BrianinMD

To answer your question: The Mustang isn't a sports car? What is it then? - It is a pony car. This is a classic example of why it is not a sports car "You say they can't corner. They weren't designed for it". A sports car not designed to corner, seriously? The classic fight was Mustang and Camaro, not Corvette.

Having mustang being put into the same discussion as these other actual sports cars is an utter embarrassment to sports cars. The solid rear axle, over weight, nose heavy pigs are not even close to being sports cars. All the time I spent around sports car racing they were a joke, people laughed they were okay as long as you didn't have to turn or slow down....

In addition to what has been mentioned I seem to do well with a soft paddletail swim bait also.

The lower potomac is an excellent fishery in winter, there a few areas which hold good fish

Yes, prefer 7:1 for jigs no matter what presentation I am doing.

I have been out a couple times, mostly in Occoquan. Hasn't been to bad, not getting the yellow perch like we were trying for but decent number of largemouth and a few crappie. Was hoping to get out this weekend but the weather is not looking to good.

There is another thread for this in the Tackle section. But yes, offer to pay for at least half of the gas. Some clubs have rules for this also, check your bylaws. As for equipment, usually 4-5 rods is not an issue, talk to your boater to make sure. I usually carry 4-5 with one tackle bag with 5 plano 3700 boxes. Don't forget proper clothes, rain gear, culling system makes life easier also. The rest is just respecting the guys boat, be mindful of hooks so you don't mess up seats, try to keep food/drinks to something with won't stain things, be ready to go when the boater says he is moving.......

Depends on how hard it was used, how it was maintained... If recharged immediately after use, and kept charged during periods on no use you should get 3 years at least.

I bought a pair of Under Armour gloves which are water and wind proof but thin enough I can still cast my baitcasters.

In tourney's, I keep the rod low and keep the line tight to limit the amount they can jump. For fun fishing, just yell woohoo after a nice jump.

Congrats, you will have a blast. Just keep in mind to keep things simple and fish your strenghts and you will be fine.

Sean, the coming of spring makes the bear awake... Tourney season and a new motor helps too

By the time your tourney gets here I would bet the bass would have moved up into the shallow grass instead of hanging on the edge. Should be a good bite on lipless cranks and spinnerbaits.

Only you can answer that question, my only advice would be to think realistically about what happened 2 years ago and where you are at in life now.

As a co-angler I usually carry 4-5 rods depending on the location and style of fishing, one tackle back with five 3700 plano boxes, and sometimes a extra bag if cold weather/rain gear may be needed that day. Make sure to have something for water and a snack or two. And your own lifevest comes in extremely handy, especially if you want a Mustang type.

Unfortunately this sounds familiar to an issue I had with 2000 Optimax 225hp. Turns out the issue was the diaphragms in the fuel system had deteriorated, my issue got way worse when one got a hole in it. The issue was causing fuel to enter where only air should be so when the fuel was mixed it was getting the normal amount of fuel plus whatever was in the air system. The mechanic figured this out when he went to check the air pressure in the system and fuel shot out.

Well time for a new motor, the issue with not idling/running well the last time turned out to be the diaphragms in the fuel rail had gone bad and had holes. This was allowing fuel to enter the air side before it should so it was running extremely rich. In addition the ECU was starting to act up so it was soon to be replaced. After all this I would still have a 12 year old motor with compression issues. Decided to replace the engine with a newer model 225hp Mercury which has been refurbed by Mercury. More money up front but at least everything will be new and fresh. No I really don't have the money at this time but not much of a choice in the matter. Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions on getting things working.

Nice one, glad the teller had a sense of humor funny part to me is not everytime I see or hear the word "Coitus" everything starts sounding like Sheldon's voice....

Have to add one more, guys who makes comments to others about "taking your man card" when they do something they don't like. If you are a real man your actions are not swayed by the thoughts of others. Be proud of who you are, do not worry about how others will take it. If they are truly your friends it will not mattter.

Not much does but the main thing is people who try to force their beliefs on others.

If that is the case, any thoughts on how much the repair could run?

Okay, have to admit I am a little terrified I am in a bad place. I have a 2000 Optimax 225, it was idling rough so I took it in for general maintenance. Had the spark plugs changed, filters changed the mechanic checked the coils were not having issues. So I take it out yesterday and it was idling rougher and kept shutting off. The mechanic did a compression check and found that while each cylinder was close to the same compression the numbers were down around 80. I am not mechanically inclined at all and afraid I am stuck in a place which is going to cost me a ton of money. Is there any basic checks I could do, or at least have someone who is mechanically inclined help me check. I know the mechanic is going to suggest a bunch of expensive fixes, but I know different motors have their own nuances so asking if anyone has any thoughts.

The livers of Phil's cousins make great catfish bait.....

Paging Irene.....

Didn't say anything about those who want to see it, to each his own. I am sure they are trying to avoid a controversy were someone with different views tries to use a similiar segment to promote "less accepted" views. Better to close off the chance now...