basscat1102

I have had hands on experience on making and assembling many spinner baits over the years. There are several factors in making a spinner bait, all marufacturers have some things in common and some things are done differently. Wire is the beginning, some wire is made cheaper than others and some over seas and some here in the US. There are also different sizes, .030, and .035 is the most common used. Next is the lead or steel used in pouring the mold. Some manufacturers use all lead and some use lead with a mix of tin, and how much is used of each designates the weight of the spinner bait, 3/8, 1/2 oz and so on. One brand may use all lead and no tin which may make the head bigger, and another may use a mix thus making the head smaller. Head design is also a choice. Next is how the wire is attached inside the mold that you never see. Some is wraped in a loop and some is cold welded together. Have you ever got a bite, set the hook and feel the fish come off, only the reel in and your hook is gone? Its happened before. Next is the hook used, Mustad, Eagle claw, ect... finishing with skirt and blade combonations and who makes them. All manufacturers say thay have a better spinner bait than the competition. I personally think War Eagle makes the best spinner bait on the market, but thats only my opinion. What ever spinner bait you have confidense in is what I say you should use.

I guess it depaends on the type of fishing you do or what you want your graph to do. I had a 767 and it done perfectly fine for me. I up-graded to a 997SI this year. I wish I had kept the 767 for the front of the boat now but I traded it in to get a better price on the 997SI.

I see there has been questions about bass x jigs. There web site should be a week away from being completed. I spoke with a rep today. Any questions let me know and I will give you contact numbers.

Un sure what you are asking???? Send me an e-mail address and I can send you a pic or draw you a diagram of how every thing goes. Are you talking about inside the trolling motor or inside the boat.

I pulled the heads off myself, They did not bore or sleeve the cylinders as mike quoted he would do. Thats why I am so upset. He did replace with all new pistons and rings, I can see that. I left some things out in the first thread because I was tired of typing. Mike also told me he would pre-run the motor and break it in on a machine he has, other wise it would be ready to run full throttle upon me receiving it. If it was pre-run, why didnt they notice all the leaks. Now I have paid $3200.00 for a reman motor thats sitting in my shop tore apart and I am repairing it. When I mentioned retaining an attorney the son-of a B**** clerk replied that Mike was to popular and I would lose the law suit if I tried. I have printed off 30 pages of other stories from other people that I am going to take to my attorney. I agree, If I could find the Merc. rep I might slap some sense into him.

I am looking for a tr82 motorguide digital if possible. 50" shaft. Slightly used would be good or just a real good one ok too. If price is right I am ready to buy.

2 wires will be for 24 volt systems. 3 wires will be for 12/24 volt systems. If your is a 24 volt system, you will only need 2 wires.

I have an appointment with an attorney next week. I have found numerous others that have been also screwed. I have contacted my fishin buddy and he says he is game for a law suit. I have also made a call to the AR and PA attorney generals office. Waiting a reply. Ill keep you all posted.

Thanks for all the replies guys. I did some homework on this guy but found nothing really bad that stood out. I contacted a mercury rep. and he recommended him highly. that's the only reason I sent it to him. Thanks for the attorney general idea, I have not though about that. I have contacted an attorney and have an appointment next week. Ill keep all of you posted.

Too all, I would like to inform all boat owners to be cautious about who rebuilds your out board motor. I recently had my 2.4 mercury rebuild by Blackbird Industries in PA. I contacted Mike Jr. through an EBay ad he had concerning rebuilt Mercury motors. Mike had told over the phone that he could rebuild my motor if I sent it to him for $2600.00 with a one year warranty. I was excited to hear that because every shop in my area wanted more and less warranty. I was so excited that I told my fishing partner about what I had found, he also was looking for a rebuild. I contacted Mike Jr again a few days later and this time my fishing partner ( Don) was listening on speaker phone so he could here the deal I found. Mike told us both that If I sent him the entire power head complete, he would sleeve all 6 cylinders and rebuild the carbs and do a cylinder finishing called Plato Finishing which is supposed to make a motor last a lot longer. And he make sure all is in great working order to fish the 2009 season. He said he would do all this for $3000.00 plus shipping. I though this was still a great deal, because Mercury wanted $4000.00 for a all steel sleeved replacement motor plus shipping. So I pulled it shipped it to him and sent the money. I received the motor back 3 days later, YES I said 3 days. I could not believe it. It looked perfect. ( on the outside ). I called Blackbird again to confirm that the work I was quoted was completed and had to talk to a female clerk. ( I assume she's a clerk). She confirmed that what mike quoted was done, so I asked for a work sheet of what was done or invoice explaining the work performed. YES they sent it back to me with no invoice. ????? I received the invoice and all it said was 2.4 LTR MERCURY POWER HEAD/REMANUFACTURED . I again called to confirm that I received a 2.4 litter motor with all 6 cylinders sleeved and rebuilt carbs, She again told me that what I was quoted is what I received. I only wanted to make sure because the invoice was not describing the work received. A few weeks later on a Saturday I decided to install the power head and complete the boat. After installation, we fired it up. After about 5 minutes of warm up time I noticed the head gaskets, pop it valve, rear exhaust plate and thermostat were all leaking water. (pretty bad) I called Mike back and asked him if there is some thing I missed or was supposed to do before starting it up. He replied NO just tighten every thing a little and go run it on the lake. I tighten the heads to his specs and tighten up all bolts but the water leaks did not stop. I called Mike again but could not reach him, but I talked to a Stan. I told the story again. He requested we put new head gaskets on and replace the other gaskets, I agreed that this would make me feel better. I also told him that I found a crack in the rear exhaust plate and that appeared to be why there was a water leak in that area. He replied he would send me a replacement. I waited for a few days and a package arrived but it did not have the exhaust plate. I called again ( all this long distance every time). But was unable to reach Mike or Stan and had to deal with the ?@***<>* rude clerk who has no people skills at all. She informed me that it was on the way. Today she calls me back and says they have to have a $100.00 deposit for parts until I return the un-used or replaced used parts. ( I thought it was one the way) I could not believe what I was asked for. Upon further investigation, I pulled the heads to replace the gaskets and guess what??? No sleeves!!!!!! YEA , they only sleeved one cylinder, not all 6 and 12 of the head bolts where stretched. They didn't even replace the head bolts?????? I have been ripped off. Now I understand why the invoice only said remanufactured power head There word is no good. I have asked Mike about our conversation but he has amnesia I guess, he says he does not recall that. I sure am glad my fishing buddy heard all this on speaker phone that day. There is my proof. All beware of Blackbird Industries, I was ripped off. If anyone wants proof I have pics of all the water leaks and pics of the invoice. I also have pics of the score marks still in the cylinders, where the Plato Finishing ???? send me e-mail and I will send you proof. Oh and stay away from the A** HOLE clerk.

