That my friend is a “buzz bait”. Cast & start reeling immediately with Rod tip around 45 degree angle. You can vary speed depending on what they want. It’s mostly a bass lure here but I’ve caught pike & Muskie on them when I went to Canada a few years back. Grindle like them also but you better have more than one if you’re in a place where they are. I caught several smallies on them also. Strike King makes a small ones in black, blue & yellow. Fun baits. I enjoy your “Who Knows” articles. The blade makes propeller noises. I’ve found them to be good “search” baits.

Bengyboy,
Nice fish, I’ve caught strippers & sturgeons are on my bucket list. I have a son that lives near Moss Landing he says he he’s going to take me up near Portland to try for sturgeon & Halibut. Thanks for sharing.

NFN,
So glad you’re OK. This may sound silly but how did the boat fare ?

I know it well, they build mobile homes there & theres a Sunshine Dog Food factory there also. There were also several sawmills around Red Bay from which I purchased hard wood chips for the paper mill that I worked for. It’s a nice area.

Hi Spirit,
Do you recall from what city in Alabama was your Dad from ?

Wvmike,
I apologize for not being able to get back to The Who Knows re: the copperhead snake. If I can figure out how to send this pic of one killed yesterday 6/6/2020. It’s small only about 2’ long. He thought he was a lot larger. I really enjoy the Who Knows articles. Thanks

Yep, tiny torpedo. I caught my PB smallmouth on a white one with blue specks on it.

fishmans,
I didn’t think about a corn snake, it could certainly be one. My wife & I live out in the country & we don’t kill good snakes. We don’t usually kill the “bad” ones if they aren’t really close to the house. Thanks for your comments.

Troyfrd1,
This Is probably a milk snake. It’s positively not a copperhead. I was in the forest industry for 40 years & I assure you it definitely isn’t a copperhead.

My Jetmate has ample room for a 50 qt. cooler.

ThreeCs,
I bought a used Kawasakl Jetmate several years ago. It has a 650cc 2 stroke in line 2 cylinder water cooled engine. It has a bench seat in the back & a bucket seat up front. You steer it like a helicopter & press throttle trigger in the stick. It has a reverse & a forward. I built a rack for my electric trolling motor & my Garmin Fish Finder & the anchor.
With just me & my fishing gear it’ll run about 35mph & it’ll go in really shallow water. It’s fiberglass & about 11’ long.
Fuel tank & battery is under rear seat.
I use mostly in fresh water but I’ve used it in bays some on the Alabama & Florida coast. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s pretty heavy & handles rough water very well. I’ll take some pics & try to post them but you can goggle it & see some good pics. Hope this helps.

Hi James,
My son lives at Moss Landing Ca but trout fishes in the Sierras east of Bridgeport Ca & he’s caught several of the goldens. He loves so much that he always releases them even if he’s hungry. Yours is beautiful !!! He caught his best one in Colorado. I had a pic but can’t seem to find it. Where did you catch yours ?

Bucky,
Same with me
I have to go thru user name & password
deal everytime. I went thru the re signing thing & still no joy. I saved one reply for same the reason.

Badfisherman,
I marvel at your accounts. Your memory is absolutely amazing. If you haven’t written a book on your ‘Nam experience then you really should.
I got there in Feb. ‘68 just as the Tet Offensive was getting really wound up. I was supposed to go to a rear base to repair ground radio equipment. They needed operators more than they needed technicians. Long story made short ——- in lest than 24 hours I was calling in artillery on Hill 861 South at Khe Sahn. Got medevaced in February
‘69 to Naval Hospital Millington(Memphis) where I spent 6 months. I was FO for Bravo 1/13 for about 3 months after which they sent me 2/26 where I was the radio operator for the 3 & then the XO.
Again you amaze me with your memory.
I went to DC in May ‘18 with the Honor Flight. I couldn’t stay at the Wall as long as you did. SF !!!

Here in Alabama we called them ant lions or sand lions also.