basscrusher

No. The only thing I've done is spin the head around so I could mount the motor to the bow instead of the transom. And I did that when I got it 2 yrs ago. It worked normally for those 2 yrs up until Sunday night. Based on my research across the rest of the web, I agree with your assessment that the polarity got switched (probably). I'm just trying to figure out how it happened. I didn't do anything to it from Tuesday night (when it worked normally) up until I took it out Sunday afternoon. Then I have to figure out how to get it back to normal. The descriptions of the fix that I read elsewhere were a bit unclear to me.

Hooked it up again this morning, made sure the wires were connected properly, and when I put it in forward, the prop spins counter-clockwise. I believe this means it's running in reverse. So in other words, still doing it, and crossed wires NOT the problem.

So tonight I took out my Bass Raider 10. TM is Minn Kota Endura 55. Right after shoving off I turned on the motor to find that forward was reverse, and reverse was forward. Went ahead and fished. I last used the motor Tuesday, and it worked normally. Have not messed with it since -- no disassembly or anything like that. Pretty sure I had the wires to battery connected properly as well. Any ideas? Also, the motor stopped working about 50 yards from the ramp when coming back in. Not sure if the battery died or TM died. If the battery died it did so quickly -- only was out for 5 hours. Would running the battery as I did (reverse as forward) drain the battery faster? Gotta wait til morning to see if TM works, once I've charged battery. If anyone knows what's going on here, chime in. Thanks!

I tried it last summer and had trouble keeping the hook in place. The Yamamoto plastic was too soft for the worm to stay hooked properly after the stress that casting put on the bait (the weight at the end adds to the strain on the bait). Zero fish because I got tired of re-hooking the bait after every second or third cast. So here's my analysis in 3 points: 1) it should work if you can get past the problems I had. 2) I really have no use for it since it isn't different enough from a Neko rig to deal with the hassle. 3) I honestly think it's just Gary Y's own personal version of a Neko rig, and he touts it to sell the "brand". I'm not knocking it (or his baits) since the Kut-tail is one of my go-to baits for multiple rigs, but I truly do not see any real, fundamental difference from a Neko rig (which works and is less hassle). Having said that, please experiment with it and share your findings. I'd love to know if I was doing something wrong.

Jaws.

I've only caught a few small ones there in about 5 trips over the past 3 years. Did see a guy catch a decent 2 pounder one of those times. Also, watch out for gnats. I'm pretty used to bugs, but there seems to be this large and hungry resident swarm that is ALWAYS present down by the last picnic table. Bring bug spray. Easy place to fish, never seen it crowded.

They told you "no returns"...but did they say no exchanges? If you raise enough of a stink they'll swap it out. Think about it, all the employees there are just waiting for their next job anyway, you think they want to deal with the angry guy over a $40 reel?

he was probably saying "WAKE bait." A crank that runs close enough to the surface to create a large wake.

I've done the Powerbait rebates many times over the past decade or so. Never been a problem. I've always received the check within the stated time frame. Berkley does this often enough that they've got it down. It will work.

They are my go-to hook for skipping senkos under docks or trees. If they had that deal at my Walmart, I'd buy every pack. Literally.

Not only that, but the original host (Charlie Ingram) used to lie blatantly about his products, and think we wouldn't notice. Right after he got associated with Okuma (this was like 10 years ago) he did an episode on finesse fishing with the new Okuma VS spinning reel (their top of the line at that time). And he certainly did catch a good number of fish with that high-end, little solid black Okuma V series. The only problem is that the Okuma V series was silver...and he was CLEARLY using a Mitchell 308 or 310. I had to record it to show my friend, who also got a chuckle out of his "salesmanship." I mean, at least wait a few weeks to do your finesse episode until you've had time to get the new reels!

Agreed. I think whitwolf may be selling himself short!

Where can the Casitas be found for $80? I'm actually in the market for one? And I assume that 14 gram spool is on the USDM version?

looks like I'm late with advice but if your shop isn't satisfactory there's Progressive Boat Works in Chester and Richmond Marine Center in Henrico.

