Fishing Rhino

WD-40 removes some adhesives such as that on masking tape in a flash. Lemon oil is also worth a try, and, I've also heard mayonnaise works well, at times. Try the stuff with less potential for damage first.

When all else fails, try the company or a dealer. I'm guessing you are referring to the heavy gauge plastic totes that drop into the opening with a precise fit. They are also slotted on each side so that the compartment can be locked no matter which way you put it in. I'm guessing they will not be cheap.

It all depends on when I get going. If I am able to get away as planned, I should be there somewhere around sunrise, maybe earlier. You've got my numbers. You can give me a call on Friday when I'm on the road. Then we can coordinate our schedules.

Whoop de do, whoop de do! I hope this is a good sign. My order for the Humminbird 898 has changed status. It had been shown as back ordered. It now shows as "In process". If that means they are now shipping, I'll have it in plenty of time for Pickwick.

Where to start. Most of the weird and/or interesting things I've hauled up have been when I was a commercial lobsterman. I've hauled up railings from vessels which sunk years ago. Anchors, have several of them which were snagged by the ground line, but the most unique was a two part catch. In Buzzards bay, a sail from a 42 or 44 foot Hinkley sailing yacht was wrapped around the ground line. It was in perfect condition, and we wondered how it got lost. Then next time we hauled gear in that area we found out. We hauled up the storage bag for that sail. It must have gotten knocked over the side of the sailboat, while stowed in the bag. Tidal currents worked the sail from the bag, and the rocky bottom kept them in the same proximity. The most unique while bass fishing was snagging a jig I had lost the day before.

Here's one more suggestion, particularly for jig fishing, but can be used with others as well. Retrieve the bait using the rod, not the reel. Reeling line can make the rod bend toward the bait simulating a strike in feel and appearance. Moving the bait with the rod, greatly reduces that feel. When retrieving spinnerbaits, I do use the reel since hangs are very rare compared to jig fishing. At least where I fish.

Ah for the days of the Langley De-Liar.

I'm getting stoked. The way things are around here, I may have to break in the motor on my new rig at Pickwick. The local pond where I intend to make the break in and shake down runs cannot be accessed. The pond is still above flood stage and the state ramp is closed at the request of Fall River officials because of the high water. The ramp should open before I head south, but now the problem is, my wife had joint replacements on the big toe of both feet this morning, so I'm pretty much confined to the house to play nurse for the next week or so. There are a few other ponds in this area, but their ramps are also closed. If necessary, I'll make the run to Cape Cod and get 'er done. The only question remaining is, will the Humminbird 898 side imaging unit I ordered arrive in time for me to install it to use at Pickwick? New brakes on the front wheels of my truck, oil changed, and all systems checked out. Picking up a spare tire tomorrow for the trailer. Things are shaping up. Looking forward to meeting all the attendees. My plan is to leave here on Friday, arriving at Pickwick on Saturday. The first day of my license is Sunday, so Saturday will be a day of prospecting in the vicinity of the Landing. If anyone has a license that is good for Saturday, you are welcome to hop aboard and see what we can find. I hope to arrive by mid to late morning on Saturday. Have to make the Sprite and cheese soiree.

Stiff wind? Sounds like viaggravation to me. ;D

There is a reason used boats are cheaper, especially in the case of a private sale. There is no warranty/guarantee. You buy it, you own it, and all the problems that may come with it. You are on your own unless you can prove fraud on the part of the seller. For sure, you can find some great deals. You can also be left holding the bag. Follow the same procedure you should when buying a used car. Have it checked by a reputable mechanic, and/or even a boat appraiser, unless you know the owner. Even then, these deals can be the demise of friendships.

Is 3M 5200 sold in stores, or do I have to order it online? Home Depot carries it. Some stores carry it in tubes like toothpaste. Others carry it in cartridges that fit in caulking guns as well as the smaller tubes. Don't know about Lowes, but think they are likely to carry it as well. Any respectable marine supply or marine hardware store should carry it.

Come watch me then. I used baitcasters only up till this year and I bought a spinning rig for the finesse fishing. I have practiced and practiced and I still suck with it. To me a baitcaster just feels natural in my hands and I am confident using it. I rarely have backlashes and most of the time it's because I was in a hurry and not paying atten I *** the guys who are spinning reel whiz's cause I know I'm not LOL. Until I see you, or someone like you, my statement stands. I've yet to see someone struggle with a spinning reel. No doubt some do. My wife doesn't fish. I'll bet she'd probably struggle with a spinning reel. It's like using any other tool. Some folks have trouble hitting a nail with a hammer. Others pick it up naturally.

Life used to be more difficult for left handers. I'll name one example, scissors. Today, scissors are available for left handers, but years ago they were not readily available. Scissors were designed to be used by right handed folks. The act of closing the scissors forced the two blades to contact each other. But when used by the left hand, the very nature of the geometry and physics of the human body forced the scissor blades to separate a bit, making cutting more of a hacking process. The interesting thing about fishing is that right handers traditionally crank baitcasters with their right hand, and spinning gear with their left. I wish I had gotten left hand crankers for my baitcasters. I find casting with my right, then switching hands to grasp the rod with my left to crank with my right annoying. And therein may lie a part of the rub. I am used to working a bait with my right hand. It feels awkward working it with my left hand. I can do it, but it just doesn't feel natural. Much like you being forced to use your right hand when you are natural lefty.

