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My daughter joined me this year as a member in my fishing club. We had our first tourney yesterday and we took 2nd place and my daughter took big fish with a 4.79 lb large mouth. She also got an $80 payout for that. To say how proud I was and excited for her is an understatement.

Found em again ! All caught on 1000 series reels with 4lb braid . 🇺🇸🏴‍☠️

How about some striper

Outstanding fall bite so far... usually get several by catch Gags in a few of my snook spots but havent seen any last couple years so pleasantly surprised to nab a 27" last night. These are from 3 trips in the last 10 days or so

Hopefully scratch is beyond the TV miracle eraser. On a note about trailer lighting. Today's LED lights are very susceptible to bad grounds. Over the years I finally went to eliminating the trailer as my ground source and run a dedicated ground to each light. The easiest way is to place a plastic junction box on the trailer such that it does not get submerged. Run the plug wires into box. Now from each wire you can easily run the appropriate wire to the light. Troubleshooting down the road is easy as you have total access to each end.

Thanks everyone, went out this morning and welcomed her to the marshes of SC with a dozen or so reds on fly by myself with the dog. Really impressed with this boat across many categories. now the tough part of selling my old one. IMG_0569.MOV

Pretty good day! Buddy boated with my son and his friend in his boat and my daughter in mine. Trout have been really tough but we FINALLY found em. Probably caught 30 if not more. Lost a beauty at the boat too. Epic day!

Really needed to run the boat, Decided to take a run out to the Sweetwater Glades today. Put in on Alligator Alley since the ramps at Holiday Park are not open yet and made a long run south. Found some winter time Peacock Bass that wanted to play. caught 25 or so on jerk baits, Five drag pullers and a bunch of rod benders.

I agree with Finchaser, I replaced my thermostats for the first time on my F150 after 1800 hours. There was no serious salt deposits. All I do is hook up the flush attachment for 10 minutes after every trip. I never uses muffs to flush. I know the water is going thru the block because it’s warm coming out if the pee hole when I first turn on the water.

Hate to break it to some but engineers do know what they are doing.... the water on the flush port goes in reverse from the where it comes from the water pump. So the flush port water gets to the tstat from the back side or flowing from inside out if you will. Water is able to reach the other side as well thru pressure pushing it open some motors t stats have a hole in them that I suspect is to aid that as well. Exclusively flushed my last 4 stroke (F150) on the flush port and ran it for 1540hrs and never noted any indication that it wasnt being flushed good enough when I pulled tstats and anodes etc.

Camping time is here ! 🇺🇸🏴‍☠️

Muddybottom I have heard of people using extension chord but I prefer to use a tinned wire for anything marine. I use a duplex wire with 2 or 4 wires. This also gives that extra layer of abrasion protection. Costs more than extension chord but the tinned wire is better for salt water. Much has been said on connections but you can't beat a good heat shrink butt connector slathered with liquid electrical tape and then encased by heat shrink tube about an inch passed the connector.

On a roll . Have to match the hatch ! Vacation time . 🇺🇸🏴‍☠️

Tell ya a quick story................. My brother-in-law worked for the Original Bob Hewes Boats in Miami, started in 72/73 washing boats. By late 70's or early 80's he was lead mechanic/rigger and eventually shop foreman when Bob sold in 89. He just loaded a late 70's or early 80's Augasport on a delivery truck. As the guy pulls away 2 minutes later they hear a horrific crash, they run out and see the Augasport in the middle of the road almost 150 feet in front of the truck that was carrying it. A guy ran the red light and the carrier t-boned him and the boat went air born over the truck and slid down the road. They brought the boat back, had Aquasport come out and inspect the boat.................other than standard gelcoat scraps & rash you would expect, the boat was fine, no broken stringers, no cracks, perfect. For those of you who may or may not know, Aquasports boats went to the boxed foam stringers and tied them into the transom to the bow. Strong as heck and the boat was delivered after gelcoat repairs with full hull warranty still in affect! My brother-in-law bought one after seeing what it can handle and still has it today because he was so impressed! Muddy Out!

Just got back from a bit of a road trip:

Its game time ! TGIF from paradise ! 🇺🇸🏴‍☠️

Good numbers on artificials and fly today. fishing from a friends MA

Let's be real clear here - I NEVER put an anchor out. I'm WAAAAAY too lazy for that - and it costs me a lot of fish. Instead, what I think you meant was, "now you won't drift by as many fish but can continue to be as lazy as you currently are." Yep!

