Traveler2586

Ok, I consider myself open minded (or is it empty headed?) so I just programed my DVR with Zona's Awesome Fishing Show cause I can't really say that I've seen it, or just the ones he's done for ESPN or Bassmaster. So, based on the comments here, I'll give him a month or so to show me I'm wrong.

X2, well said. Zona I can deal with too. But some others,,, no. Case in point, I sat down one Sunday with my granddaughter by my side to watch a fishing show where they fish near cities. Well, long story short, the host scared my Granddaughter to the point she left the room saying "there's something wrong with that man", she hasn't watched any fishing shows with me since and I don't watch anything with that host either. So much for a positive roll model for the sport.

Oh ! So it bends a bit, and if it breaks they replace it for free?? Sweet

And........................................ ? You forget, I'm from Maryland; I'll need more than that. I have it down on my ranger. But one day I found a log that was visiting a tidal creek channel; the log was a solid snag and didn't move; it tore half the TM mounts off the boat and I almost took a dip. Two week later I had my TM back from the shop with a new shaft, and after seeing the bill, I felt like I had received one too.

What shows & channels is he on other than Bassmasters? Maybe I haven't seen him at his best. But on Bassmasters, I just loose interest and start looking at my watch.

Around here it kicks up the PCB's (chemical) that are in the mud.

The reason I asked is because one of my first TM's was a Johnson that had the motor angled downward to push the water down under the hull; which at the time I thought was a good design; but I haven't seen anyone else pick up on the idea. As a side note, when in the shallows the Johnson could really kick up the mud. Sorry, couldn't get the BR logo out of the way so I had to rotate the pic. Anyway, my point is that if prop-wash is not an issue on a glass boat I will raise mine also; having it down it can hit wood/rock and bend the shaft. I've had to replace mine and it's not cheep.

Is the prop wash hitting up against the hull of the boat counter productive, or should it pass under the boat?

IMHO, I'll have to go the other way on this one; I really can't get into his show or his persona, so I'd put him on a boat with M.I. and send them off to fish the other end of the lake out of ear shot. As for M.I. as a good rep for the sport? I think not... IMHO

X2; I’m sorry; I can’t begin to imagine an umbrella rig full of Bass on bass fishing equipment. I don’t believe the bass rods and reels can take it for long. Trolling for Blues & Rock (Stripers) on the Bay was work when we has a loaded rig, and we were using heavy duty trolling rods with rollers, and heavy reels with wire line. Besides, I can’t see any sport in dragging in the meat on a rig, I’d rather go the other way with light equipment & tackle. IMHO EDIT: But I have a question about using the rig. Let’s say you have four fish in the live well; then you hook three more at one time on the rig; and to get them unhooked you have to bring them on board (inside the gunnels), so your now in position of seven fish. Are you legal?

Yes, it's the only "Add-On" they have right now, I think it was $4.99 at the Apple Store. If Navionics puts out a S/W update to either the main package or the option package, Iphone will notify you that it's available; you can then download the update with the push of a button through the iphone store for free. It's painless.

It's actually a $5.00 add-on with features that is well worth it.

Chartreuse or white spinnerbait with large gold tandem blades - willow or Colorado; OR Chartreuse or white chatterbait. Work along the drop-offs and weed lines in back water areas, feeder creeks, and around any current breaks..

Mark may be Red Blooded, but why is he hanging with a kid? Is there another story there too? I don't think I've ever seen Mark with a woman, but I haven't followed him that closely; maybe the kid belongs to Mark's girlfriend and her husband, who was killed in a drive-by...... I think Mark should go with the tagging method (see above), then he can nail Bassey on stage at the weigh-in, in full view of the other anglers.

