senile1

One of the zerk fittings on my bearing buddies won't take grease anymore. What's the best way to clean out the fitting (or is there a way to do this?) Or should I just buy a new zerk fitting?

Senko's are great bass catchers once you are familiar with how to use them and you have developed confidence in the lure. The only way to do this is to make yourself use the lure. One of the administrators of this website has gathered all the information you need about Senkos in the following thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1121527643. Work with this lure and you will catch bass.

DarrickP, The money from your license provides a benefit to the quarry, future fishermen, and current fishermen alike. If you respect your quarry, the great and mighty bass, get your license. If you respect the future of bass fishing for those who come after you, get your license. If you respect other fishermen and all of us on this forum, get your license. And finally, if you want to respect yourself, give something back to this great sport, and GET YOUR LICENSE!!!!!!!!!

I have two Wal-Mart Everstarts for my trolling motor, but I've rarely had them last much more than three years, four tops. If you're Interstate lasted six years I agree with Bass5150 ..... buy another Interstate.

Great info from the ouachitabassangler. Jim always has something good to say. Sousa24, if you're having information overload this site has some good articles for beginners. I've been fishing since the 70s but I've tried to read just about every article on this site, even the ones for beginners. You're never too good to learn. These articles are located at http://www.bassresou.../beginner.html. There is a list of them here and a couple give pointers on getting started.

I would guess that most everyone on this forum has an area of expertise that they could teach to others. (Mine is network engineering.) You guys who know the most about the Bass's swim bladder should not be surprised that you have to answer many questions about it. The only way the rest of us can learn what you know is by debating, and asking questions. As new people come to the forum, some of these questions will be asked over and over. That's one of the reasons why the forum and this site is so great. Having said this, I've learned more about this subject from this thread than from all of my reading in the past. Thanks, Raul and RoLo. Just don't let it go to your heads.

It may be 20 years old but there are lots of good boats out there this old. There are lots of bad ones too. If the boat is good and the engine has been rebuilt or is in excellent shape it is worth 2 to 3 thousand dollars, possibly more depending on if the engine has been rebuilt. I'd have a mechanic look at it. You want to be absolutely sure of the boat and motor condition before you spend money on it.

Your points are well-taken, RoLo. A basses behavior can be affected by a number of things and some educated guessing is involved in determining a pattern. I think most of us are going to be on the water, trying to find what the fish want, no matter the conditions anyway. (Except maybe during a lightning storm.)

RoLo, You have said a couple of times that barometric pressure doesn't affect water temparature. (I've included your last quote below.) I agree with that statement. And it is your contention that the pressure has nothing to do with the bass's behavior. It is only the water temperature that is affecting the bass. What I have read is that barometric pressure affects a bass irregardless of any correlation in the air temperature. I have seen very high barometric pressures with warm, clear, sunny days and these can be some of the more difficult days to put alot of fish in the livewell, at least in my experience. I've also had storms come in where the pressure drops dramatically but the temperature doesn't, and I've caught alot of fish. The water temperature in these instances remained fairly constant. This link describes the supposed effect that barometric pressure has on the swim bladder of a bass, irregardless of the temperature. I'm just trying to learn here by playing the devil's advocate. Are there any fishery biologists out there who have definitive evidence regarding this? Every part of the fish's anatomy (for that matter the human anatomy) is affected by barometric pressure. However, our bodies are designed to easily tolerate these natural changes in atmospheric pressure and for the most part we're unaware of their existence. Fish on the other hand are cold-blooded animals. Consequently, anything that affects water temperature will affect the disposition, movement and metabolism of bass. It's an involuntary process in which the fish has no say (their behavior is dictated by water temperature). Bottom Line: Air temperature affects water temperature, but barometric pressure does not. A rise in barometric pressure is typically accompanied by a drop in air temperature. A drop in barometric pressure is typically accompanied by a rise in air temperature. It has always been my belief that a rise in barometric pressure that is not accompanied by a drop in air temperature is a 'non-event'. That is to say, barometric pressure is a symptom rather than a cause. Bass in shallow water are the first fish affected by air temperature changes, but a persistent change in air temperature eventually affects bass in deep water as well. Roger

I'm not a barometric pressure expert, but everything I've read indicates that barometric pressure affects the air bladder on a bass. And from what I've read regarding these effects, this is an inexact science but there are some general conclusions that can be made. These conclusions seem to agree with what Jim stated in the quote below. I, myself, have noticed that a sharp rise in pressure does seem to shut the bite down while a drop can turn the bite on. Of course, this is only my own anecdotal evidence. Maybe some of you have experienced something different.

As Ben stated, check out this boat and motor thoroughly. If they are in good shape, as stated by the owner, you're gettting a good deal at $2500.00 for this size of boat and motor. Low prices always make me skeptical.

Flechero, I like the c-rig idea. I'm going to use this technique on a tiny lake/pond near me. Thanks for the info.

RoLo is right on the money. The big bass will seek any change in the contour no matter how minor. I've fished a few lakes like this. If you can't find these minor changes, then work some plastic down the slope as Avid suggested. There will always be something that will draw the bass, but you may not be able to see it.

As Duke stated, fish flooded timber, bushes, weeds, and grass. I've had alot of look in these areas over the years.

I've used Shad-Master's method more than others. I've read articles that suggest a medium retrieval speed also.

The bait monkey is never defeated. Sometimes a destructive force such as a wife or live-in girlfriend can diminish his effects but he will always come back strong when the destructive force is not looking. You are in the eye of the hurricane, but the storm is coming.

I was going to say the same thing as Glenn because you know you've got spark if the engine starts everytime you hit the hotfoot. If it wasn't getting spark this wouldn't have made a difference. You're not getting enough fuel.

Like Mr. Fly, I tend to slow roll my spinnerbaits and bump them into cover. I also like to reel the lure up just above cover and then stop and let it drop into it, pull it back up with a rod sweep and continue the slow roll. Although all of the presentations mentioned will work at times, I've had the most luck with this one.

I own a MinnKota 65 lb thrust trollling motor and I love it. They are good quality for the money.

Cajun, Could you tell me some details about the Garmin 250c and why you like it? I've been looking in this price range and narrowed it down to the 3 finders mentioned in my quote above. The resolution on the Garmin is what has caught my eye.

I'm always finding something useful in this forum. I'm going home tonight and setting up my crankbait retriever with an old spincast rod and reel. Thanks, guys.

The money from our licenses benefits fisheries and everyone who fishes. If these people are getting a benefit from the lakes of that state, they should be willing to pay for the license, or a temporary licence in this case. As for the guy who plays for the Cowboys, Big Deal. He puts his pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us. IMO, his fine should have been larger, because he should have no problems paying for a license.

If you only have $300 dollars I'd take a look at the following depth finders. I believe these prices include the transducer but you can confirm this online. Garmin 250c: Runs $340 - 350 Best resolution in this price range - 320x320 pixels 4.5 inch color screen Eagle Fish Easy 320c: $220 - $250 3.5 inch color screen 320x240 pixel resolution Lowrance x67c: $250 - 290 Similar features to the Eagle Fish Easy

Good points by Papa Smurf. Also, you say structure fishing is new to you. Are your casts accurately accessing the structure. Sometimes your bait has to fall right on a big bass's nose for him to take it. Other times, you need to cast past the structure, reel it up to it and pause, let it drop, bump the structure, etc. And one last thing . . . is your lure landing as gently as possible when you cast?

This is a tough one. If you want to get him hooked on fishing you might want to try fishing for crappie or bluegill with him before fishing for bass. These would be much easier to catch and the number of fish might get him hooked. Then turn him on to the joys of battling a big bass.