I actually use both of the aforementioned options. I've tried many other and honestly, these are the best 2 options I've encountered. I like the recessed eye on the Gammy, but I like the hook design (they call it a "saddle") and the price of the Owner. Both brands make excellent hooks, so overall hook quality will be great with both. Here's a link to the Owner: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Wacky_Jig_Head_4pk/descpage-OWJH.html By the way, in certain grassy situations, your method of worm weight above a wacky hook (weedless version) is often best -- a bullet shaped weight will often come through grass better than either of these jighead shapes. I do this a LOT, in fact -- 1/16 or 1/8 oz tungsten bullet weight above a weedless wacky hook. I like the Owner Weedless Wacky and the Gamakatsu Weedless drop shot/split shot hooks.

To say I'm a fan would be a massive understatement. If anyone here likes guitar-driven rock music, of ANY sub-genre, it all goes back to Chuck Berry...

I'm a big fan of the Bucoo...I have 6 (plus 2 Falcon caras). Which model are you considering? I might have first-hand experience to help you.

I use them on any type of crank/jerk with a split ring. I've seen line get wedged in between the coils of a split ring when tied directly. That's a lost fish waiting to happen. I use inexpensive Eagle Claw dual lock snaps in size 1 or 2. Despite what some may think of Eagle Claw, these are very strong. Can't think of any issues of failure/breakage off the top of my head.

That article pretty much answered my question. Thanks!

The one I'm looking at is not one of those big, large-capacity models. I'm looking at one with a 275 lb capacity, and I'm 235 lbs. I'm wondering if 40 lbs is enough leeway.

Dicey. Your 10E is going to be at enough of an angle, if you rest it on the tailgate, that A) you won't see anything in the rear view B ) the cops could probably cite you for an obstructed view and c) turns and/or bounces could have the boat slide more than you like. The 10E is heavy enough that it might not move much if you are really careful, but any unforeseen maneuvers could end badly. Just food for thought. (BTW...I have a 10E, so this isn't just random speculation. I haven't hauled that way, but I have propped it up the way you're describing while stationary, and just looking at it made me nervous. Since I have a 6 ft bed, that means it was 4 ft of boat hanging out up in the air...)

How much weight capacity do you like to have between your personal body weight and the kayak's weight capacity? I know this depends on how much gear one will carry, but I've never fished from a kayak and thus don't know how much I'd carry. (Obviously I'd try to travel light).

I agree they are overpriced. Most plastics there run about a dollar more than at DSG or BPS, and TW is even cheaper than them all usually. And I think all the above about not being a "destination" like BPS with the aquariums, restaurant, old fashioned candy shops, etc hurts too. But I was also listening to an episode of Marketplace on NPR about 6 months ago, and they had a retail expert on who said that in the last decade, many, many retailers got too tempted to over-expand. He was saying that the VAST majority (like 90%) of all retailers need to stay between 3 and 50 stores. Only a handful nationally can maintain more. And many, stubbornly, refuse to scale back until it is too late. Funny, because most of my AP Econ students can look at a monopolisitic competitor's cost/revenue curves and tell when you're in trouble. (Obviously the company has much more complete and nuanced info, but still...) In fact, next year this might be my lesson for teaching diseconomy of scale...

I haul that exact boat in that exact truck. It fits perfectly. 48" pontoon width, I think. Whatever the dimensions are, it was designed specifically to fit between the wheel wells of midsize pickups.

Yep. Something I think many people lose sight of. So many people in bass circles want to make fishing 100% scientific (and it isn't - there's as much art in fishing as science) that it bothers some people when you can't pinpoint something with 100% certainty. Anyway, I also agree with the rest of the post. I'd also add you might want to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing. If the swimjig is a hot tactic in your area, and you aren't catching as many, go with the jighead approach, and vice versa. My community ponds get hammered by guys throwing Texas rigged worms, so I throw jigs and wacky worms, among other things, just to show them something different. Same principle here.