DaubsNU1

Cool truck for sure! Buddy is a big Toyota fan, and I have owned Honda cars for many, many years. Quality products for sure. When it comes to truck, though, I'm a Chevy/GM loyalist. Hard to pull this with a 1/2 ton Saved for over 2 years and got my 2019 just after the 2020's came out. I didn't care for all the extra electronics and features...wanted a diesel 3/4 ton. Just what I need. If I were in the market for a 1/2 ton, Toyota would be in my top three...right up there with Chevy & GMC.

Fished a sandpit from the shore on Sunday...threw NED the entire time...caught seven LMB's in the 2-3lb range. I don't know what they like about the NED rig, but it just works!

nope, Nope, NOPE!

I've been tracking / logging my fishing trips since 1992...hoping I could find a way to "crack-the-code." Haven't figured it out yet. I pay close attention to barometric pressure, solar-lunar-tables, atmospheric and water temp, cloud cover, water clarity, wildlife activity, etc. Sometimes the fish are biting, other times they aren't. This past weekend we took Dad out to my Sister's cabin...it's on a sandpit lake in central Nebraska...sunny and mid 80's, very little breeze...we fished around the boat dock. Started fishing around 10AM...slow. Brother caught a few crappie here and there, Dad was caught maybe three crappie the entire time. Nephew and I were throwing NED rigs and wacky-senko's. We caught 8 nice largemouth between 14-18" over the course of two hours. Last cloudy I fished the small bait-fish were busting the surface everywhere. I thought it was going to be a good day...didn't catch a dang thing : ( I try to keep my expectations low when it comes to fishing (and hunting). Try to remind myself to slow down, enjoy the process, enjoy mother nature, enjoy what God has blessed me with. If I catch fish, great. If not, I'm still enjoying a day on the water.

Fished at my sister's sandpit yesterday...from the bank. All I threw was a Green Pumpkin NED...landed four in the 16-17" range, lost another three trying to get cute : ) Nephew landed three that were close to 17"...he was throwing wacky-Senko and NED. Brother caught probably 25 crappie on jig+gulp minow...fishing deep. Didn't expect much...turned out to be a good day...

My 80 year old Dad started back in the 50's when one crew built houses from the ground up. He knows how to layout a foundation, block, frame, drywall, plumbing, electrical, roof, etc. In 1966 they split up his crew...he took a few guys and started his own business as a finish carpenter. He finally fully retired about 8 years ago. He knows his stuff, and had taught me much through the years. We always take him along when looking at purchasing a house...there have been a few as we were pulling in the driveway, he said, "just turn around and leave...see the roof-line...NOPE!" There is a lot of crap out there...but still examples of quality craftsmanship can be found.

Call the dealer today. Put down a deposit TODAY! Strike while the iron is hot! Do not give her time to change mind : ) 4 years ago we moved from the burbs to an acreage...I told the wife one of my conditions was a John Deere for the new place...she agreed, and I had this in the garage less than a week later (craigslist find)

I've been using the Trilene knot | Two Turn Clinch Knot | Double Clinch knot on my braid since the early 1990's. Rock solid.

I've been building my own computers for about 20 years. Usually head over to ArsTechnica and scope out their latest build threads. I've been running the same monitors / keyboard / mouse / speakers / etc. for a while...just upgrade the "Box" and be done with it. I have a photography business on the side, and don not game on my computer at all. Last build was in 2016...went with Intel, 32GB RAM, three SSD's, 3TB HD, water cooling...it has been a solid machine for me. Upgraded to Windows 10...really like it. I don't see a need to upgrade any time soon...computer technology is not like back in the late 90's and early 2000's...when Microsoft came out with a new OS, and everyone, I mean EVERYONE had to upgrade. My first Gateway computer was in 1992 or 1993...486-66mhz, 428 megabyte HARD DRIVE, and it cost me $3,500(!) Last box (above) I built for under $1k. Good luck with your build! As always, build it for more than you need.

This bass broke off my lure...and about an hour later I caught him again...and GOT MY LURE BACK! (did not seem to slow him down...that greedy wretched!)

I updated-renovated my boat for two reasons: 1. Daughters and wife got me a new fish-finder, so needed to add another battery, and wanted to wire in lights and bilge 2. MORE STORAGE for all so I could bring MORE TACKLE(!) Side note: Thursday nights I meet my brother and 80 year old Dad at local lake...I bring the following: - One spinning rod spooled with braid to fluro leader - One small tackle bag with just a handful of lures - (and it PAINS me to fish this way...but it's just a few hours...and the purpose is not to catch fish, as much as it is to spend quality time with Dad!)

Usually try to be on the water before sunrise. Normally fish until lunch, or sometimes longer...depends on the "honey-do" list I have waiting for me when I get home : )

I'm running a medium power, 6'-6" | 6-12lb | 1/4-5/8oz spinning rod with Shimano Nexave 2500 reel. 10lb yellow Power Pro, 10lb Fluoro leader.

Bait-casters are spooled with braid, and braid only. I was not a fan of braid on my spinning rods, and leaders....well, hard no. Read countless posts here talking the pro's of braid-to-leader...and decided to give it a try. Now all my spinning rods are spooled with high-vis-yellow PowerPro 10lb, to 10lb fluoro leaders, via Alberto knot. LOVE IT!

What brand are your nets? I'd like to get a net big enough for Musky.

This guy! He's 80 now...even after four rotator cuff surgeries, and a shoulder replacement, can still bring it!

Looks good...SEND IT!

I have rods spooled with the following: Fenwick Iron Thread: really old, still works great...think I have a spool or two stashed away. Good stuff. Spiderwire: Have one rod spooled with this...works well. No complaints. PowerPro: Love the 10lb bright yellow braid for my spinning rods. Do have PowerPro on a few bait-casters...works well.

1960 Rich Line with a 1974 20HP Merc.

I have spent most of my life in Nebraska... ^^ This. Is. Truth! ^^ (I'd rather drive Highway 2 through the Sandhills and zone out...much better scenery...) My home lake is a 15 minute drive. Some favorite lakes are within an hour drive. Others are 4-6 hours away. I love listening to an audio book, or cranking up the tunes.

I'm not super picky about getting the perfect rod for a specific technique. All of my rods are 20 years old, all meet my needs in certain ways. I'm actually hesitant to get a new rod and reel...don't know what I don't know when it comes to the latest offerings...afraid once I get a new rod, I'll want to upgrade everything. HA! Checked when I got home...the Berkley is rated 3/8 to 1-1/2 oz. lures. I really like this rod and find myself using it a lot. I'll probably stay in this range...as the Berkley can handle bigger Musky-type baites, and throws a buzz-bait, spinner bait, & jig really well. Appreciate all the words here!