Changing goals and speed

[AClark]

I can't wait for Spring. First, it was the flu making it's rounds, and now, I have a cold, that has already struck some of the family.
I'm burned out on cold weather, illnesses, and drought. It's cold today and will be tomorrow, but they are calling for rain and I have my fingers and toes crossed we get it. The fire hazard is ridiculously high and we're under a burn ban.

That said, I had a productive weekend even though I felt like crap. We went to the city to get a hitch for DH's truck, the guy had a tailgate that fit my truck (I had a 5th wheel style that I HATED) and though it's bright red and my truck is blue, it was a great price and couldn't pass it up - in good shape too. I also came back with a pair of geese, 4 new chickens, and 2 new meat bunnies (Flemish Giant's) to cross on my Cinnamon and NZ crosses for truly "meat mutt" bunnies. Geese are a white Embden with an African mate, 2 wyandotte hens, 2 cinnamon queen hens. I already have goose eggs I'll put in the incubator this weekend.
We have projects that didn't get finished, I am just run down, but they'll still be here next weekend and hopefully with warmer weather.

 

[Bruce]

though it's bright red and my truck is blue

You could always add some blue and white paint on the new tailgate, it might end up looking like an American flag

 

[AClark]

Funny you mention that, I was thinking about "skinning" the tailgate instead of going through stripping, sanding, and painting it to the body color, which is "patriot blue". 'Merica!

Oddly enough, it's badged, just not for that vehicle, it's badged for a 4x4 SLT - on a 2WD ST model, but it's in good shape and has all the wiring and brake light on the gate already to just plug in. I need new pins so it will latch right, my other ones - well, one is bent and loose, the other is missing completely.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Sounds like a productive wknd there and can't wait to see pics of the birds and bunnies!!.....don't feel it necessary to damage the fender to get that re, white, and blue truck tho....just paint some of it.....

 

[AClark]

I'm looking at decals that just cover the original paint, if I can find something that isn't totally obnoxious.

Shopping for DH's birthday which is Friday. He mentioned the other night he wanted a new tackle box while we skimmed the Bass Pro catalog - I think it may have been a hint at what to get him for his birthday. So, I got him a Field and Stream box with inserts, and I'm looking for tackle "lots" on ebay to at least put a good start on filling it. The kids have rat-effed our tackle box so bad we are giving it to them and keeping an adult box for DH.
I got a tailgate for mine, so why not? My parents sent me money and I bought a new bridle for my horse. Yes, at 33 my parents still send me money for my birthday, perks of being an only child, lol.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Well if ya need any suggestions on filling the box just let me know and I will gladly share some of my most productive lures "List" for ya....I know soft plastics, stick baits, and catfish rigs fairly well....know some about crankbaits, but less about spinners.....

 

[AClark]

Sure I'd love some ideas! I know Bass and Catfish are mainly what we go after around here, not sure what else there is other than those paddlefish but I don't think they're in our local area. Catfish I usually have good luck with snagging up, bass not as much. We also eat bluegill/sunfish.

 

[Bruce]

I have some old lures and a belt bait box like the one below (that was my grandfathers I think) I'd be happy to donate, just PM an address Haven't fished for decades and not likely to pick it up again. I also have a deep sea rod and reel, free for the asking.

I'm looking at decals that just cover the original paint, if I can find something that isn't totally obnoxious.

You can get a ton of "my kid was on the honor roll" bumper stickers and plaster them all over the tail gate.

 

[CntryBoy777]

I'll get the easiest out of the way 1st....for bream, crappie, and smaller bass I use either a 1/32nd or 1/16th ounce lead jig head and use a colored skirt on it....if it is stained or murky water the combo of blk/chartreuse skirt has out produced any other color combo....and if it is clear anything with white or red in the combo does well. I fish mainly stained water so can't say a #1 on that one.....but blue/white works well for me and is the first color that I use in clear water.
Catfish is a double rig with the weight clipped on the end of the line to a swivel....I use a swivel all the time as it is much quicker to change baits and rigs....then, about 12" from the weight I put a hook....I generally use a 1/0 or 2/0 hook and the 2nd hook about 18" above that. If ya pinched the line between the index finger and thumb the push that thru the eye of the hook and bring the hook thru the loop in the line, the line will tighten to the hook and be easily moved to adjust depth or remove the hook. I always use a jig to catch small bream or bass and then use them for bait for cats....ya can cut the head off and if guts are with it all the better...hook it thru the eyes or the lips....thru the eyes casts easier and harder to sling off.
Now Bass are and can be pretty finnicky, especially big ones, but the smaller they are....less than 2lbs....the less finnicky they are and will usually readily bite.
My A#1 bait for bass large or small...that is size, not mouth...is a plastic worm. It is a special kind of worm and they don't sell it at very many store these days, but ya can order them online from mannsbait.com they are called augertailed plastic worms and they come in many shades and patterns. My top producers are Motor Oil, Electric Grape, and Tequila Sunrise....they come in different sizes too...I prefer and like the 6" and 8" worms. They also have another kind of worm that is really good too...it is a Jelly worm. The blackberry jelly worm in a 6" size has landed my 2 biggest fish....one was 12lbs and the other a little over 11....I have caught many all the way down to 1/4 and 1/2 lb....imo...those below 2# are the best eating, but haven't thrown any of the big ones away for not being good to eat. Another bait I will always have in my box is a 3" and 5" Rapala original minnow in both the blk/silver and blk/gold colors. Ya can fish them in many different ways and produce very well. I always have a crawfish patterned crankbait too....it doesn't have to look like a crawfish, but the colors...an orange/red/brown patttern has been a good producer. The excitement of topwater is hard to beat and I use the Zara Spook and Zara Spook Jr....I have several patterns of them, but a brown one has been the top producer on top water....I can't find a replacement for mine and the fish have hit it so hard that they have ripped the trebles out of the body and I may have to try to glue some into it.....
Sorry for the long post, but there is plenty more I could tell ya. If ya need pics just say so and I'll get ya some and post them for ya.

 

[AClark]

You can get a ton of "my kid was on the honor roll" bumper stickers and plaster them all over the tail gate.

I'm not THAT parent, though my kids are all honor roll lol.
I think something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/T191-AMERI...w43hZ9I9S:sc:USPSPriority!73507!US!-1&vxp=mtr

or this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Americ...ash=item51ef0ca8a7:g:4yUAAOSwWfFXjpES&vxp=mtr

Fred, thanks for the suggestions. I kind of picked out some similar items last night in lots off Ebay before DH got home. Frogs/crawfish, some jigs and colored things. The water is murky where we fish, I've waded in knee deep and can't see my feet.

Bruce I really appreciate the offer, but something like that ought to stay in the family? I have a couple of deep sea fishing set ups (why I have no idea, I've never seen the ocean but picked them up somewhere!) and they collect dust in the barn, lol.