You can do that or if fishing from shore throw it out, check it out and fish or move on. It's just another arrow in your quiver.

Row Alan! You need a boating license to fish any motorized boat. I spoke to our State Police Maritime Div. and they said I could possibly get away with no registration for my boat and trailer (both brand new) if any trooper decided to do at his discretion if I have all the proper paperwork with me showing I'm the owner, etc. But he warned if I don't have my boating license, there's no help for me. Gotta have it. Hopes this helps.

Where abouts you catch it? I'm on my way to Lake Hickory, NC next week and want to try the Oxford Dam, supposed to be plenty of stripers there. I've seen some monsters on various videos taken from there.

A guy riding down the interstate when he see's a cop car with it's lights on and siren wailing behind him. He got nervous an sped up some. The cop kept following him so he went faster. And faster until he realized he couldn't outrun the cop so he stopped. The cop asked him why he sped up so much and he told the cop, "my wife ran off with a policeman and I thought you was bringin' her back"!

Here's a link to a fish finder you throw into the water about 25 feet. it's called Lucky and here's a link:

https://www.amazon.com/LUCKY-Handheld-Portable-Fishfinder-Transducer/dp/B06XF17CWV

I tried the Deep but this one is less expensive and more than adequate.

My problem is nothing compared to missing fingers! Thanks for the info and I'll check it out.

Thanks, I’ll check it out.

Thanks. I’ll certainly check it out.

Spirit, I think I got caught up in all the info on here and forgot about going back to basics. I did the things you mentioned when I fished as a kid. There were no Bass Pro’s or hundreds of rod or reel types or thousands of baits. A hook, a worm and a bobber and I was fishing. You really opened my eyes and renewed my confidence. Again, many thanks.

I'll also look into that. Thanks Miley1.

Thanks Eyecrosser, appreciate that.

I knew I could count on someone having a suggestion to assisting me in this! Thanks Spirit, I always enjoy your posts. Full of wisdom gained through experience. I think you've given me a way to at least take a lot of frustration out of this process. Thank you very much, sir.

Same mystery to me. Why do those who litter think it's for us to clean up after them? I don't ever recall seeing the disrespect for our culture as we do now. Graffiti all over everything, nothing being sacred, trash just dumped wherever, no consideration for the feelings of others who do care seeing such a mess. I blame mostly bad or absent parenting for this crap. Home is where we used to discuss and learn about these things. I remember the commercial where the Indian brave is standing next to a highway as cars fly by discharging trash all over the place while tears stream down his face. Social media also has a part in the blame as they allow it to be displayed on their sites as acceptable. My pet peeve is customers not returning shopping carts to their corrals in the parking lots.

That was my problem in golf! Besides sucking at the game. I saw a video where the guy said keep your elbow bent parallel with the ground then just bring the rod tip up by just raising your hand to your shoulder and smoothly and easily casting it out. This of course is after you have your bait caster 'tuned' properly. He also suggested beginners just cast more side arm until they feel comfortable, then gradually progress with practice. There are so many variables in bait casting you can only get proficient with beaucoup practice!

I'm not a fly fisherman but welcome you aboard regardless. Give us a heads up in your profile as to whereabouts you live.