texasbass1

I need to spend more time learning to fish off shore structure as well. But it is so much fun to catch them up shallow.

Sam, Creek channels are formed prior to the lake filling. Current will help keep them from silting, but it is erosion that causes the channels to form. You will be able to tell when you get over the channel, you will see the bottom drop off and then rise again on the other side. On old lakes you may not find much of a channel because of silt and time. Lowrance does have great tutorials for learning how to interpret you electronics. Good luck

It is a good store. Like BPS similar stuff, it is good to have the competation. They do carry RI products which BPS doesn't

I have never winterized my boat, I live in North Texas and use it all year. If you are planning on using it fairly regular this winter I wouldn't do anything except fuel stabilizer and make sure the water is out of the pumps and lower unit in case of a freeze.

It should serve you real well. My dad has a 14' V hull with a 45 lb TM and it moves him around real good. Good luck

Tournament angler.

I agree with Rebb, I fish for the challenge of the catch. By releasing the fish they are their for the next trip. I will not begrudge someone who want to catch and keep a legal limit to eat. But if I want fish, I'll catch cats, or stripers.

I have 3 more tournaments this year. I'm about even for entry fee's. But at a big loss if you include gas, etc. But I can pay my entry fees and keeps the CFO off my back.

It can be for a whole lot longer than a minute. Depends on your patience and the fish.

Kinda like bottom fishing, cast, take a nap then set the hook. Like RW said SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO boring.

I got mine about a year ago when they first came out at GPS city and paid less then they are charging now. www.gpscity.com you can get everything you need from them and they ship fast too.

Cook's tackle system works great for both bags and wire baits. For tackleboxes I bought a couple of those Keter tackleboxes (they hold 4 3700 size boxes in an open carry case) they work great. I got them at WalMart. Of course I have added about 4 more boxes since I started so I need some more.

Buy Trojan Marine batteries. They will run circles around neverstarts I mean Ever Starts.

okee, Check out www.tackleunderground.com

skyfish, Once you spend a little time on the Tackle Underground you will find a whole bunch of designers. They are a good bunch of guys and are willing to help and answer questions.

Raul, There is a real problem on the Texas/Mexico border lakes right now. The commerical fisherman are stringing nets across the coves on the US side and fishing there as well(it was reported a couple of times in BASS times as well as some of the Texas sporting mags). I guess whichever side they happen to be on is their side. Fortunately, the water has come up maybe it will ease the netting.

Bass Killer, I never heard of a Commerical Bass Fishermen. I know here in Texas there have been some individuals prosecuted for selling game fish to resturants. Maybe there are commerical bass fishermen out there but I haven't hear or seen any here. Except the Mexicans on Amisted and Falcon.

Blanked, Welcome to the Greatest state in the USA. For a lot of our lakes 2 ft is normal visibility. The darker colors with a hint of chart usually work good here. I use Junebug, green pumpkin and watermelon quite a bit. In clearer water I will use those colors and throw in Electic Grape another color that is used down here a lot is Red Shad. If you want clear water you need to go over to Amistad. Great lake but you will find we have a lot of great lakes here.

5 Crankbaits: Med depth in Tenn Shad, Firetiger, Parrot, Brown Craw, and Perch 2 Spinnerbaits: White/Chart Gold/silver tandem and Blue/white/chart Gold tandem 2 jerkbaits: gold and org and silver blue 1 bag Junebug worms 4"

I've been to 4 or 5 and each time I go I either pick up something new or renew past knowledge. I would recommemd them. I am interested in the new format with the different skill levels. I will be attending the one in Dallas in Feb.

I've used finger nail polish for years to enhance or even repaint baits. It dries quick and is easier to carry than model paint. You would really have to apply a real heavy coat to alter the action of a bait. Not saying you couldn't but it would take a bunch. At least I haven't noticed any change in the action by painting them

Modogman, As you can see there are as many options as anglers. I use balsa baits because I have found they work better around wood cover. The bill isn't as important to me as the bait material. The slower rise of the balsa bait let's me work it through the cover without it rising to fast when I pause it. Good luck, work it slow and pay attention as to hitting a limb or getting bit.

I usually cut the line as close to the hook as I can. The hook will rust out before the fish dies, unless you try to dig the hook out and injure them. I have actually caught fish with the hook still in them. It is much less traumatic to leave it in than try and perform surgery to get it out.

Either what Muddpuppy said or your transducer may be working loose, if it isn't in direct contact with the bottom of the boat it won't read correctly.

Eagle/Lowrance is the way to go. BTW, I've owned their products for almost 20 yrs and have only had to use customer service twice and both times I didn't have any problems. The point I'm trying to make is with their products you probably won't need to worry about the customer service dept.