Fishing Rhino

I have to disagree. As much as I love fishing, it would not be my choice when given the option of casting and that chatty female on the back seat. The guy needs to have his hormone count checked, especially at his age. Heck even at my age fishing takes a back seat to amore'. But, that is what really makes the commercial, imo.

I've made many mistakes while fishing, but selective amnesia prevents me from recalling the specific incidents. Some days, going fishing was the mistake. You know, the days when everything that can go wrong does.

Yessiree! The Humminbird 898C SI and the mount are on the way. Expect to see them within a week. At the moment, it looks like the new boat will get its keel wet today, and the engine broken in. May even wet a line to make it a proper christening experience.

Thanks, those are added to the list.

Did the wife also haul out any life insurance policies that you have? Is this going to be just one more time you disappoint the "little woman"? On a serious note, get well soon.

The only thing I know about these various award ceremonies for this, that, and the other thing is that there are so many of them, they have become irrelevant. Seems there is some type of ceremony for awards to every type of entertainment known to man. Then again, I am an old fuddy duddy, who looks down his nose at all these how great we are gatherings. The only meaningful awards are those bestowed by the public in the form of sales and attendance.

I have plenty of boat handling experience, but very little when it comes trailering a boat long distances. It seems to me that the most common problems with trailering are flat tires and failed bearings. Making preparations for the long haul to Pickwick in a couple of weeks. Have a spare tire, grease gun, and will be getting a hub and bearing kit just in case. I'll be bringing a tool kit that will handle changing the hub and bearings. Also will bring a fuse assortment, a spool of electrical wire, spare bulbs, connectors, and a tool to make basic wiring repairs. Should I get a jack for the trailer, or will the jack for my pickup be adequate? Plan to also bring extra rope and ratchet straps. Anything more that I should include in my "to do" list?

If the lower unit is supported by the transom saver, it doesn't matter how high it is. The primary purpose for tilting the motor is to provide clearance between the skeg and the road surface while trailering.

Tilting the motor prevents it from hitting the pavement over dips and other irregular surfaces. Larger motors exert a tremendous amount of force on a transom, especially on rough roads. It's akin to you putting a long pipe wrench on the transom, then flexing the transom. Affix a bar between the trailer and your "wrench" and it takes most if not all the stress off the transom. Depending, the transom saver may not hold the motor high enough to engage the trail/tilt lock. No matter, the purpose of the trail lock is to take the strain off the hydraulic trim cylinders, but it does nothing for the transom. A transom saver does both.

In many ways, commercial fishing is like a soap opera. The faces change, but the plots remain the same. Good guys, bad guys, connivers and schemers.

Here ya go. Up here, the "Yankees" not the baseball team made a dessert, most often for Christmas dinner called appropriately enough, "suet pudding". It was topped of with ice cream, whipped cream, and for those who, as Glenn said in the other thread, do not care, both. Yes, it contained plenty of suet. It resembles brown bread. Directions 1.In a large bowl combine suet, raisins, corn syrup, water, baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, flour and baking powder; mix well. 2.Heat batter in a steamer over 1 inch of hot, but not boiling, water. Steam until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 3.In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, 1 teaspoon salt, butter, sugar and cornstarch. Stir constantly until mixture thickens; stir in vanilla extract. 4.Serve pudding and sauce warm.

I guess that would give me plenty to think about. The worst part for us was the mosquitoes. And, as teenagers, our backs were pretty limber. Anybody ever try scorpions for bait?

I'm surprised that such a knowlegable person would even think about digging for worms. The next time it rains, that evening get a flashlight, and a container. Unless you use some kind of "cide" chemicals on your lawn, you should be able to get all the fat, juicy nightcrawlers you want. You'll develop a sight sense of spotting them in the periphery of the light before the bright spot hits them and sends them into a hasty retreat below the earth's surface. And, you might even be treated to the sight of worms copulating. They join at several places along their bodies. At this stage, it is difficult for them to retreat even when hit with the brightest light. This is not for the faint of heart, or weak of back. Walking around bent at a ninety degree angle from the waist can work up a mighty kink. Kink as in crick in your back, not as in kinky as the worms are carrying on.

