BassChaser57

YES, there is a VIN for trailers in every state and you will need to have the seller provide all documents for everything you are buying. It is up to him- not you to get this straight. DO NOT under any circumstances believe some story. GET THE TITLE!!! It could be tied up in a divorce, about to be taken back by the bank and the bank has the title of 1000 other problems. DO NOT BUY WITHOUT THE TRAILER TITLE IN ANY STATE!!! If you do there is no way to get it straightened out as you are not the owner of record. What a mess it could be and you could very easily lose your trailer. If you have already bought it then the only person that can get it straight is the past owner whose name is on the title. Not trying to throw out problems, just trying to keep problems from happening.

Well--I guess it is a good thing I don't know what IHMO is or I might get my little feelings hurt--not. Just sharing thoughts on a board. Glen, If I am offending anyone, PLEASE remove my post as that is the last thing I want to do. I think BassResource.com folks are the best and appreciate the insight and the ability to become a better angler from the site. At least Hale and I can agree the the Surgeon Generals Warning about fishing is true and correct. 8-)

Matt - I am overseas and do not have my Fork maps with me but I believe that is the one. It has the goats and camels next to it in the front yard/pasture of a huge house. No I am not smoking something funny, the guy has 2 camels for some reason. I wondered if he had them for some Christmas scene at church?? Thanks

Well Hale--Looks like I touched a raw nerve. Yes, I do think any minority whether it be Asians, Blacks, and Women have a harder time on the trail! I travel the world (was in Brazil and Chile last week, Scotland today, headed for Turkey tomorrow and Korea on Sunday) so I can say ANYONE who does not "fit " the norm in any society or activity is watched more carefully. I get saddened when I am in Japan (will be there twice toward the end of the month) just walking down the street and the mothers grab their children and hug them up close --just because I am different. I do believe most all minorities in any part of the world have to prove themselves more than someone that does not "stick out" from the crowd. Whether it is me in a distant country or someone who just is different than the expected "norm" for that location, activity, or society. The one idea the western world has that most of the rest of the globe is lacking is that we can have different opinions, still go fishing together and be great friends. In many other parts of the world we would be mortal enemies and have to destroy each other. I do not reserve the right to be correct on this issue, just sharing my opinion. Heck, I even have friends who voted for Al Gore.

Good answers. I don't know whether I would go to Baccarac with Tom Reddington or to the Amazon Peacock Fishing. Hooking into big bass gets my motor running. I suppose both would suit nicely. 8-)

MLK said it best, to paraphrase; it is not the color of a persons skin but the content of their character. There are many things we can not change about ourselves (such as being ugly ) but it shows the mark of the man if he is so shallow to look upon anothers color, infirmity, weight, or simply uglyness as who that person is. One of my mentors in life is a man who is a parapeligic from having polio as a young boy. His being physically different is not who he is but simply something he has to deal with. There is without a doubt an increased difficulty in being a pro as a minoity and my hat is off to them.

For most of us money and time are both items to be considered when thinking about our dream fishing trip. If you had plenty of both, where would you go on your dream trip and why?

Yeah Russ I am living proof that t is a sinking feeling when you see your trailer tire pass you up and see showers of sparks in the mirror. It is even worse when you see your pride and joy bass boat being carted off on a roll on wrecker. :'(

I will only use the 4" when the bass are in a negative mood. Yes, they do produce smaller fish but on a day where it is no fish or small fish, I downsize just to get some strikes.

I know which store it is and that does not narrow it down as it is right in the midde between the two arms. But it is good to hear the big girls are still in Fork.

Hi Matt, Do you have any idea what part of the lake it came from???

I agree that KVD has a great book for learning how to jerk lips but the BEST one for understanding and learning about Bass it "Knowing Bass" by Keith A. Jones,PHD. He has worked for Berkley and uses their scientific data to educate on what bass do and why. He does not tell us how to catch them, just what makes them tick so we can understand the wold of the bass and how they are programmed. We then can use this information to learn and help us be educated anglers and not simply rely on being lucky to catch fish. I am convinced the best anglers can't rely on luck to stay in the money, they have to understand the bass and know what the bass are doing and where they will be given the conditions. This book has some great info but could almost be classified as a bass textbook instead of a fishing book. I would classify it as a must read for serious and advanced anglers! 8-)

I realize this is a thread about scales not records but--- what are the requirements on validation of a record? Witnesses, photos? What do you have to do to certify the catch as a certain weight to the governing body other than just certified scales??

