Live.2.Fish

Now that winter is here is was going through my tackle today and it looks like I need to replace some of my hooks on my crankbaits. I am wondering if there is a special tool that makes splitting the rings open easy, because I tried to do it and it was really hard to try to get the hooks off. I would like some advice on how you guys change your hooks on your baits. Thanks.

I'm pretty sure they keep the same items out all year long. I know they do at the one where I shop at (Council Bluffs, IA). That is the only thing that gets me through the winter. oohhhhh I hate that "W" word. It makes me sick.

Just wondering what you guys think about the shimano Cruxis? I am able to get one brand new for $39.98. From what I see at the bass pro website it sounds like a smoking deal. They sell them for $99.99. I have never owned a shimano reel and I'm thinking about getting this one. What do you guys like about it and what do you guys dislike about it? Also how do the brakes work? I have always used quantium reels and they have a dial on the side it turn the brakes on and off. Just would like some reviews from you guys.

I'm a full-time college student and I work part time at Dick's Sporting Goods in the Lodge (Hunting, Fishing, etc...)

That is so cool what they are doing. Lincoln is just a 30 min drive from my house.

This isn't a "cow pasture".

My first car was a 1988 Merkur Scoprio. An "Auto-Bahn Burner". Basicly poor man's BMW. It was 14 yrs old when I got it and a week later I toped it out at 135mph. So "smart" when I had my school permit. I wonder when the cop would have said if I got pulled over doing 130+? I probably would not have a license today.

Yes, I implemented that rule today actually. It was is in Native American Studies Class today. The professor never showed, so after ten minutes of waiting we all just got up and went home. It was great. ;D But, with regards to fishing. Absolutely, if you are not ready to go at the right time, I'm out! I will wait ten bonus minutes and then I forget about it and start fishing. If i'm providing everything, the least you can do is be on time.

I too have never been sponsored by any one for bass fishing, but i'm in college right now. I'm a junior and in the college of business with a major in Marketing. I did not choose this major with a dream of one day become a professional angler, but sitting in my marketing classes it is very clear that this could really help get someone to get sponsored. They go through the different ways on how to market products and ideas. In your case, the product would be yourself. You must ask yourself, what can I do to help your sponsors make money. Find out what it is, and sell (talk about) it to businesses. Companies main objective is to make a profit. When you get sponsored, that business is taking a risk. Will the money that I shell out to put my name on his boat/shirt result in more sales for my company. If you can convince them that yes it can help them make some serious bank, then I would say that your definately have a "1-up" on your competition. All you have to do is know how to sell yourself and know how to do it well.

I was just thinking the other day. How do tournament anglers charge their boat batteries when they are on the road fishing tournaments? I'm assuming that they are staying at a hotel. I know that boats have onbourd charging systems but I was just wondering where they plug them in at night.

Great Interview!!!

Boats Looking Good BassMan!!!

Thanks for the help. I think that i'm just gonna drop is off at the marine mech. shop and see what he thinks. Also thanks for the info about the props, it was very helpful! Its actually a 50 hp Merc. I wish it was a 90. That would really push my 17' aluminium bass tracker right along! ;D

Alright, I drained (and refilled) the LU oil and I did not see any water or metal shavings in oil. The oil in the pic is not even close to the same color that came out of the LU. The LU oil looked fairly new. That is why I think it is not the same oil that is leaking down the side of the motor. I'm sure that the seal is shot, although I have not pulled the prop to see if it is though. Is it possible that the oil/greese on the prop bearings got water in it causing it to run down the motor? Has anyone has this type of problem before?

If it is true that the bearings are damaged how much can I expect to pay to have it fixed. Also, thanks for the heads up on the prop. I will pry go and get a new one. I have looked at them before. Is the only difference between stainless steel and a regular prop is how durable it is? Is it worth the extra money to put a SS prop on a 50hp motor? If it does have water in the LU, should I just pump new oil into the LU? Will that get all the water out or is there some type of "rinse" way that I should do to ensure that I get the water out (if its in there). I already have the pump for the LU and have changed the oil at the begining of the year. Thanks for all your help!!! It is truly appreciated!!

