DaubsNU1

Man, this is GOOD STUFF! I started really fishing in the early 90's when I moved to Missouri. Co-worker was from Texas / Alabama and taught me a ton about bass fishing. Back in those days we didn't have youtube or message boards...I fished pretty hard until my daughters got in to sports...then it was all hands on deck as they played, practiced, school events, etc. (went well...older daughter took home two state championships in softball, two runner up in softball, and state title in basketball. Younger daughter was on one of the softball title teams). I just got back in to fishing a week ago when I pulled the old boat out of storage...found this board and have been reading I disagree off! Nice to see new techniques, and some old faithful that have served me well many years ago (7" texas rigged worm, swimming jigs, Slug-Go, spinner baits). I must have lived under a rock for the past 15 years...what the hell is a pinch rig, Senko, drop shot, slider rig (again, thank God for google and youtube!) Go get yourself some Slug-Go's...My largest bass ever (8 lbs) was caught on a rainbow trout Slug-Go. Enjoy!

Picked up my 1960 Richline 14' aluminum v-hull, 1974 Mercury "Thunderbolt" 20hp outboard, with trailer for $650 in 2000. It leaked pretty bad, but I was able to repair and patch with epoxy...minimal leaks now. Installed casting platform seat & foot controlled 40lb Minn Kota up front, rod holders, seat in the back, and a bilge pump. The old Merc runs great. The old Hummingbird Fish'in Buddy II still works as depth / fish finder. Fishes two just fine. The old boat is great for the places I fish here in Nebraska...small lakes and reservoirs, some with standing timber. I can bang around in the timber and don't have to worry about scratching things. Who is fishing something older than 1960? What modifications have you made?

Agree with Hawg, fill the boat with water and mark the leak spots. My 1960 Richline was very leaky...I pulled the motor, pulled the boat off the trailer, flipped it over and used some epoxy aluminum repair sticks to seal it up. Directions call for heating the aluminum with propane torch, then melting the epoxy and sealing it up. I did this when I got the boat in 2000....had the boat back in the water this weekend...minimal leaking. Good luck!

7" blue fleck power worm, Texas rigged. It's been my "go-to" for 25 years...

Good to be here! Born and raised in Nebraska, but didn't really start fishing for bass until I moved to Missouri after college. A Co-worker who hailed from Alabama and Texas taught me a lot -- we fished from the bank, belly-boat, and a canoe. Purchased the boat below in 2000. It's a 1960 Richline with a 1974 Mercury 20hp outboard. Boat motor and trailer cost me $650. I installed casting deck in the front, the Minn Kota trolling motor and a bilge pump (that old boat was pretty leaky in those first years). It works great in flooded timber...I don't have to worry about scratching it up : ) Fishing took a back seat to my kiddos...I really didn't fish much while they were in school and sports. Now that they are in college it's time to get back to fishing more. Pulled the boat out of storage last week, replaced axle bearings and bearing-buddies, and verified all the electronics were still in good working order. Replaced lower end lube and spark plugs on the Merc, and it fired right up. Engine didn't "pee," so i shut it right down...need to pull lower unit and check the water impeller. Was able to get the boat on the water this weekend for the first time in many, many years. Held water well...just a few small leaks. Trolling motor performed well...and I actually caught fish! Knowing that a lot has changed since I fished last, I stumbled here. I'll be reading and reading more... Daubs