rboat

How often do you guys change spark plugs? I have an older 2 stroke without oil injection so I assume I need to replace plugs more often than newer engines?

Anyone repaired a small scrape or chip in gelcoat? Any good ideas?

I got a scrape in the gelcoat on the edge of my bassboat. It is not real deep or large about the thickness of a dime and size of a half of a dime in circumference. it took the clear layer off down to the shiny flecks underneath. It is located on a slanted part. Is there some type of clear liquid I could put in the scrape. I was thinking of clear nail polish? It would have to be a thick clear liquid that would harden quickly or it would just run down the side of the boat before drying. I don't want to buy an expensive kit or something just to repair one scrape. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. P.S. this happened due to an idiot at the ramp with a giant yacht who didn't back his trailer far enough into the water. He did not want his Hummer truck tires to get wet, Instead he gunned his engine and tried to drive the Queen Mary up onto his trailer. All of the boats tied to the dock, including mine were tossed violently in his wake. We yelled to him and he laughed and drove off. What a tool!

Who makes really good repair manuals for outboard motors? Is it best to get one from the manufacturer or a third party that makes repair manuals? What do you guys use? I was recently laid off and must do some of my own maintenance and repair myself so I can keep fishing. Repair shops are great, just expensive when your income suddenly stops. Any help? I am not a mechanic, but know enough to take care of the general maintenance and light duty repairs.

As a young kid I used to go to a pond and catch bluegills on one of those foam floating spiders with the rubber legs. Well the old zebco did not cast too well so I would put a red and white bobber about 15 inches up the line for casting weight. I would twitch this rig across the top and wait for the gills to attack that spider. One day while I was working this rig, about a five pound bass jumped up and crushed that bobber took it completely under. The loud splash alone scared the chiz out of me. I set the hook but the bobber just popped back to the surface. So technically I did not catch him, but I always wonder if I had attached a hook to that bobber, maybe???

How do you prefer to fish your spinnerbait? Plain just out of the package, or with some sort of soft plastic trailer or twister tail? I am just curious. I normally just fish it plain, but thought maybe I am missing out on an extra attractor.

I believe you are correct TorqueConverter. It has only come on when slowly moving. maybe it is just sensitive or needs a little more rpm to keep it cool. If it ever gets worse I will take it in for service. Thanks.

I have a 1987 Evinrude 88hp engine on my boat. Always runs great, but every once in a while I get an overheat alarm. The engine is always peeing water out and does not feel or smell hot. The alarm goes off after about a minute and may not come on again for several fishing trips. Is this just an electrical short or should I be more concerned. Sorry I am not very mechanical on this sort of thing. The engine always runs normal and is not negatively affected by the alarm. It is loud and annoying to me. Any help or suggestions, without an expensive trip to the shop? Thanks.

I saw some of these at my local BPS and wondered if anyone has had any experience with them. They are more expensive than the regular model, but they do have a very nice finish on them. Please let me know good or bad. Thanks.

I don't believe it is Renosky. I think what you have is a fluke bait made by a company called Illusion Lures. They were made in Norman Oklahoma. I do not know if they are still around. You can sometimes find some on fleabay. They were made with a realistic print over the bait. The plastic was kind of hard so it moved different and was sometimes hard to get a good hookset. I believe they showed up in stores around 2000-2001 and disappeared shortly after. They came in a small plastic box with the hooks and they had a strong following in local areas for a short time. I think I still have a couple of them around somewhere. Good Luck on your search.

That frog pattern sure looks like a Manns paint job. Kinda like the Manns top dancer, however I do not recall one with props? Possibly a knock-off by some other Co.

I never really use creature baits even though I have several bags of them. My question is when does a creature bait with all the appendages and whatnot work better than say a regular curly tail worm? Thanks.

I just read an article in a north Orlando monthly fishing flyer that stated 2 guys caught several nice bass up to 6 lbs in lake Apopka this past summer. I had heard it was still a dead body of water. Maybe it is starting to come back to life? It sure was a shame. That lake was listed as the best big bass lake in the state in 1970. Then the surrounding farms and chemical plants dumped their waist and runoff and literally killed everything in and around the shore of a large beautiful Florida lake. The state has bought most of the land around it and spent big bucks trying to clean it up. They have done dredging, added more reeds around the shore to help filter, added runoff evaporation ponds, etc. A Florida dept. of natural resources guy had stated that time would be the only real way it could return to normal. He also stated that it may not be in our lifetime. Fishindaddy, have you been there recently and caught anything? just curious.

I have noticed short shank trebles are getting very popular, especially the KVD trebles, however, it would seem with a short shank there is less room between the hook point and the body of the lure to hook into the lip of the fish that is striking the plug. Anyone have any input on the advantage of the short shank trebles? Thanks.

Have seen a brand of lure for sale on ebay and other sites called "Nils Master." Mostly jerkbaits from overseas I believe. Anybody have any experience or luck with using these. Finish and colors look good. Thanks.

I am not sure they really help, but I like them. I also take any new baits I buy that have inferior hooks and put new red quality hooks on them. Now when I look in a box I can tell if the bait has new sharp hooks before casting it out. Seems to work well and I still catch as many or more than I used to. I think it is just up to the fisherman if he feels it helps out.

I have a few cranks that need new trebles. I saw some kvd trebles at Wal-Mart and wondered if they were any good, or should I stick with the trusted Owner or Gammy? Thanks.

For you guys that fish the micro guide rods, which brand is preferred? Thanks.

I believe these were crankbaits sold by a company called Anglers Pride and they were called "Chowhounds." That company I believe was sold to Luhr Jensen.

How often do you clean & lube your reels?

From the size of that lure, and the quarter, I think a size 2 dressed treble would probably work. You can always take off that tail hook and take it to the store to match up the size.

I think all companies have both good and bad reels in their lineup. That is how they try to appeal to every consumer. Our job is to find that breakpoint price between quality and sub-par offerings. At times this can be difficult to do. That is why forums like this can be used as a tool to help others. If we all put away our brand bashing and just tell the truth about what works well for the price and where to get those deals. We may all fish with better gear, enjoy the sport more, and send a clear message to the manufacturers about their prices.

Has anyone tried these kind of slick plastic bunk end covers? They are supposed to protect the high wear area at the end of the trailer bunks and also help loading and unloading the boat at the ramp.

My eyes are not what they once were and now I need prescription glasses for distance, driving, etc. I want to get some good prescription sunglasses for fishing without breaking the bank. Anyone in this same boat and do you have any suggestions? thanx.

I have a couple of older rods from BPS. They are the higher end models, but I have noticed the black plastic part that makes up the reel seat, lock ring, and trigger grip have become sticky. I tried washing with soap and it is still sticky. A friend said it happens to some plastics as they age and start to breakdown? Any other suggestions to get rid of that sticky feeling. The rods are still like new except for this sticky part. Thanks.