arul

I guess dude a few posts above doesn't grasp the concept of "world" record...

Not sure what this Porter guy is talking about. I caught this hog in my signature photo <-------- along with a few other +5 lbers, my first time ever on that lake, out of my geenoe this summer. Haven't had the chance to go back, and don't know the history to compare it to, but if I lived in Melbourne (not Orlando as I do now) and actually had a boat, I would be out on the Farm all the time. Sounds like Mr. Porter needs to spend more time reading this forum to brush up on his fishing skills if you ask me...

that is the sweetes jon boat I have ever seen....inspires me to get a jon boat upgrade over my canoe and pimp it out like that... good stuff

please explain... I have never tried one. When and where should I give them a try?

If I recall, mine is dark green with gold writing. What's the problem with yours? Mine has served me well for 2 years now- no problems...

Our crappy CBS affiliate (WKMG) is not airing the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. Instead, they are airing, get this: INFOMERCIALS... (for Bosley Hair restoration and some age cream). I mean come on. I live in Orlando for goodness sakes, home to a major fishing demographic. How do we expect Bass Fishing to grow as a sport and become more mainstream, if it can't get mainstream media coverage!?? and we lose out to infomercials...infuriating... LAME, LAME, LAME. > > > WKMG you suck.... I am calling them right now to give them a piece of my mind.

That's why I would never spend more than $20 entering a local tourney where there are no observers or random matched coanglers...

I got these flipping hooks that come with these black plastic barb tubes. How do I get it to bend like the picture, and how do I install these things? Any help would be great... thanks!

Actually, i just checked the book and it says 3,500 towing weight. thanks for the different weights... The interesting thing about this pathfinder is that the tow weight for Standard transmission is 3500 but in automatic it is 5000.... hmmm... I am not a car guy, but found these specs: "All the '99 models come equipped with a 3.3 litre single-overhead-camshaft (SOHC), V6 engine which manages a respectable 168 hp at 4,800 rpm and produces 196 ft-lbs of torque at 2,800 rpm. Moreover, the Pathfinder's very flat torque curve (with more than 90% of the engine torque available between 1,500 - 1,800 rpm)" Kinda weak horsepower, no? Does this help at all in figuring out the tow capacity?

I am looking at getting a Nissan Pathfinder, and someday a boat... The Pathfinder book says it can tow 3,500 lbs. How much does a standard bass boat + trailer + gear + batteries + gas, etc. weigh? Think it can tow it?

Thanks man! Also, did you know that Navionics has an Iphone GPS application? It basically turns your Iphone into an indash navionics chart for like $5. Pretty cool...

Guess no one saw the "just kidding" part... hehee That being said, #1 and #2 Hack and Ike, both BASSers that cherry picked way into FLW Tour

Correct- nothing is lamer than watching FLW coverage, and seeing Billy Bob net the Pro's fish for him. Drives me crazy... LAND YOUR OWN FISH! And yes, the reach down and pull out is way more exciting, (that's what she said... ), than watching a net job. So on this issue, BASS wins. Actually, this year's coverage of FLW hasn't shown much coangler interaction with the pro's catch. Not sure if they changed the rules or not...

Thanks for the info- So do you think the Qualifier combo is a bit better than the extreme? What would the Pro Qualifier compare to if I were to go the name brand route like Shimano,Abu Garcia, Diawa, etc. ?

Hey all I got a couple of the Basspro extreme combos, and really feal like they are a great combo for the money. I am looking for another combo for Flippin/Pitchin, and would like to upgrade a bit, and see this "Basspro Pro Qualifier Combo" for $189.00. It looks like a good value/quality... What are your thoughts!??? I suppose for flippin/pitchin, I should be looking at a 7'2"+ heavy action rod? thanks for any insight you have on this product.

I was going to post this topic as well... I recently got a good sized fish, and we had a crap scale. Now I am wondering just how big my fish REALLY was...? I was so excited, I failed to think about documenting the thing more accurately. IF I ever catch another lunker, I am going to make sure I have a really good scale, and I am going to take measurements as well so I can get a replica made...

