SnowBass23

Thanks for all the replies! I have tried to power it on, but even when I really push the throttle forward I don't feel like I'm really making nay kind of headway to get it loaded, whether that means it is too shallow or too deep I don't know. The first time I loaded it it was definately too deep, as it would start to float one way or the other with the current, and would not be straight (even after it was winched tight against the rubber post) when pulled out of the water. I am 245 lbs. myself, so the note about the middle seat is interesting. It does seem that ever time I initially trailer it (before I get wet to straighten it) that the rear of the boat is sitting to the left. I'm gonna play with it some more and try it both deeper and shallower and see the difference it makes. I went to BPS today in Destin and due to frustration over a different issue I forgot all about the dang side boards! (I bought the boat in Prattville, and those folks have been a big help, before and after the purchase. The Destin store has never been a great experience for me : ) For those with the side boards, when you install them are they sturdy enough to guide the boat where you need it? My concern is that if the boards don't fit snug against the boat then their only use will be showing me where the trailer is when submerged, but as soon as I pull into place, if the water is too high, then boat will still shift to the side before I pull the trailer forward. Thanks again.

I would agree and just recommend getting a small bilge pump. If there is too little water for the pump to pick up you can always use a tube to syphon it out (like an aquarium) or just use a dry cloth, soak it up, wring it out, soak it up again. That works pretty well. A little tip I learned from a buddy (everyone else may already know it, but as I'm new to boats it impressed me): with bigger bass rigs, when you have water sitting in the bottom of the boat near the drain hole, but not enough to get sucked out by the bilge, use a hand towel. Take one end of the towel and poke it through the drain hole (from the outside) so that the majority of the towel is hanging beneath the boat and the portion inside the boat is in the puddle of water. The towel will soak all the water out of the boat, and gravity pulls the water through and down the towel under the boat. I tried it thinking it would never work and it was only a mouthful of water anyway. I cam back 20 minutes later to see a big puddle under the boat and no more inside!

Hi all. I am having problems getting my boat (a Tracker 175) centered just right on the trailer. I have figured out what seems to be the optimum depth to have the trailer submerged to (with about 1/3 of the bunks submerged). I then motor up onto the trailer as far as possible (without gunning the engine) then hop out on the tongue and winch it up. The problem is when I get it winched up the back end is often an inch or two one way or the other. The issue with this is that the ridges on the bottom of the boat (I can't remember what they are called) are matched up to the trailer in such a way, that 1 inch either direction and the boat is resting on the ridges, on top of the bunk. This also knocks the transom saver out of alignment. If I have the trailer deeper then the boat wants to drift too much and the problem is even worse. Keeping less ofthe bunks in the water might make it a bit better (will have to experiment next time out). As it is, after I winch the boat up, I have my wife back the trailer up just far enough for the weight to come off the back end. Then I push it over so it lines up, or I hold it in place as she slowly pulls forward. This works, but I'm sure you all know a better way! Also, when winter water temps get cold me getting wet up to the waist is not a good idea. I've been looking into getting side boards (the kinds that are supposed to guide the boat on straight) but don't want to shell out more money if I don't have to. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Yeah, it was interesting but certainly not worth calling home over. I agree it felt WCWish and I got the feeling that CBS was trying to get an edge in the market with the UFC, just so they can get mone yfrom advertisers. Also, when Lawler was fighting (I think) there was one iffy moment when they were on the ground, suddenly the camera switched to a wide shot of the arena, then went back to the guys against the fence. It might just have been crappy choices by whatever producer/director was picking the camera feeds but it felt fishy. Also, the way the cameras could never get a good angle around the refs (so the action was blocked at times) sucked. I guess that is just part of the learning curve though. I'd watch it again, with skepticism. I vote for anyone kicking the crap out of that goody-two-shoes whiney Matt Hughes.

Micro...I don't know you personally, but if we ever meet face to face I'll have to punch you in the mouth. Seriously..I might have nightmares for the rest of my life... I'd lol but I'm too scared.

Good luck Dave, I'm just up the road a bit from you. We launched from that particular launch several weeks back in kayaks and fished. That particular day we didn't have any real luck, but we saw a ton of snakes on pilings, docks, and over-hanging limbs so watch out. Normally the wife and I do really well on spinnerbaits and big cranks when we get around the hybrids. (and usually get LMB on the same things). As a specific spot, just north of the Columbia boat ramp where 52 crosses the river, that bridge is a good spot. On the north side of the bridge, one of the center pilings, in about 30 feet of water I came across a big school of fish. They lit up the fish finder and we pulled a bunch of hybrids there.

