I have the Bubba lithium and it is a great knife. However, I have had an old Mr. Twister for over twenty years and although it has become a little noisy, it does just as good a job as the Bubba for way less money. Replacement blade for the Mr. Twister are also readily available and not expensive. The Bubba is really nice when there is no electricity available.

I use Amped brand lithium 50ah and can troll crank baits for two days and still have power. I use one 12 volt for my jon boat trolling motor and 2 wired together for my 24v Ultera. I have used these batteries for three years now and love them. The weight alone is worth something. I'm 72 years old and move batteries from one boat to the other and bring them into the house for the winter.

I have bought and sold several boats and motors over the years. If the seller won't start the motor or lake test the boat. I don't buy, or negotiate price assuming motor is junk. Compression testing is very simple. Leave guage on long enough to test for "leak down" of compression also.

The smell of wet\rotting willows transports me back to the duck blind with my father. He started taking me with him when he had to cary me piggy back.

Download the app "Go Paddling". It will give you all the kayak launch points in any given area including boat ramps. Anywhere in the back bayous can be good. If you fish the bay look for diving birds, they are eating the shrimp that the trout and redfish are chasing to the surface. P.S. Everything eats shrimp.

I have three years use on two Amped Outdoors 60 amp lithiums. I have one on each of my two kayaks and have never run out of battery in a days fishing. I take the two baterries and run them in series to run my 24 volt Terrova on my aluminum boat. I can troll all day with no fear of running out of juice. Also the folks at Amped are great to respond to any questions when I call. I recently bought their battery monitor so I can see just how much battery I am using and how much I have left. I sometimes travel several miles when fishing the bayou and was nervous about running out of power in the back country. Cost is an issue, but the reliability and longevity give me great confidence when going on the water.

It's a Hobie Kayak.

I was in Ocean Springs last week and had great fishing off the beach for speckled trout and redfish on top water first thing in the mornings. We were fortunate to get slick water conditions for an hour or so each morning. Walking the dog with bone colored "skitter walk". We were on the west end of Bel Fontaine Drive. Spoke with a couple of locals and they told us the fishing was good all the way up and down the beach. FYI live bait and cut bait caught catfish only.

I just returned from another trip to Mississippi to fish Biloxi Bay and Bel Fontaine Bayou. Monday was tough, catching only numerous cat fish. Tuesday rained and stormed most of the day so no fishing. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday the fishing improved steadily. Caught several speckled trout in the bayou on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday the wade fishing directly in front of our rental house was spectacular! My son caught his first redfish, a 28 incher. My best was only 24 inches but all fish were caught on light tackle. We caught trout up to 18 inches almost every cast with top water plugs on Saturday morning as a storm front approached from the south. This was by far the best trip I've had in several years of fishing this same area. This was my son's first experience fishing from a kayak and I think he's hooked (pun intended).

I have bought and sold several on Craigs list. I always assume the tires, bearings, and wiring will need to be replaced and "bargain" accordingly.

I have a 93 and a 73 on my skiff. Love the touch screen. I think if you look around there are still some units available with the GT54 transducer. They are the ones you see on sale for around $700. I have never used the newer GT56 but the 54 is crisp and clear. I bought an extra GT54 off Craig's list so I could use the 93sv uhd on both my skiff and my kayak. I also have a couple of Humminbirds on my walleye boat and like them, but the Garmin is much more user friendly for me.

There are a lot of variables in choosing a kayak. I have had pedal kayaks with both types of pedal systems (bicycle type and push pedal like Hobie). I am over 70 years old and have opted for motorized with a trailer. You will have to decide how much physical work you can handle both operating the kayak and loading/unloading either on a trailer or on top of your vehicle. Fishing kayaks tend to be heavier that recreational kayaks especially once you add accessories and fishing gear.

Don't forget the crank bait bite. I long line Bandits in the 200 and 300 size depending on the water depth and depth of fish. Check out MIke Baker on you tube.

One black light will make retying gear breeze. Mono under black light shines like a rope!!

I tried a couple of emails to Pflueger with no response. I called the customer service number that Plumbob sent in his reply to my original question and they were very friendly and helpful. A new handle is on it's way at NO CHARGE.

Thanks for all the help

They also sent a different phone number in the email confirmation of my order. 800-554-4653