Too all, I would like to inform all boat owners to be cautious about who rebuilds your out board motor. I recently had my 2.4 mercury rebuild by Blackbird Industries in PA. I contacted Mike Jr. through an EBay ad he had concerning rebuilt Mercury motors. Mike had told over the phone that he could rebuild my motor if I sent it to him for $2600.00 with a one year warranty. I was excited to hear that because every shop in my area wanted more and less warranty. I was so excited that I told my fishing partner about what I had found, he also was looking for a rebuild. I contacted Mike Jr again a few days later and this time my fishing partner ( Don) was listening on speaker phone so he could here the deal I found. Mike told us both that If I sent him the entire power head complete, he would sleeve all 6 cylinders and rebuild the carbs and do a cylinder finishing called Plato Finishing which is supposed to make a motor last a lot longer. And he make sure all is in great working order to fish the 2009 season. He said he would do all this for $3000.00 plus shipping. I though this was still a great deal, because Mercury wanted $4000.00 for a all steel sleeved replacement motor plus shipping. So I pulled it shipped it to him and sent the money. I received the motor back 3 days later, YES I said 3 days. I could not believe it. It looked perfect. ( on the outside ). I called Blackbird again to confirm that the work I was quoted was completed and had to talk to a female clerk. ( I assume she's a clerk). She confirmed that what mike quoted was done, so I asked for a work sheet of what was done or invoice explaining the work performed. YES they sent it back to me with no invoice. ????? I received the invoice and all it said was 2.4 LTR MERCURY POWER HEAD/REMANUFACTURED . I again called to confirm that I received a 2.4 litter motor with all 6 cylinders sleeved and rebuilt carbs, She again told me that what I was quoted is what I received. I only wanted to make sure because the invoice was not describing the work received. A few weeks later on a Saturday I decided to install the power head and complete the boat. After installation, we fired it up. After about 5 minutes of warm up time I noticed the head gaskets, pop it valve, rear exhaust plate and thermostat were all leaking water. (pretty bad) I called Mike back and asked him if there is some thing I missed or was supposed to do before starting it up. He replied NO just tighten every thing a little and go run it on the lake. I tighten the heads to his specs and tighten up all bolts but the water leaks did not stop. I called Mike again but could not reach him, but I talked to a Stan. I told the story again. He requested we put new head gaskets on and replace the other gaskets, I agreed that this would make me feel better. I also told him that I found a crack in the rear exhaust plate and that appeared to be why there was a water leak in that area. He replied he would send me a replacement. I waited for a few days and a package arrived but it did not have the exhaust plate. I called again ( all this long distance every time). But was unable to reach Mike or Stan and had to deal with the ?@***<>* rude clerk who has no people skills at all. She informed me that it was on the way. Today she calls me back and says they have to have a $100.00 deposit for parts until I return the un-used or replaced used parts. ( I thought it was one the way) I could not believe what I was asked for. Upon further investigation, I pulled the heads to replace the gaskets and guess what??? No sleeves!!!!!! YEA , they only sleeved one cylinder, not all 6 and 12 of the head bolts where stretched. They didn't even replace the head bolts?????? I have been ripped off. Now I understand why the invoice only said remanufactured power head There word is no good. I have asked Mike about our conversation but he has amnesia I guess, he says he does not recall that. I sure am glad my fishing buddy heard all this on speaker phone that day. There is my proof. All beware of Blackbird Industries, I was ripped off. If anyone wants proof I have pics of all the water leaks and pics of the invoice. I also have pics of the score marks still in the cylinders, where the Plato Finishing ???? send me e-mail and I will send you proof. Oh and stay away from the A** HOLE clerk.