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When I purchased my current boat in 2010 the dealer had a motor in stock with a mfg date of 2009. Gave me the option of the '09 with a few bucks knocked off or waiting an additional week for a '10. The motor was titled as a '09 and warrenty started on day of purchase. Had a buddy buy a used trailer a few years back from a trailer mfg. When he arrived to pick it up, they couldn't track down the title. They just generated a new VIN, printed a new sticker and titled the trailer as new.

Salad for us last night, too. Had some leftover duck breast I smoked Monday.

I'd much rather fish Wappapello than Twain.

X2 I fished it a lot in the late 80s and early 90s and did well on crappie and largemouth. Chased ducks in the 2000s. Guy in the group I used to hunt with still fishes the lake regularly for bass and does well but says it is very "spot specific".

If I catch an eye while fishing for smallies, more often then not, it seems they strike at the boat. Try fishing further down the current structure, channel side. Stay in contact with the bottom. I'd love to have a discussion on river Walleye, not specific to watershed. The past few years, I've been poking around for them a little more. I find it fascinating how different species relate to current.

How's the middle river looking? The Bourb really has the lower messed up after that rain event yesterday morning. Scouted up the Big today since it didn't get as much rain but still a little muddy for me at Merrill. Should've checked out the middle mac instead. Thanks!

Don't forget about Allenton. Allenton to Rte. 66 is a nice morning or evening float. Bridge over the railroad is one way at 6 flags, have to come down Main from Eureka to access. Was just at the Palisades ramp. Water looks good!

Didn't mean to knock it, or imply it was unsafe. I agree with Seth that it would be awesome setup.

I was able to find shipping weights for the Ultrex in their FAQ. Site searches didn't yield any info regarding other models. When I purchased my Maxxum a few years back I was unable to come up with any weights by searching either.

To call her fickled is one of the best compliments I've heard! Tough fishing in any conditions. Mississippi has the river backed up well past VP right now. IMO, these conditions really scatter the fish and they don't know what to do without the current telling them. If it stays backed up long enough, they seem to settle in to a little more predictability. Regardless, they still relate to the same pools and ditches. To be honest, I haven't been below Unger since they started constuction. Been fishing from where the backup starts and up this spring. Spent most of my time last summer fishing above Eureka. I was looking forward to that strech last fall but, due to flooding where I hunt, spent my fishing time scouting for alternate duck plans.

That's a lot of weight on the front of that yak! Anybody know the weight difference between a fortrex and ultrex?

yep. @jfrith A few days back, a buddy of mine was back there in an older tracker and saw a guy bank fishing your spot. Water levels look about right, maybe you?

Here today, gone tomorrow! Was able to find a few the week before.

Thanks, Al. We had similar temps down river when I was out last week.

What kind of temps you have up your way?

Fished the lower mac this afternoon with nothing but a slice of humble pie to show for it. Had one solid bite on a spinnerbait that, of course, the fish just plain missed. Covered around 15 river miles. Looked for prespawn fish in areas they tend to stack up as they are moving up. Fished banks with shoreline eddies where I can usually pickup a few fish here and there as they are moving. Even probed around a couple spawning areas. Nothing, nada, zilch. Temps were 54-55. Water had a little more color from the rain the other day. Still, any day on the river is a good one and I had it to myself, only saw one tandem yak.

Got a buddy that opens the eye with a punch enough to slide the blade in. I've got them with and without the split rings; seems to hunt a little more with the ring. Omega's Rapture has a swivel.

Nice looking jigs! How heavy? What's the overall length?

Been a long time since I've hunted Shanks. They still get some ducks. Not what it used to before, though.

A couple shots from a recent hunt

Yep, north zone. How do you like the split season? Been dealing with ice all week, hope the birds don't blow by us.

Hunted the past 8 days straight. Saw lots of Gadwall opening weekend but, their numbers have been dropping since Tuesday. Good news is Mallards have been taking their place. Fought with 18 degree temps and 1/4-3/8" ice this morning. I need sleep! Taking the day off tomorrow to cook some duck chili and duck stew. We'll be back at it Monday, got another front coming.

So, what's it like shooting in that thing? How's the second shot? How many dekes can you haul? I've been thinking about building a duckyak. Really could've used one this past week.

That's pretty much it. Made a cast and the crank stuck to something right at the surface of the water. When I gave it a snap to pop free, it shot right back at me. Happened so fast all I could do was brace for impact. All in all I was pretty lucky. Once in front of a mirror, it was fairly easy to cut the hook and pull through. I'm glad I carry side cutters I know can do the job. Also a good reminder on why we should wear shatterproof sunglasses.

Big fish of the day, even if I was foul hooked.