MichBassMan

Listen to the motor running, then look for leaks. It's a good deal if everything passes inspection.

Put tape where you are going to drill and then drill thru the tape. It will reduce scratches and chipping of the fiberglass. Chamfer or bevel the holes a little bit after drilling also to avoid cracks from developing. It isn't hard, just take your time. Good Luck.

Ben there, done that. Using the brakes as your backing the trailer in heats your bulbs.The water hits them and many times they are a goner. Unplug them before you launch. Re-plug them in when boat is back on the trailer, everything is tied down and your ready to take off. Good luck

Sorry, never heard of that brand.

What types of extend type tackle retrievers do you all use and what do you like or dislike about them ? I want one of the "pole" type, but want one that's lite,user friendly,and durable. Thank you all who take time to respond. Good Fishn'

BEWARE, just a quick informative note here. When matching up wheel bearing seals at an automotive store; be sure they know the difference in regular trailer seals and a boat trailer seal. Boat trailers require a "double lip" seal to keep water out as well as grease in. Just because they fit the axel and the hub does not mean it the correct seal. The wrong seal will cause premature,and unexpected bearing failures.

In water 3' or less I will sometimes drop down to a 2/0 hook and rig them weightless but from the side instead of upright. They move different and stay in the "zone" longer. Try it. Good Fishn'

Thanks for your reply Wayne, I actually had tried most of your recommendations prior to posting my questions. What I was really hoping for was someones personal experiences with the navionics chips, and perhaps someone might have known of a sales special somewhere. thanks and good fishin'

I fished with a few Premiers and really liked them. I bought an Avid and loved it. A huge step up from a Premier to an Avid. I now have three Avids. The Avids are lighter, more sensitive, and just "feel" better. You won't be dissapointed.

I'm looking to buy a new background maps for my I Finder H2oC hand held GPS. It's probley going to be a navionics premium chip. Does anyone have input on this mapping? And where might I find the best deal on line? My nearest retail outlet handling them is Gander Mtn and I'm boycotting them. Thank you all for your suggestions. Good Fishn'

I use 5/0 Gamakatsu Offset Round Bend Worm Hooks: http://www.***.com/Gamakatsu_Offset_Round_Bend_Worm_Hooks_Black/desc... +1^ +2^

Yes, it says 12V on it. Thats all they had at Gander Mtn. The clerk didn't know, he didn't know a split shot from a buck shot.

:-/ Can anyone tell me if a 12volt circuit breaker will work alright on a 24 volt trolling motor system ? Thank you

Mepps Spinners

Bass Pro changes who manufactures there reels every few years. It's been my experience that even though the BPS pro qualifier spinning reels are usually pretty good, eventually anything with moving parts needs some service. After a couple years it's TOUGH to get them worked on and replacement parts MAY be difficult to get. This has only been MY personal experiences with them. I don't buy them anymore. Hope this helps you decide. Good fishn.

Just one more question. Does anyone know where they measure to determine the units lenght ? 45", 50" etc. Is this from the prop to the top, from under the top where the shaft starts to bottom of the motor?

My old Motorguide 56 lb. thrust bow mount is getting tired. She's been a pretty good ole gal, but at 15 yrs old it's time for an upgrade. I'm looking at a motorguide tour digital, or a MinnKota Maxxim in about 70 or 80 lbs thrust. So my question to you fellow Bass guys is what are your opinions on these two bow mounts ? Cable, foot control steering is a MUST. And no more 5 speeds, must be variable speed control. Thanks for all your input

I'm tired of my face freezing and my glasses fogging when running with my boat in the spring and fall. What do you all use for face protection when running fast or in poor weather conditions? When recreational fishing I can just go slow, but in tournaments it's tough. Thanks for all your input.

Fun fishing, they go back how I found them. In a tournament they go in the livewell the way they came in.

Cotton Candy and Bubble Gum are two very different colors. Both work well in clear water. In my (humble) opinion and based on my own experiances, Cotton Candy is more often the better choice and is actually one of my "go to" colors in clear water with bright conditions.

At one time BPS was my go-to place to buy online. Now they are my "last resort".

I live in the enconomic arm pit of our country (michigans upper peninsula). But the hunting and fishing makes it well worth it. Probley 30 decent lakes and 5 good river systems from 2-60 miles from home.

Folks, The EPA extended the deadline to comment on the petition from Growth Energy to increase ethanol above 10%. However, that deadline is drawing near. July 20th is the last day to submit comments. Essentially, the ethanol industry is trying to do an end-around and increase production of ethanol without the normal, rigorous testing on engines, human health and the environment. They've been successful because they hide behind the "green" image that ethanol portrays. Below is Chris Horton's blog that he wrote in May explaining the situation and giving the info necessary to submit comments. If you haven't already commented, please do so. I will be submitting comments from BASS as well. Thanks, Tim Ethanol Debacle: From Bad to Worse In a day when "Climate Change" has become a standard household phrase, the race to reduce our "carbon footprint" has earnestly begun. Couple that with our urgent drive to decrease America's dependence on foreign oil and we're left with one of the largest boondoggles in U.S. history corn ethanol. How many of you would deposit $100 in a bank knowing that you're only going to get $71 back when you withdraw it later? Despite the fact that several studies have concluded we use more energy to make a gallon of ethanol than we actually get in the end, the ethanol industry is doing a fabulous job of marketing corn ethanol as a green energy solution. Ethanol is far from being a good source of "green" energy, but I encourage you to do the research and see for yourself. Now the ethanol industry is lobbying the EPA to mandate an increase in ethanol additives to our gasoline. Currently gasoline can contain up to 10 percent ethanol. They want to push that to 15 percent. The proposed rule change has been published in the Federal Register, and we have until May 21 to submit comments. Why should you be concerned with the 5 percent increase? If you own an outboard engine, especially an older model two stroke, this bad situation could be much worse for you. There has been no testing or research on the impacts of higher ethanol concentrations on marine engines. Many older outboards are already having problems with 10 percent ethanol, and the newer outboards are rated for 10 percent, but no more. One thing is for sure; we definitely need to do the research and look at the data on what this increase will do beforehand, rather than assess the carnage after the fact. If ethanol was truly a good solution and helped the environment, that would be one thing. But I have a serious problem with a special interest group trying to sell us a lie, especially if it costs me thousands of dollars to fix or replace my outboard ... and for what? The EPA needs to hear from us. Submit your written comments one of three ways: online (www.regulations.gov; follow the online instructions), e-mail (a-and-r-docket@epa.gov) or fax (202-566-1741). In the subject line, be sure to put: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0211

I'm assuming by "straight shank" you mean a round bend offset worm hook as opposed to a extra wide gap offset worm hook. I use the straight shank on t-rig and weightless worms and french frys. I use wide gap on just about everything else.

No bad "ju ju" here. I reuse them if possible. I keep a tupperware container in the boat, all used soft baits go in there. Unless I'm fishing a tournament I always start from the used box untill I find whats working that day. Periodically at home I'll go thru the used box and discard any used baits that are no longer usable or patchable. This avoids rusty hooks from baits left on. It avoids waste. It avoids a mess in the boat, and it avoids non-biodegradable soft plastics being tossed in the lake by guests or partners in the boat. Sometimes used baits have GOOD "ju ju"