flechero

I don't know a single boat owner that hasn't forgotten the plug at least once... most of the time it's uneventful.

Wow, this sounds a lot like the original "soldier rods!!" Awesome that the spirit of giving inside BassResource.com continues!! I sure miss the ol' gang! Looks like you all are in fine shape and caring for our next generation of soldiers... a salute to all involved!!!!!

Awesome job- nothing like the feeling you get when you know the factory cant build em' like you can! On the opposite end of the spectrum- just wait until you experience the feeling of breaking one that you made!! ?

Thanks for the explanation. So to confirm, I'll need 2 transducers for full functionality? (or one really big "total scan" transducer) Both can be externally mounted? (I've had 2 shoot throughs in my life and neither worked well at all & both were dealer installed) Thanks again!

After many years (12 I think) my LMS 332 finally bit the dust. I'm looking at a Lowrance HDS-7 Gen3 Insight w/ 83/200 khz trans. (it looks good and is on sale!) I know NOTHING about the new technology and never even used the last unit to it's potential. Not sure I understand... the write up says it does structure scan with the included transducer but then there is a $200 option for a structure scan transducer and another $300 for a total scan transducer. Can anyone dumb this down for me? I'd also appreciate any feedback from those running this unit. Thanks! Keith

Surprised I had to point that out for you. lol good to see you back, tt.

Day in, day out- for 20+years, I've used Zoom about 10 to 1 over all other brands of plastic... the last 5-8 years, I've branched out a bit but zoom has always been king in my boat. And considering a fish soft plastic 75% of the time, I still own a few hundred lbs of zoom. lol

Sometimes this is more relevant than ANY weather condition. Learn to combat it or settle for fishing only on the few days a year that weather suits your preference. If weather were the main factor no one would ice fish!!

It's probably a real good thing that we live 2000 miles apart!

Well, you could convince the owner that he has a real gem and that he should charge for the privilege of fishing there. Although, you need to be prepared to pay. There is a 50 acre pvt lake close to me and we used to run an annual membership- $750/yr. Salty good fishing and a wait list to get a membership. We used the money to fertilize and for electro shocking, shad/bluegill/tilapia stocking, etc. But the point is that he may like the idea of making a few bucks on it to help cover taxes on the property, or he may reinvest as our owner did.

ALL water has structure, to Catt's point- even a tiny change in an otherwise "swimming pool smooth bottom" can stack fish up. When the cover (pads, milfoil, etc.) fills in, they go there because it holds or attracts food. Until the vegetation (cover) grows, I'd methodically comb the bottom with a c-rig and find the subtle changes... and then fish accordingly. There is likely a lot more there than you think.

Me too... only I wish I would have bought the lifetime combo hunting/fishing. It was cheap back then and would have been paid for by now and I'm only in my 40's.... probably not worth it now, but it's one of those things I do regret passing on. The only risk is if you move- depending on your career/family situation may or may not be a big possibility.

Turkey Run! Some here will recognize that name, as it was much more than a lake to me. Sadly it was drained years ago, and all fish lost. It was (because it was sold and subsequently closed) a private pay lake ($10/person/day) with a decent ramp. To the casual observer it was just a generic 75ish acre "depression" with few stand out features and very little structure to hold bass offshore, outside of 2 small, silted in ditches from the original creek... however it was lined with cattails about 20 - 30 feet thick and held surprising depth in those tails. It was an absolute dream to fish... pitching into the cattail lanes from dawn til dark, except the half hour of buzzbaits ticking off the edge tails. It was close quarters battle all day long. Strong healthy fish until you were tired! Days of 100+ fish were common and we caught lots of big fish. Ironically enough, we rarely saw another boat out there, and have to think it was the appearance combined with a pay entry that held people off. It's kind of how I picture Heaven on earth. I sure do miss it!! (and the good buddy I used to fish it with!!)

Still on the cheap wine, eh Gary?? lol

Not sure what the true need is but when mine was newer the "annual tune up" ran $400-$500... and mine is a 1994! Now I get the full "tune up" about every 4th-5th year. I check lower unit oil regularly and change it when the color changes. Plugs as needed. These days, it seems like fuel lines rot out so fast it's a constant thing to check/change. (thanks to ethanol) Oddly enough if the boat doesn't sit, it goes much further between services.

Dang, where was this thread 6 weeks ago! I just replaced mine with another set of cam overs.... thought about the trailer mounted ones but hadn't seen them on many bass boats and I take anything i see on a ski boat with a huge grain of salt. Oh well, in about 6 or 7 years when these new ones bite it, I'll upgrade. ...lol

and then backed, right back into the garage! I'm just jealous- I'd need a new finish to get a shine like that! Even my windshields look sandblasted!

What kind of fence? Most fences - the section you cut out can become the gate, with a little bracing. If a full section, you can add a wheel to the bottom, opposite the hinges. It's about a $20 operation but takes a couple of hours to do right. A $50 project if you have to build a new section of wood fence.

Just run it across some rock. And save your clippers for the mono!

Another fine example!

Exemplary work, Gary! Let me say that I have rarely (if ever) seen a more precise checkering job!! Kudos to you!! My hands cramped at the sight of the checkered rings... I never owned a checkering jig so None of mine are that tight. And Kent, I look forward to seeing that one this summer! Gary- Totally off topic but who's doing decals these days? And have they all gone to peel & stick vs. water slide?

A decade is too long to assume anything... good chance the ownership has changed. And if not, they likely won't remember you. Research it online first (county tax appraisal districts are mostly online these days) and either call them or swing by to ask permission again. I would NOT just start fishing... around here it would likely end in a confrontation with a gun involved.

I believe there is a correlation in the lines... I have been disappointed in all my high end Daiwa reels over the last 15 years... (none of them have casted as well as my Shimanos) and I have been pleasantly surprised by the Shimano reels, even the mid range reels, like Curados. I know that doesn't directly answer your question but if I had the same decision to make- it would be Shimano. I'm sure I'm missing something as I know many people that I respect- who extol the greatness of high end Daiwa reels... but I just haven't experienced it. I want to love them but just haven't.

Just being home 5 days a week doesn't mean that you are really 'present' 5 days a week... You dropped everything to spend time with her initially and now you are back into a passionate hobby and it's eating quality weekend time. It's REALLY HARD to make up weekends with weeknights!! (trust me!) You said she wasn't around when you were competing in pool/bowling all the time previously, so this new fishing kick probably feels like she's taking the backseat to fishing.

As a woodworker myself, it's refreshing to see tight joints!