Alex from GA

I use the diamond file on my Leatherman. File with the point on all 4 sides at 45*. Takes 30 seconds.

I've caught the same bass an hour later and the same snook a week later.

I'm in the same boat as you. The lightest leader I tie is 12 with the FG knot. I tie a triple surgeons knot other wise.

IMO the boat is a tool to get me to the fishing spot. If I hurt the tool it usually can be fixed.

Try braid with a mono or fluoro leader.

There are 9 heron nests on an island and when they all hatch you're right. Sometimes I have to move when it's too loud.

Wednesday for the first time this year I heard Great Blue Heron chicks squawking in the nest. There are several pair of Canada geese nesting near also.

I have several old, 80s, Shimano Bantams with back a reeling switch. Don't know what it for but it's there.

I still use mid 80s Shimado XHS Bantam reels and they're 5:1 gear ratio also. They work good for crank, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

I'm in the minority in that I use a med with an xf tip. Sets the hook better than a lighter rod and I skin hook my finesse worms.

Thanks for sharing.?

The only place I've ran into them is on the rivers. "Get off my property, where did you launch, I'm going to call the sheriff, ect".

Thanks King, got my laugh for today.

Tried fluoro once with disastrous results. Too stiff on a small reel so mono is what I use. Usually 6 lb for bass fishing and Stren Magnathin 4 lb for bream.

IMO the only drawback to the engine is the low gear ratio when all the rest are 1.75. Most available props are too short for the Suzuki.

I'm 82 and kayak fish every week during the summer, but, I only go downstream. There's really no maintenance on a jon boat or small bass boat in fresh water. I fish several times a week in my 16' bass boat in Lake Lanier but don't have to launch it. If there's a dock @ your hotel it's a no brainer. You can also maybe hook up a winch to get your kayak up the hill or use the lawn tractor.

I've been retired for a long time and fish several times a week usually for less than 1/2 day. I have a boat in the water when I'm in GA. In winter we're usually in central FL and I have to launch my boat which I'm able to do, again, several times a week. This winter I'm having health issues, for the first time, and didn't go to FL. Next year, when we're in FL, I'm going to contact Capt Phil and ask to join him for a day or so. I've done the GA Bass Slam every year since it's inception, usually in a kayak.

There's an upside to building your own rods. You can have your cake and eat it too. I have a kayak rod I built for small stream fishing that I've been using for a bunch of years. It's a 6'2" blank I cut to 5 1/2' xf tip. I use 1000 size reel filled with 6 lb mono. Very sensitive and light, 9 oz. I also have a full size rod with the same blank that I use in my boat.

Front yard and back yard are in full bloom.

I usually over estimate but carry a scale to see if I'm close.

You'll probably lose that 1 mph in the summer. Glad it worked out.

A riding lawn mower battery is about 30 ah and less than $50 if you have room.

Thanks. I've removed the handle and trashed the rest of the reel.

Tough break; hopefully tomorrow will be better. Hope you have health insurance.

I bought a middle of the line reel and when using 8 lb fluorocarbon it goes between the frame and spool with a professional override sometimes. I've been using old Shimano reels for years and never had it happen. The line is .011". Do any of you reel technicians know what the tolerances should be?