airborne_angler

Ya know when I buy a package of baits its mainly for 2 reasons. 1. Confidence- Ive used the bait before,caught fish on it and expect to catch more. 2.Design- If a bait has some appeal to the eye,that its gonna have a certain action or realism then Im gonna give it a try. I buy bulk lots of plastic baits on Ebay. Alot of it is mixed brands of different stuff. I never know eactly what im gonna get. I sort through it and I find stuff I have used and like,and stuff I have never seen,some of which passes the design credentials for me and I keep it. Everything else,goes in a resale bin for me to relist at a later date. These New havoc baits arent doin it for me on a design level,so I dont think ill ever try em.The only way I might is is in the future,I buy a mixed lot and there a bag or 2 thrown in. Then Ill give em a whirl. I certainly am not gonna jump and buy these because they are the next big thing. I did that with the Rage Baits. I went out and spent $100 on assorted baits and styles of Ragetails. The only thing I ever caught on a Rage bait was a 8 inch Bass on a 10 inch Anaconda.

How long has this bait been around. Anyone still use it with success? Anyone used it in the past with success? Any other suggestions of trailers? http://diegoflores.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/mepps-timber-doodle1.jpg

NOT IMPRESSED. Bait monkey must be asleep... http://www.***.com/catpage-TWNEWS07.html

I think I have a winner: POP N DROP The name comes from my my primary occupation in the ARMY. I was a Combat Engineer. One that goes out and clears minefields. One of the tools we had was called a "POP and DROP" It comprised of a block of C-4 Plastic Explosives,a length of Timed fuse with a blasting cap crimped on one end and an initiation device on the other. We would find the land mine,remove the pop and drop from our Demolitions bag,Lay the C-4 explosive next to the land mine,pull the M-80 Fuse ignitor and leave the area. The Time fuse was measured by doing a test burn as we set up our equipment,so we knew exactly how much time we could expect prior to detonation. The Fuse would burn for however long we measured it,and then when it reached the blasting cap,the ignition would set off the blasting cap and then the C-4 plastic Explosive. End result was we either fully destroyed the landmine,or at least pushed it out of the way to allow an avenue of approach for follow on forces(Infantry,Tanks Supply ect) Take a look at this video and youll see what this is all about:(Make sure your speakers are turned WAAAY up!! Wait for it....

Drip Drop Hawg Drop Cross Drop Finny (as in finesse) drop

I just picked up a Chatterbait kit(26 piece) It seems very verstile,as there are a good assortment color combos and trailers to choose from. You can mix and match alot of different ways. The questions I have are about the skirts on these baits in this kit. Its obvious I cant use all the skirts in the kit,as there are more skirts than chatterbait jig heads. What material are these chatterbait skirts made of? Can I put them in my storage box with other ordinary skirts Or are these skirts that come in the kit made of Elaztech,which can ruin other plastics if put in contact with them?

Ambercrumbian fysh

How about "Mad Shad" since its tail is "Cross"

Anyone ever double up the skirts on their jigs or spinnerbaits? I bought a lot of 100 skirts and in not really happy with the colors or material.its a tinsel type(non stretch) material and the colors are shimmery black(almost like a dark blue),red and blue,and orange and brown. I thought of maybe adding these colors skirts to some more traditional color skirts to add some accents. Good idea? Or will the extra skirt material be too bulky?

Its been pretty windy here as of late.Combine that with the price of gas and its put a hurtin on my ability to get on the water.

I was just doing the dishes(manually) and in the rinse water I noticed a spoon with a plastic handle swaying back nad forth. The "spoon" portion was sitting on the bottom,and the handle was floating up on end. With it swaying back and forth,the first thing that came to mind was "Skakeyhead" Is that a sickening thought or what? I am vizualizing fishing tackle while I do household chores!!! I was also in Spencers recently and noticed a flogging whiplike object for adult use. It had long circular rubber strands. First thing that came to mind..."I could make LOTS of jig skirts out of that stuff!!"

I got the motor from my Uncle when he passed away. It had been in his garage for I dont know how long. The tank smelled like Varnish BIG time and you could see where the tank had been patched in several areas,most likely from Rust..

So I recently sold my 10ft Jon Boat with a 4hp Chrysler Outboard and TM for $200 Before I sold this package,I took the outboard to a local boat mechanic to have it checked out,I wanted to try using this motor on my 12ft jon boat. I had never run this motor in the 3 years I owned it. I didnt know if it would run or anything else about it. The boat mechanic checked it for spark,and didnt notice any,so he told me it was a waste to try and repair this motor at his $65/hr labor rate. He basically told me the motor was a large boat anchor,as parts were pretty much obsolete. With this info,I wrote the motor off and just threw it in with the sale of my 10ft Jon Boat. I look on Craigslist today and see: http://sierravista.craigslist.org/boa/2251190493.html I just sold this last Friday,so I know its gotta be my old motor,I recognize the engine stand as well. Could I have gotten a second opinion on the motor when I had it...Sure,but that would have meant driving an hour and a half away to get an second opinion. With the price of gas,it wouldnt have been very economical. Im a little upset,but thats how the cookie crumbles I guess.