I enjoy nice equipment but I wonder if catch rates change between medium and high end tackle? My guess is that it is the angler more than the equipment. 8-)

I bought a Stratos and L O V E it but have it checked out by a marine mechanic YOU trust. He will check out the motor but you HAVE to know how long it has sat without being ran. If it has been over a year you probably will need to get the carbs cleaned as they gum up from sitting and could create a hot spot on a piston causing major problems. It is normal to have the carbs cleaned, you simply need to know. Some other items are to have the lower unit pressure checked for cracks or bad seals and the water pump replaced along with new lower unit oil. I consider these normal maintenance items but you have to know if the lower unit has frozen and busted, this is super easy for a mechanic to check. If you check out all pumps, batteries, electronics, trolling motor, running lights, gauges for proper operation, and the compression checks---CONGRATULATIONS on your new boat. If you get it--ABOVE ALL ELSE--pull the trailer bearings, inspect, regrease and replace if necessary. Hope all goes well and let us know how it works out. Remember--starting an outboard motor without water hooked up to it will ruin the water pump in about 5 to 7 seconds. 8-)

While we all love a bargin I am left wondering how to define bargin? Getting something for less than retail is one definition but I prefer to think of a bargin as something that fills every need (or want) at a fair price. If you buy some "bargin" baits that won't catch fish--well that is no bargin. We normally only have limited funds and time on the water so think about having fewer baits that are proven winners, even if these baits are a higher price per unit. I agree with FiveBass on the Rapalas, there are MANY good baits on the market but for proven fish catching lures day in and day out at a reasonable price Rapalas are hard to beat. They take alot of the guess work out of the bait monkey business. If you buy one every week or every month your tackle box will soon need expanding. Good Luck 8-)

Awesome RW! That was a well put together article. We can't wait for your next one so get busy and educate us. 8-)

I LOVE SHIMANO and Santa brought me a Calais. Can't wait to get it on the lake. I also have a BPS Johnny Morris Baitcaster which is an awesome reel. Maybe I will take it and go behind my local Wal Mart store and catch a 10lbr like Road Warrior. 8-)

Budget is everything--drive or fly. If you want to go in July you will almost have to fly north of 50 where the pike stay shallow all summer. If you go to the border waters you will find the big toothy critters deep with lock jaw in July. I go the 1st or 2nd week of June to the Canadian side of Rainey Lake on the Border waters with Minnesota (Lake of the Woods is great also) and it is normally GREAT with the Smallie action HOT at that time also. Throw in some Walleyes and you have the makings of a trip of a lifetime. Good Luck. 8-)

I have the Eagle 480 which is a good unit and an Eagle 502C which is a nice color unit with a gps/mapping unit built in. It does have a built in antenna for the GPS and it does not work well. I will be adding an external antenna. When it locks on I LOVE IT and would highly recommend it. It is the most bang for the buck. I bought the Navionics Gold Lake Maps with the 1' topo lines. For me it is mandatory and you can find them on EBAY worth the money. Good luck and let us know what you get 8-)

CONGRATS RW!!! Sounds like one of those beer commercials--It doesn't get any better than that! Hopefully you got her photo. 8-)

When in doubt, use a color that is green or that matches the bottom such as a pumpkin or motor oil color. This is a place to start but I do not use bright colors for finesse tactics as the bass get too good a look at the bait. It is hard to go wrong with green as the bass are comfortable with that color.

It is impossible to go wrong with the Curado. You will be happy with it for years to come. I have both and enjoy both, you would be thrilled using either reel but I would lean towards the Curado. Let us know. 8-)

How would you rate ultra soft and my Canadian regular Vanish Transition?