Smokinal

One of my customers in my shop yesterday started some small talk and come to find out, he owns and runs a marina in my area. We got talking gas, water, ethanol etc... and he said I should install a water separator inline in my fuel line. I have 96 Nitro with a 75hp Merc on it. I thought it would b a good idea but wanted some other opinions on it. He suggested something like this with just a thread-on replaceable filter: http://www.starmarinedepot.com/seachoice-universal-fuel%2Fwater-separator.html?gclid=CKqp1bezlcoCFdMYHwodcNMLfg Anyone else install one of these? Thoughts?

I have yet to see a vid where a fish was caught on one. Definitely a fisherman catcher!

The fishing is horrible in Maine; no need to visit this place.

This is the warmest Chistmas eve we can all remember up here in Maine with no ice so I had to take advantage of it. Launched at 6:30 and threw some buoys on a point that runs from 10-12 fow to 40 fow. Caught a bunch of white perch and crappie on a blade and only a few bass so we went to the bank and beat em up on jerkbaits. My buddy and I ended up getting 22 bass, 2 pickerel, 1 nice brown and a good brookie on the jerk. Just a beautiful day on Dec 24th! I hope this leads to an early ice-out as well. Here's a few: Came home, washed the boat and will do some winter maintenance on it in the next few weeks.

I've caught far more bass on an original Bill Lewis Ratltrap that a Redeye. I usually only throw them in spring and fall in red craw. Basically in water 55 deg down to 41 or 42. After that I go to a blade bait on the bottom. The last Ratltrap I bought, I noticed they use the KVD triplegrip hooks from the factory now; I like those.

BlueBasser's are as good as they come.

Bama is more of a green pumpkin/orange. PBJ is probably the most brown. PBJ just flat out catches fish.

Well said

PBJ or Bama Craw

Nice post Kyle; I like how you said this is not the end-all of jig info, just what has been working for you. Great post for beginner jig fisherman. A jig is a great bass tool for sure.

7-9 on a trip to Falcon; crankbait in about 8 fow.

I'm afraid to ask just what those water temps are.

We are still thawed up here so I'm still going out. Went out with my buddy today. Air was 25 when we launched at 6:15 this morning. Bluebird clear and flat calm day; just a beautiful winter morning on the water. Started out fishing the blade in 25-40 fow off a ridge. Huge schools of white perch and crappie on the sonar but no bass to be found with them. So we went to the banks and had a little better luck there. I ended up getting 7 and my buddy caught 4 bass and a nice brookie. The brookie came on a TRD on a dropshot. Notice on the deck in front of my friend the eggs that came out of the trout. Is this normal for this time of year? They were spewing everywhere. Not a blistering day by any means but for 38 degree water, I'll take it.

I'm going tomorrow and looks like I will be out Christmas eve as well!

And not a single fish was caught that day.....

The Ned or a small finesse jig. There's always lots of craws near dams.

Wayne, do you mind if I ask you what your settings were on the pic where the fish were on the bottom?

Wow, I thought we had it bad. Still liquid water up here. I was out last Sunday and water was 43-44 degrees. I plan on being out Sunday Dec 6th, and possibly later if this little warm trend stays with us.

As a father, I can't even begin to imagine what you are going though. Take strength in your friends and family and know many are thinking about you, myself included. I sincerely wish you and your family the best. Take care.

So I did some homework and found some good info. Here's some of it: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130271-pre-rapala-wiggle-warts/ And after seeing some pics of them, something sparked in the old memory that I have seen one of these baits before. So I went out in my garage, found some old boxes of "junk" lures I never throw anymore but can't get rid of, and found this: I looked it over and found no markings on it whatsoever. It's at least 20 yrs old though. Total length from tip of bill to end of body is exactly 3"; weight is .4 oz on walmart digital kitchen scale. I found it wrapped in antique jelly worms so the paint is sticky and wiping off; construction still seems fine though. If this is an "original" would it be worth lightly sanding and having it custom airbrushed? I have a buddy who does some of that for me and he's incredibly cheap. Like, he has never charged me for painting baits... EDIT: Looks like it is an original. Found many pics of it on the interwebz in this color. So I guess I will have it re-painted after all. Didn't mean to hijack, Tom. Just found that many people do not know the history of this bait, myself included. Thank you for bringing it back around.

I've heard so much about this bait. Learn me on it. And not to be a smarta$$ but are these considered "original warts"? https://store.radvandamwarehouse.com/original-wiggle-wart-by-storm-lures-p392.aspx?utm_medium=cse&utm_source=googlebase&Color=082%20-%20Purple%20Tiger&gclid=CI_o7LXtrskCFYb2HwodDesFjQ

Too many variables. Sure it would pull it; may even go uphill. I'd be white-knuckled going back down the other side though. As far as ramp action, again, too many variables. (degree of ramp, wet or dry, driver ability has a lot to do with it too).

I do the exact same procedure as you Desmobob, but I store my boat with it down in the garage and, you are right, I do get a little more out of it when I lower it again at home.