Or- you could opt for these accomodations right on the center berm... ;D ;D

You all catch the drama in the last tourney? Biffle is still pretty bent out of shape about it, and he will REALLY be moaning if he ends up just outside the top 12 (he is currently 13th I think). Drama on the high seas again... Here is a good article about it: http://www.another site/news_article.asp?id=3329

You are right Roadwarrior. Though everything went smoothly, there is always an inherent danger or risk, and I would not recommend our actions to anyone unless they are experienced and have a fully prepared float plan and contingency plan in place. (which we did) We were very cautious and prepared, and took the necessary precautions to make a go of it. The gator thing was concerned us a little going in, but my buddy who is an expert handler and runs Gatorland in Kissimmee assured us the gators posed no real threat, and I received a private message from a respected individual that gave us enough confidence to give it a go. Also, our cells had perfect reception out there. However, although it was a good adventure and memorable experience, it is one I won't be repeating without a more powerful boat. (need to start saving up $) It was just REALLY hard work, and at the end of the day, we weren't able to spend much of our time actually fishing. Too much paddling- not enough fishing....

Thanks- One was about 5-6 lbs. I think the big one was about 8-9 lbs. Though I wish I had a good scale, because I may have hit the 10 lb mark-but I'll never know. Next purchase will be a good scale, so I am never again left in the dark after catching a PIG like that...

So, with some mixed advice from the forum, I decided to take my trusty Indian River flatback Canoe onto Stickmarsh/Farm 13. I have never been there before, but my buddy moved to Sebastian, and has been itching to have an adventure, off we went. Forecasted winds were 6 mph SW, when we showed up to the ramp at 6:30 am, it was more like 15 mph. :-/ :-/ We puttered around the ramp/north end, and couldn't get anything going, so we made a break for it along the eastern canal edge, heading south. We thought we could find a cut in the berm that bisects Stickmarsh from Farm 13, right there along the eastern side, but no....it looked liked we had to go another 3 miles west to the 1 and only cut into Farm 13. :'( :'( Waves were about 1-2 foot chop at this point, and we were somewhat blocked from the heavy wind, so we figured- what the heck- we had gone this far might as well try to poke our nose into Farm 13... About 1/2 way down the berm we came across a good looking wood hut/shelter. There was an area where the berm sloped out and skinnied, so we checked around for gators, saw none, then just carried the canoe over the berm. This was no small feat, as the trolling motor, fiberglass canoe, battery, gear all weighed a ton. But we managed. Once we were able to get into Farm 13, we puttered around trying to find the main channels/ditches, to no avail. About 1/2 mile from the shelter I smelled something burning. :o Looked down and saw the alligator clip from the trolling motor melting the clip insulation at the terminal! :'( :'( I guess the rickity thing hadn't had to work that much before. Oh well- we had ores, and what the heck, we had come all this way- so- might as well start paddling... I learned I could run the trolling motor on medium for about 2 minutes until it got hot at the alligator clip. Then I would cut it, let it cool, and paddle. We did this the rest for the day and probably paddled for nearly 8 miles! By this time, we had been on the water for 4 hours, and made about 20 casts... :'( BUT ALAS, we saw something fishable, 1/2 way down the eastern berm was a mythical outflow structure. It was still over a mile away, but we had come ALL THIS WAY- no point in turning back then. TADA! :D The winds went slack, we made it to the area, and pulled up the canoe along the concrete reinforcement of the berm to take a breather. The control structure was closed, so there was no current flowing... :'( I casted out, and THUD! I landed this big girl. A little Later, I landed another big one! ONLY 2 BITES ALL DAY, BUT I MADE THEM COUNT! As we were anchored offshore casting into a dropoff, we saw a few gators 100-200 yards away. One gator was huge, and the folks on the forum weren't fibbing- the gator was near 15-18 ft. He really wasn't that interested in us, until I started throwing the Xcalibur 1knocker around... At this point the water was GLASS, and I am sure that he heard that 1 knocker, and was interested, because he immediately started heading our way to inspect. I switched to the worm, and he started swimming away. I switched back to the Rattler, and he turned right back around towards us. Well, I decided to put the lipless away at that point, because I think it was attracting the gators more than the bass.... Wind started picking up, and afternoon was upon us, so we headed for LOOOONGGGGG paddle home. - and eventually made it back to the ramp. Needless to say, we were never in danger, and felt totally safe with the water. (though our prep and research was a big factor) The Only problem was not having a motor, paddling for miles and miles, and spending only 1.5 hours of a 7 hour fishing day actually fishing. Thank GOD I actually had something to show for the effort. I sure won't be going out there again until I get a real boat and motor someday... or hire George Welcome for a guided tour... ;D

