I fish a lot, probably 40 to 50 days a year out of my Hobie pedal kayak salt and fresh water. It’s amazing how many more fish I see near the boat. The fin type propulsion is quieter than even a prop pedal or paddle kayak. A guide I know on Rainy wouldn’t use braided line, because he swore it transmitted trolling motor vibration down the line.
I have a De Walt blower and weed eater and Stihl backpack. Don’t think I’d want to wrestle that battery weight in any of those. Only use the backpack when they combine the field behind the house with a 30-mph west wind, or the snowplow pushes gravel up in the grass. Far as headlights. I’m 67, if I don’t get the grass cut by supper. It ain’t gettin mowed till tomorrow. I may look at Stihl tomorrow. They don’t show up in top picks often but have had good luck with their stuff and have a good dealer.
I was looking hard at the Milwaukee, but the deck rusting was a deal ender. I like the fact they have ran the same battery forever. Any of my 20 De Walt tools with 4 different size battery configurations would be converted to Milwaukee if they quit. With my new 16’x46′ garage addition, my side yard is 7.5′, other 3 sides are 20′ or less. It won’t get me out of mower maintenance. I have 3 neighbors in their 80’s, a car salesman and a police officer that aren’t mechanically inclined that I do all theirs every spring along with minor repairs since I retired. But they all are coming up on replacement and tend to follow my lead when buying that kind of stuff. Thanks for the replies. Like to hear some more. At this point I will most likely go with the biggest EGO.
Having done 2 years of remodel on my house since Covid. Buying anything’s a crap shoot these days. I was a battery dealer for over 40 years as well. Still have a little relationship with the supplier. Getting over 25 years out of 2 sets, I just decided to try one more time. Have heard manufacturing has gone to Mexico since I bought my last set. My salesman said they have still have pretty good luck with them. Did say a constant maintenance charger makes a big difference. There’s also a chance I may trade to a saltwater boat next year. Wife is thinking about a new car. We have a 2012 Pilot with 80’000 miles that’s seen less than 6 months of winter since new. I told her to buy whatever she wants. But if I had to drive to California, I’d take that Pilot over any new car in town.
Not the easiest to get a magazine cover picture of a 31” Redfish in a kayak with a cell phone and getting a quick healthy release!! PB Redfish and biggest fish in the Yak.
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I just bought my 3rd set of Optima Blue Tops. Researched for 2 years. Both of my other 2 sets made it over 13 years. This last set has never gone dead on me. But Going to Rainy fishing the east basin from a houseboat and fear one my die. {I’m keeping them for my other boat.} Weight was a non-issue for me with a 115 Yamaha and fish 90% by myself. Didn’t require a charger upgrade. With 2 largest B.T.s and their best crank battery, with a 10% discount, I got out the door right at $800. Talking to the salesman after I bought them. He said he carries lithium because of demand. But said they wouldn’t be his choice. Something I never considered. Many lithium battery warranties repair rather than replace on the spot. Requiring shipping and sometime long wait times to get it back. Leaving you literally dead in the water. Rather than an over the counter, one the spot replacement. I would defiantly look into how warranty work. I’m 67 years old, if these make 13 more years. they can troll me out to spread my ashes!!
My firearm insurance policy is a gunsafe. But it only works when its used, and locked.
Had a buddy tell me he cancelled insurance when he bought the safe. It’s in a spare bedroom on the ground floor above the basement. When I asked him what he thought would happen if a fire burnt the floor out under the safe and it fell 8 or 10 feet to the basement floor. What shape the guns would be in, he kinda turned pale. Garage floor eliminates that but makes it more vulnerable to theft. The best gun safes have heavy sheet metal sides that can be cut with basic hand tools. Basement in an outside corner is probably best. Would be lowest temp in a total loss fire.
Most insurance companies have an unscheduled limit, think mines $2500. I did the NRA policy similar to Safari Club.
Just speculation, but this sounds like maybe the agent has a deal setup with a specific towing company that he gets a kickback for every tow he sends to them. I think in MN you can use anyone you want, the insurance may cap the amount they will pay, but you can hire anyone you want to tow, or repair your car.
He said they get every tow from the company in his area. At least 100 mile radius. Driver said they do them every day. Number to call is from the home office.
I’ll be there the following week. A guide can really help, especially in spring and fall when fish are moving. One thing that seems the same, is it’s often different. In 10 years have seen a half dozen different patterns. One year walleye were keying on young of the year crawdads on the outer weed edge. Not the first place we looked. Missed last year due to a death in the family. But covid years there was a huge spike in boat traffic compared to prior years. 2 years ago, we saw 3 boats in one bay in the east basin. Prior years don’t see 3 boats all day. Now that Canada is open again, and allowing OWI’s not sure what it will be this year.