Baitcasters vs. spinners. Fiberglass vs. aluminum. Live vs. artificial. Mercury vs. Johnson vs. Yamaha, etc. Fish what you like, the way you like, and when you like. As long as it's legal, no problems mate. Insecurity is a terrible thing. I've never understood why so many feel so threatened by those who are different or do things differently, and seek comfort by criticizing what others do.

Want the absolute best? A Rolls Surrette 8D. 1531 cold cranking amps, seven year warranty. The downside? It weighs 230 pounds. And, its cost. About 900 dollars.

Reading this concerned me since my new boat has a Mercury EFI gasoline engine. So, I did a search, and this is what I came up with. "The following engines are no longer legal on Tahoe Region lakes: Any engine that does not meet the U.S. EPA 2006 or the California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2001 emissions standard, including: Electronically Fuel Injected (EFI) or Rotax Fuel Injected (RFI) two-stroke engines purchased before January 27, 1999 Any carbureted two-stroke engines Any engine that meets the US EPA 2001 standard only" While EFI engines are on the banned list, it is those that are eleven years old, not the newer models. And for California, it is only the pre 1998 EFI which are banned. "Engine Requirements. To be allowed onto the reservoirs, you'll need the cleaner burning models that comply with California Air Resources Board emission standards for model year 2001 or later (or the equivalent 2006 standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) With the exception of personal watercraft, all four-cycle engines (regardless of year) are allowed on DVL and Lake Skinner. If your engine is model year 2001 or later , and made by the following major marine engine manufacturers , it should comply: Johnson and Evinrude. Honda Motor Corp. Yamaha Motor Corp. Suzuki Motor Corp. Tohatsu Corp. Mercury Marine. Nissan Marine. If you are still not sure look for the stars New technology engines (model year 2001 and later) have a one-to-three star decal showing they comply with emission standards. Or check for the label EPA-certified engines from 1998 to 2000 display an Emission Control Information label that shows it complies with 2001 (or later) California emission regulations for spark-ignition marine engines. For supporting details, check the owner's manual or the manufacturer's Web site. What about pre-1998 engines? Pre-1998 two-cycle engines that use carburetors or electronic fuel injection (EFI) technology, will not comply with the combustion engine requirements for use on DVL or Lake Skinner" The others I've found which banned the EFI engines were the same. It is the pre 1998 EFI engines which are banned, not those manufactured after 1998.

I'll be there with boat and canoe. Current plans are to be there early Saturday morning, but, could even be there on Friday, maybe earlier. How much earlier depends on the weather forecast, finding a motel room for a night or more in the area, etc. Saturday is booked with the sergeant and soldier. Canoe, fishfinder, and trolling motor package is available. Can handle two fishermen comfortably. First come, first served for Saturday. From Sunday 'til the last official day, Long Mike will do the "bookings" for the canoe, and two seats on my boat for the remainder of the trip. If plans change to arrive before Saturday, I'll post the details if anyone wants to join me and share, or get their own accomodations. Be advised, I have no knowlege of these waters, so we'll be prospecting. Haven't been fishing since returning from GA two weeks ago. Been playing nurse to my wife who had joint replacement surgery on both big toes. Haven't even been able to get the boat in the water to break in the engine. Hopefully by the end of this week. Been going over the boat with a fine toothed comb. Need a mat that will fit beneath the below deck oil reservoir. It sits on the metal tie down bracket. Not good. It will end up getting chaffed and then will leak. Same for the batteries sitting in shallow plastic trays. They need some type of shock absorbing mats that are impervious to battery acid and any other vapors that could be present in that compartment. My 'bama license is good beginning Sunday. Since it appears we'll be needing a TN license for Tuesday(?), I'll get a TN license that will be effective starting earlier. Seventeen or fewer days to blastoff. The countdown is on.

