Fishing Rhino

Nice!

Keep in mind, that because condensation is not a problem in one area, it can be a serious problem in others. A fuel tank that has been taking in warm humid air may have a condensation problem on cool nights. The moisture in the air in the tank will condense on the cool metal inner surface of a tank. It will be somewhat less of a problem on plastic, or fiberglass tanks. What may or may not occur in one area of the country does not necessarily apply in other areas. That's why refilling your fuel tanks after an outing greatly reduces the problem. Filling the tank drives the moisture laden air out. Fill your fuel tanks on the way home, and you'll be less likely to experience condensation problems. Warm humid days, cold nights, and a less than full tank is a formula condusive to condensation. Eliminating a problem is preferable to treating the problem.

Would appreciate recommendations for devices that will deter all thieves but the pros. If they want something, and the opportunity presents itself, they'll get it. I'm going to get a locking pin to hold the hitch to the receiver. Also a locking pin that prevents the hitch from being released from the ball. What's to stop a thief from simply taking the nut from the ball, and dropping the entire rig onto his tow vehicle, install the nut, and drive away? I've seen the wheel locks that go over one of the lugs made of square steel tubing, sort of a poor man's Denver Boot. Can that tubing be cut with a hacksaw? The pin is case hardened, but it says nothing about the steel tubing. Any input about trailer security will be greatly appreciated.

What the heck? The two fellows that were going to travel with me are not going to make it. I'm disappointed, but they had legitimate concerns, and I was not depending on their contributions to fuel expenses. So, now, I may leave on Friday, and get there in time for the party. I can also be the designated driver if one is needed. I'm a teetotaler. But, some caramel Coke or white Sprite will serve just fine. Provided it's one of the good vintages. No point in getting there in time to fish on Saturday, since my seven days begins on Sunday. But, on the bright side, I won't have to drive through the night on Saturday. Can get up bright and early to hit the water on Sunday. Pencil me in for the Saturday Soiree. Nothing to prevent me from attending, barring unforseen circumstances. I'm feeling better already. Things are looking up.

Looking forward to meeting "Big O". Does Oscar Robertson know his name has been lifted? The hitch is now on the truck. Insurance for the boat is in the works. Everything is on schedule for me to take delivery the week I get back from Georgia, and before April. About all that is left is to register the boat and the trailer and take delivery. No, I'm really not getting anxious. Eagerly anticipating getting out of here for a week's fishing in Georgia. By the end of next week I'll probably be getting antsy.

Sounds like many are still going to make the trip. That's great. I have to admit that I was more than a little concerned. Hopefully more will join in the party. It would be very helpful to know how many will still be going, and how many will be bringing boats. I'm going, and if need be, it will be with my canoe in addition to my new boat. The canoe, a 16 foot square stern has a beam of 42 inches, and is very stable, and comfortable. The canoe will include a 50 pound thrust Minnkota (less than a year old), battery, charger, paddles and an Eagle Cuda fishfinder, and an anchor. I can even include a landing net. It is also registered. It is a turnkey opportunity for those who may not find a seat available. Two can fish very comfortably. It will be available at no charge. If it turns out there are sufficient boats, and it isn't needed, I'll leave it home.

The key to jig fishing is to keep the slack out of the line with just enough tension to do that. It keeps you "in touch" with the bait. Many times, a bass will hit a jig while it is lying motionless on the bottom. It may not actually be motionless. The skirt may be "breathing". Motionless, in this instance, means you are not imparting any action to the bait. Vary your retrieve. You can twitch it, jerk it, or just slide it slowly along the bottom, letting it hop over rocks, if there are any. Mix it up a bit, but think slow. If you give it a quick jerk, let it set for a few seconds afterward. Pay attention to what you are doing, or have been doing when you get a hit. If you do, you're on your way to developing a feel and a sixth sense for what they want. Don't hesitate to experiment with your retrieves, as long as you keep thinking "slow". Heck, I've had them hit as I crank in the last few feet of a retrieve. Not very often though.

I was just thinking you're another early morning person. Then it dawned on me it's about ten at night on the left coast. You're not going to be relegated to the beach. If need be, and maybe even if not needed, I'm going to bring my square stern canoe, trolling motor, batteries, charger, fish finder, anchor and paddles. Just add fishermen, PFDs, and their equipment and you have a neat little fishing machine. It's 42 inches wide and very stable. I can stand and cast in it. At the worst, we'll work out some kind of rotating deal so everyone gets their share of boat time. One way or another, things will get worked out so we get a chance to meet and fish with each other.

I say, I'm still going, and looking forward to it. What says everyone else?

It has to be the late winter, early spring, for no other reason than the entire season is ahead of you. Other than that, I really have no favorite season, or time.

I know places are different, but bass have similar patterns. I remember a post from last year which addressed the topic of staging bass, which is what they are now doing in the colder climes. If you have shelves which extend out from the shore, you need to explore until you find them. Once you do, find more bottom of similar composition and depth, and you'll quite likely find more bass. They are on the outer edges of the shelf in the pond I fish, in four to six feet of water. I have caught over 25 bass on jigs in five short days of fishing. Only two were under two pounds, and not by much. This is the time of the year that should produce the largest average size. Just fish the jig very slowly. The bass are still lethargic. Of those 25 bass, only one came to the surface and rolled around a bit. The others stayed "deep". As deep as you can get in five or six feet of water.

