Here in Iowa we had a rash of merc lower units stolen from various marina's and people's yards. I'm talking 30-40 lowers in a month. Turns out it was an owner of a local marina doing it to re sell them
I have problems with mine building pressure in the heat. If i un hook the like from the motor it will build pressure to the point of seeping fuel out the end of the connection. If i un hook at the tank it will leak into the bilge of my boat.
Depends on what important doing with it. Spiderrigging crappies i like a long handle with a really big basket but shallow net. Walleye i want a large hoop with deep net and shorter handle
With an unknown motor i highly recomend oiling the cylinders, new plugs, and a good cleaning of the carbs before trying to start it. Do these things and two to one it will go.
Ok then this should be simple. Set your tilt/trim flush with the top of your transom and DEAD CENTER!!!! I cannot stress this enough. Then set your motor to the trim unit in the top holes (high as it will go) that way you can always go lower if needed. Another thing to watch is level and plumb...
I would say i throw cranks as much as much anyone out there. The biggest thing determining color and pattern is time of year and water clarity. I like shad colors when fishing shallow dock and whatnot. But when i pull out the dredge it tends to be either something bright like a firetiger or...