Ahhhh, a new toy. Good deal! Hope you have many years of making great memories on her.

OK, here's the original post. I have a Nitro bass boat...the smaller one...approximately 1200 - 1300 pounds. During the spring one of my favorite things to do is fish the shad spawning runs on the James River and I'm having a hard time holding the bottom with my anchor(a belled river anchor). Does anyone have any suggestions on anchor weights, assuming this is my problem? He is having problems with the anchor holding, not holding a precise position over a tiny patch of bottom. The anchor needs to hold against the current and perhaps the wind. It's one of two problems, the anchor isn't up to the job, or there is not enough scope. That is why I posted the article about anchoring. I've done this type of fishing for stripers in various rivers from Cape Cod to Westport, MA, and as long as the boat is along their "route", you're in position to catch the migrating fish. I did not understand the original poster to mean he wanted to anchor precisely over a hump or particular piece of structure. He simply did not want the anchor to drag along the bottom.

You need to plan a little earlier? This thread has only been running for six months or so. How much planning do you need? Oh come on Long Mike we all got our responsibilities, and we all prioritize. I think he's just thinking he needs to put it on his list earlier so he might be able to to go next year. It's an annual event for crying out loud. Everyone, well OK, maybe not everyone, but most knew there would be another "Road Trip" sometime in the spring of 2010. The only thing we did not know was the particulars of where, when, and other relevant details. Heck, those who cannot make it this year are talking about next year's road trip. I'm speculating here, but I'd guess that the cost to attend next year's road trip would not be much different from this year's. Travel might vary, but accomodations, registration, etc., would be ballpark to this year. But for gasoline, and even if you didn't share costs for accomodations, six or seven hundred dollars should cover it. So you budget a thousand dollars for next year's road trip, and you should be good to go as long as it's centrally located. Apologies to the west coasters. I know it's a cross country haul for you guys. But my fuel to haul my boat and sorry butt round trip will cost more than a round trip airline ticket from the west coast. Had three who were going to ride with me and share the fuel costs, but chose to opt out when they could not be certain of having a seat on a boat.

Never anchored in water only a few feet deep that the boat doesn't swing by only a foot or two. But, since you asked, it can be done. When I was tonging or raking quahogs and sea clams from a skiff, we used two anchors, and "triangulated" them. By taking in or letting out a foot or two on either or both lines, we would hold ourselves precisely over the bottom we wanted to work. I'll anticipate the next question. How did we stop the boat from swinging on the two lines? One anchor was tied at the bow, the other at the stern. Worked like a charm. In a current, or wind, set the bow anchor. Then, using reverse, move the stern to the port or starboard beyond the patch of bottom you want to fish. Then, let the wind or current swing you back over that bottom, and tie the anchor to the stern. You'll sit in that spot until the wind, current, or tide changes.

So, it finally happened. Congrats. It was one of the things that had you up in the air about the road trip. Get everything in order for next year's. I won't be able to tow your boat though. I finally got mine. Good luck, and many happy years in your new home.

Scope is critical when it comes to anchoring under various conditions. Too little scope lifts an anchor causing it to drag. There is no such thing as too much, other than using more line than is really necessary. Currents, wind, waves and tides determine the appropriate scope. http://www.answers.com/topic/scope-for-anchors

I don't know who you talked to at Bass Pro, but someone in the service department ought to be able to help you. Not sure, but I think all the boats at BPS fall under the Tracker Marine banner. Call someone at customer service on their website, not one of the stores. Every part of the boat should be available to get a replacement for something broken, lost, stolen, or whatever.\ Those compartments are useless for storage without the containers. The stuff would be all over the bilge around the batteries, fuel tank, oil tank, wiring, etc. I'm guessing the reason those do lift out is to provide access for servicing and/or replacing batteries and other components.