J._Bricker

LBH- One other method to use regarding the challenge. I would suggest sending a letter on Bass Resource letter head (Glenn do we have any?), with a C.A.S.T. pamphlet explaining further the intentions of your challenge and what our group is about. Maybe include copies of your E-mail challenge and letters, as they may have been accidently deleted. Send the letter registered mail to Charlie, ESPN, and Clay Dyer, that way you know which someone got the information. Charlie is a celebrity, and as such a lot of demands are placed on his time. If you really want this thing to fly, you have to show him it is worthy of his time (we already know it would be). In my opinion, a certain amount of class not crass, will go along way in see your challenge happen. Good luck on this, and your pending victory over that guy from Boston - JB Oh and LBH- what the heck is a quahog?

Illini Bass- Check out Basshunter2K5's post on page 3, for more info on your question (I think there was 85 posts). As for your rig, the tow vehicles you mentioned should have no problem at all. JB

Delaware- Must be nice to be able go anywhere and fish for anything. Nice rig.

<------ Here she is, on 03/13/05, about 1100hrs, hooked her on a brush hogg. First bite of the day fishing with my 74 year old dad. Nothing like sharing the moment with the person who taught me how to fish , and winning the side wager for 1st fish and the biggest fish of the day ;D.

1) Take my daughters out fishing ( kids grow up too fast). 2) Probably throw the swim bait, get some confidence with it. 3) Solicit help for the planning, design, and building of a BAIT MONKEY CAGE from everyone here!

Mudcat Will- If you're anywhere up in my neck of the woods on this New Year's day, might as well sleep in alittle. With all the rain, things are alittle unsettled. Everyone has given very valid advice regarding these conditions. And some where on the body of water you're fishing is going to be clearer water, you just have to find it. Just a couple of questions, what was the water temp. and did you mark any fish? Just a guess, is 46-48 degrees close? Got to remember the bass are going to be lethargic this time of year. Don't dispare my brother, I'm waiting for February on the delta myself. But in the meantime, join your dad on San Pablo or Suisun Bay. And as you wait for that sturgeon pump or striper run, read about bass fishing and bounce ideas off your dad. And when you get home, check out all the information posted here. Hey, the days you don't get bit makes you appreciate the days you do! FYI- check out the article by Bill Simantel at http://www.westernbass.com/, it may help answer some of your questions as well. JB

Spring- pitching a T-rigged sweet beaver or brush hogg Summer- pitching a Senko Fall- Lucky Craft LV-500, split shotin' a super fluke. Personal Best- in the Spring on a brush hogg Best day- 50 bass, 48 large mouth (largest 8lbs), and 2 stripers (largest 14lbs), ALL on the LV-500. Nice fish Croatia

Abelfisher- the article on the hawg that woman caught, it wasn't on a jerkbait. It orginally was reported on a 7" Storm swimbait, you guessed it, rainbow trout pattern. Good luck to you and your son, I'm sure that fish is a little bit heavier now, and with it college tuition will not be a worry.

Sweet rig Bixbybass. And the Opti 225- I don't know about yours, mine is good on gas, but loves to drink that Merc Optimax 2-stroke oil. But hey, that grimace on your face when buying the stuff quickly turns into a when you drop the hammer. Good fishin' to you from a Ranger owner. JB

Nice ride JT

I'm a native Californian and proud of it. There are 38 million residents who seem to agree with me, and I'm glad they aren't all fishing at the same time. Panamoka- In February, the only fishing on Tahoe is for Lake Trout (Mackinaw) from charter boats. In summer, I've seen photos of 6 lb. largemouth bass from the Tahoe Keys areas. Besides, the skiing at Heavenly, Squaw, Alpine, Northstar will be too good to miss, and it won't be the same as Vermont. As for stereotypes, every place in this great land has a stereotype of that region which isn't indicative of residents who live there. Like LBH said, it's what YOU make it, so who really cares? One last thought, maybe the folks overseas will be able to once again enjoy a good fish pulling their string in the new year. JB

Depending on where you live and what you may have to share the water with, I suggest looking at a float tube or one of the inflatable cat types which you might be able to attach a trolling motor. Relatively inexpensive, easy to transport and launched anywhere, a float tube was my first "boat". Until you are able to get what you reallty want, at least you'll be on the water. And IMO, you'll become a better fisherman because you'll have to fish the fish that are there and not blast off to the next honey hole. As for renting a boat, the only way you can do this is at a public lake at $50 for 4 hours. Anyway, good luck in college and fishing. Who knows, maybe there will be a bass club on campus and the problem will be solve. JB

On a hot day you won't mind going swimming to put in the plug. My boat is like Glenn's, it is a pain with the location even with the boat on the trailer. And the one time I forgot to put in the plug because I was in a hurry to hit the water (go figure), I was reminded with in 5 minutes when the blige pump kicked on. Best way, put in the plug when your hooking up your transom saver

SCarter- Looks like a nice boat, at a reasonable price. (And this is from a Ranger owner) Because all that matters is that you have to feel good driving it, towing it, fishing from it, and PAYING FOR IT. But I would ask about the trolling motor, 76lbs of thrust or better.

From my family, Merry Christmas to all, may you and yours have a prosperous New Year. And may the first bass to pull your string in the new year be a personal best! JB

In retrospect, here is more sound advice- Better to use what's between your ears than what is on your hip.

RW is a wise man. The whole idea of a boat is to keep the water out, and shooting at something inside a boat isn't going to that.

Glenn, I appreciate all your hard work! I'm sure, and rightly so, that you are proud of the results. ;D. This is definitely the place to be- Thanks again

Thanks MikeMartinFan, she is a certificate boat (tournament prize) which I upgraded from a 519VX and 175hp Optimax.

Swampfish- In California, you would petition the DMV for a copy of the title or change of title. If they run the VIN they should be able to tell if it has been reported stolen, previous owner, ect. By the way, am I mistaken that military personel don't have to register their vehicles in the state where they reside unless they wish to or discharge from the service? And thank you for your service. JB

Brad- Sorry to hear about the theft of your prop. To answer a few of your questions: 1) The Evinrude dealer should be able to answer this regarding your 150 HP motor. 2) Stainless without a doubt. 3) People in this world don't SUCK- just tweekers and knuckle heads like the ones that stole your prop. 4) flechero and Glenn have good answers 5) Because THEY feel THEY are entitled to your property, you are just temporarily holding (using) it. 6) Anywhere from $100 for the insurance deductable to $500 for a brand new stainless prop. 7) See reason #5 By the way Brad, congradulations on your new boat, this is just a minor setback. Like LBH said, theirs is coming..... Tight lines when you get back on the water, JB

TC1- never would tow my boat without a transom saver, and my boat came from the dealership with one. The sales rep showed me how to secure the motor on the saver, which included an explanation on how to save the lower units' paint. Another thing, how many boats you see being towed without that $30 insurance policy? And a Happy Turkey Day to you and yours. JB

Here's my baby- a 2004 Ranger 520VX with a 225hp Mercury Optimax glistening in the California sun 8). And I owe this post to my daughter Lauren, without her help this post would not have been possible.

CBedo- My understanding is the XS model produces a little more horsepower at the prop than the standard Optimax model of the same displacement. I've got over 60 hours on my Optimax 225, and have not complaints, but it does like to drink that special blend of 2 stroke oil. Alot of the blown powerheads maybe caused by how the motor was broken in. But the 100 hour maintenance, $700-750 was a surprise. I like my Merc, and yes I did baby it for the first 10 hours just like the manual said. I think you'll be happy if you get one hooked up to your rig. Just my .02