So............ COTO and Capt Don H called me the night before to cancel a trip on Thursday.......their loss, Monkey Mike's gain. MM- he was in from the first text - "Heck Yeah.....let's do it" A 4 foot incoming tide and we were off to the races... An Epic bite Mayhem from 0930 to 1100....now, I'm not a Big Dave solar / lunar watcher....but, I fish by what looks "right" Well it was right We anchored up at a spot that I thought would go on fire.......it did We hit 50 snook....ok, I'm not fibbing....it was every cast for about 30 minutes....snook after snook, paddle tails, popp'n corks, and then the infamous lady fish heads.... about 3/4 through the tide...MM - of course using my chunk rod on the stern......of course using the lady fish he caught....the rod bends over....huge swirl....MM just brought in one of about 15 25" snook and it was stuck in the net.....and now, we have a snook on the deck, rod bent, huge swirl and mayhem broke out.....36 " red to the boat.. it was EPIC AFTER THE BITE AT SPOT ONE TURNED OFF.....we went to the double secrete spot and landed 3 more reds.......let the chunking reign here are a few pics.....enjoy..... Mike with the big red.....a visitor from Lousiana....the biggest I have ever seen in Chokoloskee.... HERE WE HAD TOTAL MAYHEM....RODS EVERYWHERE....HIGH 5'S....WHAT A DAY...MIKE GOT SO EXCITED HE THREW THE NET ON ME WE HAD SO MANY FISH GOING OFF we found a nice snooker on the head chunk !!!! Yours truly found a few reds and a bunch of snook....but, Mike was DA MAN ONE GOOD MARINE CAME ABOARD......AND WE ENDED THE DAY UNTIL THE NEXT TME DC

Results of a quick morning trip out of Brunswick.

every trip can't be epic...but, the laughs and friendship are always happening... Mike and I decided to try again to our secret spot....same strong incoming after a negative negative low.... With a North East wind, I figured it would be low....but, we met MR. Wooooowwoooooowoooo several times yesterday....and, heck, I'm supposed to "know Chokoloskee" Long story short.....we did not repeat.....ugggh....but, we did have a good time trying... We were about 1 mile off shore and we are running South to the secret spot.....and suddenly, Mr. WooowoooWoooo showed up....I feel it bump, Mike hits the gps and zooms in, I trim the engine and we skirted off........the sun was in my eyes and the water was super dirty....but, I had the GPS scrolled out to see the distance to our spot.... All aboard safe and sound.......well, until the next one you can see the blue line shoot sharply to the right..... Stopped at our "trout" spot which is on the edge of bank and I miss.....again, the woowoowoooo #2, good news the tide was till going out and we float off with a bit of help from Mike doing the wooowoooowoooo Hula and the trolling motor at WOT with mud going everywhere We made it down South and fishing was slow....no bait pods and a negative low...we hangout and wait for the tide to turn....Mike got a nice red and we decided to move... going into spot # 3, I mis-judged again, and it was wowowowo again int he mud off the shore about 200 yards away...by this time, the tide was coming in and mike pushed on the poll, I ran the motor and the troller.....we finally got offf......uggggh.... We decided to make our way back....stopped at 3 different spots and no love....we decided to head home on the inside and maybe hit a few oyster bars inside....but, I thought....he, let's go to gopher creek.....Mike had never been there....so, off we went.... The track into gopher creek is not for the faint of heart or for anyone who doesn't want scratches on their skiff...you basically have to push your way through the underbrush for about 1 mile and then it opens up.....it's a creek only about 25 feet wide, full of massive gators, incredible wildlife, it's a magical place....lots of banging of the lower unit...google it and you find lots of guys in canoes and skiffs..... But, as my buddy Conocean says.....your a Gladesman....no problem for you We hit about 15 snooklets - 12" to 20"....all on Arties and found my first baby tarpon....worth the entire trip. We ran over 70+ miles...the MA17 ran the route back into a 20 mph wind and white water chop....but, we arrived dry and comfortable... Here are some pics of the me running the skiff, my reward for the day and some of the gopher creek.... IMG_2817.MOV until the next time ..... dc

Well after 18 yrs with my current Pathfinder 2200v, my wife and I decided to pull the trigger on a new boat. So in mid May we ordered a new 2500 hybrid and she was delivered late last week to Ft Myers. I went up yesterday to check it out for the first time after it got rigged and it looks absolutely amazing. An incredible job by MBG with fit and finish. You might spend a little more up front for these boats but you’ll understand why when you get to see the finished product.