Does your boat have a gas motor or just an electric motor? Do you own your house live in an appartment? If you do and have either homeowners or renters insurance, they will probably cover you with liability insurance. This is based on that you have something like 25hp or less. I know for a fact that my homeowners insurance policy cover my butt with my boat, but check into it, because every policy is probably different. By the way to answer you question, Yes I would see no reason why you can't insure just your boat.

No, I have not run it with the hose since my last outing. About 2 weeks ago was the last time that I have used it and I just pulled it out of the water and have not run it since. Thanks for all the input guys. What I think that I might do is take it back home this weekend to where I store it for the winter in my grandpa's heated warehouse. So, with that being said, I might not get it fixed until next spring or so. Would that be a problem having it sit like it is for 5 months or so without getting the seal fixed. I really do not think anything is seriously wrong with the LU , it just sounds like a bad seal. So I might just wait to get it fixed in the spring. I'm pretty handy with tools and stuff but I might just let the mechanic handle this one. I don't want to mess anything any worse. The reason for storing it so early is that for one, I might have only one month left to fish (live in NE > ) and second, with college and work I won't have too much time left this fall to fish. Let my know what you guys think.

Thanks for the input so for guys! I'm hoping that I don't have any real damage beacuse I have not run it since I have noticed the problem. Does chocolate or cream indicate that water has been present in it?

OK, so here is what happened. About 20 minutes ago I hooked up my boat and pulled it to my house to pick up my fishing gear. As I am walking around my boat to load my rods and tackle, I look down at my lower unit and can't believe my eyes. There is oil dripping down both sides of the lower unit. I checked both screws and they are on tight. As I look a little more, I start to see that the oil is comming from where the prop and the lower unit meet. I have not used my boat in about 12 days. It has run flawlessly all year long so i'm stumped as to what happened and how the oil got out side the lower unit with out it even running. I noticed nothing out of the ordinary last outting. By the way, the motor is an '83 50hp Mercury What do you guys think that could be wrong with it? Is there some type of seal that is between the lower unit and the prop. Could that have gone bad? Also, what am I looking at ($$$) to have it fixed? Here are some pics to let you see what I am talking about. The marker shows where the oil is comming from.

I have an '83 17' bass tracker with a 50hp and all I do it fill up the tank, put some sta-bil in the gas, run it for a while and that is it. This past year, in the spring it started on the first crank after sitting for 5 months. It also depends on where you are storing it. I am lucky enough that my grandfather has an old warehouse that I get to use for storage for free and its also "heated" (kept at 40 degrees) so nothing freezes. Now if I had a lot new boat with a lot bigger price tag with a lot bigger motor then I would probably pay the fee to get it winterized. It seems like a small fee as compared to what your rig it worth. just my $0.02

Sounds like that will be a pretty sweet boat, but you better hurry our Nebraska weather is starting to show its ugly head. Make sure to show us what it looks like when your done!!!

Got to see some pics when you get her all cleaned up!

I only stand when fishing, on sit when I move to a new spot. I tried using the pedestal seat and hated it.

Thanks for the info guys.

As I was pulling into the lake today, I caught the "attention anglers" sign that was posted along the drive towards the boat ramp. It stated that you can only keep a LM bass that if it is over 21" long. It got me thinking. Why in the world would the game and parks want to only let trophy fish to be taken out? I know that it takes many years for a bass to become 21" long and be good size. So I think that it is very dumb to only let the monsters to be legally taken out. I am a person that always practices catch and release so I usually don't pay too much attention to fishing signs, but I did glance at this one today and it got me thinking. A solution to this could be to have a slot limit. (i.e. only let them take one fish 12"-15" perhaps) instead of taking out a fish that is in very limited numbers (big bass) and takes so long to get that size (over 21"). As for the fishing, My biggest was an 18" and probably 4lb 4oz-ish LM on a watermelon candy baby brush hog, that was t-rigged. It put up one heck of a fight and was a total bast to catch. As I let it go, I could even imagine keeping a Bass over 21" > it just seems wrong. And on a side note, my friends tell me that bass that big are not even good eating, tastes too fishy? I don't know, i don't ever keep mine, just what he said though. Any thoughts?