Scott F

Here's how the people do this,

There are no tides on inland rivers.

Add a washer. It should only move if it hits something so it doesn't break off. Otherwise, it should be snug.

My go to bait changes depending on the river conditions I face. You will see a hundred different baits that will catch river smallmouth. What works for me in fast, shallow water is not the same bait I'd use for fishing downed wood. Tell me exactly what you are fishing, and I'll tell you what I would use. Knowing nothing about what you are facing, I'd suggest a 4 inch weightless, T rigged plastic stickbait in whatever color strikes your fancy. Cast it upstream on a current seam with a floating, braided line and reel up the slack as it drifts downstream. When you see the line "twitch", set the hook.

The Menominee is my favorite river. The guys and I in my smallmouth club make several trips up there every year for some of the best river smallmouth fishing in the Midwest. We rent a cabin on the river for two weeks in August. Big smallies right out the backdoor. That proposed mine could destroy that fishery. The guide service, Tight Lines, selling the T shirts, are great guys. If you are ever looking for a guided fly fishing smallmouth trip give them a call.

You haven't given enough information. Where is the creek? How much current is there? What kind of fish are in the creek? Are you fishing from the shore? Wading? Floating?

I agree with you except for one point. Back in China, they don't live in rivers, they are lake fish. Because of that, no one thought they would flourish in rivers here. Even here, they were initially raised in ponds before they escaped into our rivers.

Back in the middle 60's the Abu Reflex Spinner was the artificial bait that I used to catch my first Smallmouth. We got an awful lot of smallies on those spinners.

After you've worn sunglasses for just a few minutes, you no longer realize that the colors are different than before. You won't even think about it. Take the glasses off and it will take a couple of minutes for your eyes to readjust. At $20, you'll just have to take what you get. For some people, like me, glasses that have big curves, add distortion. Flatter lenses reduce this distortion. You'll have to try them on and see for yourself. Polarized glasses make a huge difference in your fishing. Being able to see rocks, trees, weeds, the bottom and fish under the water makes it sooo much easier to make accurate casts that are the difference between catching and not catching.

I'm sure it has occurred to the people who make and sell baits that are making money off of guys who believe they have to have every possible color In order to catch a bass.

You need to get past the idea that having the right bait is the key to catching bass. You can throw every bait ever made but if you aren't putting them where the fish are, you will never get bit. The lures you own will catch fish when you fish them the right way, in the right place.

A lot depends on how well the previous owner took care of the boat. He may well have not taken care of a lot of little things that any new owner will want fixed. The bigger and more complicated the boat, the more that may need attention. Does the new boat have upgraded electronics that you may want? If you bought my older used boat, you'd be in good shape and your expenses would be minimal. But, be aware that you buy a used boat from a private party, you'll have to pay sales tax (in Illinois that's 6.25%) plus a title transfer fee of $50 plus a registration fee to the DNR. In addition, you'll need to get license plates for the trailer -$18. Batteries for the starting engine and trolling motor need to be replaced every 4-7 years at $80-$150 each. If you aren't able to do work on the engine and mechanical systems, you'll have to pay a mechanic maybe $100 an hour to fix the things you can't. Using the boat requires gas and 2 stroke oil plus fuel for the tow vehicle. So how often you fish, how far you drive to the water and how much you drive around while on the water will affect your costs. If your tow vehicle isn't set up for towing, be ready for increased maintenance cost for tires, transmissions, brakes and suspension which wear out more quickly when towing. In the end, you may spend $400 or $500 a year if you are lucky or you could spend $2,000-$3,000 or even more. I have a friend who fishes a lot more than I do, pays others to do his repairs on a 4 year old boat and probably averages at least $300 a month in expenses.

The HOA are there for the to protect the values of the property. Most of us will never buy anything else as expensive as a home. I want to make sure when I go to sell that I can get as much as I can. If my neighbors don't take care of their homes it effects my property value the same way that if I don't keep my property up, the value of my home and my neighbors goes down. It can be a pain sometimes but I put a high value on what they do. I have a lot of money invested and I want to protect that investment.

https://fishshop.shimano.com/vip/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524441848376

From Shimano, the part is $4 and shipping is $6.

What did Lowrance say when you contacted them?

In that price range, a reel that can stand up to casting heavy baits is going to be hard to find. Because you are new to musky fishing, I'd suggest using smaller lures that will A, be easier to cast, B, cost a lot less, C, be easier on your gear and D, catch more muskies as well as bigger bass. A few musky lures alone can cost more than you have budgeted for your rod and reel combo. On your way to Eagle River, stop in to Rollie and Helens Musky Shop just south of Minocqua. That is THE most complete musky shop in America. They'll hook you up with what you need as far as lures. The bad news is that you won't find a rod and reel combo there that will fit your budget.

I keep my boat in the garage and I don't use a travel cover. If it rains while I'm in transit, I pull the plug so It drains before I get to the water. I just have to remember to put the plug back in before I launch.

Looks like it could be a spotted bass.

My biggest weakness is that I can be a bit lazy. But I work very hard so no one can tell.

If you can make them look alive, the color doesn't really matter. I think they will be fine, but my opinion doesn't matter. Put them in front of a bronzeback to get your answer.

Not that I am defending Paul Reubens, but your information is incorrect. He was arrested for indecent exposure in an adult theater. This is not the same as being a pedophile.

If you find the right boat that suits what you like to do, you take care of it, then keeping it for 15 years is very reasonable. Next year, my "retirement" boat will be 30 years old. It was the right boat for me then, and It still suits me today.

This question is designed to mess you up. The interviewer doesn't care what your answer is, they want to see how you deal with tough questions. There has been a lot written about this subject. Google it and you will get a lot of information about how to deal with the question.

The mouth on this fish doesn't extend beyond the eye. It's a smallmouth.