I don't know but you gave me chills! I wish you got a pic....next time I go evening/night fishing I'm keeping my toes in the boat! I don't know off hand, I never imagined eels would feed in that way, and I would think it more likely that it's just some organism that feeds that way, like those things that follow sharks... Of course I don't know a thing and I'm guessing pretty hard! Thanks for scaring the crap out of me!

After you powered it back up, if you had the green lights like normal, try to run it and see what happens. I would guess you are ok. As much as we all like to complain about 360s being so picky and tempermental, they can probably withstand a little bit more (not much! but a bit) than we give them credit for. My machine has had the typical problems of freezing up with certain games. Electricity is never good, but it sounds like you should be ok. I had a problem recently where everytime I sat on my couch I would generate a lot of static. Once I sat the controller on the coffe table while it was loading, when the loading was done I reached for the controller. It is a corded controller, and when I touched the plastic curved portion that fits in your hand I got the shock of a life time, saw a huge white spark, and the screen flashed white, and then faded back into the normal color. Scared me to death! I can't even imagine how the plastic held the charge. So now I don't sit the controller down if I am in static-inducing clothes!

I want to look into the heavier rods like you all have mentioned. As a temp fix when we went out to fish sunset tonight I did my soft plastics on another rod I have, a 6'6" one piece deal with a baitcasting reel. i don't know if it is specefically a heavy rod but there is very little flex in it. Very stout. Anyway, I still kind of skin hooked my senko, stopping right before the point comes out the back. I still had several bites that didn't get set, but again that could just be picky fish. The most important thing tonight though is for my wife. She has done very well using spinnerbaits and likes them for the simplicity. Since I'm no KVD I have no idea how to consistently catch fish on a spinner and just manage to occasionally get the ambush bass on it. The 2nd time we had the boat out she caught a 6 1/2 lb. So she is ahead of me in size : . Anyway, after throwing a spinner all night last night without a nibble, I convinced her to try an icky worm (the same style of senko as me). After a while of kinda-sorta lift-drop-reel and a steady reeling action she nailed a small one. After that the bite was on and she had several get half way to the boat and then get off. So it was nice seeing her get into something a little different and being able to get many many more bites. Thanks again for all the help!

Thanks for the input everybody. I almost always use EWG hooks in either 4/0 or 5/0 sizes. I have tried a couple of other styles occasionally. When I do leave the point in the bait, I push it through to the point (no pun intended) that I can just barely rub my finger over the outside without the barb catching. I'll check into what you guys all mentioned. Thanks again.

Hi all. I'm having a problem that I'm sure you all could help me with. I have always done pretty well with soft plastics. However, I have had an issue that tonight just brought itself to a head. I was fishing a straight senko (actually a tiki worm I think) with a tex-posed hook and 1/8 sinker. I caught 2 LMB, one being a dink, the other was a couple lbs. But, I had probably a dozen bites. I'm sure several of the bites may have come from bream or too-small bass because of the super rapid tap-tap-tap. Anyway, I'd feel the tap tap and try to reel/yank back to set the hoo kand I'd come up with a balled up worm. The line is some cajun line I got from a friend, on a mismatched baitcasting reel (I also got from a friend) matched on a super cheap zebco rod, that I think I bought as a Zebco 33 for $12 new at wally. The rod is maybe 6 feet at most, and bends pretty easily. I have always had this problem with plastics, which is why I always tex-pose when my friends rig straight up texas style and catch many more. I have a severe paranoia that I won't get the point through the plastic. So, any thoughts where I'm going wrong? I still catch a LOT (considering my "issues" : ) but if there is more I can do then I want your feedback! I've also heard guys talking a lot about using specific worm rods. Is that just BPS trying to sell me more junk, or is there a legitimate reason to use a "worm rod" and if so what is it and why? Thanks again folks!

