abelfisher

That is GREAT! Congrats on the PB and the time spent with your son! I have a 24 yr old and know the feeling of going out and having a great day on the water. Just keep at it and MAKE it happen again!

Burley, I too love lily pads! I might suggest you talk to your DNR about this. There could be problems bringing in a non native species. We see problems about this all the time. If they were meant to be there, they would be there. IMHO. Maybe being better safe than sorry....but that's just me

Hey Russ, that was great! You've inspired me! Great job! -Greg

I too am beginning to use my anchor more oftenm. Tie it through the bow hook, boat directly into the wind. However, the boat will still move from side to side, but not as dramatic as if you tied to a side cleat. If I wanted to stay on spot in high winds, the anchor is coming out. I have found trying to do the trolling motor in high wind and fish is just not as effective for me. Too much movement, casts get screwed up, retrives are weird, etc. Its anchors aweigh for me.!

THis really is a good question and if you know your own ratio for the type of fishing you do, it would give you a yardstick to measure your progress with. Obviously, if you crank, your ratio will be different than if you use soft plastics. (Cast per hour) X (# of hours fishing per trip) / (# of fish) = fish per cast ratio. Pretty simple. (You would have to assume time for boat travel, lunch pee breaks, snags etc. It is a very good measurement for yoursel. IMHO anyway!

Ceph, you either misunderstood the question, calculated incorrectly, OR you are one helluva fisherman! ;D

Oh yeah, I know Cool. What a name, Cool, CA.... LOL I also fish Lake Clementine, offf of Foresthill Road. Fishing a little tougher there, but nice serene lake.

Nice fish, dude! Great story! Congrats! What part of NorCal are you from. I live up in Lincoln. Like to fish Berryessa, Clear lake and a few others. Nice fish, young man!

Fot the spline of the driveshaft, I would use Mercury 2-4 C. Mercury Marine receommends it for their motors. I just did this last week when I replaced a prop.

Hey, this could be very serious stuff! See page 13 of the June Issue of Bass Times. They are talking about a $1500 tax. LBH, I love you man, but passing a tax isn't going to, by itself' protect our waters. It just an additional tax that will hit every boat owner that has a livewell or bilge pump. I don't know yet if this is an annual tax or one time tax. But regardless, it will be devastating to the fishing industry. I could afford this tax, but there are many that could not. This will definitely hurt the fishing industry as we know it. I just wrote the ditor of Bass Times and asked him to get his magazine involved in providing names, contact numbers of legislators that will have a role in the decision to tax us all. I will let you all know the response I receive. However, we all need to keep our eyes and ears open abpout this. This is bull crap! >

I have noticed a couple of boat chips on my 1 yr old bass boat (aluminum) which are below or right at the water line. I am not concerned about rust, obviously, but I have noticed the painted area surrounding the chips ( about 9 inches around) that seem to have faded under the paint. Any ideas on how to at least stop this from growing or better fix it? Thanks! -Greg Abel (Abelfisher)

Who really cares about Paris Hilton?? I dont care about her one iota. It is just so hard for me to believe that so many make such a big thing about Paris. WHO REALLY CARES??? Obviously, many people care or they wouldn't have it on TV so much. This is a sad commentary.

Looks like a decent rig. Looks fairly maintained as well. Take a close look in the corners, crannies, etc. You will tell if the guy had pride and took care of it. Also, ask for the maintenance log.

Lawn mower rope works for me too. I keep an extra one stowed on the boat as well. Never fails when you need it most it breaks.

I have an 18' Aluminum Fisher bass boat. It has a Motorguide trolling motor. Lately, I have come to realize that I spend way too much time fighting the trolling kotor while staying on a spot. I find that I probably lose 30% of my time effectively fishing. I said effectively. I am still fishing while handling the trolling motor but sometimes, particularly on windy days, I cant fully concnentrate on fishing while fighting the beast. I have come to realize that when I am on a good spot, I need to utilize my anchor and not fight the trolling motor. Anyway, I am coming up with a simple anchor system. I want the anchor to come off the front of the boat as near the center as possible. So I intend to install one of those stainless stell things you snake the line through, then use a bow chock to guide the line down to the cleat. this way I can keep the line to lay above the rail and not through the boat itself. However, I cannot get to the underside of the rail or front section where I could use a bolt and nut. So I have to use some self tapping type stainless screws. I am concerned about the pressure from the anchor on the screws and wonder if this is a feasible approach. ANyone have any ideas how I can attach these other than self tapping screws? I would think an anchoring type screw would work, just dont think I can get them small enough. Any ideas?

Tip, this is from the heart. Muddy is right. Get new friends!

Compliment her on her shoes. Chicks dig that! And LBH hit it in the head. Be yourself.

You did the right thing. Besides, what other option did you have? I too hate to see fish die because I caught it. It kills me.

To me, the favorite part is the whole experience. From the time I get up on Saturday mornings, anticipating the day. Loading the boat up, getting everything ready. Even the drive is a good experience usually 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. Then getting on the water and trying to put all the knowledge and experience to work. Really exciting when what I've learned from reading and just fishing, starts paying off. So for me its the whole day, nothing on my mind but fishing before, during and after. I love being able to tell my wife and kids the experinces I had on the water. Its really cool when my 24 yr old son can join me. Also, during the week, getting things ready for the next trip. I try to take a few moments after each trip and ask myself, "What did I learn today?" Fishing to me has become addictive. I need it every week. What have I created?? ;D

Yes, I do. I say prayers everyday and I dont consider myself a religious person. Just a way I talk to the Man upstairs. But Saturday early morning are a special moment. The prayers are a little more intense. ;D

I like him. He adds excitement to the sport. He gives us all something to talk about. How boring would the sport be if all were quiet and no personality. We all make mistakes. Most of us work to make it up. Ike is human just like us. Give the guy a break. 8-)

Another member of BR and I are fishing our first tournament on Clear Lake, CA on May 5th. I am excited and not showing any pre-tournamennt jitters (Yet). Anyway, what can you advise as to things to be prepared for, or surprises, or anything that comes to mind about your ecperience in tournaments. This is the first tourney either of us have entered and in fact , never fished this lake before. So I know the odds are stacked against us, but we both have confidence going into it. Thanks! Abelfisher

Nice Fish!! Which lake was that, Chris?

Great stories! ;D Sorry I missed it. :'(

If it were me, there would be a seat in it. I dont see any problem putting one in on the flooring. Obvioulsy you need to check for proper dimensions, but a pedastal seat would work. IMHO