I saw something today that may explain it. Wouldn’t believe it, but I was standing right there. Helping a buddy with medical problems clean up his property, I need a junk truck towed. Notice neighbor 2 doors down had a wrecker in the driveway. Asked him if he could tow it for me. He said he had a call 70 miles away and would be gone all afternoon. It was a tow for a bad starter, covered by towing on the guys auto policy. When I asked why the car was being towed all the way back here for a starter. He said he was towing it to a mechanic 1.8 miles from where it was sitting in the same town. But the insurance company has an exclusive contract with the towing company. So 140 miles and about $360 later the car was moved less than 2 miles. Driver said a 2-mile tow is $60. Lucky the guy wasn’t sitting on the interstate waiting!!
To be sure white stripe? The lettering is also white.
Weed was my first thought. I owned a body shop. Had a guy work for me that I could smell when he walked in the door. Even when I was painting!! But skunks are active. Had to get up and shut my bedroom window last night.
Guy I shoot with switched out electric for gas stove in his condo. Local code allowed the yellow one piece rolled pipe. It ran the length of the building. Make sure tapping off a line, it’s large enough to have sufficient flow, a plumber will know that. Price will depend on distance and accessibility, turns that kind of thing. I’ve always done my own. My last 3 houses I’ve re-piped completely, switched one stove, switched up and down stairs stoves. My Dad worked for the utility company when I was a kid. We did side work nights and weekends. By the time I was old enough to drive I’d probably ran thousands of feet of gas pipe. I’ve always bought appliances from Mom-and-Pop stores. Most can hook you up with someone reasonable, if not do it themselves for a short run. Or take a chance with the guy the kid in the big box store recommends.
Penn and Toadfish to name a few make travel rods. Few companies make 4 or more-piece, 2 different tip and midsections to mix and match for different actions within the same rod.
My first thought. What about the other 4 walls. I assume they are constructed the same. I’d look really hard at them before making a decision.
8 knots is just over 9 mph
They said at that speed the ship would need about 4 miles to STOP at that speed. Good news. The Corp of Engineers is sending 1,100 people to the site. Sure that will lead to the fastest most cost-effective solution. Be lots of greasy pockets when this is done.
The video posted here has to be at least 10x speed, right?
Believe I heard the ship was going 8 knots. They hinted that was a little fast.
Am I the only one that misses Frabill? Love my Storm-Suit and Sno-Suit, obviously designed by a room of hardcore fishermen. But just bought Simms last fall, haven’t got them wet yet. But fit and construction look good.
I still have my 30-year-old Cabalas, Made in the USA camo rain suit. Not a loose thread, every zipper and snap work as they did when new. But the old technology doesn’t breathe. Keep in mind Cabela’s isn’t what it used to be, made in some 3rd world country now, cheap as possible now.
Gunden commercial stuff is built for work. Buit heavy and more of a rubber technology. Maybe not best suited for recreational fishing. If you register as a customer with REI. They are having deep discount sales. They are having to close stores in Washinton, Oregon and California etc., where retail theft has been decriminalized. Frog Tog seems to be upping their game, going from cheaper to mid-range market.
One thing I found. Simms and fishing minded companies think of pocket placement and the little things. Like a ring to snap your trolling motor remote where it’s handy to use and plier pocket, things like that.
Not been in my brothers for a couple years. But every sport boat I’ve seen has a narrower bow and transom.
Working in the yard, went into the shed to get something. A squirrel jumped on my head {buzz cut head}, ran down my back and back of my leg. I was wearing shorts and no shirt. Not sure how many toenail holes I ended up with.
Riding my motorcycle at night, had an owl fly off a fence post at my headlight and hit my leg.
Shot a doe one year. Grabbed her ear to spin her downhill to field dress. She stood up and looked at me while I still was holding her by the ear. She ran over the hill where a buddy finished her.
Simple as it sounds. Get the land side berth of the ship. Unless you want to stare at water for a few days. My brother went two years ago. I never thought about it.
I use the one like Biggill on my 115 and no issues.
I use the same. Think the v-block model is better for smaller outboard, without power tilt to power into it.
Bruce Mitchell from Swamp People does You Tube videos for Blackstone. The Hungry Hussey does also plus Blackstone has their own guy, that is usually selling the latest spatula. You Tube will keep you busy all summer.
