BassnChris

I am MORE than ready.....................but I am NOT prepared yet. I have repacked the wheel bearings. purchased spare bearing set to carry just in case. hope to get the boat out a couple more times before the trip so I can get some more learning time in on my new electronics.......only had one learning session so far. Will kick it into high gear prepping the weekend before.

If you don't mind, please let me know what they say? Thanks

I wish I had the dough for a power pole. Maybe next year!

Wanted to fish this weekend but my schedule did allow for that. So i managed to get a couple of projects done this week. First was the rod locker storage: And then the tow dolly

I did that 30 yrs ago.........I used 3/4 exterior plywood and covered it with that hideous golf green outdoor turf. But it worked fine. Not much to it when I did it..........just laid it in the bottom of the boat after cutting to fit. I mounted 2 clamp on swivel seat/bases the aluminum bench seats......added trolling motor and battery.......my buddy and I fished our hearts out.......almost to the point of divorce a time or two.

Had it outside......sold storm shelter so I could get it in the garage. That lasted the last half of winter. Got new truck so boat is back out in the backyard. All electronics and anything I could remove was taken out. Boat cover and then a heavy tarp and secured as Glenn used to with bungee cords so that it is. Wrapped up tight. Hope to be able to buy a metal carport to place on patio and add some side panels and maybe end panels. The thing I hate about the way it is stored in the backyard is it is a hassle to remove the tarp and the cover just to tinker with it.....and the cold and wet too. I loved having it in the garage......I could go out anytime I wanted to and just lift the cover and tinker around. After the spring storm season has passed...... I will probably keep in garage again.....we'll see. Inside storage rates were around $150-190 and outside storage ranged from $25-95......depending on location and facilities.

I bought the basspro/mustang model.........the returned and bought the H.I.T mustang........then when I saw the cost of the H.I.T. Replacement cartridges......$70ish dollars a pop.......I returned it and bought the BP/mustang model again with 35 ish replacement costs. I think are quality products.......with the main difference being the technology. Decided to take a chance the the rain and humidity don't get to it here in Oklahoma.......I know some other guys have this one around here without issue......Mike being one I think.

I would have guessed Major. Yep. Pretty sure he is a Major (insert your choice). ;-)

Mustang is the way I went...........just bought it a couple of months ago so I can't speak to durability just yet, but have heard very good things about them. Take care in storing it. I have heard tales of them inflating after being left inside the truck in the summer, or put away damp. I kind of go over the top sometimes......but I will treat it like it was a high end electronic device......seeing as how I am trusting it with the task of saving my life. Like Aretha says, "R.E.S.P.E.C.T."

i agree. SO (Seibert Outdoors) are the only jigs I use.

Closer and closer. Just keep gettin' more and more excited. Ordered my spare wheel bearings for the trailer today. Just about got everything we are gonna need for the trip. I know I already told you Gary......but just in case, I'll proclaim it again.......my wife and I will be attending your soirée.

I know what you mean. I think it would be better fiscal behavior for me to stay home too. However, I have been bit by the roadtrip monkey......and the Doctor says the only cure is to travel to Pickwick. It is close to the beginning of summer, so I can let the electricity, water and gas get shut off. Then use the neighbor's water hose to bath with until the first freeze in the fall. That should just about cover the cost of the trip. ;-)

INGENUITY !!! Everything on the shelf that tempts us.........started out somewhere with a little ingenuity . Nothing wrong in my opinion in building what you did......functional and practical. What would the extra $15-20 get you? Pretty? When the trolling motor is down and it is doing its job.......you 'see' no difference! Good job.

The way I started was with 1 med/med action rod and a cheap open face spinning reel with mono too. Determined the avg weight of my lures and picked a rod with that weight in the middle of the range(ie 1/4-5/8 oz) That is how I did it way back when.........circa1985. Then in '93 my wife and I divorced and I lost interest in all of my hobbies and did not start fishing again until last year. So I got to start over again. Now I am up to 3 rods and fair amount of tackle. Garage /estate sales and Craigslist are your friend.....that is what I did early on........Craigslist ........a great place to find stuff inexpensively .....but remember safety is always first and foremost. Meet in public places with a lot of traffic/people.......if they don't want to then something sounds 'fishy' and you are better off not dealing with hat person. Welcome and good luck........take your time and enjoy the tackle building journey.

Man o man, it just keeps getting closer! (Insert Roscoe P Coltrain laugh here)

I think sibling relationships are as diverse as any other relationship. Some may be inclined to share and others would not. We all know what kind of relationships we have........to each their own.

earlier would probably be better. The lower level is paid admission.......but it did not fill up.....so before the weigh in started they opened it up for anyone to move down.....so the lower level would be full for the cameras I am sure. They may not have that problem tomorrow though. The rush of people was someting else....we made it down but was at the opposite end of the scales. It worked out ok though........Sat there until the last one weighed in (IKE). they wanted folks to stay and come down the inner circle for a segment of ESPN 2........not us. I was tired so we took off. I hope I can stay away tomorrow,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,have fun.

It got a lot worse before doors opened.

Here is the line for today's 2013 Bass Masters Classic weigh-in. YIKES!

Yep, me too. He tells stories very well in my opinion. Kind of mesmerising..........very enjoyable!

I heard about this tonight at dinner..............I will not even get on my soap box about this...................Just gonna sign the petition.....hope it helps......since I do not live in Maine.

Sorry everyone.........Elmers ran out of food and closed at 7. We redirected to Rib Crib at 1601 S Harvard ave. I posted the address as soon as I knew Elmers was closed and hung around in Elmers parking lot until 7:29 to let folks know about the change. I tried to PM everyone that had indicated they were gonna try to make the dinner hoping that everyone had their notifications set to email their phone. I am truly sorry if I missed anyone. Hope everyone got the word that was coming to dinner. It was GREAT meeting all of you that came to the dinner. I am looking forward to meeting more of you at the Pickwick Roadtrip.

Changed to Rib Crib 1601 s Harvard.

Local news did a story on the Classic tonight....all week actually. They said the fish will all be loaded into a Oklahoma Wildlife truck they use to haul the fish for stocking. They will go out each night after the weigh in is complete. They will go to 'secret' sites on Grand Lake and release the fish at many of these 'secret' sites. They also said these fish will not likely bite again for several days.......not sure I buy that one.

I attended the expo with Long Mike and we stopped all of the site sponsors that were in attendance. Mike introduced me to Big O and I got the impression that he was one of the niceset, most knowlegable people I have ever met. I met several other folks and ran into Brad Uhl, who I have know for many years but have not seen in almost 14 years. Also, got to meet Glenn who also impressed me. Planning on heading back out tomorrow to take son and wife to the expo and hit the weigh in. Tonight.....We all meet at Elmers BBQ. This was my first Bass Masters anything.......I must say I liked it......although my impression of the event maybe skewed a little since I met the Bass Resource guys today.