Skillet summed it up! Welcome! This is certainly the right place to get info. It is hard to pinpoint what may/may not have been working against you but it sounds like you did pretty well in spite of yourself. Spend time reading and repeating what works. And it soudns like you've got your tackle box squared away. At least until you go to the tackle shop..... 8-)

I have to admit to not having a ton of experience on rivers as big as the TN is so take my lack of any real 'know-how' with a grain of salt! In my experience on any stream or river I have always done MUCH better by pulling my bait with the current. For the most part your target is going to spend 95% of his time looking upstream because that is the way a fish stays suspended, by swimming into the current, rather than backing into it! I feel your pain in trying to get the bait down deep. I generally do just like you said, and whenever possible I like to work structure/cover that is close to shore. Generally, anytime there is something to break the current, then it will be a great spot to at least aim at. Remember those fish will be right on the downstream side facing up, and just ready to slam into your unsuspecting bait as it moves past. Because of my own inexperience I try to keep lighter lures like plastics in the slower moving areas. When it is areas with heavy current then I try crankbaits or spinnerbaits. Spinnerbaits seem to be my go to bait for fast water; they are heavy enough to chuck out there, and because of the weight I can keep constant pressure on them even with current (usually!) . Good luck, and hopefully this'll give you a couple ideas.

From one NCO to another, welcome back from down range. I'm a complete begginer myself with cranks. One thing I've learned is what LooksLikeSinbad said... they won't hang up quite as much as you expect. Don't be afraid to chuck 'em into wood and everything else out there. That being said, be prepared to lose a few, and the chock it up to the learning process. As far as colors, one thing I read recently in a bassmasters book that has helped me out: because of the many different lip sizes and colors, pick a couple of basic colors, with several different lip sizes. What I did was pick two opposite colors, Citruse (kinda pale blue sides, chartreuse belly) and a dark red/black color. Then I got one of each of these colors in the super shallow square bill, and then one each in the bigger sizes. Now instead of worrying about both color and depth, I can worry less about color and focus more on depth and technique. This has allowed me to start catching some, and then go on to focus more on specific colors and patterns. Good luck and welcome back.

Hi guys. How do you use search baits to fish more effectively? Correct me if I'm wrong....I've noticed from articles on the topic and such that most search baits are lures that can typically be worked relatively quickly (i.e. cover a lot of water). So, do you use a favorite search bait just to cover some water, then when you get strikes do you key in on the type of structure, type of hit, etc? I'm just curious. It seems I have a really bad habit of throwing my one confidence bait (plastic worms/tubes) and just randomly throwing other things in hopes of the random bite. It didn't bother me so much before, but now I feel guilty when my wife is out sweating in the boat with me (so to speak! ) and we're just trolling along throwing to the same structure over and over. Thanks in advance!

As far as the best time to go? Anytime you can! I'm a firm believer that anytime you can get out, it is a good time to be out. You just have to be prepared to change your tactics. In a lot of areas the wind picks up in the afternoon. So you might be able to do a lot of finesse in the morning or evening, but in the windy part of the day you might have to change to a spinnerbait or something that doesn't get pushed around. Just be prepared to change your tactics and know that different times/conditions call for different weapons! 8-) Besides, that is what keeps us learning. Personally, I am ALWAYS a fan of soft plastics. For me, and my personal lack of talent > , if I can't catch them on plastics, then I believe NOBODY can catch any,....PERIOD. So when I don't have luck with anything fancy or popular, I go back to my tried and true love...a zoom finesse worm in watermelon or pumpkin seed fished nice and slow. As for the kid catching 'em on live bait,..that's hard to say. In my experience, with bass I've never been outfished by live baits. If there were bass to catch then we can get them on artificials just as quick (or better) than live baits. Other species is a different story entirely. Oh, as far as colors...I've read around here dark colors are good to use in dark conditions. My general rule is to try and avoid fisherman catching colors and stick to basic colors. Either the aforementioned pumpkinseed/watermelon (dark green and light brown), or dark blue/black or white/chartreuse. Other than that I occasionally try a color that is really contrasting, like red/white, but I tend to stick to the basic dull natural colors. Good luck!

Cool video, but it only supports my stance that snakes need to die! Heck, I rarely keep a bass so I'd get him on not following the slot limit. Quick, somebody grab a blow-gun! Cool video. Now to get rid of these chills....

