Shane J

I'm taking my boat out for the first time of the year on Friday, and I have a question. The water temps are probably in the 40-47* area, and I don't want my block to explode, so a little help would be great. I know you have to let it idle for a bit before running, but I'd like to know the safest way to run the motor in cold water. Thanks, all.

Right on, man! That's what I'm talkin' about! That's funny, a 5-6lb "little" fish.

That's a monster! Gotta be at least 9lbs.

Wow, that's a sweet lookin' rig! Congrats!

Couple years ago me n two friends launch my boat in the river at about 3:00 AM, still pitch dark, and noticed the water was a little low, but didn't give it any more thought than that. Well, we worked our way down for an hour or so, and the pre-dawn light was just enough to fire up the big motor and make a run, so we did, and all was fine for the first mile or so, until we came under a bridge, and discovered just how low the water really was when we wrapped the lower end around a pile of rocks, and tore two huge breaks in the hull, and we were taking on water with a dead motor, and drifting down river quickly. Very bad day, and a hard lesson learned! That whole rig ended in the salvage yard.

I have an American Rodsmiths casting rod, but not the one with that handle, it's the one with the full cork handle Team Series, and I LOVE it!!!! Very light, super sensitive, and looks nice, too! I will be buying more ARS rods for sure.

I like the looks of that golf course pond! Yes, you can still get bit with mucky bottom. Just pitch your jig/craw to any lay down timber, or use a swim jig/baby craw through grass and pads. Jigs rock!

Jigs and big plastics, like a Rage Lobster.

I have to push my outing back until Friday, but I will post pics if I have any luck, Derek. I think this pond opened up so fast because of the super heavy rain we had there right before the tornado-style winds we got last week. From the bank, it looks like a whole new channel has opened up, and there's new sand and rubble formations that just weren't there before. It's crazy! Looking around, it looks like it flooded to twice it's size at it's highest, and now is surrounded by a marsh-like area. I'm gonna whack 'em with some lipless cranks and jigs and see what happens. I'm dying to get a bass on the end of a line here soon!

Yup, go for the bigguns unless you're fishing with a kid. This year I'm after my state's record LMB, and intend to break it! Fish for the hawgs, and pick up the others along the way, but ALWAYS go fishing for the fun of it.

I found a pond that's half open water! I'm bringing my jon boat there Thursday to see what's up.

Hey, everyone. It's almost that exciting time of year when the boat comes out of storage, and get her going again. This is my third year as a boat owner, and in the past, have always just brought my boats in to get ready for the water, but this year, I think I should be able to just do the run up myself, but I'd like a little input first from my Bassresource friends first. The motor is a 115 Merc 2 stroke, and is currently winterized. Any advise or words of caution to pay attention to while bringing her back to life this year? Thanks in advance, folks!

I have the same Compre for the same thing, and I think you will be real happy with it.

No, doesn't seem to anyway. I do the same thing, just keep replenishing what's in the Planos, and all the rest stay in the bags at home.

Yeah, no problem at all on casting gear. I use a Daiwa Fuego with 12 lb mono for my Shads, and it's perfect, and yes, they can be worked pretty slow, and still throw a bunch of water. All my buddies are oggling over my buzz baits now (especially the Cavitrons), because I just don't use them anymore now that I've found the Shad. They're more versatile, because you can throw 'em in some slop and not worry about getting hung up.

I have one coming, and I can't wait to get it! I've heard nothing but good on this line of rods. Mine's getting a Revo S, and will be my primary jig setup.

Revo STX

Wow, great detail with those, huh? Pretty impressive.

Have you checked out the Rage Tail Eeliminator? Thing is crazy! http://www.ragetail.com/Eeliminator.html

I voted sometimes, because it's become pretty easy to know one under 3lbs, above that, I'm grabbin' the scale and the camera!

Incredible bait! The things are perfect for Carolina Rigs, and weightless across milfoil patches. There are a number of ways they will produce for you, so just try it a bunch of ways. My favorite colors are the watermelon red, and the pearl dipped in JJ's. Good for LM and SM, but make sure you rig 'em right (refer to the website), and use a 4/0-5/0 heavy wire hook. Have fun, and good luck with them.

Well, not much new stuff, but I do have a couple swimbaits I'll probably at least get wet this year, but other than that, I'm sticking to the winning formula I got on in '09 (Rage Tails and jigs!).

Put me down for froggin' some pads!

896+10=906

Welcome! You're gonna love this place! By the way, I'm a quick run up 93 from you. Couple more months of winter, and we're home free!