rps

Solid advice. Another alternative: Rig up a miniature Carolina rig. 1/4 to 3/8th ounce bullet weight above a swivel. Below the swivel use 3 to 4 feet of line to the hook. Bait with 1/2 to a whole night crawler. If you put a small float just ahead of the hook it will keep the rig off the bottom. Use you troll motor to cover the gravel at about .5 mph. Here is a link to a how to post I wrote ten years ago.

Change of gears. Pancetta, home grown sugar snaps, mushrooms, and rice.

Love that idea!

Samw knot with six twists instead of five

Yes

Fluorocarbon does not like knots. Check out the testing on Tackle Tour. For all of its other benefits, it sacrifices knot strength. I was trying to find a knot that did not lose the advantages. BTW, I will stick with Yozuri, the hybrid, when I buy.

Recently I was gifted fluorocarbon line. Did some reading to find a knot the did not disintegrate the fluorocarbon line at the knot. I am liking the double improved clinch knot. Basically, it is an improved clinch knot with a doubled strand of line. Comments?

I read somewhere that you have to have 8 or 10 inches or more between the head and the mount. The reason was that less than that amount causes the wires to crush each other and interferes with the signals to the head. Not long ago I too heard sounds that turned out to be the wires between the mount and head rubbing on each other as the head turned. The motor also did an unexpected course change. The shaft stop that sets the depth of the propeller had slipped. I had to make an on the water adjustment to the stop ring. That, by the way, is a PITA. Do it on the trailer if you need to adjust it. Think about consulting your installer about the head to mount clearance needed and how to acquire it.

The shad were probably raised and turned loose to feed the hybrid population in the lake.

No. I had a marine repair company here in Tulsa replace all the damaged areas. They did a very good job. I seriously upgraded the trolling motor and electronics last year as well. Once the thermocline sets at or around 30 feet, probably around the first week of August, let's go vertical spooning.

Hey now, my aluminum boat is not ragged and I have a vinyl floor.

Younger daughter bought an old house to refurbish. In her plans she included a wooden fence for the unfenced yard. Her plan has been delayed by the present cost of wood.

Yesterday, May 28, I caught a 9 to 11 pound (estimated) flathead on a Ned. The fish did not give up easily and made several runs that took line. The reel held up and the drag was smooth enough to protect the 6# line I had on. If you want an excellent reel, but do not wish to spend $50 for a Steez, look at the Daiwa Zillion. *Edit: $450 not $50

After nearly two weeks of storms and rain and tornadoes, I was able to go to the lake this morning, although well after topwater time. Water temp 69 when I started and the water was dingy due to the rains. Lake level was up about two feet. The wind was NW at 8 to 15 mph. All in all a typical post front situation. No success on a neko rig, other than perch tugs. Tried the Ned next and had a bit of success. I cought 4 smallmouth in the 10 to 13 inch range. Quillback has seen my Ned setup, a spiral wrapped 7'6" medium light casting rod, on which I fish 6# Yozuri. I had the new Diawa on it. Not two casts after I caught the third bass, while I deadsticked the bait, something picked it up and moved off. When I set the hook I knew I had a good fish on. The fish would not come up and quickly I figured out I did not have a bass. I figured catfish or drum. After several line pulling runs and many lunges, I caught a glimpse of the fish. Flathead. I was able to net the fish, but refused to take it into the boat. In the picture, if you look carefully, you can see the Ned head in the right side of the fish's mouth. I used the forceps to pull the head out and released the fish. Of course I had to cut and retie the bait to get the slime off. I would guess 9 to 11 pounds, but I will defer to those who have more experience with catfish weight.

I fished with one for six years. The auto deploy and recover were wonderful. On spot lock, mine lurched around like drunken sailor.

Chicken and cheese enchilada casserole.

Have you tried lifting your head farther from the mount? In other words, setting the depth to where the motor is just below cavitation level. I have found a marked difference if so set.

Variables: dough and leavening ratio; liquid volume; cook heat and time; dumpling oil content. For years everyone used Bisquik. I may need to reverse engineer here.

Last night I used leftover roasted chicken to make chicken and dumplings. I tried out a new dumpling recipe. It was tasty but a bit dense and dry. I will fiddle until I get the fluffy and moist that is my target.

Lord, is that young man lucky. Well done, @techo

Have Wrench run down a young, used Etec and let him throw it on your transom.

I am 71. The beautiful wife is younger. The Corgis are about my age in dog years. Allow me to show you retired pack time. Life is good.

Peas and creamed peas are not the same dishes, anymore than corn and creamed corn, or onions and creamed onions. You must learn to like each for their own character. One must learn to inclusive, not exclusive. Now, let's all form a circle, hold hands, and sing kumbaya.

Braised lamb shank with pan sauce on polenta.

Yes. I posted there. I miss Marty and I haven't seen Scott in years.