gim

First outing of the season today. Went to Lake Minnetonka with my family for a few hours. Everything worked as it should with the boat, so that was good. Did some panfishing and although the crappie bite wasn't gangbusters yet, it was enough to stay interested. Biggest crappie was about 12.5 inches. Also, for the first time in nearly 30 years fishing (and hunting) in MN, I was checked by a Conservation Officer. They pulled right up to the boat, checked licenses, PFDs, throwable, fire extinguisher, and watercraft registration. Apparently my fire extinguisher was expired (didn't know they expired) and I was given a verbal warning to replace it. Water temp was 44 on the main lake and 49 in the bay. Saw about 5-6 other boats out there.

I've generally been willing to take one of several "friends" fishing or hunting for years now throughout the season. It's been nothing but radio silence and crickets from these individuals even though they all knew I was going through a difficult time since January. Nothing. Just crickets. Well, now that fishing season is approaching again, I'm getting messages about fishing season again. Even my own brother has basically ignored me for months. My wife thinks it's an obvious I've been taken advantage of for too long because I have a boat and because I have access to hunt private land. She thinks that clearly they don't really care about my well being given their lack of empathy or care over these recent months until now. I kind of agree with her. I've chosen not to respond to any of them, for now. Anyone else feel like people just use you for what you have?

I'm planning to go tomorrow for a few hours. Not sure how much panfishing I'm gonna do, depending on how cold or warm the water still is. Might just be a boat ride to make sure everything is functioning. Looks like a nice day, regardless. Last year when I went in April it was mostly a bust because the water was still too cold, so that may occur again.

I don't need anymore tackle unless it's various items that get used up throughout the season like line, hooks, and plastics. I'm also done buying rods and reels unless one breaks or gets stolen. Just the other day I walked through Scheels and did not purchase a single item. I might be buying a new lawn mower this season and I kind of already know which one I want but I'm hoping someone offers it at a lower cost. My current version works fine so it's not really an emergency.

My overnight notification showed that I had 1309 points after day 1 and was in 56th place overall in the entire standings for this event. That might be my single best individual day ever doing this. If the chips fall correctly, I could win a prize in this one.

Thats a tough pill to swallow given that your best fishing of the season is often in April. But I can understand the safety aspect and prioritization involved too. Restoring power for infrastructure is more important than clearing trees from a boat access site. Is the old town canoe an option?

Yes, I'm ready to go. All the time. I just make it routine every outing. I realize you're in a yak though so maybe organization and preparation may not be possible like it would be in a boat.

How about you get that stuff ready BEFORE you start casting. Then this so called leash to a fish wouldn't even be necessary. Why are people so unprepared to catch a fish. I can't figure it out. I would also question whether its even legal if state law requires "immediate release."

The heck is a donkey leash?

@Mike L has a story about this he shared in a thread a few years ago. If I remember correctly, his partner has a Bullet bass boat and he was the passenger. When he got in, the driver said "hold on" and it was like a rocket ship burning nuclear fuel had begun. The driver literally pulled out one of those old school goalie masks!

This has happened here on over 100 lakes already. The bag limit on sunfish went from 20 to 5 daily due to increased pressure and usage of FFS during the winter ice fishing. Most recently, a specific big lake here also dropped the daily perch limit from 20 to 5 because of so much winter angling pressure, and also the increased effeciency of FFS while ice fishing. The bucket brigade is not happy. But its reality. Look up all kinds of fisheries collapsing due to over harvest, especially in saltwater. The cod fishery will likely never recover. Not saying that every significant reduction of a specific fish population is due to over harvest, because its not. Environmental factors have played roles here quite often too. I used to work for the DNR years ago and the data I collected in the field went straight to the biologists and specialists. That data was integral for helping to manage specific lakes and species of fish, and whether to implement special regulations.

And my guess would be that its imported from China too so its about to get even more expensive.

As long as we're on the topic of lawn mowing. I'm thinking of upgrading this season. Some of my suburban neighbors have transitioned to battery powered versions. I'm not for or against a gas or battery version and would like to hear what people think. My yard is a suburban one that sits on 0.38 acres. Right now I have a self propelled gas version and it takes me about 90 minutes. I am and will not consider a manual fossil that has been mentioned already.

I've never seen one other than on TV or in a movie. If I actually saw somone using one I'd question their mental capacity at this point. I imagine it belongs in a museum now. Not being used with actual grass.

That's exactly what I had to do growing up too. It was required otherwise I was shown the door. Might sound a bit harsh but I believe it greatly benefits a life long work ethic.

My maxxum operates nearly exactly the same as a fortrex so my power varies too. The only difference here is that your boat is probably heavier and you likely fish in rougher waters more often. No spot lock or cruise control or remotes for this guy. Straight up cable steering with a dial for power on the side of it for immediate response. The pedal and control of the bow mount is basically an extension of my right leg.

This exact sort of thing is what gives hunters a bad rap. The first thing they teach you in firearms safety training is to verify your target and what lies beyond. Whole lotta people who use a firearm shouldn't be allowed to, and this proves it.

Quite often I get smallmouth that follow my jerk baits. What it tells me is that there are fish in the area and I need to change my pauses or the color of my specific jerk bait. That usually elicits a strike.

I'm with @A-Jay here. I try to take some pride in the way my property looks. Quite often you can tell a lot about a person by the way they upkeep their property. Bear in mind that some parts of the country receive more rain and/or heat/drought than others, so a lush, green lawn may not be very practical. I think the OP is in California so a more "desert style" landscape would be more appropriate there.

Early signs of green life on the side of my house today.

Seems like what I need to do is extremely minor compared to what @Jar11591 went through with a catastrophic injury and what @A-Jay is going through with major damage on his property. If you guys lived near me I would offer to help. One day at a time. Hang in there.

At some point I’ll be staining my deck. No sanding or stripping required. Just a fresh coat after a good cleaning. Honestly can’t think of anything else that needs to be addressed other than routine seasonal yard and garden work. Its been very difficult to mentally focus on things since late January so even if I had to do something more major I don’t think I could.

Ok. Are you sure that the battery can be used as a starter for the outboard though? Make sure it also has enough CCA for it.

@A-Jay That is wild. Pretty ridiculous it has to come to that TBH