I hate the wind as well.Especially in my Jon Boat. That darn thjing acts like a weather vane when its blowing out.I can get into a good spot and even anchor,and then what do you know...There I go drifting away. And then the wind will shift,and there I go the other way. It can be totally calm here at home,but then I get to the lake its blowing like crazy. I normally go out anyway because I just spent an hour of drive time and gas,so I might as well try to make the best of the situation,unless I feel the wind is just too strong that it could be dangerous. Its just one of those things we have no control over,which kinda sucks. I normally have my metal detectors with me,so if a day on the lake doesnt pan out,I can still try to salvage the day by going "Dirt Fishing" My father in law hates the wind too. Calls it "b*stard wind" I play a little joke on him every once in awhile. Ill drink a bottle of soda,and put the lid back on it. I give it to him and tell him "I was at the store and they had bottles of wind on sale,so I picked ya up one,since I know you love it so much..." He chuckles,and then starts in about how he hates the wind. Easy to get a rise out of him when that subject is brought up.

Whats the best retrieve for prop baits.Ive had some in the past,but really never knew how to properly fish them. Is it just a steady retrieve or is it a Twitch,pause retrieve or a combination of both. OR Is it just one of those things that you have to experiment with and le the fish tell you what they want? What about doctoring the prop? Ive heard of bending the blades for more pitch,to create more disturbance/bubbles or taking it off,flipping it over and reinstalling Anyone ever taken it off the back and installed it on the front? What are everyones little tricks to these baits?

Thats Awesome!!!

I appreciate the replies,I did a little research and found instructions on how to wire it up from ATTWOOD. They basically say to take one wire(of choice) and run it to the positive side and the other to negative/ground. Like I said I was sure it was really a simple answer,but I was in doubt so I had to ask. Thanks again for the responses.

My 12 ft Jon boat has been wired for the necessary lighting to be used at night. It was however not done too well,and I want to redo it. I have the socket on the transom for the pole light similar to whats in the link: http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/ATT-911339-7/Stern+Navigation+Light+Plug-in+Base.html It has 2 leads coming out of it. When I wire this in,how can I tell which wire is +(positive/Hot) and which is -(Negative/Ground) Both of these wires are black. If I just chance it and guess which wire goes to what,whats the worst thing that can happen when I reverse the polarity to the light? Will I zap the bulb? I know not alot can happen since its only 12 volt,but I hate surprises. Im sure this is an easy enough item to wire in,but electronics and wiring arent my strong suite.

So then more shaft in the water+ More Drag+ Less efficiency Now ley me throw a spin on this,what about the different angles(trim?) you can have the shaft at? How does that play into the equation of amount of shaft in the water. What would be the most efficient angle and shaft length to have in the water?

Id say it an 8ft boat easy. I just got rid of a 10ft that was bigger than what shows in those pics.

I just sold a 10 ft Jon boat with seats,a non running 4hp Chrysler Outboard and a Minn Kota 17# thrust TM. I had it up for $300 on CL,I kept getting offers of $200. Noone would even come close to what I was asking,so I just said screw it. I took the $200. If I had waited,I might have found someone to come close to what I was asking,but I just wanted the boat gone. Take the fact that I dont live real close to any large lakes,so the market for boats isnt exactly "hot" in this area. I had it listed for a week and maybe got 3 calls on it,even after I dropped the price from $300 to $225.

Was at the local Swapmeet and saw a guy selling some boat stuff. He had a 50# thrust Minn Kota Endura TM I was eyeing pretty hard. Decided to pass and see what else there was. Normally theres hardly anyone who sells good Bass Tackle. This one fella had probably 100+ Brand new cranks of all sizes,depths colors and brands. Manns,Poes,Rapala,Bomber,Cotton Cordell,Rebel and then more that I couldnt recognize.They were going for $3 a piece. I could have loaded up. I resisted the urge,I have WAY too many cranks as it is,and just dont need more.They were SO pretty though!!Resisting that urge was crazy tough. If they were $1-$1.50 each I would have probably bought the whole lot. I did go back and get the TM,a Trailer Winch and a Bi color Navigational light for a Benjamin. So would anyone say that with me passing up on the crankbaits and buying the TM motor, that the bait monkey still got me? Does boat stuff fall under the bait monkey category?

If you give in to the wife EVER over some fishing tackle,well have to revoke your MAN card!!

My wife hates it sometimes,I have tackle just about everywhere in my house that I frequent.I even had some crankbaits on the backsplash shelf behind the wash machine that I put there after listing them on Ebay. Somehow they got knocked into the wash machine when she did a load of laundry. Can you imagine the evil eyes and sore words I got from that experience. It was such an unbelievable experience,she got it on camera. She shakes her head at me sometimes when it comes to this obsess...Err...Hobby. I see it as not really too much a big deal. She knew when she married me,This is who I am,this is what I like to do.She put up with it for 5 years while we were dating,why would she suddenly NOT put up with it after getting married? Its my character,if things suddently changed,and I didnt spend a dime on tackle anymore and sold off everything fishing related,she'd probably think I was ill.

Just picked up a Used Minn Kota Endura 50 TM. Research has shown me that this motor comes in 2 shaft lengths. A 36" and a 42".I believe I have the 42" version. If I run this on my 12ft Jon Boat and have it extended all the way into the water,with the tiller near the transom,will the length hinder the performance and efficiency of the motor? I know when I get into shallower(skinny) water,ill have to adjust the length to compensate for the depth of water,but what about when running in open water,would this motor be more powerful and efficient with the shaft not set so deep, towards the surface of the water...Does it even make a difference?