Whichwaysup: I launched into my trailer rewire several years ago when I had similar trailer light failures. As I mentioned the other day, I mounted a buss bar near the tongue with 1 wire running directly to the ground wire on the trailer light plug. I then ran separate ground wires from the buss bar to every light on the trailer. It ain't the prettiest thing, but it has worked flawlessly for years now. But to do so you need light fixtures that have separate ground wires instead of just 1 wire like your marker lamps. The fixtures with one wire are grounded by the screws that hold them to the trailer. In my opinion, those single wire lights are junk and they will undoubtedly fail on a trailer used in salt water. I would seriously consider replacing them with led marker lamps that have 2 wires. Just my 2 cents and I hope it helps.

Yes connect directly to white wire that screws into the trailer. Connect to tow vehicle harness and check for ground continuity with vehicle and then connect to bolt on the light.

Yes it runs on a trailer as ground. Run a dedicated ground to each bolt and see if that solves the problem.

Hey everyone, just felt like posting my recent modifications and work done to my boat! Since buying the boat I’ve done a full rewire, new casting platform made, 2 pairs of JL audio 8.8s added with a new amp, nmea backbone for my audio so it is controlled off of my simrad, minn Kota raptor added, underwater lights, new wire marine switch panel with a remote battery switch, added a recirc pump to my livewell, and last but not least a new wheel!

jh141, I already looked at those. They got terrible reviews because of the weight of the binoculars and how they attach to the tripod. But, they are powerful 144 zoom. Thanks for trying. Looking at spotting scopes with camera attachment now.

Nearly a month without an update. Completely and totally unacceptable performance Josh! We need an update for crying out loud!!!!

AGREED.....NEVER RUN YOUR MOTOR FROM THE FLUSH PORT ON A YAMAHA, IT WILL DAMAGE THE WATER PUMP HOUSING, MY DEALER FOUND THAT OUT THE HARD WAY. If you want to run your motor use the designed tool for your ponticular lower unit.

Same experience as Fin and Bam, My 2012 VF 200 SHO gets 15 minute flush time from the designed port every trip. I am 100 miles from the ramp I use the most so motor is cold. Have 900 hours and I have seen no signs of build up. That being said IT WOULD NEVER BE BAD to flush using the muffs ( or water container ) and running the motor. Just does not seem to be necessary on these four stroke Yamahas.

Always by the port.

After lurking around this post and agreeing with what is said I think I have a solution. Tiller Control Motor with spot lock capabilities, HUH? Everything is manual, find the spot, hit the button on the trolling motor head and BAM, spot lock on, hit it again it is off and back to manual control. No Remotes! Minn Kota, Motorguide and Rhodan; make checks payable to Muddybottombluz, Miami Fl. 33176💲

sorry also Gus about all the troubles you are encountering. I backed into a trailer once left the guy a note and offered to replace his tandem trailer fender. he said no way, I was the first one to ever leave a note...he said not to worry about it. I did bend it back and almost got it back inplace...any who on to trailer lights, I have not had the issues you are having as freshwater isn't as rough on the trailer like old salty is........hope you figure it out....

This is great advice and have done this myself. But what else I did, after reading it on this forum, was I went with some fairly inexpensive extension cords and used those as my trailing lighting wires. Obviously not the same colors but you just have to know the colors and how they are connected. It is doubled sheathed for extra protection, waterproof, just make sure the connections are done properly.

Got my new boat all cleaned up and was able to get her out 3 days this week. My new client loved the boat and I’m amazed by it!! Spent a lot of hours detailing and Mavericks fit and finish is incredible. Trolling motor, gps and batteries were all rigged by Left coast boat works. They do amazing work!

that's not even legal....shooting reds in a barrel LOL... Wow....very cool video....great dog BTW

One of the things I've come to enjoy about North Carolina is the seasonal fisheries. Every season brings a different target species, and while I'm always sad when each season ends, I look forward to a change. For me, it's always Flounder and Reds in the summer, Trout in the fall, Striper in the Winter, and spring is just downright tough - haven't really figured that one out yet. Trout season usually gets going here in mid-to-late October, but was late this year. By mid November, it's winding down, but this year it didn't even get going until last week - but man, it's on now! Been having a ball with the boys, sneaking out for pre-dawn trips before work filling the cooler and stocking up the freezer. Took the boys out on two different days this week, and we managed to find some nice fish. There's nothing quite like that Trout "tick" on a suspending twitch bait or that moment right after a pause when you go to twitch the lure again and you get that fantastic resistance. Yesterday was pretty fantastic - 9 keeper trout and a nice, barely-legal red. The new Powerpole has been a great addition to the boat!

