fishinwrench

Ahh, yep that one went right over my head. 😊 I hear so much about how much guys just LOVE the newer 4-strokes that it makes my brain hurt. They just don't understand (or don't care) that they are disposable engines that are only good for as long as the warranty lasts. Designed to last about as long as the average cell phone.

Actually less common on older motors. Injectors are far more prone to becoming restricted than carburetor's are.

The buildup on #1 is what is considered "normal". The uneven deposits on #3 and #5 are the result of slight water intrusion caused from the cylinder sealing o-rings leaking. No chemical in the world removes carbon buildup as quickly as Hot Steamy H2O. If any of the pistons looked shiney overall, and had no carbon buildup at all.....then that would indicate TOO MUCH water intrusion, for too long of a period of time, and would cause some concern about the crankshaft journal bearings. The buildup pattern that you see here is indicative of a motor that was turned off as soon as the running problem was detected. In other words......Once properly repaired She'll live just fine! 👍 Tech tip: If during changing spark plugs on your outboard, you notice that one of the plugs is significantly cleaner than the others...... You're likely getting some water intrusion into THAT cylinder, and you need to determine Why👍 The cause of the cylinder sealing rings failing on this engine appears to be a relatively mild overheat caused by a weak water pump or a stuck thermostat. I say "mild" because there is no noticable scoring on the exhaust port side of any of the cylinders. Scoring that occurs on the intake port side is a sign of improper lubrication.....Scoring on the exhaust port side is a sign of excessive overheat. Class Dismissed! 😎

Yessir, far too late in my fishing "career" I'm finally beginning to realize how much TIMING matters. Recent experience with FFS has anchored my belief that the age old saying of "they just ain't bitin'" is a REAL THING. The only exception appears to be possibly Crappie and Trout. Those two species seem to play fairly consistently around the clock.

Mornings, for me, are all about sipping coffee, smoking cigarettes, and grunting cinnamon rolls. I have very little desire to start chasing fish, or any other animal, around until I've pooped and become fully cognitive & functional. 😉 People that pop out of bed like a Jack-in-the-box and immediately get busy.....drive me crazy!

Well nobody pounced on her quick enough 😅 Upon further examination the motor is NOT blown.....it seems that a dealer told them it was, in order to sell them a new rig. Imagine That ! She just needs head gasket seals and to be freshened up/tuned properly. See the broken O-ring? Cylinders all look great 👍 I'll be selling at a slightly higher price once I go completely through it. 😊 Or if you'd like to do it yourself I'll take 3500.00 before I start ordering parts. Act NOW if interested.

Yep, things are starting to fill up around here. Seems that I'm the only guy in this 3 state area that can do good service on the older 2-Stroke outboards. The manufacturers aren't teaching it anymore, and all of the old techs are either dying or just going away 🤷‍♂️ Thankfully I'm not quite ready to do either of those things. 😊 "Retired" doesn't mean that I get to QUIT WORKING".....It just means that I get a bonus check every month 😉

I'm convinced that 90% of it is related to TIMING. I know that up here where I do most of my White/Hybrid fishing the fish can be there and just not chase or bite.....until all of a sudden they decide to turn on. There's no doubt that they are present, BECAUSE I CAN SEE THEM, but I can't even get a sniff, or might catch one or two sporadically. Then all of a sudden something inside them changes....and I can literally load the boat in 30 minutes. I used to think that the angle of the sun was the factor.....but it is the same during cloudy days. Even in the creeks during the spawn, fish can visibly be everywhere but the bite will be very slow....until suddenly for a couple hours (usually an hour or two before dark) it's practically one every cast. I call it the "Witching Hour" 😉 There may be a Witching Hour in the morning too.....but everyone that knows me realizes that I don't get up early enough to find out. 😅

Boat & trailer is in really good condition, motor has issues. Going cheap (2500.00) Holler, or post up if you want any details.

The Whites & hybrids will respond to continued releases of water during any time of the year. The longer and more generous releases will result in more fish. Timing is the most critical thing, typically the best action occurs an hour or so before dark IF they are running water during that period.. If the water level is receeding you might as well go grab a sandwich somewhere.

Yeah I've always thought that name was pretty ignorant too. Just another Mutt ! 😅

About 2 weeks..... providing that the weather continues to improve. Just FYI: If you attempt to disassemble the Pop-off valve assembly, to inspect it, you'll need the 2 cork gaskets (at a minimum) because they will tear and won't be reusable.

Here's a good place to start. You can throw it a mile, and it's a great fish finder. Rip&pause, Rip&pause, Rip&pause.

Possibly an issue with the water pressure "Pop-off" valve, or its diaphragm, (lower starboard side of the powerhead).

When Bill Butts and I fished together he mentioned fishing a crease fly with a sink-tip line.....so I had to try it. The action of that fly sub-surface is really cool, but the concept just seemed like sacrelige to me, so I never stuck with it long enough to make it happen. No doubt that it would/could though. I think the saltwater guys do it frequently. For me, beings as how it's a dead ringer for a shad..... it's strictly a top water offering. With a little practice, and a well balanced fly, you can make it "spook-walk" side-to-side and pop (spit water)......It really is a killer.

JFTR too much foam, or too light/small of a hook, will cause it to float sideways. It takes a little experimenting to get them right.....but not too much.

Pretty much, yeah. You gotta experiment a bit with foam, hooks & epoxy to get them perfected.....but it's worth it 👍 I caught my biggest flyrod LM on a 1/0 version. Just barely shy of 6#

The lower unit gear lube needs to be changed.....or at least inspected..... before winter every year. Typical water pump service should be done every 3rd year.... unless you are having overheat issues. Service centers will tell you "every year", but honestly that's excessive.....they just want your money. Do not buy a boat (especially a toon) on a hoist that doesn't have a TRAILER. That boat needs to be pulled out at least once/twice per year for maintenance/service. And locating someone with a trailer that fits that specific toon can be a pain, and costly.

Just for you ! 😅 And yeah..... it's a killer! It's fun to see them clobber it !

Here are my personal top producers. Sizes= 6-4-2

Pfft. If this is the worst little spell we get this winter, then I consider us lucky 👍

Weather forecasters are such extreme exaggerators. 🙄

I dare ya ! 😅 The timing of this is impeccable.......Just yesterday at our local DG they had the Valentine cards & candy right next to the Band-Aids and denture cream. I assume for those of us preparing to get injured or to get our goddam teeth knocked out!

If you think you can cast & control a lightweight jig, in current, with 4lb. as well as you can with 2lb....... you're also delusional 😊 Some folks might be surprised how much .002" of line diameter can make a difference.