lmoore

When you see it on tv, it's often because the camera guy is in the back of the boat.

Sounds like you have it pretty well figured out for that pond. From an oversimplified perspective, I tend to think of patterning fish as similiar to patterning people. Offer a cheesburger to a guy at McDonald's and you'll probably get a taker fairly quickly, offer a salad, and you'll probably have to work a little harder to get a taker. Bass are similiar, just find where they are feeding then narrow in on what they're eating. Of course, it's rarely as easy as that sounds.

I used to buy all sorts of colors. Anymore, I typically have 2-3. I'm crankbaits, that's a natural shad for clear, sexy shad for lightly stained, and a chartreuse for stained. When matching bait, I worry more about size.

Even if they swapped info, it wouldn't surprise me if Chris told Bobby he wasn't going to fish those spots. Bobby is in a place where he could make a run at it with a big bag today and I'm sure Chris knows that.

He uses Veritas quite often and it appears he is in the video. Not sure of the specific rod if that's what you're wondering.

Caught a couple decent bass ice fishing last year on a small jig and wax worms. I'd guesstimate the water temp right around 32 degrees

That, you could figure out if you knew the density of the lure and the bottom temperature. Water density is highest at 39 degrees celsius (1000 kg/m3), so any bait that was less dense than 39 degree water would act as you say under some circumstances. There sure do seem to be a lot of Iowans around this time of year. Everybody must be almost overcome with cabin fever by this point.

This pretty much sums it up. If you REAAALY wanted to get an idea, you could make some assumptions to use for estimating, but in order to get an accurate answer, you'd have to give yourself one heck of a headache.

Really confused me with this one for a minute since I actually do work for a Railroad. Lol

We all have our issues. lol

We had one, but it was entirely Civil and Construction Engineers as far as I know.

I was a Civil Engineer also and we had the Concrete Boat team, but I was more worried about the ISU Fishing Club. That last one should help Mr. Richardson out.

It's unfortunate you went to such a terrible school of engineering.

Water pressure at depth would be irrelevant since it would be acting uniformly over the entire surface of the lure. For calculating depth of suspension, you would need to know the density of the lure and compare to the density of the water at a given depth, which is almost entirely affected by temperature (assuming pure H20). Plotting the comparison of density and temperature gives you the approximate formula D=-00.14T^2+.0897T+998.65 D+Density(kg/m^3) and T=Temperature (F)

Good points and thanks for the input. Since deciding to buy a boat this spring, I've been pretty cautious (perhaps overly so). Good to get input from others who've been through all of it before.

Hey guys. I was looking at a boat the other day and I washoping for some opinions. It's a 96 Champion 191 with a 200 hp Johnson. Asking $8000. Boat is in very good shape, motor has never had major problems. I'm going back to test it in a week or two when we have better weather. The one concern I have is a few scratches on the underside of the hull. They aren't deep (not into the fiberglass), but should these be a concern for a potential future problem?

I gave away quite a few DTs this year after I had several last season return to me as only a bill.

One method I used (and trust me, I only used it once). I weighed all the fish I had after I had my limit, and wrote the weight on my arm in the color that matched the cull-clip the fish was attached to. It was only a 3 fish tournament, so I only had 3 colors I needed to use, which was great, because I only had 4 colored markers....the 4 that come in a pack of Spike-It Garlic Scent markers. Didn't take much of the drive home for me to stop and scrub, and I ordered a balance shortly after.

Looks great. How did you do it?

Going to look at one this weekend, any opinions appreciated beforehand. 1996 Champion 191 200 hp Johnson Venom 2007 Minnkota 80# Trolling Motor Humminbird 781 SI Notes some minor imperfections due to use, tough to see in pictures. Getting rid of the boat because he got another one. Hit a wingdam on the river last fall, so he had the lower unit gone through when he decided to sell, all in good shape mechanically, some welding done on the scag and the prop was replaced. Asking $8000, book appears to be about $8500 boat/motor/trailer. Any thoughts?

Couple more I'm looking at. Anyone have strong opinions of a 96 Johnson venom 200 or a 93 mariner mag 3 150?

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm definitely considering other boats. The reason I'm looking at this one is it would allow me to put some cash towards some student loans I'm paying off. If I decide to look at this one, I know a very good mechanic in the area and ill see if he can come along.

Wanted to get some opinions. I'm looking at getting a new boat this spring, replacing my trusty old flatbottom I've spent the past year in. I have right around 8k in cash to spend. I found a boat advertised in a nearby town that interests me a little bit. It's a 1988 Ranger 364V with a 1998 Evinrude 150 on it and he's asking a negotiable $3k. In talking with him, he hasn't had the boat out in 2-3 years, but it ran well at that point. Hasn't had it compression tested since he decided to sell it. The carpet needs redone, and I can get a pre-cut kit for $350, so it would just that plus my labor. Hull appears in good condition in pictures, and he says it is solid. My biggest fear is the motor. I asked if it was a Ficht since I knew they had some problems with the late 90's 150s. He says it isn't a Ficht, but didn't offer what it was. I wasn't aware they made another model, does anyone have more knowledge of 'rude motors of that era? Also, in the case it ends up being a Ficht when I go to look at it, should I basically consider that a deal breaker if he can't provide a history of the motor? I'm sure some or even the majority of the Ficht's were fine, but I'm hesitant to jump in without knowing for sure.

For cheap ones, Rogues rarely need tuned out of the box. Rapala XRaps are pretty consistent also. I can't possibly fathom what baits you buy with a 20-50% "good" rate.

You should have called the tournament director to let him know the situation. Much easier for him to give the go ahead for you to help and be a couple minutes late than it is for him to believe your "excuse" after the fact.