Haha Baboosic (spelling!?). The warm response you've received here would make it seem that you just kicked a crippled boys dog! Banjo minnows, IMO are just the same as any other opinion-based issue (religion, conservative vs. liberal, ford vs. chevy). Here we have an overwhelming majority (and in the many many many many other posts of the same topic ) that thinks they are such a colossal waste of money that you should be punched in the face for even bringing it up. (joking ;D ) In my experience they are not "bad" baits. In the same way that most baits are designed to catch fisherman and not actual fish. I've used them over the years and have had varried levels of success. My first big (big to me!) bass was caught on a banjo minnow. You can have some success with them, but whether they are worth the extra cost compared to something similar is a tough sell. Since I bought mine when they first came out and then learning to properly use flukes and other jerk baits, I agree that there are many baits with a similar action for a lot cheaper. In the end though, I have found precious few that have that identical, 'dead-minnow' flutter like a banjo minnow. Do they catch them like the commercial? Heck no! That's just advertising, much the same way that many pro's film their shows over the course of a day (or several) to make it look like the fish are practically jumping in the boat. Oh well. They aren't BAD products, but there are many other options that are cheaper overall and will probably fish just as well. Now, talk about bad products....how about that dang rocket pole Roland Martin hawks, the remote controlled boat they show catching bream, or the mother of all 'snake-oil' fishing products, the Instant Fisherman. Just my humble opinion anyway!

Welcome! I have always loved any kind of texas rigged soft plastic. They usually work great in heavy weeds and are big producers of fish for most people. As far as the weed goes, an important tip to remember, is you want to get your bait into the thick places, as that is where the fish are. Trust me, I can feel your pain when you lose a brand new crankbait, but to catch 'em, you have to go where they are. Also, ask around and see what others are using. When people know you are new, they usually want to help you out.

You made a great decision by coming here looking for info! As others have said, more info helps us identify what might help you, or even other people in the same situation. Personally, I agree with Brian. Typically, bass get much more active during the summer time due to the warmer water temps. Usually, in the early morning and in the evening they will tear up after faster moving lures. These times you will often hear and see them just ripping up the surface. As the day progresses however, they start to get lazy and hide. They will either move into deeper, cooler water, or else they will seek shade. Depending on the time of day you fish, you can use lures like spinnerbaits and cranks around docks and other cover to entice the fish out. Also, since I am close to FL myself, in the hottest parts of the summer I fish just before daylight and for a few hours, and just before sunset and a while after. In my experience I am able to do best during those times in the warm weather. Good luck and ask away!

Haha..MMMMM....Butter! Anyway, what I meant was we spent so much time getting to hate Kavanaugh and just waiting on Vic to whoop some tail, and then in the end he just kinda threw in the towel. I was left standing there, feeling like I was cheated out of the beat down they had been leading us two for a year and a half.

I have noticed that in the past on different AL waters. It wasn't nearly as bad as you've described though. We usually find a couple of spots spread out over several different fish. This past weekend, on a very small local flow (the deepest spots where maybe 3 feet deep) I caught 10 LMB. All were in the smaller range and I kept 2 that were about 10 inches each to eat. They looked gorgeous and flawless from the outside. When I got home and began cleaning them they were both completely infested with roundworms. Not just in the organ cavity, but balled up throughout the meat. I've never seen that before and needless to say, my appetite left in a hurry. I'm sure the worms I found are probably pretty common, but that was my first encounter with them. Keep us posted if you see anything more.

The only time I've used a net so far is for catfish. However, I probably will add one to the boat soon. One thing I do, if the bait is a crankbait, or something else that has several hooks (like trebles) is I reel the fish up to me, until there is just enough line to hold the rod handle in my armpit, pull the line tight with my non-dominant hand, and lip the fish with my primary hand (I'm right handed). If he is hooked with a treble hook it usually means there are some free hooks swinging around, AND he is hooked in a way I usually can't lip him. So I grab the hook that is firmly imbedded(whiche ever hook is actually holding him) with my needlenose pliers and then I can usually lip the fish with my other hand without worrying about the hooks suddenly moving in a shake. Like others have said, as soon as you have a bass by the lip he will be immobilized. You'll learn quickly to time your grabs as well. When he's still being held by line (even still partially in the water) they'll shake, then pause. That pause is when you want to grab them. They will rough up your thumb from the teeth sometimes (especially in the early part of the year) but it usually doesn't hurt.

BassnBlvd, 15 years from now when the shrink is asking what happened to your son, you can easily identify this as the day it all went wrong. On a positive note I am SO LUCKY my parents didn't have something like this game when I was a kid. I have enough issues as it is! ;D

In the situation I was referring to (my buddy that runs his boat FAST) there was no reason to run fast like that. Even on days when there is no wind my buddy would still run the boat way too fast, and we were both using soft plastics. But, it is easier to pitch and flip to targets quickly when you are running the boat. With that being said, now that I own a boat I am able to see how difficult it is to constantly put the back-boater into good (or at least equal) casting positions. I did not have that kind of objectivity prior to operating my own boat.