DuckSausage

I personally have no experience with Bates but the only 3 guys I know that have them have all had problems. One had a problem, sent it in for repair and next trip had another problem. Another guy had it blow up on his first trip. Some simple problems like the insert coming out of the line guide and others were bigger problems.

Idk anyone that has a deal with them but the big name guides that claim them as the best reel on the market I know all got them for free.

They may end up being ok as they’re still new to the market but for the price tag to me just seems like a good looking reel with a hell of a marketing team.

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Sometimes I wonder if it is the gafftop catfish explosion.

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I think about this too. I've heard from some credible sources Big Lake doesnt have the amount of bait it did in it's hey day 20-25 years ago. Gaftop and Sharks were never a thought either.

I never thought about catching a gaftop on artificial and now they'll hit a topwater. Could it be they're out competing trout/reds? Is there not enough bait to grow the big trout that Big Lake used to have

Is it fishing pressure? Too many fish taken out to grow bigger ones.

....Or is it all environmental driven - erosion, destruction of a lot of reefs etc

Not sure on dolphins but I think everyone would agree they've gotten worse.

Echoing the coolant. I have a 2014 and the Y connection that goes to the radiator and wherever else started leaking coolant. O rings flattened out. Have replaced it twice in the 10 years i've had the truck. Theres videos on youtube. Mechanic wanted $350.

If thats what it is the part is called Ford Genuine Parts T-Connector (DR3Z-8566-A)

ETA: Didnt see the origin of the leak :lol:

Try tightening the nut under the handle. Just moved into a new house and had 3 that were leaking.

Thought I needed new hose bibs or to replace the guts/washers until I ran across a video on youtube. Took 30 seconds and fixed the problem.

I've seen videos online of using a propane torch to restore plastic stadium seats. I guess the heat brings the oil back up to the surface and brings the color back.

No idea if it works but I've been tempted to try it on my black trim that's faded.

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There are too many boats fishing too little water and too many guides.

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I still believe habitat is the biggest reason, but do you think all the pressure has alot to do with the lack of bigger fish that use to be there?

It's Big Lake but it aint that big.

You mean the shrimp and oysters spam page?

There’s birds picking on the south end of the lake and west cove but a lot of small fish. That’s all I got.

As already mentioned, Under water lights are for watching fish, lights above water are for catching. Highly recommend above water lights over underwater.

Freefly and other bamboo shirts are comfortable as hell but I don't like them if theyre getting wet or sweating. I think the other dri fit type materials are cooler to wear in the summer.

Magellan or Bassdash on amazon are pretty cheap and good enough for a fishing shirt if thats what you're looking for. Not as nice material as columbia, simms, aftco, but again if youre looking for something to get blood and slime on.

It's obvious the future of waterfowl hunting in Louisiana has been trending in the wrong direction for awhile, what I cant understand is why South Texas and Mexico still seem to get plenty of birds every year. There's a ton of water and not a fraction of the pressure as you see in the lower Ms flyway but most of the water is saltier than the gulf so its tough for me to believe the habitat is better.

It's a small sample size but I spent a few days in Port Mansfield, TX after Christmas and one evening saw thousands of birds get off what I think was the King ranch and head to wherever they were roosting out in the bay. It was the most birds I had ever seen, waves and waves of thousands of birds. It was all redheads and scaup but was impressive to see. The guy I was with that spends a lot of time down there said there aren't as many birds down as usual. So obviously weather plays a part in it but something else is up.

We hunted 3 mornings with 3 guys and had no problem shooting 3 man limits each morning of teal, spoons, a few pintail and divers mixed in on public land.