bassdocktor

I'm looking to buy an ATV to have some fun with mostly just riding it around and not really using it for work. I'm looking to get a utility model instead of a sport but I don't want one of the really big ones , just a preference. I'm thinking the Honda Recon seems like it would be really nice, right size and seems to be a decent price. I was wondering if anyone has any experince with them. Also what about 4x4? I'm gonna want to take it out in the snow and was wondering if not being 4x4 would be a problem. I don't really have any experience with them except some limited riding. Thanks in advance, bassdocktor

Actually in Chicago a few guys I fish with have seen bodies floating when they are pulling them out of the Cal Sag. Sometimes they will close one of the ramps when they have to pull a body out.

Hey Muddy another place for you to check out is www.jazztube.com my music professor told us to check it out.

Awesome pirces for some great looking stuff. Thanks

The insurance was something I didn't quite understand completely. I guess it is designed to protect the members at an outing or tournament. In the past our club has been involved in activities where we bring kids for boat rides. The club felt the insurance was necessary. Again I'm not really sure what exactly it covers or doesn't cover. I don't think half the people that have the extra insure from BASS really do. It seemed slightly confusing but, it seems to be for protection. I do believe it is a type of liability insurance. I would think it is on the BASS website. Good luck with your search, bassdocktor

Unfortunately, I can't provide you with a link to any clubs like you describe but I can answer your question about affiliations. Insurance. That's one of the biggest reasons that clubs decide to join BASS of FLW. My club up in Chicago was originally what you were looking for but has just made a change to having more competitions. During the Federation split the issue of not joining either group was discussed. I had only been with the club for a little while and learned that insureance is the main reason for the BASS membership in our case. I'd still check out the Illinois Federation Nation website because there are clubs that learning is a big part of what they do. Hope this helped alittle, bassdocktor

preach4bass definitely hit that one on the head. We spent an entire class talking about that my senior year in highschool.

I'm 20 and can agree that yeah most people want you to drink. I don't drink nor have I. I've got a few friends that are fine with and don't themselves. You just need to find one or two people that feel the same way and it will really help. Another reason you may want to stay away from the drinking is all my friends that went away to college and are drinking are all getting really fat. They aren't getting fat from pizza either. Just something to keep in mind on the unattractive list beside from all the other stuff that was mentioned.

That has to be one of the greatest video clips I've seen in a while.

Hey I actually had a similar experience with them around last Christmas. For some reason even though the order went through on the website they never received it. It's a possibility that happened. If you call them they can help you figure it out. When I called they we able to look and see that the order was never received by them. Obviously you wouldn't be charged for it either. bassdocktor

I also have a TR 186 except with a 150XR6 on the back. I didn't go with the jackplate at the time. Now however I am considering having one added. I don't remember the exact price, but it was in the range of 500-600 including the install. Most people I talk to with the 186 all seem to recommend it. One of the problems you'll probably encounter with the 186 is some chine walking when it is around it's top speed and everyone I have talked to seems to agree that the jackplate will help that. I've also been told that I see a very small increase in speed. I can't give you too much information about exactly what it does other that set the engine back and allow you to move it up and down. Hope this helps alittle bit but wait for some more replys from the guys that know alot more about jackplates. If you have any more questions about the 186 let me know. bassdocktor

Hey no one mentioned it yet but, make sure you put something on the thread to keep it from unwrapping. You could use head cement from fly tying but make sure you use something. bassdocktor

It didn't stay on the ground at all but the snow was coming down in Chicago pretty good at times on Tursday (10/12).

Congrats on the purchase. The TR186 was a great choice. Good Luck with it. I love mine. bassdocktor

I like to stand or just kinda rest against the seat so my back doesn't hurt by the end of the day.

I don't think anyone has said this yet but depending where you live keeping game fish is not illegal. Some states have changed this and it is now legal to keep game fish. As I said someone may have mentioned it but I missed it because I know Illinois recently (last few years) is allowing people to keep game fish so check local laws. Also I had one and while they are a still several inches you can feed them cichlid pellets when you can't get them fish. If you decide to supplement some of the pellets into the diet make sure you get the small round ones. Seemed to be a perfect size for the bass's mouth. bassdocktor

I'm not sure if you have a dealer near you but for the same amount of money you could check out the Triton TR 186. I've had mine for almost 2 years and it has been great. Took it out on Lake Michigan the other day and it handled really well. With the Merc 150XR6 it will top out at 58.?? on the gps. It still needs a little bit of tuning because it could still run a few hundred more RPM's. It should top out just over 60 with 150. If you should change your mind and look at a Triton make sure you get the jackplate. We didn't and really wish we would have. bassdocktor

Awesome video, I especially like the guest experience of the baitmonkey with Zel.

When ordering the fish finders you may want to see if the dealer will put them in instead of Ranger. Our dealer did that and it saved around $200 because of the extra cost that the boat company adds to the sales price of the units. Also I'm sure you have realized this already but make sure you account for any sales tax. On a $32,000 boat it can be a decent amount of money. bassdocktor

I'm not sure of the brand I have but being retractable is very nice. You never need to worry about where you put them. Best of all it saves you from having the buckle close on your fingers. That's why I love mine. bassdocktor

Hey just a friendly warning I ordered a rod organizer sysytem from Osprey very early in the year and it took close to 2 months to receive it even though it was supposed to arrive in a week I believe. I had many emails with them back and forth until it finally got straightened out. bassdocktor

I currently have a Triton with it and had a boat that did not have the recess. Both my dad and I much prefer the recess. Being recessed it obviously isn't sticking up and in the way. It is definitely easier on the body since it is pretty close to the floor level where you normally have your feet. It is easy to control in the waves because of balance. The biggest draw back I see is that you really only have one location to mount the trolling motor and it really can't be moved. I haven't fished out of other bass boats to know it they have to spot to mout the seat poles but that could also present a problem. If you can't move the TM it may position it in an akward position. Hope this helps, bassdocktor

I've had some decent success with the clear colors. Like the pearl body or the clear with black flake.

Looks great, just like the original.

Can't really help too much with the hook up part but one of the biggest reasons they say not to add ice is actually because of the water that is used. Since most ice is made with some type of tap water there is alot of chlorine. That is what is really bad for the fish. The Rejuvenade as I'm sure you know helps to eliminate the chlorine. That's also why some people say to make your own ice from the lake water, eliminates the added chlorine. I could also understand the drop in temperature affecting the fish since you need to float aquarium fish when you bring them home. Also what tournament is it? Is it a school one or one of the national one? Good luck. bassdocktor