A little pre-front Tampa Bay sunrise.......

Got her out this am with my oldest son. Trout were happy and we missed a limit by two fish, but only because I had a bad case of “butter hook” going on. I probably lost 10 or more fish! We managed 10 trout over the gunnels, 5 each, and 6 keepers, 3 each. Headed out to look for reds and he caught a scrappy little 16 inches and I matched him with a 16 inch striper. Amazingly even day, he is really starting to give me a run for my money! Power pole worked great and really looks nice on the boat!

And as I have said in the past, having a dual spike (fork) installed on the end of the power pole would eliminate that. But I guess that would not be good for sales at Power Pole? I understand it may put more strain on the unit but don't they brag about strength and durability? Just my 2 cents, which by the way is a heckuva lot cheaper than a second Power Pole!

Let’s see if we can get this thread back on topic as they say. I did a little upgrade to the Redfisher steering. The manual steering was reaching the end of its useful life so I upgraded to a Baystar system. While doing the upgrade I went with the tilt helm. I think I’m gonna like flipping the wheel up out of the way while moving around the boat. The only thing left is buying the nut for the wheel. I figured it was going to take the larger nut but I did not buy it before getting the helm to make sure. Oh and a pic added of my helper holding the fluid while bleeding the system.

Yes, that is cool.

I'm almost afraid to post without much in the way of progress. It's been a busy couple weeks and have only had a day or two of free time. We have a travel trailer and do camping trips pretty regularly. The last trip we took we had two tires go out... one on the way there and one on the way back. One of them blew and the disintegrating tire ripped apart the underside of the floor and caused some damage. So I had to spend a couple days fixing that instead of working on the boat. Anyways, I finally got the boat moved back to my house from my dads shop. I think he's having withdrawals and probably cries himself to sleep at night! ha ha, but he's excited to have his garage space back and working on his own projects again. I had to spend a full day cleaning out my garage and cleaning up the mess that magically always appears after a week or two after I organize everything. I still have a good amount of cleaning to do and cannot see any part of the top of my workbench. Ughhh. One thing I did this week was replaced the original trailer winch and standard roller with a rubber V-block style bump stop. Even though I had a new roller, I was so worried about scratching up the new paint job. On my old boat, no matter how easily I winch the boat up it would leave marks and eventually chipping the gelcoat. Hopefully this will work better and I can just pull it up tight to the bumpers and not mark up the paint since I won't be driving up on or over them. Now that I have the boat back at my house I can start working on it every night after the kids get in bed... that's my free time 9:30pm-midnight or sometimes later. I'm basically tired as a dog all the time, but that's the only opportunity I get to work during the week. As always, I'll post some pictures when I get more updates. Josh B.

I've had a 2010 2000V in the past and currently I own a 2200TRS. I loved that 2000V... Low freeboard, wide and low transom, easy on fuel and handled the chop almost as well as the bigger boat as long as you minded the trim tabs in the chop. Loved that wide , low beam. I would have kept the boat but with over 1000 hours and some of the out-of-the-way places I took her, I felt a new boat was in order. I would have bought another 2000V but they stopped making that model so I got the 2200TRS. The 2200TRS just does not have that lean look. Looking at her from astern, the 2200TRS looks like a 2000V that has let herself go and gotten a little too big in the rear. The 2200TRS has more storage lockers but they take some room out of the boat for moving around. She is just a little faster, very little and does drink more fuel. Plus, the tandem trailer that she requires does not follow as well as the single axel that the 2000V sat on. Not a lot of facts here, mostly esthetics, my esthetics. I guess I just like boats that have a lean look.

Finished up the port side! At first I didn’t think it could shine more. I was wrong! What’s anyone’s favorite choice on polish and waxes? I love detailing my boat and cars lol!

IMG_0948.MOV

Should be able to grab some pinfish and drop down around the skyway for gags. Otherwise on the flats in fort desoto those redfish move so much its pretty much a run and gun until you find them. Most deeper sand holes on the flat will hold good trout if that is your thing.

Need to make room in the garage so I have to let this boat go, In great condition . 8’talon / MinnKota 12 volt trolling motor casting platform 500 hrs 150 Yamaha 35 gallon fuel tank $42,000.00 langworthy1@me.com