Nitrofreak

Yes, but that does not mean that city and county rules don't apply or the state for that matter, some have already banned parts of lead usage on their waters. I understand the whole lead problem and yes there are solutions, but really, how bad of an issue is this right now ? Have the lead levels reached such astronomical levels in our waters that it really requires any part of our government to take action? where is the proof that fishing lures are a threat to our society? Taking care of our waters is something we all should be responsible for, I get that, and getting away from lead I think is a good thing but there has to be a cost effective plan put in place for a safe "environmentally friendly" alternative before GREENPEACE starts freaking out.

Sure am glad to hear you guys made it through the whole thing ok !!! Boats are easy to replace, Life is priceless.

If she is your"baby" why would you even consider selling? Do you have any friends that you would consider to be worthy of taking care of her in your absence, or someone you trust to lease it too?

Very nice post!!! A couple of other things to think about, your first boat should not be one that has you constantly dumping money into, look at how they stowed it away for winter or long periods of time, the trans if it was not stored properly could have froze with water still in the prop area etc... look closely at the shift cables and under the console at the condition of the wireing especially where they connect to the guages for any green looking color, some is normal, a lot is called neglect, this usually leads to a nightmare for wireing repairs. There is nothing wrong with owning a 20+ year old boat if you are willing to accept the fact that they need work, or at least most do anyway. Since this is your first boat think about the money you are willing to drop on one then look at the over all condition of the boat, if it was left outside to rot away then walk away, if it has been stored in a building then there is a good chance someone has taken decent care of it. I don't care if you are paying a dollar or a couple of thousand dollars, do not buy it unless they are willing to take you out and fish with it...yes fish with it. Make sure you are spending the money on something that is above all else safe!!!! Good luck and let us know how you did and don't forget to send us some pics!!!!

J, I am just a good ol boy who lives in the sticks and loves country and southern rock, so please look over my redneck ways. If you don't mind me asking... what in the world was that? LOL !! nice beat but I just couldn't connect. I know you play the drums is that your group?

Welcome to the forum Todd !!!!! South of DC huh, what area ? Just asking, I was born and raised in Annandale in a little place called Barcroft.

Welcome to the forum!!! Keep an open mind, there is so much info here that is already available to you even before you start posting, take your time and read it all.

Hello Jay and welcome to the forum !!! You will find this to be a great resource, there is a lot of great people here.

Welcome to the forum!!! One thing we like to do best is talk fishing, we look forward to your posts.

Yea, your avatar is proof of that...look at ya your all smiles for goodness sake!!!! lol.

I agree with Sam, there are lots of lakes and river systems here in Va. that offer great fishing, hikeing, camping opportunities. There are a few more lakes and rivers that are fun to fish that were not mentioned, for early May lake Anna is fun to fish so is Claytor lake, and many more, just let us know if you do decide to fish Va. and a location you want to visit. There are a ton of great fisherman who will be happy to help that are from this area. Good luck with your travels and be safe.

I read that artical too, a lot of us do the same things and have been for some time I agree, but I think most of that material is ment for new or newer user's as a guide for what they need for the challanges they face.

Im not sure what the thoughts are along the lines of some of our leaders around here who think they are not making an impact with their tremendous input and tallent they have to offer. I for one can offer no proof of how your guidence has directly impacted not only my time on the water but family life as well, I can only promise they both keep getting nothing but better for having known you all through words of encouragement and advise. If you think we as young anglers, no matter the age, are not paying close attention or hanging on almost every word you seasoned guy's AND girl's have to offer, your wrong, at least in my opinion. This site and it's leaders have ALWAYS been and will continue to be a huge pillar to which I base my success on. Words in my opinion can not express the true gratitude and affection I feel with each and every post you fill with your suggestions and comments. I for one wish to thank you ALL, be it you sponsor this site for us to acquire help and enjoy learning or being a leader teaching us to be better fishermen and human beings. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart !!!!

WOW seriously? thats cheaper than regular gas at the pump for my car here in town!!!

Don't do that, it will only leave the setiment to dry out in the carb, nothing but problems come spring, as long as you have the sta-bil or seafoam in the system you will be fine.

