Free Style Jig

[Lamar]

 I did my own mode today on this mold. I poured the 5/16 with a Gamakatsu 5/0 604 hook. Then I took some old propellers that I use to make devil horses with and a rubber beed behind it. Then went to the lake and caught some bass. I'm thinking maybe a better smallmouth or walleye bait but still caught a few.

[Fishermanbt]

Slick!  I like it.

[efishnc]

The jig looks nice, but you need a better looking model to hold the fish... oops, I thought this was tom's crappie posts 

[efishnc]

Looking like you're in an aluminum boat... I thought you were against those?

[WALLEYE WACKER]

Great bait

[Lamar]

Looking like you're in an aluminum boat... I thought you were against those?

   I like all boats. Thats a Ranger RT188 with a Mercury 115 four stroke. I would say for inland lakes my most favorite boat I've ever owned. It's all decked out. Has spot lock, 360 and side & down imaging all Humminbird and all linked. My last boat was a 519 Ranger with a 225 Mercury and I wouldn't trade you for this boat for where I fish. Ohio ( other than Lake Erie ) is full of smaller lakes. And I'm getting closer to retirement and this boat is just easier for me to handle.

[efishnc]

I met a fella yesterday with the same rig and he loved his as well... (more than his former glass boat which he said did not go any faster despite having a 250 on it).

[ctom]

That's a nifty jig mod Lamar. So many times its the small changes that can make big differences at time.

And Dave....I'm not photogenic so I stay away from being in front of cameras. With all the scars on the left side of my face from cancer cuts even more so. However, and much like Lamar, I have been catching fish and plan to get my deer....neither of which you seem to adept at. lol  How do you like me now? 

[efishnc]

 ... I thought we were friends (sniff), the move has been really rough (sniff), and life (sniff) has been chaotic with work and school (sniff)...

Even with the limited hunting and fishing the last two years, I wouldn't trade my situation for anything.  We have been blessed beyond our dreams with this property and all the major projects will be done this year (hopefully)... I'm trying to set myself up for the good life in the years to come and I've just chosen to pay my dues all at once rather than over time. 

Good luck with your deer, especially if you are committed to using the pistol.

[ctom]

I know you have a pile on your plate. That
s quite a road you're on and what you're doing is commendable, Dave.

I generally hunt the first two days with a long gun. still of the black powder ilk. After the first weekend the pistol goes unless weather creates a need for more distance. Honestly though, there is nothing like snapping a primer on a deer with that pistol. Its the ultimate hunting challenge with a pop gun. First you have a limited distance so you have to get the deer within a safe range. Then its the one shot so you have to make it count.

If Carole and I ever get down there, or better yet if the weather ever cooperates so we can get down there, I'll bring the pistol along.....let you shoot it a bit. I never get tired of going to the gun club and just punching paper with it but the wrist gets tired after about 12 rounds. I've actually bruise my palm shooting it. lol Its a serious hunting tool and definitely not a toy.

[Lamar]

I met a fella yesterday with the same rig and he loved his as well... (more than his former glass boat which he said did not go any faster despite having a 250 on it).

  That 519 Comanche I had was a flat out bullet and would run 70 mph and had zero hole shot. This boat has a great hole shot and runs mid to upper 40's. So not even close to the speeds. But after two years of owning it and maybe 20 tournaments I can only remember one time where I got out run to my spot that it would have mattered. But I can also say that I have gotten into places where it would have been tough in a fiberglass. But again our lakes are small with many of them with no wake zones two to three times as long as the speed zones.

[smalljaw]

Excellent jig combo, that prop was a great addition!!

[Lamar]

Excellent jig combo, that prop was a great addition!!

  Thanks. It looks pretty cool in the water. Gamakatsu has a little smaller barb than most hooks so I was able to force the bead over it. Like I said I believe this will be a better smallmouth or walleye bait, I just haven't had a chance to try it on them yet.

[efishnc]

But I can also say that I have gotten into places where it would have been tough in a fiberglass.

That is the biggest reason I love my aluminum rig... one of my biggest bass came from super skinny water where a glass boat absolutely could not have gone.

[efishnc]

If Carole and I ever get down there, or better yet if the weather ever cooperates so we can get down there, I'll bring the pistol along.....let you shoot it a bit. I never get tired of going to the gun club and just punching paper with it but the wrist gets tired after about 12 rounds. I've actually bruise my palm shooting it. lol Its a serious hunting tool and definitely not a toy.

Let's put a visit off until after the new year so things will be a bit more relaxed around here.

As far as the pistol, three times I ordered the TC's Scout pistol (the predecessor to the Encore pistol) because I wanted a hand cannon for the same reasons you mentioned, but each time it was back-ordered for over 90 days and three times the order was automatically cancelled... after the third time, I decided it just wasn't meant for me to own one.