Departure Day is nearly here . . .

Hey Guys,

I read reports from Teacher and others telling me that the Cows have come home.  Not a lot of citations recorded at Chris' Bait and Tackle when I go on-line.

Bill Fowler and Mrs helped me get most of my gear in the truck and do some maintenance on the Sea Pro and trailer.  Sometimes the simplest task becomes a day long activity.  Had to get a new grease gun as the plunger squeezed by the grease and locked the grease.  The new one had a coupling that locked on the zerk.  Trying to get it off, pulled the guts out of the buddy bearing.  An hour later, the zerk was remove from the buddy cap and the coupler from the old gun installed.  Finished all the hubs and put the air at 45 pounds.  Only a few more tasks to complete and I'll be ready to get on the road on Monday, Dec. 1.

Saturday, Nov 29 .  .  .  .

Supposed to be Warm today, maybe 66.  I made up a dozen hook leader terminal tackle last night and left two to put a skirt and another flashers.  Using #10 Ohner and #8 Gamakatzu octopus circle hooks with 50# flurocarbon leaders.   Snelled the hooks with 7 or 8 wraps, depending on how my fingers could hold the hook.  Made a standard drop loop opposite the hook end.  I'll use this to attach the terminal gear to the ball bearing swivel off the main line.

The heavy leader is used because the gill plates on COW stripers can cut the leader.  When the striper is running away from the boat and thrashing, a lesser leader would part.

Unfortunately, I can't spell!  Noticed the package was split on one edge and thought a  hood was missing.  I'd dropped a few on the floor under the table.  Found most, but seemed like one was missing.  Melody took a look for me and it was under her chair.  Whew, I'd never heard the end of her getting hooked at the kitchen table.  Or the dogs, for that matter.

Still need batteries for the Trolling Motor.  If I'd had the cores with me yesterday, I would have got the Interstate 29s.  I went to Green Top to get the wifi to install with my sonars.  I wonder if this toy will ever be useful?

Sunday, November 30 .  .  .

Teacher and Adam shared their latest catches.  

But, getting ready to go is a horrible task that is fraught with forgots!

A mess in my Man Cave where sometimes stuff gets organized to move toward the door.

As Santa says, the rods and reels are ready to go along with a few other plastic bins that moved toward the door.

Now, just where does all this stuff fit?  Some still in the Man Cave, some in the doorway, some on the ground .  .  .

I know, uncover the boat, clean 6 months of trash out of it and there be lots of room for light weight stuff.  Like patio chairs, rods, rod holder for the room, 

I think it's about to work out!