Thanx for the post, I consider myself to be very lucky to have found this site and to have made a couple of new friends from here along the way. I wish I had the time and money to go on one of the roadtrips and catch up with a few of you guys. RW has tought me a lot, as well as others have on here, as far as the 5% is concerned, I live close to a lake here in Va. that does produce a fair amount of fish 5 lbs and up, it has a record fish of 13.0 lbs, this past summer there was one caught 12.9 lbs, the reason I put myself in that 5% is due to the fact that when I fish this lake and "target" big fish only, I most always come home empty handed, BUT when I find the schools of larger bass I am successful with pulling in a large 4, 5, 6, lb bass or two, granted it is not one right after another as we all know how it truly works, but I feel successful in going after a specific goal and making it happen, not while I am just fishing in general and lucking into a big one, with that I would have to consider myself to be in the other 95%. There is NO WAY IN HELL I would have been able to do such a thing as this if it were not for having EXPERTS like RW and many others in this forum, I am going home empty handed less and less when I go there to specifically target big bass, the largest so far when I have done that is 6.9 lbs and the most that I have caught in one outing over 5lbs is two, all were weighed at the launch with tournament scales. My PB so far is an 8 lb bass that was caught while fishing with my youngest daughter that came from sheer blind luck, not while I targeted large fish...but you know I wanna take credit for it anyway...lol. Snotty, wisea**, or whatever mood you are in on a given day I always enjoy your posts!!!

Oh by the way the filter should go in line before the primer, that way any dirt will get trapped before it reaches the valve, not to worry though the system you have should not create much dirt since your tanks are going to be real easy to get to and keep clean.

Whooooo I think you are a little confused buddy. All you need is your fuel mix as normal, then a couple oz of ethanol treatment, instructions are on the bottle as to how much you should add, thats all. Every other tank it won't hurt to run a few oz of seafoam or something of that nature to keep the carbon knocked down, although if you are running regular 87 octane carbon will be less of an issue and in that case you don't need to treat it as often for carbon issues maybe every 5th tank or so.

You can just use an additive also, there are several to choose from, the one I use is formulated from rude specificly for ethanol treatment. It is a much simpler way to treat the fuel and less expencive, but a filter as mudkart suggested is a much more effective way to go.

LMAO!! I know a few people like that too!!! So where did that statistic come from ? Since it too is a statistic does it make that one a lie or a damned lie...lol Cool post I like it...even though it did make it seem as if you are a party pooper as slonezp so eloquently put it.

It would help to know what bait you are trying to use and the ponds information etc... In winter months you really need to slow down...way down from what you are used to. How clear or stained is the water, do you have any springs or creeks that feed the pond? The more you know about your water and its structure the more you will know about what your fish are doing. The colder the water the more lathargic the bass will be, look for areas of the pond that warm up quickly as the sun comes out.

Very nice post !!!!!

I for one can attest to that, for it was a lot of this mans advice that gave me insite and direction and even though we have never met, his and others opinions and valuble advise have led me to top my PB 7 times and it just keeps getting better and better as time goes on. If you have not learned anything then you must already know it all or you never make mistakes and should have won more awards than KVD. My vote...you came here as a nobody and you will leave the same way.

For me it is the other way around, it's the fishing that has changed my life, I was a bad boy I guess one would put it. Since my first child's birth was really my first wake up call at 26, I needed a path that would guide me in the right direction, fishing has always been a part of my life but I never knew how much of an impact roll it could play until I took my little girl fishing. I am not a true God fearing man so to speak although I do believe in him. I have to say I am not sure what put me on this path and why but all I know is that if it were not for fishing, the powers that be, I am sure that becoming a father would have ment being no more than just that...a father. I have two very beautiful daughters and a wife of 24 years this comming August, that love to share my passion as not only a bass fisherman but would much rather be with DAD no matter what we do. Bass fishing has brought a vision of what life truly is worth, I see it through their eyes more often than mine, it's the time we have when we are together, it's the time we have when we are apart, mostly it's time we do not have enough of. Take the time to fish if you can...but whatever you do take the time you are given and live.

Im thinking just get out.