So, with some mixed advice from the forum, I decided to take my trusty Indian River flatback Canoe onto Stickmarsh/Farm 13. I have never been there before, but my buddy moved to Sebastian, and has been itching to have an adventure, off we went. Forecasted winds were 6 mph SW, when we showed up to the ramp at 6:30 am, it was more like 15 mph. :-/ :-/ We puttered around the ramp/north end, and couldn't get anything going, so we made a break for it along the eastern canal edge, heading south. We thought we could find a cut in the berm that bisects Stickmarsh from Farm 13, right there along the eastern side, but no....it looked liked we had to go another 3 miles west to the 1 and only cut into Farm 13. :'( :'( Waves were about 1-2 foot chop at this point, and we were somewhat blocked from the heavy wind, so we figured- what the heck- we had gone this far might as well try to poke our nose into Farm 13... About 1/2 way down the berm we came across a good looking wood hut/shelter. There was an area where the berm sloped out and skinnied, so we checked around for gators, saw none, then just carried the canoe over the berm. This was no small feat, as the trolling motor, fiberglass canoe, battery, gear all weighed a ton. But we managed. Once we were able to get into Farm 13, we puttered around trying to find the main channels/ditches, to no avail. About 1/2 mile from the shelter I smelled something burning. :o Looked down and saw the alligator clip from the trolling motor melting the clip insulation at the terminal! :'( :'( I guess the rickity thing hadn't had to work that much before. Oh well- we had ores, and what the heck, we had come all this way- so- might as well start paddling... I learned I could run the trolling motor on medium for about 2 minutes until it got hot at the alligator clip. Then I would cut it, let it cool, and paddle. We did this the rest for the day and probably paddled for nearly 8 miles! By this time, we had been on the water for 4 hours, and made about 20 casts... :'( BUT ALAS, we saw something fishable, 1/2 way down the eastern berm was a mythical outflow structure. It was still over a mile away, but we had come ALL THIS WAY- no point in turning back then. TADA! :D The winds went slack, we made it to the area, and pulled up the canoe along the concrete reinforcement of the berm to take a breather. The control structure was closed, so there was no current flowing... :'( I casted out, and THUD! I landed this big girl. A little Later, I landed another big one! ONLY 2 BITES ALL DAY, BUT I MADE THEM COUNT! As we were anchored offshore casting into a dropoff, we saw a few gators 100-200 yards away. One gator was huge, and the folks on the forum weren't fibbing- the gator was near 15-18 ft. He really wasn't that interested in us, until I started throwing the Xcalibur 1knocker around... :-/ At this point the water was GLASS, and I am sure that he heard that 1 knocker, and was interested, because he immediately started heading our way to inspect. I switched to the worm, and he started swimming away. I switched back to the Rattler, and he turned right back around towards us. Well, I decided to put the lipless away at that point, because I think it was attracting the gators more than the bass.... ;D Wind started picking up, and afternoon was upon us, so we headed for LOOOONGGGGG paddle home. - and eventually made it back to the ramp. Needless to say, we were never in danger, and felt totally safe with the water. (though our prep and research was a big factor) The Only problem was not having a motor, paddling for miles and miles, and spending only 1.5 hours of a 7 hour fishing day actually fishing. Thank GOD I actually had something to show for the effort. I sure won't be going out there again until I get a real boat and motor someday... or hire George Welcome for a guided tour... ;D

Hmm... My wife saw this post and now she is hesitant to letting me go. It does seem like the general consensus is that this body of water might be a little too gnarly for my rig- especially, in light of the fact that I have never been on this body of water before. Plus, it sounds like most of the good southern portion is just too far away for me to get to? Thanks for the insight.

I found a picture of the boat I got (but my boat doesn't have this motor) <here> Mine has a 30 lb thrust trolling motor- I guess it really isn't a Gheenoe. It is an "Indian River Flat Back Canoe". Anyways, it can move at a decent speed on speed 5- throws a small wake. I wish I could say how many MPH it clips, but I can't really tell.

I have been wanting to try out Stickmarsh/Farm 13, but only have a Indian River Geenoe with trolling motor. It is really stable, but I was wondering if it would be doable early in the morning before the winds picked up, and if I mainly stayed within a mile or two from the ramp on the Stickmarsh side. Is this a big boat only type of waterbody? Kind of hard to tell because it is kind of that in between size... Most importantly Would I have the range to hit any decent spots? What ya'll think?