2 drunk brother in laws fishing in a gravel pit for striped bass. I was probably 12 at the time and remember it taking a lot of Old Milwaukee to get any fish.Its a miracle no one ever got hurt.

Now I love to go out with my kids(7,9,11) whenever we can hit the ponds. Without the Old Milwaukee. We run some tip downs and jig they have a blast.

We love the showdown flasher and since we rarely fish over 10 fow prefer schooly style rods.

I love my small sled. I throw 2 flashers and enough gear and snacks to keep myself and three kids happy in it. I takes little to no effort to pull it. It also fits into a small car with half the rear seat folded down.

Jeff

Seen a similar rod in a local shop in Lancaster and I thought it said they are made in Prarie. Looked like a good hole hopping rod for 10 fow or less.

Thanks the deadeyes seem like one to consider.

Jeff

For those making the usa today average income(40,000) you are unable to afford the gas for the tow vehicle. The boat,boat gas and rigging is way out of reach. But there are those who still have the financial ability.(real or perceived) Thats what makes our economy go for now.

Thats why I am still in my jon boat with a 15 4 stroke.

Its slow but works for the Mississippi.

Jeff

Mine done that this year and it was the fuel pump.(never did figure out why it needed a fuel pump when the tank was above the carb)

Hope this helps

Jeff

IMHO

I drive for a living and it sounds like a great idea. Although it will not help it comes down to the fact that our culture is becoming very selfish. Everyone seems to think the are the most important person on the road and you need to get out of their way. Until our culture regains respect for others it will only get worse. In the mean time stay alert and stay safe.

I traded a second flasher I picked up at a good price for a camera. I have since sold the camera and am looking at a second flasher again. I fish with an 8 and 10 yo. I thought they would like the camera but they like the flasher better. The ponds we fish are not the clearest water. The kids caught right on to the flasher.

Just my thoughts

Jeff

Thanks

All the recipes sound good. Tried the one from JasonP tonight. The wife doesn’t like fish and she thought they were good. I’ll be trying the other methods in the future.

I fish a few different farm ponds and they want us to keep all the bluegill and crappie we catch. End up with a lot of small fillets that are good for fish cakes.

Jeff

Nice personal touch to package.

Thanks Jeff

Usually see the front stick steer on panfish boats. I am not sure of the purpose but they take up alot less room than the console would.

Jeff

Just looked at cabelas site. The one for 400 is the dual beam and has more features. battery,case,shuttle,ect. The $200 dollar unit is the troller it has no case, shuttle,battery, single beam transducer, ect. The troller is more of a run and gun locater. Lighter smaller compact. Checkout macums site (showdown) they should have short videos of each unit. Hope this helps. I know I really enjoy the simplicity of my showdown 5.6, but I have my eyes open for a really cheap deal on an lx5.

Jeff

Are you talking about the Troller and the 5.6or the 5.6 dualbeam and the 5.6?

Jeff

I don’t think you will have any trouble with run time in 1 day. I go out in 4-5 hr stretches and have all kinds off power left.

Jeff

Thanks Brian

I got a used 820 this year. It will be the first time I have had a camera. It sounds like the new ones are really clear.

Thanks Jeff

Brian how does the picture quality of an 820 compare to the new ones?

Jeff

I picked one up last year and I am happy with it for the price. I don’t get a chance to use it alot but it is plenty roomy for 2 adults. The red fabric seems resonably sturdy. You do need to be careful not to pinch or tear it on the lower bow brackets.

Jeff H

I just fired up my 820 and here is what I found:

1 The blue light flashes

2 The blue lights are dim then fade

3 The blue lights glow then fade

4 The menu page lists picture brightnes contrast color sharpness listed from top to bottom.

Hope this helps

Jeff

Thanks great explanation.

Being new to ice fishing I value the info. It sounds like the narrow beam has more uses than deep water.

Thanks again

Jeff

I have an eskimo quikflip 2. It is a little crowded with me and the 7yo and 9yo,but it can be done. The quality seems ok. I don’t get out alot so it works for me.I will agree though if money is not an issue go Otter.

I did pick up a used frabill voyager and it looks like it may work out better when both kids are with. It is a cabin style with a plastic floor.

I would look at and sit in as many different styles as I could before I got one.

You do have to be careful not to pinch the tent when putting it away.

Jeff

I picked up an lx5 this year that the guy didn’t keep the battery charged. He used it only about 5 times but the battery is trashed. Stole the battery out of my showdown so I can take it out on a small deep lake to play with my new toy tommorrow

I just picked up a used Lx5 for ice. tossing around the idea of putting it in the front of my boat on my trolling motor for summer.

Check out baitshop in milan better price and supporting local business. I have two of them and believe they are a great rod for the money.

I had one buried a few weeks ago and a friend had a hook removal kit from Cabelas. It worked great. I tried pulling it out and pushing it through and couldn’t get it out. The kit consisted of a piece of mono with a handle and instructions. It worked great. All he did was wrap the mono around the hook as close to the skin as possible , push the eye of the hook towards the barb and give the mono a solid yank. It disengaged the barb and sent the treble hook flying. It would be a good idea to wear eye protection when using this method.
I hope I never have to use this again but at least I know how now.

Jeff

I have always put them on ice as soon as I have caught them and cut out the line and any yellow flesh. Inlaws really enjoy them. (I am partial to bluegill)

Jeff

Nice fish looks like anice blue boat also is that the new ride

Welcome to the little one. Had my 6 and 8 year olds out on the ice a couple of days ago. It is a ball to have little ones around.

Jeff

It is better for the batteries to be stored at the temps inside the house.

I am leaning towards the ice machine. The camera sounds fun, but having something tugging on the line is the goal. I believe the ice machine will be alot more useful.

Thanks for the input.

Jeff