Madhouse27

I lost a good bronzeback earlier this year. I always reach down and lip them in the water or more recently net the big ones. I'd been watching too much tournament bass fishing all winter on television. For some crazy reason I tried to lift the fish out of the water with my rod and flip her into the boat like the pros do. This technique is less effective when using spinning gear and 6lb test. First and last time doing that

We have a celebrity in our midst.

When I was your age I flipped hamburgers at MacDonalds in a rust/orange colored polyester suit with a paper hat. It was less than an ideal situation. Between that get up and my MacDonaldland pimples it's amazing I ever got any babes but I did manage to save up enough money and bought a small aluminum boat with an old outboard. Next came a car to lug it around and I was in business. Maybe you could sell your dad on him keeping the money you earn at his business for college and you keeping the money from job number two for your fishing rig fund.

Man , talk about frustrating. This dealer should have been moving heaven and earth to expedite this process. Instead he's not on top of things and has an almost nonchalant attitude about the whole deal. Then he's lying to you. When does it end? I could see him not going too far out of his way if you were just some guy who simply had a problem with a mercury outboard and pulled into his dealership. The fact that you just bought this thing from him really speaks volumes about their level of concern for their customers. In my business I've certainly gone a lot further, a lot faster for a customer who spent alot less than you did. I know you're stuck at this point and just have to kind of grin and bear it. Let things play out and get your boat back. This would certainly be my last trip to this place. How unprofessional can you get?

One of the few things that bums me out about fishing is the putting in and taking out of the boat. Suspect ramps, congestion, delays and lack of adequate parking can sometimes put a bit of a damper on the day. I've crossed a few lakes right off my fishing list because of the nightmare at the ramp. To me the maximum amount of time it should take to launch a boat is five minutes. A major problem are the people that decide to wait and load their gear into the boat once they are down at the end of the ramp.....give me a break. Loading and unloading should be like a Nascar pit stop. Quick, efficient, get out of the way so the next guy can load. I guarantee that I won't be holding anyone up.

If you can't get it straightened out I'm sure you can find a replacement head unit on Ebay cheap. I'm looking for a 565 or 535 Humminbird head unit for my bow station. I'm seaching humminbird on ebay every night and see tons of Wide Ones, Wide 100s, Wide 128 etc. I actually bought a Wide 128 head for next to nothing but it wasn't compatible with my transducer. I'll keep my eye out for one like yours.

My first bass I actually didn't land, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I was ten years old and and a fairly accomplished brook fisherman. I'd been reading and learning about bass in Field and Stream and Outdoor Life magazines. My parents rented a camp for the summer so I was going to get my opportunity to fish for bass. Looking back, my lure selection was a bit primitive but at the time I was quite proud of it. I was casting with an old frog pattern F7 flatfish. I was throwing it from shore out at a big pile of logs out in about 8 or 10 feet of water. A two pound smallmouth smashed the flatfish and was pulling like nothing I'd ever felt. All of a sudden the bass exploded from the water like a torpedo. He must have been three feet above the surface. A quick head shake and it was over. He was dealing with a rookie and took me to school. At that point I'm sure I was easy game. I stood there motionless for what seemed like an eternity. I'm sure my mouth was hanging wide open. I just couldn't believe the power and acrobatics of that bass. It was simply the perfect fish. I was smiling the whole walk back to camp. That began my love affair with the smallmouth bass. Twenty nine years later I'm still smiling.

Jim meantioned that the bass might be full of worms. Why don't you keep one of those skinny guys and clean it and see what you find. Now maybe that bass just spawned and has that post spawn gaunt look but I have a feeling that the pond is having trouble supporting the population. I'm guess that it might do that pond some good to thin things out a little. Some may have to die for the good of the overall population. If they aren't infested with worms it might be time for a good old fashioned fish fry.

I didn't do any research on this particular model. I've been reading along and $5800 was just the price that popped into my head. The trolling motor, accessories and cover sound good. He's obviously upgraded those from the stock equiptment. If the thing looks real good and the transom/floor/outboard check out I may be a bit low. It is a 13 year old boat and it's probably seen some use. As far as brands go I've always liked Stratos boats and actually like some of the older models more than the newer ones. My buddy had an 1987 169V that was a real rocket for a smaller bass boat and fished great too. It was a cool looking ride.

"Would you buy a boat with a little rougher ride if it was 10,000 cheaper" Seriously, what is your boat budget? This will help us sort some of the choices out. Yes. I wanted to buy a new Skeeter I-Class 20 footer with at least a 225 Yamaha on the back of it. I decided I would save a little money and get a used Skeeter aluminum 17 footer with a 40 Yamaha. I ended up saving around 35 thousand dollars and yes the ride is a little rougher

Ben, I understand where you're coming from. Sometimes in life you are able to bite your tongue and other times you can't. This was one where you let loose. It seems to me that both you and Pink had some choice words for each other. Fortunately it was done in private and not here on the forums, although it now appears that the rules are the same for both venues. This thing isn't going to be decided by who was right and who was wrong. A look at the rules says you were both in violation. It isn't going to be decided by public opinion either. It doesn't really matter what side I or anyone else for that matter is on. The way this gets resolved is for you to be bigger than the situation. You are a go to guy on here and alot of us count on your help. You've invested alot of time and energy here and are a big part of this community. Don't let a tirade directed at one person you find irrating on here be the reason for your departure. You're simply too valuable to lose over a disagreement or any subsequent stubborness.

Abel, I'm feeling your pain. I hadn't even thought about how the fourth of July weekend could potentially compound your problem. As miserable as your situation is maybe there's a reason that you aren't going to be out in your boat this weekend. When crazy events occur that prevent me from doing something I have to wonder if it's like my guardian angel protecting me from some unseen disaster. Things happen for a reason and sometimes when they seem bad the reality is that they could have been a whole lot worse. Maybe you better go do some casting from the bank where it's safe

Well said Avid

PM sent :-X

Are we fishing or are we opening up a can of whoopass on someone?

NOOoooo this can't be happening

LBH I'm getting it up in Maine but it's considered a premium channel. I think it's a couple of bucks a month for OUTCN. Maybe someone needs to be a little less "low budget" with his cable package ;D

RL, have you started asking people to take off their shoes before they get in the boat? ;D Just kidding, I'm as bad as you are. I've got a tarp to keep the rain off my waterproof boat cover

I'm also living a sponsor free existence. When I'm talking up a Case Plastics Jacks Worm or trying to give Abu Garcia round reels a little meantion it's coming from the heart and from my experiences. One of the great things about this forum is that most of the people are sharing information without any agenda other than to help others become better bass fisherman and to simply have a good time. This forum is a far cry from the sponsor laden, paper infomercial that Bassmaster Magazine has become. I guess that's why I'm on here an hour a night and only read that thing when I'm in the bathroom. Alot of us are loyal to certain brands and manufacturers....and we're not shy about talking about them. I think it's pretty obvious when someone is passionate about something versus when someone is just touting the company line.

I caught the 1st episode of season 2 Match Fishing. Angler on tour was on too but I had people over and couldn't really concentrate. These are certainly two of the premiere fishing shows on tv. Great line up of competitors on Match Fishing this season.

Abel, sounds like the conversation went well. You are a good diplomat. I hope the boat is ready for action on friday.

Abel, we need an update :-/

When it's making it's northern swing I'll definately put a heaping helping of Maine mojo on the charm. Put me on the list.

Good idea, the test drive should tell the story.

Abel, you've got me all riled up