Seth

The only thing you'll question when you buy is why you didn't do it sooner. Just having the ability to spotlock will put a big smile on your face! I love the Ultrex, but it doesn't hold a candle to the Force or Ghost in the power department. I ran a 36v Ghost in 15k CFS on Taneycomo earlier this year and the power difference compared to my 24v Ultrex was crazy. I'm sure the Force would do the same.

I know it sure was fun fishing Phils tourneys this past winter. We boated more 18"+ fish in two months than I have in the past 5 years (excluding the trophy area). We could have had 14lbs+ in each of the three tournaments we fished if we had landed everything. I didn't start fishing his tournaments until 2017 and 8-9# would give you a pretty good chance at placing near the top. It wasn't even worth packing the fish to the scales this year if you didn't have at least 10 lbs. This was mainly big rainbows though. There were a few big browns, but they seemed scarcer than they had been in previous years.

Oh lawdy! Somebody smarter than me needs to get on that project PRONTO!

I'm surprised it wasn't deboned and in some rednecks freezer. If the opportunity presented itself, I'd be that redneck for elk meat.😁

Don't' sweat it. We voiced our opinions is all. That's about as cordial as an internet exchange gets these days. 😄

The world would be boring if we all saw things the same. I see the bickering happen a little bit on here, but it's minor compared to the bigger social media platforms. If fish grew antlers, it would really be bad! People are really passionate about head gear when it comes to deer. Shoot something less than 4.5 years old and you'll have all sorts of people jumping down your throat! It's a crazy world!

I guess I just don't understand why you'd waste your time griping about something than has zero impact on you then. If one can afford to go out west and hunt, then obviously that would be far more enjoyable. For many, this is likely the only possibility they have of being able to hunt an elk. I don't see where that's a bad thing at all. If it's not your cup of tea, then don't participate. I think the bear hunt is stupid. Are there really that many bears? Not allowing bait or dogs makes it a pointless hunt IMO. I'm not up on my sand box griping to anybody that will listen about it though either because in the end it has zero impact on me. It's not my cup of tea and I chose not to apply for that tag and saved everybody the earful. I'm only saying this hear as an example.

Trout parks are convenient, but I'd rather go to Taneycomo any day. Trout park lunkers are a joke. I've caught several and they never fight. Taney gives me the option to go beat to go beat on fresh stockers if I want or chase the older, wiser fish. Here's a few of the ones we caught during a few January and February trips. They came during Lilleys tournaments or while fun fishing just before them.

I've bow hunted Peck Ranch many years so yes, I know how tame those elk can be. I'll post some pics down below. You know what though? It's still elk meat, which is my favorite type of venison. If we could go shoot a high fenced cow for cheaper than going out west, we'd probably do it. It'd be more like buying a beef than going on an elk hunt, but the meat is still going to be amazing. I guess if you're all about the sport and not the meat then it may not be your thing. If I have a chance at some cheap elk meat then count me in! I'm still saving my elk and mulie points up for a good Colorado hunt. Right now I'm at 14 for both. I can't wait to finally use those up one of these days.

I didn't apply for bear as hunting them doesn't do much for me, but I'll always throw in $10 for elk. I've blown $10 on less. Considering it runs me about $1500-2000 for trip to Colorado just to shoot a cow, that $10 is a drop in the bucket for the chance to hunt a bull locally. You can go elk hunting every year out west if you want to fork out the $$$, but I'm guessing you'll b*tch about that too if you're griping about $10. We spend thousands chasing game and fish and you're going to cry about $10? Really? If it bothers you that much then don't participate! I swear people just have to be griping about something to be happy.

I gave those outlet fish hell with fish pellet flies when I was a young guy starting out with the fly rod down there and I have no shame at all for doing so. We caught a bunch shuffling as well when we realized the fish would follow you around eating the scuds you kicked up. If I was making the 3.5 hour trip down there then I was making sure I wasn't getting skunked. The only time I ever had words with anybody at the outlets was when somebody was snagging fish on purpose. That's just dumb. They get their panties in a wad when you call them out too. Of course I don't have to do any of that now, but I have no ill will towards anybody that does. I'd be a hypocrite to talk down on anybody fishing this way. I'd imagine most anglers will outgrow it just like I did. BTW, ya'll are really making me want to make a Taney trip. These bass tournaments keep getting in the way.

He used grouper or snapper. I forget exactly which one. It sure didn't last long!

I love sushi, but figured that was just a saltwater fish sort of thing. I've never thought about attempting to make my own from fresh water fish.

I guy I know who lives a few minutes outside of Union had a small black bear walking through his yard on security cam last week.

I grew up eating a lot small drum that we'd catch on the MO River on worms. They were one of my favorite fish. They had to be small ones like what the guy has in the video though. If they got much bigger, they would start to get a sort of rubbery texture.

I make more than a teacher as a systems/network admin, but I'm also a 12 month employee versus 9/10 month. I've been here 15 years now and have yet to crack the 50k mark, which most of you probably wouldn't roll out of bed for. My boss is considered an admin position and does pretty well though considering were in a small town. I only make 60% of what he makes though, which puts me well below the average when compared to other districts in the area. Either I stay here till he retires and hope I get his job or I wait for a position to open up at one of the bigger districts in the area and apply for those to move up. I'm OK with how things are now so I'm just biding my time until either of those come up.

I always had it in my head to find a happy medium when it comes to work and enjoying life and feel like I accomplished that goal by working in K-12 IT. Sure I give up $$$ versus working in private sector, but I get a bunch of time off to use in the fall and spring when I'd rather be hunting and/or fishing. The retirement system is pretty nice as well. I've had several opportunities to go make a lot better money, but I'd have to drive a lot, move and probably be a lot more stressed. I'd likely just spend the $$$ on more expensive toys and not feel much different anyways.

The nice thing about Fortrex and Ultrex is that you can install an Ultrex and then keep the Fortrex as a backup since the Fortrex will mount up to an Ultrex mount. You can't mount the Ultrex to the Fortrex mount though. I'd love to have one as a backup for my Ultrex if I could ever find a used one for the right price. Fortrex motors are legit. Bryan Thrift is one of the best bass fishermen in the world and still runs a Fortrex. Other pros give him a hard time about it, but he says if it ain't broke, why fix it?

My Ultrex has been fantastic in the 2.5 years I've had it. I did wait several years before jumping in to one though since I figured they would have some issues. The faulty main boards in the pedal was the main issue. As for spot lock disengaging, the only time mine ever does this is if something interferes with the foot pedal while it's in spot lock OR if I am in heavy current that I can't hold in and it drifts too far off of it's mark.

Palaniuk was also leading at LaCrosse on the Mississippi River in 2013 before he got a day 2 DQ for culling on the wrong side of the channel. It looked like he was going to run away with that one until the DQ. That was the tourney prior to his 2013 win at St. Lawrence.

I always figured these guys used the 5.x:1 reels on those bigger cranks, but it sounds like most are using 6.x:1 or even 7.x:1 reels. Couldn't imagine throwing some of those big cranks on anything faster than the 6.x:1 reel.

oneshot needs to just buy that boat he has been talking about head to wrenches neck of the woods and party!

If you can afford a new vehicle but don't plan on buying one, just spend that $$$ on propane. Spend $$$ a few months out of the year versus paying for a vehicle all year long. We replaced our old HVAC system last year with an air source heat pump system and it's very efficient. Our propane only kicks on when it's 25 or colder now. Uses a little more electricity, but our rates are cheap so it's minor.

It was only Covids fault until a new president took over. It somehow became all his fault after that. Not sure how that logic works out but many seem to feel that way. 🤪