompers baits, but there’s enough oil and garlic in that bag to cover a typical Olive Garden for a year.

Usually they put just enough to keep them from sticking to themselves, but from time to time you’ll get a batch where they got a little happy with the oil. With Zoom I’ve seen it happen most often in Flukes and Z Craws, but it can happen to all of them.

I am a big proponent of drilling out those torch blown holes and putting a grommet of some kind in it. I just got done rewiring my buddy’s Tracker trailer and I don’t think a single hole was done with a drill bit from the factory. The blowout for the left side marker was so bad that the light housing didn’t completely cover it.

I’ve got a friend that will drop a weightless senko into schools suspended 20+ feet down. He absolutely cleans house doing it, but it’s like watching paint dry in Houston humidity.

I’ve got a Berkley “Amp” that had the same issue. The inserts are more decorative than functional, tissue paper thin and apparently made out of lead alloyed with a Wrigley gum wrapper. Mine actually deformed around the line (10lb Fireline) in the span of a week long trip. I still use it from time to time, but watch closely for wear/erosion.

Pitching a Texas rigged Gilly into the grass could be deadly - just to add to your expenses.

I bought a KastKing “Brutus” for $20 when I needed a “doesn’t hurt too much if lost/damaged” setup for a trip. Turns out I really like it - it’s by no means a top end reel, but it holds its own. I don’t think it would make it as an every day use reel, but it lives in the boat on a backup rig still.

We don’t really have an off season here. If weather, in-laws or some other disaster keep me at the house, I’ve got several methods of keeping myself ready for the water. After rod/reel maintenance, there’s tackle organization (and getting oddball stuff that I’ll never use out of the lockers/plastics bags), and changing sketchy treble hooks. I’ve started custom painting baits, which has turned into a relatively cheap way to occupy time and is a lot of fun. I also like to look through old books and see if I can’t find some forgotten tricks to try out.

Around here, the majority of the time they want a slow retrieve, sometimes completely deadsticked. Starting out, then at random intervals through the day, I will pick up a moving bait, and burn every third cast. If no activity, then it’s back to the bottom.