shortbasser

Guess I am in the lucky crowd too. I put an Interstate 24M-XHD in my 200 HPDI two years ago this spring and no problems since. It's 800 CCA and 1000 MCA. Shortbasser

Change the plugs and check/change the lower unit oil annually in the spring. Also check the compression. I wouldn't change my plugs in the fall and then winterize it and add all the fogging oil to new plugs. I also change the element in the water/fuel separator at least on an annual basis. Rotten ethanol. Since my Yammie is 4 years old the entire water pump gets changed/rebuilt this year too. Like they say....."an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure every time". Shortbasser

I have been wearing prescription polarized glasses for years. All of them purchased from an optical shop. When you buy regular glasses they usually will give you a break on the sunglasses. You must purchase polarized lenses and then they do the tint to whatever shade you want. Most optical shops have sport type frames that you can buy and then they will cut the lenses to fit. I have bought the majority of my glasses at a Pearle Vision Center. They might be a bit expensive but the quality is great. On top of that if I need an adjustment they will do it no questions asked. Shortbasser

Spooled up last year with some of the new Spiderwire Ultracast 100% fluro and it is without a boubt the best I have used. Smaller diameter and less memory than any of them. In the past I have used BPS, Stren, Triplefish, P-Line, and Gamma. It's about as expensive as any of them and comes in 200 yd spools. I don't waste it. Use a cheap backing and that sure saves the $$. They are running a $6.00 rebate per box until 9/04/09 with 2 offers per person. Shortbasser

I have 8 STX reels and no problems. Spooled with 12 and 14 lb. Sufix and one with 17 lb. Fluorocarbon. I have gone as light as 3/16 oz. and as heavy as 5/8 oz. and get good distance on the cast. As was mentioned the drag is great. I've caught some "good" fish including fresh water stripers with no problems. Abu Garcia customer service is outstanding. In case you haven't guessed.........I love my Revo's. Shortbasser

Here ya go. State website for all of the parks and info. You will find all the rates/phone numbers here. http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/index.shtml I am pretty sure the phone nr. for reservations is on there some place but if you can't find it here it is: 1-800-933-park As far as weather in April down that way it can be very unpredictable. I have seen snow some years and then the next it is so hot your in shorts and sweating big time. Water levels can be crazy too. One year I couldn't go in April due to high water and all ramps were flooded and campgrounds full of water. That was some time ago but it did happen. A lot depends on how much snow they get in the mountains and the spring thaw. They have to be careful with the flood gates at the dam flowing into Gaston since they have regulated levels. I now spend my spring on Gaston and haven't been on Buggs in some time. Good luck. Shortbasser

http://www.motortechva.com/index.html

Contact Berkley. I have in the past and had good results. Their website is: www.berkley-fishing.com. Phone nr. for customer service is: 800-237-5539. On the web site if you click on "about us" it will open a contact page with a form to ask questins and get info if you want to go that route. Shortbasser

Hey Bobby ! I like it. Good job. Now I don't have to run all over to find your products. Nothing like "having all your eggs in one basket". I'll spread the word and see you there. Shortbasser

No batteries in a brand new Skeeter? First I ever heard of that. I had 3 batteries in my new Skeeter when I bought it a couple years back. They usually put Deka batteries in it. I switched to Interstate batteries when the Deka's gave up. Been using them for a good many years with good results. Great warranty. I have a pair of SRM-27's for the Motor Guide and a 24M-XHD for the cranking battery and electronics. You need the heavier cranking battery for that HPDI. Any brand of group 27 for trolling motors and a HD group 24 for cranking will do it. Pretty much a standard set-up. Hope you put an on-board charger on it. Only way to keep a good charge on your batteries. Shortbasser

Check this link. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/drop-shot.html Shortbasser

Here's an idea. Go here and check them all out. www.abugarcia.com. There is a description of each of their LP reels. Includes gear ratio/bearings/drag and prices. I can tell you this. The Winch was built expressly for deep cranking with a 5.4 gear ratio. I own a batch of Revo STX's and use them for all my bass fishing. They have the drag adj. on the outside and I palm my reels and have not had a problem turning that knob while palming it. Shortbasser

