Ray K

I wouldn't sell the newer Ford Escapes short for your application. The Escape with the 2.0 EcoBoost motor and factory towing package is rated at 3500 lbs. I tow my Nitro Z7 Sport at about 3200 lbs with it and it does a fine job although I do realize that I'm pushing its capacity. Since your rig weighs only a little over 1/2 of the rated capacity I think you would be fine towing with an Escape. An extra bonus is the 28-30 MPG you'll get when the boat isn't being towed. You'll probably get close to 20 MPG with your boat in tow. Good luck with your choice.

Thanks for the compliment on the photo. I digitized it from an old photo and photo-shopped it best I could. By the way, yes the reel is an Ambassador 5000B. The rod? A Browning Silaflex 5 1/2 footer with either agate or carbide guides. (can't remember which) Back then, it was a premium rod.

I throw my top water propeller baits on 17 lb. mono and a medium fast tip rod. I use an eagle claw safety snap tied with a Trilene knot. The snap is 45 lb test and I've never broken one or opened one up.

I've used different bottled sauces over the years but a mild prepared one I can think of is tomato sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce of varying amounts to suite your taste. Baste lightly while grilling and be sure to spray the aluminum foil with cooking spray beforehand to keep the fillets from sticking. You can also marinate the fillets in the sauce ahead of time. Enjoy. MMmmm, perfect filleting size.

Speaking of eating bass, I sometimes BBQ them on the grill on aluminum foil and baste them with my favorite sauce.

Well, at least he was not openly condemning me, just kind of between the lines, I guess. I know there are many, many bass fisherman that are avidly opposed to taking bass out of the lakes. I think it's sometimes good to remove some of the lunkers so the small guys can grow a little bigger. Thanks for your thoughts. I've got a pretty thick skin. No worries.

I was contacted by a fellow member and asked why I didn't throw the three large bass (8, 9 & 10 lbs.) in my avatar back to give another angler the pleasure of catching them? In case anyone else is wondering the same thing, that photo was taken after a tournament back in the mid 1970s. Back then, most bass boats didn't have live wells and weigh ins were not set up for weigh-and-release. I have been practicing catch-and-release for many years but, back then it was common to bring them home and filet them up. The largest fish in the pic is on my wall the the other two along with the balance of the 10 bass limit went on the grill for friends to enjoy.

Try these: JB King - 931-864-3963 - csking@twlakes.net Ralph Sandfer - 877-214-9698 - ralphsandfer@twlakes.net Gary Gaw - 931-260-3181 - Wish I could go with you. Love it up there.

Initially I read your sentence about the magnetic brake differently and when I re-read it, it made more sense. Sorry if I sounded condescending. No disrespect meant.

Not entirely correct. I have Lew's reels and when they talk of the Multi-Settng Brake (MSB) they are referring to both brakes on the left side of a right hand casting reel. The Centrifugal brake is the one on the inside of the left side cover and the magnetic brake is the dial on the outside of the cover. The "cast control" knob (also known as the spool tensioner) is the dial under the star drag on the right hand side. So, yes, the knob on the right is a cast control by virtue of adjusting the tension on the spool but, it's not actually part of the "braking system". It's the first adjustment made to the reel based on the weight of the lure being cast. Then, after adjusting the spool tension, the braking system controls (one or both) are adjusted to prevent backlash.

Agree with the above response. One thing you can try is to respond as quickly as you can as soon as the bass comes out of the water and lower the rod tip into the water several feet and jerk his head back down. Might make some difference in thrown hooks. Just a thought.

I bought both the Tourny MB and the Tourny Lite at the same and can honestly say I like the MB just as much as the Tourny LIte even though the Lite cost much more. Love them both. When properly set up they are both totally hands off casters even with light lures.

What do you mean by "hand close the bail"?

Just checked my trick worms again. Funny phenomenon is that you are right about them sinking when you drop them into a bucket of water. (my kitchen sink). But, when I rig one on a shaky jig and the jig sinks to the bottom, the tail of the worm floats up. Can't explain that but, it's why I said they floated in the first place.

??? My trick worms float

I've got two under $100 that fish very well. One is a #Eight Blackout 7 ft medium fast rod with micro guides. It's my Texas rig rod and has performed like rods much more expensive. The other is a Quantum Esclade HD that I got on sale at Dick's. It's also a 7 footer in medium heavy fast taper with micro guides and I use it for frogging. I'm very happy with both.

Yup, that's my routine here in good old Central Florida. I've been on the Harris chain several times over the past week and didn't tear them up but got several fish each time in the 2-3 lb range.

Well, if you are fishing a soft bait and you are breaking off on the hook set, I suspect your 10 lb line is part of the problem. I can't imagine fishing for bass in weedy waters with less than 14-17 lb line. For worm fishing I won't use less than 17 lb mono and prefer 30 lb braid or more.

So, my good friend's 1997 Nitro 185 Sport should have fallen apart 10 or 15 years ago? He says he will never sell it and fishes once or twice a week on big lakes. Hmmm.

Yes, kind of. Had it in down in the Ft. Meyers area (Pine Island) and the ramp we use is fairly steep. Had to pull the boat out in the rain so, it was wet too. I had to use second gear and be tender with the throttle but, no problem at all. I'm sure that on a very steep ramp with slippery surface I might have a problem but, I haven't been to one yet.

Just to add to this topic, I just sold a boat with a 115 Merc carburetor motor (1998) and my new boat has a 150 Merc Optimax Pro XS. Of course, I'll use oil designed for directed injected motors going forward but, I have a gallon of Quicksilver oil left over that I used in the previous motor. It is TCW3 spec'd but doesn't say it's for direct injected motors. Is it OK to finish off this gallon before I start using the new stuff?

I use the uni knot as well but, looks like the nail knot might actually be easier to tie as long as you have the little tube available. Is this not so? It also looks like the nail knot might be a bit narrower than the uni.

I just came upon the nail knot that looks like it might be a great one for braid to mono leader tying. I know it's usually used in fly fishing but, might it also work for baitcasting and for tying braid to backing on a spinning or baitcasting reel? http://www.animatedknots.com/nailknot/index.php?Categ=fishing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.png&Website=www.animatedknots.com#ScrollPoint

Wow! Is this a fishing forum or a "Concourse de Elegance" of fishing tackle? LOL

I went to their site and couldn't find any info on canvas for my Nitro Z7 Sport.