piscivorous Pike

IS THIS THE CORRECT WAY TO INSPECT THE BOTTOM OF THE HULL?[/move] Things I have learned to make a successful spring bass fishing trip: *Boat wider than axles = unstable tow *Too much weight behind the axle, 2-batteries, full gas tank, is too much, = unstable tow *Side wall failure = unstable tow *Avoid fast sharp turns = unstable tow *Three tie downs are very essential, including the bow saves boat *Carry AAA recreation vehicle coverage for towing a disabled boat *Hitch couplers are available at Wal-Mart, carry a spare *Carry tools *Get towed to Wal-mart, replace coupler and can be fishing in 3 hours *Match the hatch! I made a left turn from a stop sign, unknown to me I had a sidewall seperation, a soft bubble in the right tire. Two batteries and 7 gallons of gas were in the very back of the 15 foot Star Craft which is on a trailer where the wheels are located insided the beam of the boat. This is actually the second time I have flipped this rig. But being more prepared it only took 2 1/2 hours and I was back on the road and lines in the water for the evening bite! I had a great weekend and boated several dozen bass. There was no damage to rods or tackle. I was lucky the batteries which had broken loose had not shorted on the leaking gasoline. The trailer sustained a bad road burn on the spring loaded hub that was later replace. The DIY guide on that has a yellow LED on top it was twisted, plastic demolished. The trailer coupler sustained all the twist you see in the photo. I replaced that about 30 minutes after the tumble in the parking lot of Wal-mart! Some of the twist is absorbed in the elastic ability of the tongue. The boat gunnel was gouged; Bondo and silver aluminum paint and 20 minutes fixed that. After analyzing the mishap closely I believe I have the problem figured out and prevented from now on. Under the canvas I had built a three piece "Tonau" type cover out of plywood and have it locked down. It protects my 8 tackle bags, 13 rods and reels, down rigger and much more from the ****** and grab theft and best yet, keeps it all in the boat each time I decide to inspect the bottom of the hull!!

' not exactly sure what you meant, by location or from that high up! I fish mostly AZ and MT. A bad, bad, bad spine does not help me to bend over. If this don't work I am considering a harpoon.

I was using my $6 BassPro gripper, BOGA knock off, and lost serveral decent size Northern Pike because I had to bend over and could not reach those thrashing pike with the short stick. Berkley's knew 28 incher is $90! I took the pins out and drilled channesl for a loop of 65 pound 7-strand coated leader cable. The gripper fits PVC 3/4 fittings. I ran the leader up over the new cross bolt and ontop of the cross bolt I ran it through a piece of tubing and then a nut for a bead, a stopper. This brought the knot up to the top so I could reach it to tie it. The tube rests on the cross bolt. Both triggers work. I can stand in my boat and reach the surface of the water with it. I am also building a traditional side wrapped, lashed Gaff Hook with a stainless Steel hardened 3.5 inch hook! I hate it when one of tho' 'Gators twirls and wraps up in the net. Often you have to cut the leader to get the trebles and line out of the net fabric!

I have been having trouble making my first post with filters here! It took 17 steps to make these, I have 12 perch and 12 kokanee left over. A member told me about this forum and told me to show them and ask if the gang here thought there was a chance they would sell in the flea market. I am making 12 more, of thread fin shad. These are knock offs of the Magic Swimmer and they work the same, very good. I caught Pike with them! After the next batch I am not making anymore. I do not like painting lures and I just got all new equipement, paint, air brush, compressor, DN top coat, you name it. I am active on tacklemaking sites but I love to design soft baits, make molds and new techniques and equipment to make them. It satisfys my sport fishery education background. If I can't fish 'em, I find solice in making 'em! I have been looking through this forum, I fish bass and crappie in the winter and spring, sometimes fall. I hope the members here will make me a better basser, I am looking forward to participating, there is so much to see and lean here. 17 steps: craze with light spray of carb cleaner under coat white coat over all pearlessence white cover with Tulle netting, two sizes for different size lures bottom 1/3 side above white belly, gold fethered up into green/gold (transparent green mixed into gold) Parr marks, a template forrest green, some yellow to green it up, less blue, lots of black black down back remove netting black down center of back, loose scale pattern there flo orange brushed on fins by gills flo orange by center hook hanger and on belly of last joit, like live perch two flo orange on belly Set the Createx with a hair dryer. add eyes clear coat now. What do you think of the custom paint job?