If it's leaking around the rivets, try tightening them up. Use a heavy hammer to back up one side, then use a smaller hammer on the other side of the rivet. This will tighten them. Go easy until you get a feel for it. To seal them, clean the area around them and use Gluvit, or 3M 5200 marine adhesive and sealant. Either one will give you a strong, waterproof seal. The 5200 is flexible, more like a silicone. Gluvit is an epoxy, which has some flexibility, but not as much as the 5200. Wear protective gloves, such as latex or pvc. It can be a messy process, especially with the 3M 5200. I swear that at times it seems like the stuff is alive.

The Z7 is rated for up to 200 hp.

Just a quick note about the canoe. It is easily large enough and stable enough for two. It has a beam of 42 inches. I have stood and cast from it just to satisfy my curiosity. It is powered by a Minnkota Traxxis, 55 pound thrust. I also have a Eagle Cuda fishfinder which though an econo sounder is capable of "seeing" transition bottom be it depth changes or vegetation. I will put 8 fresh AA batteries and bring a spare set. Unless the unit is not turned off, they should not need changing. Will have two batteries and a charger for the trolling motor, so it is sufficient for a day's fishing. Unless you're pulling water skiers. It is what I have fished from during the past year plus, and every picture of me that has been posted, except for one with stripers and blue fish have been caught from that canoe or my smaller one. It is more than capable of handling two fishermen, their gear, a cooler etc. It will also have an anchor, and two paddles, just in case.

I use spinning gear for the most part. I can, if necessary use baitcasters, without backlashes, except when I am trying for more distance. I fish with some who prefer baitcasters, and they spend a lot of time stripping line from their reels to get rid of the loose coils on many of their casts. I don't get it. When they use spinning gear, they never have a problem. If I was constantly stripping line from a reel after a cast, it would drive me nuts. When you read about how excellent a particular baitcasting reel is, and notice all the features, they brag about their braking systems, and how they eliminate backlashes and "overruns". The fact that they are constantly "improving" their reels with better braking systems tells me they need them because there is an inherent problem with baitcasters. They do tend to backlash. Add to that the fact that new technology is making them less likely to backlash means they have yet to eliminate the backlash problem, and they likely never will. What do spinning reel promos say. New and improved drags, better line loading for longer casts, lighter, smoother, better rollers on the bails, better gearing systems, etc. I have yet to see any that state they reduce a casting problem inherent in spinning reels. There will never be a final answer to the question, but for this. Use what you prefer. Do not be concerned about what others are using. I see some who struggle with baitcasters. I have yet to see anyone struggle with spinning gear.

Was away last week, and haven't fished in a couple of weeks, but I had been catching them in 3 - 6 feet of water. But, it depends on the bottom composition of the pond you will be fishing. Can't catch them ever in deeper than six feet of water in my favorite pond. Thats as deep as it gets. Rocky shoreline most all of the perimeter of the pond. They rarely, if ever, move away from the rocky shelf onto the muddy bottom. Have tried a few times here and there but only once did I catch a few away from the rocks. I may have stumbled onto a brush pile because there are a few that other fishermen have made using Christmas trees.

while its a nice fish, and not to take anything away from rhino. But why is it very impressive that a bass was caught from a canoe on spinning gear? its not like its a rare occurance or anything. you dont need an elaborate bass boat and a baitcaster to catch nice fish ya know? You are absolutely correct. In many of the ponds I fish, along with those who have bass boats, I feel like I have an advantage. But that advantage goes away quickly if I am not familiar with a pond/lake. The bass boat has a distinct advantage when it comes to prospecting, and running from one patch of productive bottom to another. When it comes to fighting and landing a fish, I prefer my chances in a canoe. I'm already at water level. No contortions necessary to reach over and lip the fish. There isn't much choice if you want to fish the lake where that fish was caught. Electric, paddle, or row. Choose your poison.

How can you miss fishing out of any boat when you land a fish like that from your inflatable? After all, that's the name of the game. My opinion is that fishing from your "raft" will make you a better fisherman, if for no other reason than you are forced to work an area more thoroughly, and to really focus on smaller patches of cover and structure, or as I refer to either, "transition bottom". A boat is nothing more than a platform to get you to the fish. Looks like your raft did its job. But, you still had to put it in position to catch that fish.

For the purpose of disclosure. It was in open water. My feeling is that a canoe gives me an advantage when fighting a fish, in most cases. I'll find out for sure when I fish from the bass boat that has been added to my "fleet".

Where is it written that jigs must be dragged across the bottom and other lures must be fished any particular way? When the fish "ain't" playing by the rules, break the rules. I enjoy fishing baits in ways that are contrary to "standards". It's amazing how frequently and how well they work. Don't lose that spirit of experimentation.

Way to go. It's nice to catch them before the bluebird days arrive, and the waters get crowded.

Nice fish. Glad my wife is retiring at the end of June. I'm getting antsy, just reading about those CA bass. A trip out West with my boat in tow, and canoe on the roof racks might be in order. Your photos are giving me the itch to hit the road.