Now the question is...... How is Mark going to catch Catfish in the act of hooking a Bass on Bassey's line? He going to need another diver to witness the act, or it's just one persons word against another. In today's world, Bassey could claim Catfish acted on his own, and he (Bassey) knew nothing about it, claiming he thought his special lure worked and the fishing location in question was a "Hotspot" for him. With a good attorney, Bassey has Passable Denial on his side. Mark could get Catfish to confess somehow, but that would be unlikely. BTW, you said “I have no idea who the kid’s parents are”. “Do you know how he is related to Mark Trail and Trail's live in girl friend?” This is like Donald Duck, his girlfriend Daisy Duck and the three kids Huey, Dewey, and Louie; where did they come from, and how did all of them get past the censors without wearing pants? Then there’s Popeye, Olive Oyl, and where did Sweetpee come from; or Betty Boop, her boyfriend Bimbo and their menagerie? And we wonder where our morals went in this country? EDIT: I just had a thought (oh my aching head) Mark could get his friend Bluegill to help him electronically tag the fish in Bassey’s van and when the fish end up at the weigh-in that would close the loop and prove Bassey’s cheating.

You don't need to be tech savy, just spend some time with it. If you haven't done so, down load the map option upgrade. That option has some nice features.

Try laying on a heating pad that is wrapped in a towel; do a cycle of 15 min on with 30 min off and then your exercises, then repeat the cycle. Or you can set in a hot bath for a while. The heat will relax the muscles and ease the dis confront. When doing PT they use wet towels, they say moist heat is better than dry heat; but DON'T wrap a heating pad in a wet towel - not a good thing to do. I've gone through this many times; my doc would tell me to make sure to do the exercises.

I can see the lake on my iphone but can't figure out how to export the view. Have you gone to you states department of natural resources on-line, or local tackle shops? Do an internet search (Bing) for "Fishing map of Crab Orchard Lake, IL" Here is one of the hits, http://www.lake-link.com/Illinois-Lake-Finder/lake.cfm/18652/Crab-Orchard-Lake-Williamson-County-Illinois/

Do you have a smart phone?? Navionics Mobile has it listed as Crab Orchard, Williamson, IL at http://www.navionics.com/en/mobile-pc-app If you have an iphone or Android, Navionics Marine & Lakes Mobile is the way to go.

I'm the same way; I use the flat square ones that don't stick up much and that can make them hard to find at times. I only use my GPS way-points to record the location after the buoys are out; I only use the way-points to return to the spot on my next fishing trip. Tip: The strap weight that comes with the buoys isn't that heavy, and takes time to unwind the string as it settles to the bottom. If your fishing in windy conditions with wave action, the waves can lift the buoy and pick the weight off the bottom, that action can move the buoy down wind. So I replace the strap weights with the 3 or 4 oz tear drop weights; they will actually pull the buoy under the water until the buoy unwinds to reach the surface. The trade off is wave action can unwind more string, but the weight doesn't move.

Ya, it will..... That's all you'll catch.... Crappy And now we know why your a physical wreck I don't know that I could ride the bow in a blow any longer; the ole balance isn't what it was back in the day......

Well, that's one way to get a womans attention

Some real good advice above. The big consideration for me, as some others have addressed, is launch and retrieve at the ramp; and whether you’re by yourself or not. The wind can make boat handling at the ramp very difficult, if not dangerous; and you can do some real damage to your boat if it gets blown into or under a dock. I’ve seen this happen, it can cost some real $$$$ so don’t let it happen to you. You have to gain experience through time on the water with your boat to know what you can handle. As suggested, play it safe and take it one step at a time; learn how the seasonal winds work on your body of water and where the quiet areas are, you’ll need to know this to seek shelter if you find yourself in a sudden blow. Also, as suggested, take some boating safety classes. IMHO, the instructor driven classes are better than the on-line course because you can ask questions and have open discussions on topics of interest to the class which means you learn more. I can tell you first hand that if you think you know boating safety you’re wrong, there’s always something more to learn. Well that’s my $.02 worth…

That's all I had too. I would like to have the factory hard copy, but not at those prices. If I have to I'll carry my laptop out to the boat, or print the page I need. There's a lot of good info in the service manual that's not in the owners guide.

Don't let the muscle relaxers and anti inflammatory fool you into thinking your all better, it will take a while for your muscles to heal. Do the stretches and take it easy for a while. Get well soon