Check this place and see what ya think. I have purchased reels from them before and they are a good outfit. http://www.baitnhook.net/quantumenergybaitcastingreels.aspx. They are also running a $20 rebate on orders over $120. Shortbasser

I have not had a line guide problem but my buddy did have one pop loose on one of his Revo STX's and since it was still there he just hit it with a drop of super glue and as far as I know it has held. If I remember right I mentioned that to Teri and she said they hadn't heard of any gripes about it back then. I guess I should have mentioned that all my Revo's are STX's. My only problem has been some pitting on the front cover. It is actually plastic with a metalized finish. They replaced the reels. No more problems since I started using KVD line conditioner. Shortbasser

Hey T-Rig, Here is a name and email address for my contact at Pure Fishing in Spirit Lake, Ia. She has helped me out more than once when I had a few problems with my Revo's. She will get you going again. She is one of the customer service reps. Teri Moyer : tamoyer@purefishing.com Shortbasser

My buddy and I started using this bait this past year. It has put quite a few fish in the boat for both of us. Have had days when that was the only bait that was working and all day long even on bright sunny days. It is a bit expensive and if you lose one it hurts ! It is a noisy bait that moves a lot of water. I'm "hooked" on it. Shortbasser

You might be able to find it here: http://www.motortechva.com. Or you can call them at 1-800-559-8119. Be sure to ask for/talk to Tom Foster. He is just up the road from you in Suffolk, Va. He has helped me out and I know he has some used stuff in his shop. Shortbasser

Check out the folks at Stamina. here's a link for ya. http://www.staminainc.com/skirts/firetip_skirt.html Shortbasser

I have been using BassboatSaver on my Skeeter for over 2 years. I usually clean/wipe it down before I leave the Marina and it takes me less than an hour to complete the job. I don't usually bother to go back over it once it dries since it does not leave a film like a polish. If I bring the boat home and then wipe it down it doesn't take any more effort and the scum line, if any, comes right off. I use it on the motor and the whole boat and it doesn't leave the seats so slick that you slide around. It doesn't have a chemical/petroleum smell to it. In fact it has a pretty good perfume smell. Not harsh. To sum it up, yep, it cleans/shines and protects the whole boat. Best product I have found. Shortbasser

www.barlowstackle.com

I just got back from my 2 week trip to Lake Gaston, NC and worked the Vibraspin for quite a while one morning down there. I never had a bump. In fact I couldn't buy a strike on any sort of wire/blade bait. As I posted last month on another similar thread (RW's) I have had luck with this bait last fall and then early this spring. Don't know if it was the cooler water that had them whacking it or not but since the warm-up it hasn't been producing. My buddy fished the Boogie Bait (similar) last week and determined that it had to be worked nearly "dead" slow to get any results and he caught a mess of fish with it. Could be that is the key, slowing it down. I intend to fish the Vibraspin later this week and will see if SLOW is the key. The weather has been quite unsettled this spring so far. Lots of wind and yo-yo temps along with fluctuating water levels. Shortbasser

If your getting into Brackish water I would definitely flush that motor after each trip. I learned a lesson the hard way a few years back when I had to spend some big $$ to re-do the heads on my Evinrude plus replace the sensors and thermostats on each head. I am in brackish water most of the time on my home water and I always flush mine after EVERY trip. Some days the salt content is pretty high and better safe than sorry. I also do a wipe down with Bass Boat Saver on the entire boat/motor. Shortbasser

Wayne, where did you find that circuit breaker? My local auto shops have breakers but they only go up to 30 amps or so. No doubt he found it at MotorTech. They carry a great deal of parts and accessories plus repair etc. Shorten up that link to: http://www.motortechva.com and you will find them. Shortbasser

If it was me I would stay with the Abu reels. They are running a $10 rebate right now and the best prices I have found are at www.baitnhook.net. You might even consider the Revo S once you see the prices. Pretty good discount and the rebate really makes it look good. I would pass on the BPS Extreme. I retired the one Extreme I had. Not familiar with the others. I am a bit partial to Abu since I have 5 Revo STX's that are great. Shortbasser

I have been with Allstate for years. Think you can do better. PM sent. Shortbasser