On Sunday, I do plan to fish with BrianinMD, and Basser when we arrive. But on the official fishing days, I have no commitments. You can rotate my "crew" as you see fit.

I haven't filled the seats in my boat. Wasn't it requested that the seats not be filled so that we could switch around and get to fish with different members? I can toss my canoe on the roof racks, bring the batteries, charger, and trolling motor, for anyone who cares to use it. It also has a portable fish finder that runs on 8 AA batteries. I'll bring extra batteries for that as well. It will have everything needed except for the personal flotation devices. It's a very stable canoe, and comfortable for two. It definitely beats fishin' from the beach. It's registered, so it's legit. That, and the new boat will take care of five of us. Might be able to fish four from the Nitro in a pinch.

Excedrine headache #221, I done got from those rules reading.

Sounds like the old "You lie, and I'll swear to it." thing. But look, here's the simple answer to the shipping tube with the Tackle Warehouse label. Why not just tell her it's a part of their demo program, and you are one of their official testers. I mean, if you're going to tell a lie, make it a grandiose lie. In fact, you can tell her that as an official tester, you get to keep the rod. If it's not Tackle Warehouse, I saw one vendor who would let you demo a reel for a week. You are responsible for all shipping charges. There is also a daily fee for each day beyond the week that you keep it. If you are a week late, don't bother shipping it back, you own it and will find the charge on the credit card you used to secure the demo.

Bring 'em along. We'll have room to stow the gear now.

I pulled the trigger today. Got a new 2009 Nitro Z7 with a 150 Merc that I will be bringing to Pickwick barring unforseen circumstances. Will be picking it up at the end of March when I get back from my own road trip with a buddy to fish Lake Varner, and other lakes/ponds, within an hour or so from my daughter's home in Temple, GA. Remember to bring your PFDs. I only have one. Anyone who gets stuck with me will need one.

C'mon guys, time is getting short. It will be a great outing. A chance to meet your fellow posters.

Welcome. What part of Mass? I'm in Westport, about 50 miles south of Boston.

Not sharp twitches. It's basically a "flick" to get the rod moving, then my hand goes along for the ride only to support the rod. The hand also has to follow the rod when it rebounds in the opposite direction. The semantics become problematic, because what I'm doing you may describe as a sharp twitch. You only exert the initial force to get the rod moving before the slack is out, it is only the momentum of the rod which acts upon the bait. It's not for vertical drop shotting. I use it when I cast and swim the drop shot, or am drifting. The rod sweeps horizontally, just like the flapper in the sprinkler head.

I've tried to think of a way to describe the retrieve I use for "swimming" a drop shot. It has been very effective for me. Give it a try, you might like it as well. I think most, if not all of us have seen this type of irrigation head. The retrieve I sometimes use works much like the head in the photo above. I use a sidearm type of retrieve, imparting a bit of force to the rod, then letting it move on its own. I start with a bit of slack in the line, and flick the rod to take up that slack. By the time the slack is out of the line, my hand is just following the rod, supporting it so it doesn't drop. When the slack is taken up, the tip flexes a bit, and the mono stretches, imparting very little action to the bait. My hand/arm is like the flapper in the sprinkler head. The jet of water starts it moving then the momentum moves the flapper against a spring which incrementally rotates the sprinkler head a few degrees. The spring flips the flapper back to the jet of water, and the cycle begins again. It's like that with the retrieve. The stretch of the line and the flex of the rod, spring it back to the starting position. A quick flick applied to the handle of the rod, and the cycle begins anew. It usually takes several flicks before I have to retrieve a couple of feet onto the reel. It works very well in grassy bottom, particularly in a slow drift. The sinker will fetch up in the vegetation, and eventually pull free. Before that happens, the bait stays put, vibrating in place, often triggering strikes. Try it, I think you'll like it.

The paper, when they have it, is almost as absorbent as wax paper. I have to be in a state of dire desperation to use a public facility. At least someplaced have tear off seat covers. Hey, your immune system needs to be challenged now and then.

A five gallon bucket is what we used on my lobsterboat. Funny thing those environmental regulations. If you had a "head", you had to have a holding tank. Couldn't legally flush it over the sied. If all you had was a bucket, it could legally be dumped over the side. Even the 65 foot lobsterboat out of Westport had a bucket. They did, however have a high tech bucket. They had a toilet seat mounted on a bulkhead, which could be pulled down onto the bucket. The edge of that darned bucket was mighty uncomfortable, especially when you were pounding into a heavy sea.

When you sit, you can take a whizz in the middle of the night without having to turn on a light.

I like mahi mahi, salmon, flounder, but there is nothing that comes close to a fresh harpooned swordfish steak. Eels would probably come in second to the sword. The longlined swords are a different story.