SoFlaBassAddict

Unfortunately I have to store both boats at a storage facility near the house. Fortunately I got a little price break because I'm using multiple spots. Have to have the boats covered because there aren't any enclosures. Especially not one large enough for the saltwater boat. I've been tempted to remodel my house to eliminate the double garage doors into one single door just to get the bass boat inside. Cost just doesn't justify the need though. Takes a bit more work making sure the covers are on at the end of the day. Also make sure all of the surfaces are well covered with a good marine gel coat product.

Do a little research on the model you're looking at. Find out if it had transom issues, prone to stress cracks, etc etc.

300 bucks for a water pump? I have got to believe you're having that done by somebody else. Simple things like changing a water pump on an outboard are good skills to have. Skimping is one thing, but being able to save money is another.

Shallow + heavy grass = happy me

You should be able to find some decent somewhat older boats in the price range. Whatever you do, get the engine checked out by a qualified mechanic. It'll save you a lot of aggravation down the road. Make sure your budget includes things such as boat and trailer registration, insurance, safety equipment, etc etc. The dollars will start to add up very quickly.

Shhh....quiet you!

Revis back to the Jets. Probably his last big fat contract. Went chasing the cash. Guess I can't blame him.

A 2500 is just asking to get spooled. Like Snook said 4000 at least. Especially from a beach. If you get into a good jack, shook, or cuda, you'll need the extra line. A ML could possibly work, but you'll be going in under gunned. I'd be surprised if you were able to turn a decent fish around on that light of a rod. Would make for one fun fight though.

Savvys aren't bad at all. Champions are darn good rods. Extremes are awesome. First time I held one I was sold on them. If I could I'd load the boat with Champions and a handful of Extremes.

Hey Glenn,How bout Jimmy Graham. Big boost for Seattle once it's signed. Had to cough up Unger and a few picks for him. Crazy trade on the Saints end.

If you go to Holiday, get there early if it's a weekend. I'd bet Sawgrass is pretty similar. Holiday can be a freakin zoo on a nice weekend.

Sounds like fun. Last time I went down there it wasn't nearly that great. Was right after a good few inches of rain. I had more mud on the trailer and boat than I ever care to see again.... Not to mention the fishing stunk. Haven't been back since.

Been building the SOBE wine and food festival since early November. Then a couple of small jobs right afterwards. Just finished up. Start taking some time off day after tomorrow. Had roughly 6 days off since we started.

Ice? What the heck is this ice thing you're talking about? 80 degrees and sunny today. Nice breeze keepin it cool.

WTG bud! Congrats! Heck of a fish right there.

It all depends on how thick the cover is. Pick a weight and try it. If it doesn't penetrate like you want, cut it off and try a different size. The most important thing is getting through the cover. Rate of fall, etc comes after that. If the bait don't get to the fish the rest don't matter. I like using as light as possible, but sometimes you just gotta throw them cannon balls to get through. If I'm planning on flipping, I'll have a few different rods on the deck with different size weights. Remember, you don't have to always go up too much in weight. A beaver type bait on a half ounce may not penetrate, while a bait like a BB Cricket will penetrate on that same half ounce weight.

Most of the lakes around the communities here are pits dug for three reasons. Fill for new housing land, property value for those new houses, and retention pits for rain runoff. Most of the lakes have culverts and a pumping station nearby. They're almost all connected in some way. They help to regulate water levels around the county as well as keeping flood levels down. They definitely are nice to have for value. I paid a significant amount of extra cash to have lakefront property. It was well worth the investment. The value of my land has gone up quite a bit over the years. If I ever decided to sell, I'd make a nice profit. It really is beneficial all around to have them. They help with wildlife, etc etc. There are a few communities that do a VERY good job with the management of the aquatic species. Because they are private land though, management basically falls to the individual HOA of the development.

If you're not happy with it, just exchange it. Every company, no matter how good the reputation is bound to have a few with problems roll off the production line from time to time.

I actually don't snell my hooks for flipping just for the hook kick out. I do it primarily because it's just monstrously strong knot. Only takes a second to tie one. The hook kicking out to the side sure hasn't seemed to hurt any though.

I'd wager that most of us don't live primarily in Islamorada. It's a healthy drive to get there for the majority of the guys on Bass Resource. That being said, if you really want to treat yourself, book a guide. Islamorada is truly a world class fishing destination.

Not many stellar tight ends in this draft class if I remember right. Seattle definitely needs to handle that through free agency. I'm not sure how they look with the cap though. Isn't Wilsons rookie contract ending soon? They're going to have to plan to eat a good chunk of money for him.

Not necessarily. A good HOA listens to the majority of the residents. Fortunately mine does. I've been very happy with them. I completely understand the line of thinking they have. Keep property values high, which I'm cool with. I knew when I had the house built that certain things I'd have to live with. Not being able to keep a boat in open view being one of them. I never expected them to cater to an angler. It would be nice, but realistically, I've got a better chance of hitting the lottery. And I don't play the lotto....

I've used the 805, not the 705 graphite though. Like you I normally replace my hooks to something stouter. Might have to look into the 706. The 705 glass I own is a great rod, probably my favorite crank rod. It just lacks that extra oomph in thicker submerged vegetation.

It's the curse of having an HOA. Mine is more concerned about the lake looking pretty instead of being healthy. Spray spray spray all that grass away. Can't stand it. I'd much rather see some sterile grass carp released than have the Clearwater boats spraying. I understand they need to keep the culverts and all unobstructed. I just wish they could find a happy medium.

Twins... My twin girls are just about 12. Enjoy every single moment you can while they're young....and can't talk back.