Kevin22

A wacky tool and 50 o-rings will last you a long time. When you feel the worm sliding in the o-ring after a couple fish, take it out of the ring, put the ring in your pocket, and hook the worm right in the middle. The next fish will take it either way and this way you keep the o-ring for the next bait. I've been using a pack of 25 for 2 years now.

I wouldnt call it crap. I would say it is a lower quality reel that has some "feature" parts on it to make it stand out but not really increase performance. I can think of dozens of reels that are worse than any of the max's.

Either someone put them in there or birds transported them.

Do some research about running cables through the shaft. I think that is what you will have to do. A friend of mine did it to his terrova and it works really nice. No cables anywhere to get hung up or pinched. He ran it through the shaft and out the head.

I am a big fan of matzuo sickle trebles on moving baits. It seems once they get hooked it is harder for them to throw it. They are also very sharp, but not as sharp as a gama or owner so I do hit them with a hook sharpener when I tie the lure on. I bought some 4 or 5 years ago off captain hooks discount warehouse for something like $8 per 100. I bought 100 of #6, #4, and #2. I'm not sure you can even buy them anymore, but if you happen to see them somewhere give them a shot. I would also suggest #2 for a 5xd.

Heck yes. What type of river is it? Some people call 10' wide creeks "rivers". Around here you are not wading a river unless you have a death wish. High current, deep holes, 100yds+ wide, and lots of muck bottoms. I have driven over "rivers" and thought, man we have trout streams bigger than that. A good lure that will work in any current situation, be it a big river like the mississippi or a small stream you can jump across is a lipless crank. You can fish them deep, shallow, fast, slow, however you please.

Looks just like a black max only blue. Specs are pretty much the same. Honestly that one looks cheap, almost like the old quantum code reels. Not saying it wont work good, just looks ugly IMO.

Does your dash have a cig lighter/electronics plug? If so you can use a car cig lighter adapter for USB. If not I suggest you wire one in to your fuse box, I did. I bought one of these and installed it under my dash then used an adapter to power my phone. Charges the phone as fast as a wall plug. Running navionics, weather channel, and various other apps all at once it will still charge my phone. http://www.batterymart.com/p-Female-Cig-Plug-Harness.html?device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CPnF2-Px0rgCFc4-Mgod0mYA0g Literally took 5 minutes to install it.

Your warranty will not cover it. Your insurance probably will, minus the deductible.

Quoting wikipedia? It is a rudd, no doubt about it. Red fins give it away. Not to mention that fish looks to be about 10" and he said it is one of the smaller ones. Ever see a 12"+ golden shiner?

I saw a couple of those orange max's on ebay, almost always out of hongkong. I am wondering if they are an asian only reel or if they are just a knock/off using abu's name? With that being said, they do look really cool. Little out of my price range though, the couple I saw were pushing $200.

Ever try pike/pickerel fishing? one of the best baits there is... catch one about 10" long and put a 6/0 circle in its dorsal fin. Very hardy fish, unfortunately they are impossible to find around me. All we can get here are golden shiners, which are very close but no red fins and are a smaller size.

As for phones, it is a must have for me. I use it for navionics, weather, and many other useful apps. It will always be mounted right on my dash, but with the ringer turned off.

Heck no I wouldnt put a stereo on a fishing boat. It will transmit sound though the water much better than through the air, you will be spooking fish yards around you. Mounted speakers are for partying or running only. A portable radio would be okay but only if it is sitting on top of a coat or something like that to muffle any vibrations being sent out from the speakers.

Where was the barge captain when it happened? Here on the Miss river they anchor to overnight all the time, but there is always someone on watch. They do have the normal running lights on the front and a light on top of the tug but that is it. When we take off to go duck hunting at 2-3am there are usually a couple anchored in the river. However as soon as they see our running lights going towards them they whip out that huge spotlight and shine it right at us. Its enough to stop you in your tracks, as you are seeing spots for the next 10 minutes... but it keeps you safe.

Sounds stupid but its true. Target bigger fish. Once they get over 2lbs or so their fins get rounded off and dulled to the point they will not "get you" unless you drop one on your foot. The little suckers have rough fins and they will jump sideways when you release them and get you, and it will hurt. If you do get stung, it wont hurt for long. 5-10 minutes. Make sure you squeeze the wound if it starts to puff up or get irritated (red around it). Gotta get that crap out of there.

It is a channel cat, looks like a big male.

No it doesnt... I know the feeling of catching a catfish while bass fishing. I did it over 100 times last week on a lake in MN. The worst part was most of them came right to the surface and jumped (thrashed really) so at first glance they did look like a bass.

Rudd

F&P is all about comfort. Your reel is not extremely important, all you are using it for is making short pitches and reeling fish in. You need to go to a shop or two and find all three of those reels, put them on a rod in the store and see how they feel in your hand. Get the most comfortable one for your grip. You will want comfort over performance for F&P, all three of those reels will perform perfectly.

Rudd

o-ring

weather channel navionics google maps gas buddy google chrome (browser not an app, but worth downloading) Those are the ones I find myself using the most. Oh and youtube app for viewing glenn's videos.

What do you need help with? loading the boat back on the trailer or backing the trailer in? If you just need to load the boat, buy a $10 battery powered LED lantern and hang it on your winch when you back the trailer in. Aim for the light. A spotlight in the boat will also help, shine your trailer coming in and you will be golden. No need for any expensive lights or wiring jobs.

Don't have one on me to weigh as they are all out in the boat but I'd say right around the same as a 5" senko, maybe a TAD less than a true GYB senko. Probably in the 5/16 range. If nobody answers by tomorrow afternoon I will go grab one and weigh it.