TOXIC

I responded to the message.  Mine is the Springfield one.  It was offered through Ranger at one time.  Out of production now. 
 
on edit, it looks like you can still get them through Springfield.

I don’t care what bait you throw, at some point a bass is going to throw it.  I’d give it a try for a while and if it continues, change them out.  Or…..if it will increase your confidence, it’s a cheap way to keep it to just change them out.  

Those are night fishing light sockets.  They are like the old headphones jacks except for lights.  Google phone Jack boat lights. 

I’m torn on this subject.  I’ve used both and there’s pros and cons to each.  I’ve filleted literally hundreds of fish with my Cutco adjustable blade fillet knife.  Maximum blade length is 7 inches I believe and it has the right flex to be a premium class knife.  The adjustable blade is a plus and if you want to wear it via the belt loop, it has a line cutting area and knife/hook sharpening stone on the sheath.  The sheath also doubles as a fish gripper.  The main difference between electric and manual for me is the ability to fillet bone free.  With the electric I’m guaranteed to just cut through some bones because I can’t feel them.  With my Cutco, I can fillet around rib and other bones very easily.  Had a buddy fillet a bunch of walleye in Michigan with an electric and when I prepped them for cooking back home, I had to de-bone every fillet.  

I fish rivers and it’s not uncommon to run 30-40-50 miles to fish the right tide and spots.  The Potomac is always a risk with floating debris.  There is some level of risk you get used to running rivers.  That may sound callous and irresponsible but your other option is to idle everywhere.  99.9% of impact strikes that are serious are going to take out your prop first, lower unit next and motor last as the rarest.  It’s no different than getting in your truck and accepting the inherent risk that someone is going to hit you.  Not your fault, unavoidable. Sitting in the passenger seat, it’s also my responsibility to keep both eyes on the water as well. An added risk around here are seine nets and crab pots.  Those normally are prop eaters but a few years ago anglers drowned when they were running through a storm and wrapped their prop in a crab pot line.  Before they could get it untangled, their boat swamped.  My point being, once again, there’s a level of risk associated with getting on the water and no one should ever forget it. 

Length of daylight also keys bass into the season and spawn also moon cycles coupled with daylight cycles.  If the water is a constant temperature that will key them in.  I have seen a poor spawn when water temps drop unseasonably low during the normal spawn cycle.  Female bass will not spawn if the water temps drop too low.  They know the eggs will not survive and will simply absorb them back into their body.