rboat

I think @A-Jay nailed it. That coupler securing piece tripped me up one time a few years back. Keep it clean and lubed and should be good to go.

If anyone can help me, please let me know what swimbaits/glidebaits in the 6 inch range work the best? I already purchased a magdraft and a trickshad. What would you purchase next? Thanks

I am going to try to fish some larger baits this year. I will probably stick to the 6 to 8 inch size. I am also going to try the opposite and go small on BFS gear. Should be fun.

This should not be a problem. My driveway looks just like yours. As suggested check the height, size of ball and coupler, check coupler for dents or damage. Back your truck all the way up to the garage. It should just drop on there no problem. If you figure out the problem, please let us know. I am very curious. 🧐

If you were going to keep some fish to eat depending on where you live, bluegills, crappie, perch, walleye, taste better than bass in my opinion. If you live up in Canada, those native guides can fillet and cook a northern pike that will taste devine. I am not sure how they get all the bones out, magic or some kind of Canadian sorcery, but fantastic shore lunch.

Dwight, I see your point, if it is legal he can do as he chooses. That picture is quite old (the sticker on his boat says 09) but who knows. I believe it was posted on here to possibly stir the pot. I do think we would all agree that for catch and release, a hook point is far less damaging then a clip on a stringer. Stringers were made to take your catch home. I think the sport as it involves tournaments is moving in the right direction. Things like penalties for dead fish, and the newer derbies that are catch, record, release are gaining popularity. I have seen many dead bass around after these huge tournaments. That is upsetting because it means that as a guy who just fishes for fun, I would not have a chance at catching those fish or their offspring. I also believe their needs to be a limit on the number of tournaments. Some lakes around here have 5 or more large tournaments per weekend. I do not find any of this political, we are just discussing a part of the sport.

I do not know the back story or timeline, but I have worked with and around fish most of my life in large public aquariums. I highly doubt any of those fish survived long after release. People have the belief that fish are extremely hearty, in reality most species, including bass, are not.

I remember years ago a tv show called "Hook and Look" by Kim Stricker. He is a fisherman and underwater videographer. On one episode he filmed a guy hook a small size smallmouth and during the fight a much larger largemouth tried to swallow the poor smallmouth. Cool filming. So I think they may displace some smallmouth especially if there is a true size difference, but I have never caught a smallmouth so I would listen to @A-Jay.

Congrats, that is really cool. When I was younger I new some musky hunters. You guys are truly dedicated, and that kind of success is not easy.

I would never eat a bass and do all I can to get them safely and quickly back in the water. If I want fish to eat, a trip to the store or restaurant works. Here the mercury levels would most likely do you in. I don't understand, if you are passionate about the sport, why you would kill what makes you happy, mainly catching bass. Around here, natural predators thin the herd just fine without human intervention. I would not deny your right to take fish legally, but I don't have to agree with it. I do all I can by safely removing hooks and have tools to cut hooks that may be deep or compromising. If a fish is mortally wounded, I am safe in knowing another critter will have a meal in just a few minutes. I know ponds can be full of small stunted fish, but I do not see it here like I did when I lived in the north.

A question to all of you NFL fans: Each year there are bad calls by the officials. It has just been a part of the game. This year seemed to be much worse for calls across the board. How many of you think that all the betting apps; Fan Duel, prize picks, Draft Kings, Bet MGM, Hard Rock bets, etc. All of these are in part sponsored and advertised by the NFL. Refs can't bet on games, but what about friends, and family. How many believe all this betting is affecting the games? Money Talks!

Haha sorry, I watch way too many NFL games and get kind of passionate about the whole thing. This may explain some of it, I am a die hard Dolphins fan, so enough said. I do feel better after venting. I apologize to my BR family. Everyone have a great day!

I am not a fan of either of these teams. The Patriots cheated for so many years, and who knows, Vrabel played under Belichick. Did the apprentice learn from the master? I am still peaved at the Seahawks for handing Brady another ring, when all you needed to do was hand the ball to Marshawn Lynch who would have carried 5 defenders into the endzone to win the SB. I guess I am the type who holds a grudge forever. I will say I prefer the Seahawks over the Patriots. I didn't like Darnold because he was so cocky when he was drafted by the Jets, before he had even taken a single snap in the NFL. ------Now he has proven himself. Don't get me started on the halftime show. I do know one thing, if Seattle gets down deep in the red zone, they will not throw a short pass over the middle. 🤣 Go Hawks!

No, I don't even carry a scale in the boat. I could guess its a record, but would not know or really care. If she's a big girl, a quick photo if possible and back in the water quickly, to hopefully produce some more large fish in the coming years.

Since I am normally by myself, I am considering an auto latch for my boat trailer. If you have one please let me know how you like it. Pros vs Cons. Which type and model? Any thing I need to consider before I pull the trigger? For reference, small fiberglass bassboat approx 16ft. I am in the process of adding the supreme ultimate bunks which are very slippery. Thanks.

I believe I have mentioned this before, but an original Lazy Ike (banana shape) about 3 to 4 inch size in perch color will catch northern pike like crazy, especially trolling, if you are in to toothy critters. 😉 I think small perch is their favorite snack.

I would think musky guys might find a use for that. Figure 8s beside the boat?

Do you have a hard plastic or wooden lure that you thought would never catch a fish, but it actually did? Mine happened on a long hot day where we had no bites and were just messing around before leaving. We had tried everything just short of throwing the tacklebox out and letting them pick what they wanted. I tied on a cheap old Kmart (rip) KO type of crankbait and cast it out. Close to the boat, I caught a small bass. It never caught anything else, but I guess you never know. What you got?

Nice trap. Never seen that one. Do you know what color it is? I think about 1 out of every 100 traps has the it, and simply gets bit. Do not know if its the movement, sound, color or something else. You can buy 10 the same color and maybe get one that produces consistantly.

My flip would be trying to catch a SMB. Although I lived in the north when I was younger I never caught one. Now I live in the deep south and we do not have any. I know they like bright colors, are mostly found in deep, clear, cool water. That is about all I got. I would definately like to try it, but I do not travel much anymore. I will leave the smallies to you guys in the more northern climates.

If you have any type of vent in the garage roof, ridge vent or pipe vent, I would cut a small hole in your garage door near the bottom and add a screened vent cover. You may need an additional one in the garage ceiling (if you have a finished ceiling) near the center. It is easy to do and surprising how the air will flow and take smells and the heat up and out your vent. If done correctly, the garage temp will never get higher then the outside temp, which in Texas could still be hot. Either way, I believe storing in a garage is better than outside.

It will cost more, but you could just change out your steering wheel. You could get whatever size, material, or color you want. I did mine last year. It was very easy and makes a nice upgrade to your boat. Good luck on whatever you go with.

Mine would have to be a rat-l-trap I bought as a kid in the late 70's. It looks bad but still catches consistantly. It started life as chrome with black back, most of the paint is gone. What you got?

This is true, but most criminals look for the easiest target. If you have locks, they may just go to the next one who does not have locks. Criminals like fast and easy with minimal tools. You can never truly prevent someone if they are determined, but if you make it more difficult, you may just save your gear. I believe it is worth it in the right setting.

1. black 2. white 3. brown White bellies will get a few black sharpie lines for contrast.