bassnleo

Make sure you have the right rod and line for the crankin your doing. Most use a fiberglass or composite rod with a slow action, this will help you keep fish hooked. Line size will actually affect how deep your bait will run. I throw my DD22's on mostly 10 lb test since I want maximum depth out of them. If I'm fishing cranks around cover I'll usually upsize my line to 12, maybe 14, if depth is not critical. ALWAYS check your hooks, sharp hooks are essential. ALWAYS check the first 5 feet or so of your line, it will get knicks and scuffs from going arcoss cover your fishing around. I'm sure there is stuff I missed but can't think of it now. Good luck

Structure refers to changes in the bottom like a hump, shoal, creek channel, drop off, etc.... Cover refers to stuff the bass hide in or around like weeds, wood, docks, rocks, etc....... Combine structure with cover and usually you have a dandy spot. Example, a hump rising to 10 feet surrounded by 20 feet of water and on this hump is a couple stumps. Bass will most likely position beside the stumps on such a place.

It's a good line, alot of members here use it. I have used it and really don't have any complaints. My experience has been with 8-12 lb test...

IMHO, one of the most important factors in being able to see fish on your sonar is actually understanding what your looking at on your screen, no matter what unit you have. I do think that higher end units have better resolution etc.....but alot of middle of the road units and some lower end units will do a nice job if you just take the time to learn your unit and how to set it so it's working at peak given the water conditions you are using it in. I have a Garmin 160 on the bow of my boat. It's by no means a high end unit but I spent hours and hours learning how to read it and how to set it properly. I frequently fish deeper water for smallmouth, I can attest that I've been drop shotting in the cone of my transducer and have seen a fish appear, then bite. I have also had many times that I was slowly trolling around a piece of structure, saw an arch appear on the screen, drop the bait down to it, then had it bite. I can actually see my line in many situations. JMHO......

Diamond Shad

That's a big brown one anywhere! Congrats!

Yes, excellent thread. I know I raised a little stink in the thread you removed but in this one you perfectly described the conditions and way you succeed in fishing them. Kudos By the way, I still wouldn't fish thise rapids you pictured in the first post, no way..... not me

I have the 7 foot MH model. I use it for all styles and weights of cranks and love it. You'll like that whippy tip when a 5+ pounder is beside the boat and your trying to land her.

I use the 50 amp breakers that re-set themselves if they trip. I have tripped one on occasions when I'm running on highest power for extended periods of time such as fishing in high winds. As others have said, it's a pretty inexpensive add on to insure you don't burn up your motor.

6X, please keep us up to date on what you find out. Your experiences may prove to be invaulable to others who have future problems similar to yours. Best of luck

Just last weekend I was skipping baits under pontoon boats. I fet a bite, set the hook, line broke. I immediately re-tied and skipped my bait back under the very same boat and caught a fish. When I got him in he had my first bait in his throat.....Felt bad about that....but he ate immediately after being hooked once.....

Me, use Lucky Craft or Megabass, LOL again. I own 2 Lucky Craft's and zero Megabass, too pricey for my wallet... I've got to try the El Gordo's, have yet to yet believe it or not.

Forgive me if I am wrong but you should only need 1 circuit breaker/inline fuse in between the the TM and the power source on the positive lead. I think your corrrect for a 12V system. I believe my 24V has two breakers, one on each battery.

I would defiantely double check all your wiring and make sure that there isn't bare wire somewhere touching aluminum... The issue of you going through 3 fishfinders makes me want to think even more that you definately have electrical issues like Raul said. Could it be your pump? Maybe, since pumps are really not too expensive maybe try to replace / rewire it. As far as a plastic liner in the livewell, I would consider that as a last option. I think you need to solve the electrical issue. Man I can see your frustrated, best of luck with your problem, I would feel the same way as you at this point.

I was on a day off.......Awoke and turned on the TV while I drank a cup of coffee. My plans for the day were to go to the local 3D range to practice up for the upcoming archery season. Then the news came on..... About an hour after the first plane hit I was called into work. We have a small commercial airport in our jurisdiction, extra officers were needed to shut off access to the airport per the FAA. I went in and was assigned to the barricade. Just beside the airport is a U.S. Army reserve station. I'll never forget arriving at the barricade to find uniformed police officers and U.S. Army personel in full combat gear. We manned the post until stood down, don't really remember how long it was. To this day we still assist T.S.A. personnel with passenger screening on every flight leaving our airport.

Junk???? LOL! I hope earthworm77 dosen't see that comment Those lunkers were both smallies and caught on Micro Munch flippin tubes in green pumpkin...... Both were over 4 lbs

Thanks, haven't been around much, work has been crazy and my weekends have been spent away from home fishing tournaments. Things are winding down now...... Guess what I caught lunker two tournaments in a row on this past weekend??? TUBE!!

I have the following Kistlers: He70MHS He76HTC Graphite Drop Shot Special Graphite MH worm Graphite MH spinnerbait Graphite Jig and Pig I LOVE all my rods and have not yet had one break. I'm really tough on rods may I add..... I plan on buying more.

Definately wierd....My fishing partner's livewell is also aluminum and we have never lost a fish. Could there be some sort of electrical source putting a charge in the water? Other than that, I'm stumped. Your doing all the right things to keep the fish alive.

This thread has alot of good info: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1167358924/0

Keep at it man, you know I'll pass on ANY current info to help ya out, always prepare and expect to succeed!

Wow, no kidding? My preparation, the day before the T, I check the weather forcast first. Then it's off to my boat garage where I rig my rods and and organize my tackle according to the forecasted conditons and past experience on the body of water I'm going to. Next, make sure boat is in order. That's bout it................

Welcome and enjoy!

I bought a used Lowrance I-finder Go2 off a board member here. It has worked really well for me, it operates about the same as the H20, just dosen't have the capability to download mapping programs like the H20. I have also used a Garmin Etrex legend, it also works well. I believe both can be had for around $150

For shallow situations, Mann's baby 1 minus in craw, white, chartruese. Deeper, a Brad's Wiggler in craw color.