DON’T DO THIS: It’s been several years and things may have changed. Drove all day, got to boarder late. Decided to just buy beer in Canada and avoid the hassle. Bought beer that night. Got up next morning to buy groceries. Grocery stores were closed in Canada then. No big deal, run back to Minnesota. Coming back to Canada: “Any liquor to declare?” “Just this beer we bought in Canada last night.” “Got the receipt?” ” Uh, no.” Long story short {kinda}. Most expensive beer I ever bought.
My 30 some year-old Craftsman is losing its mojo. Plus, I was tired of vacuuming the truck with a 6-gallon vac, 2 1/2” hose. I got the Ridged 3-gallon box shaped one that sets on a shelf. Just built 16 x 46 addition to the garage and vowed to eliminate stuff on the floor. It has the same 5hp peak as the 6 gallon. And honestly, I don’t remember the last time I dumped much over a gallon of dirt when I cleaned the filter after almost every use. Didn’t opt for the battery model as I have 2 De-Walt, nowhere near the power. But did buy the extra-long hose and accessory kit. Best vac I’ve ever owned. My buddy does woodworking. Think he bought a “new” Craftsman 3 years in a row before he switched. You’d think Jonny Morris bough Craftsman the way the quality has gone.
I’m 66 years old and want to go one more time. Hate the flight. I like Kauai for less going on. Busy beaches and more to do are a draw for some. But I prefer away from it as much as possible. Next trip will be 10 to 14 days to clear my bucket list. As long as it takes in Pearl Harbor, then rest of the time on Kauai. May book it with layovers in Oregon at the in-laws for a couple days to break up the flight. With my knees and back sitting over 2 hours anyplace is a chore.
I would not go without a helicopter tour. That was my favorite part of our last trip. Cliche as Dukes restaurant is, food is pretty good and was 200′ from our condo. We also found a couple locals spots for breakfast up the hill out of town, that were great and opened early. Being from the Midwest, I was ready for breakfast about 3:00 in the morning. Got on their schedule just in time to come home. On the flight home, we flew over our house on the Mississippi River on the descent. Landed in Chicago and sat for 3 hours to fly 45 minutes home.
Abandoned in HELL- The fight for Firebase Kate by William Albracht. It’s a real-life accounting of a group of soldiers hung out to die on a mountain top in Viet Nam by some Brass sitting on the sidelines. I’m sure there are thousands of stories similar. But I got a chance to meet the author and be part of a veteran non-profit with him. When he spoke, the entire room got very quiet. Gives a prospective of being in a war you aren’t allowed to win, run by stuffed suits in Washington, influenced by media misinformation and public opinion.
If you look at a Fuego. Watch that you get the second generation. {2023 and newer} look for Zaion.v on the box. Early models had some issues that they have addressed. Mainly the graphite body has been replaced with carbon fiber. Early models had flex in the body, carbon fiber also lighten it up. I bought 2 first gen for saltwater fishing. They were a good choice for a $100 reel. But fished next to Stradics, they end up in the rear rod holders or soaking bait. I will probably gift them when I get home. Right now, you can get a Daiwa BG for $10 less and the Spinfisher for $20 more. Don’t think they are the best deal right now with the sales they are running on some higher end reels.
Seeing your rods laying down near salt and sand is somewhat a death sentence. I would add rod holders to your cooler. If the picture comes thru. You can see it keeps your reels up a foot on a regular rod and near 2 on a saltwater rod. My Engel came with them. But they are easy to glue or screw on. Other option is put rod holders or PVC inside a plastic bucket and use it for your tackle.
On the reel, one thing I see a lot of people do when then get to saltwater is buy a 600-8000 reel. Picturing themself with a 1000# marlin. A 4500 is a real sweet spot. A 4500 Spinfisher hold 320yards of 20# Power Pro, 7500 reel around 500 yards you will never see the bottom half of. Also, 4500 weighs 12.5 oz. compared to 26.5oz. for a 7500. That can be a world of difference casting all day. I believe the 4500 has about 20#s of drag. With 20# or 30# braid, a proper rod and that drag set right. A fish will pull you off the jetty before the line breaks. Also overkill on the equipment really takes the fun out for me. Last 5 years my 90% go to set up is a 7′ Shimano Zodias {rated for 5 to 15# line}, 1000 Stradic with 10# Power Pro w/ 20# floro leader. I’ve landed dozens of mid to upper 20″ Reds and Snook, 20″+ trout. My only break off has been over 30″ snook in mangroves. Mostly fishing in a kayak, it’s a little more forgiving as they don’t have anything solid to pull against, I’ve been on several finned train rides. Good luck, salts a blast, 8” snapper fights like a 2# smallmouth.
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Wonder if it’s an outsources item. Made by a company that builds them for several companies {that charge much less} that put their name on them. Not giving them much quality control
