DaubsNU1

Just got back in to fishing this summer after 15+ of not fishing much. Great to get the boat / rods / reels / tackle squared away. This weekend brother and I made the trip to our waterfowl spot, got the blind moved to the river, all camouflaged, decoys moved, etc. Four inches of snow on Sunday, and temps are going to hover in the low 30s to mid 40s for rest of the week. Nebraska : ) Chasing ducks and geese is my undisputed #1 out door activity...followed closely by chasing Mule Deer. It is time for me to transition to hunting season... When do you typically shut fishing down for the year (I fully understand some in more southern areas fish year round...)

I've been looking at fish finders for my 14v for a while now. Thought I had a good deal lined up, but Cabela's/BPS web site was "out of stock" for the great clearance deals they had listed (well then TAKE THEM OFF the web site and don't tease me!) HA! They lakes I fish aren't huge, so no need for pre-loaded maps. I like the idea of traditional sonar plus the more details of down imaging. Sideview seemed overkill, until friend mentioned what J Francho said above: "sweep your trolling motor head to peek under a dock or overhang" VERY COOL! Okay, gotta have it now : ) Originally thinking of a nice unit that I could have a mount on transom, and another back by the motor...and move as needed. But the way I fish, moving the finder every time I go back and run the 25hp, not a good idea. I've pretty much decided I'm going to go with the Garmin Striker Plus 7sv up front, and either the Striker 4 or Striker Plus 4cv on the back of the boat. Will keep me around $700 total.

Strength to you friend!

Caught my PB largemouth (8lbs) in a small 2 acre pond in NE Missouri. Rainbow trout colored Slug-Go rigged on 4/0 worm hook, weightless. Don't be afraid to try something new...

Best bass: drop shot, pumpkin green fry Best pike: chartreuse spinnerbait Best crappie: white power grub, 1/4 lead-head

Fished local lake today...500+ acres, lots of standing timber, rip-rap, lilly-pads. I feel pretty confident in shallow water. Deep water is a challenge. Today the bite was tough...only managed one small bass and a 13" crappie. This lake has trees in 8-10 feet of water, next to creek channel that drops to 13-20 feet. Talked to an old fishing buddy today while I was on the water...great to hear from him! We talked for over an hour -- family, life, jobs, and of course fishing. I was complaining about troubles fishing deep water...he suggested drop-shotting. I read up on it, but never tried until today. Full disclosure, I had to pull a youtube video and learn how to tie the knot. Rigged it up on my light spinning rod with 6lb Trilene XL. Threw on an old FLW french-fry. Was not expecting much...first two casts...nothing. It was a bit windy, so I positioned myself in the creek channel, facing in to the wind. Cast the drop-shot in to 9 feet of water near some trees...shook the rod tip on cast #3 and I felt something on the line. Have to admit, that's a whole new strike sensation. Set the hook and this nice bass was on the other end. 17", 3 pounds, 9 ounces. Immediately sent my buddy the picture...he was stoked! This 53 year old dog learned a new trick : )

You might explore building your own. I had a buddy back in the 90's who was obsessed with building his own fishing rods. Researching back then was much more difficult -- no YouTube or internet. Give it a try. I've been teaching myself to weld...working on this...

@ 500 yards...I got two things to say.... 1. WOW! 2. Stop while you are ahead That is all.

I find myself over-thinking this very topic a lot. I do have favorite colors and lure. When fishing is good, I tend to stick with my favorite colors... When fishing is not so good, I try different colors...throw everything but the kitchen sink... I'm trying to flip that paradigm...and fish different colors when things are going well...to see what different / non-favorite colors I can gain confidence in. ** yes, I'm over-thinking this AGAIN! **

Some wise words in cartoons....

Just connected with an old fishing buddy yesterday via phone. He pretty much taught me everything I know about fishing...this was in 1992-94. We last talked in about 10 years ago. Great man! Great friend! It was good to connect again, and remember past fishing days. I think about the past a lot as well. Some good stuff, some not so good stuff. I'm glad to be where I am here and now.

I'm a lefty, so my options were limited when I was shopping for a rifle 20 years ago. Funds were tight, so I wanted one gun that could do it all...opted for Browning A-bolt in 30-06. It has served me well for many years. A few years later I won two fantasy football leagues, and had $700 burning a hole in my pocket....found a beatuiful left handed Winchester model 70, stainless with wood stock on gun-broker. It was chambered 7MM Rem Mag...couldn't pass it up. I hunt the Sandhills of Nebraska...very open, long shots. The -06 does well. First deer with the 7MAG is below. Some pics to show the landscape...

I've caught four Musky while bass fishing in Missouri. Chrome/Blue rattle trap, chartreuse spinner bait, and even one on a jig-n-pig. All were in the 40" size range. I'm just getting back in to fishing...and realized there is a lake stocked with Musky just 30 minutes from my house....guess where I'm fishing this weekend??