Jeff_NHBA

Welcome to NoVA! Algonkian is up past the fall line of the Potomac that separates the tidal from the non-tidal portion of the river. If you had an aluminum jet boat I'd say go for it. You can launch for free at Gravelly Point, just north of Reagan National Airport. It's tricky to get to since it can only be accessed while on GW Pkwy headed north. Next best places is to try are Pohick Bay, Occoquan Regional Park, and my favorite, Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge. If you're interested, my bass club, the New Horizon Bass Anglers, has a meeting this Thursday, 7pm, at the Fairfax County Government Center. We have some outstanding anglers that love to talk fishing and share the knowledge. Check out our website: www.nhbayouthfoundation.org.

yes...

It really depends on the set-up ofyour sstem. It sounds like you have a fll pump, drain hole with a plug, and an overboard discharge to prevent overflow. If that is the case, you will constantly recirculate water in your live well with the lake/river water source. You aren't getting a lot of an aeration effect, but you could if you relocated the fill nozzle towards the top of the livewell (similar to some aquariums). A donside to the open-loop sytem is that ay chemicalsthat you put in here to settle down the fish will eventually get pumped over the side. ou could delay that a bitit your pump also has a timer so it isn' on all the time.

Unless you see water seeping from the livewell lids, it almost sounds liekyour drain valve is open just slightly allowing some water to run out while you're on plane. Remember, while on plane, your drain opening is much higher than while just sitting there and the water in the livewell will want to equalize with the outside waterlevel. You should also turn your fill pump off while o plane so you don't burn it up as you're not going to get a good flow to it since you are moving. That's what the aerator pump is for. It at least keeps the water moving and introduces oxygen into the water. If water is indeed going to the bilge like you say, then it sounds like you have a leak somewhere in the system.

I have the Guide Series "Guide" rods in 6'6" M and MH. I use the MH for my T-rig rod and the M rod for crankbaits. They are fine rods for the money, and an even better bargain when they are on sale.

Okay, so in that configuration, your drain is closed. If you just secure the pump and leave everything else alone then hop up on plane, do you lose water then?

When you're just sitting there, not on plane, does your live well fill all the way to the top?

Sure, why not? As a matter of fact, BPS classifies Senkos as a jerkbait vice a worm in their on-line catalog. The senkos and other similarly shaped baits have incredible darting action when fished as a jerkbait (jerk, jerk, pause...). Or, kill the retrieve, and you get the enticing fluttering fall we've all come to love. It's an incredibly versatile bait.

I think it's a bit too bulky to use for a jig trailer. Most people use them by throwing them on top of grass or pads, bringing the lure back like a buzzbait and then letting the bait drop into holes. I've actually caught some of my largest bass by throwing them at the edge of grass lines and just letting it sink and bringing it back to the boat with a slow retrieve.

You can also counter this by adding weight to the butt of the rod. Check out BPS online catalog and they carry a generic cap and weights that allow you to balance a rod nicely.

I think it really depends on how you plan on using the rods. For instance, I would use the IM7 rod (generally more sensative) for jig and worm fishing. I would in turn use the IM6 (less sensative, but more flex) rod for light crank baits and maybe small spinnerbaits.

1. Turn the knob on the left side plate to the left to the "unlock" position. 2. Pull the left side cover off. You may have to put your thumb on the spool to keep it from moving as you remove the cover. 3. On the side of the spool, you will see the six brakes. They look like little plastic "top hats" with a hole on the top. These brakes are centrifugal. As the spool spins, the centrifugal force pushes the brakes out away from the spool axel and they press against reel thus creating drag. 4. To turn all of the brakes off: With your fingernail, gently apply pressure on the small flange (the rim of the top hat) towards the spool axel. You will feel a slight click as the brake engages a small clip. Do this for all six brakes. 5. To turn individual brakes back on: With your fingernail, gently apply pressure to the flange away from the spool axel. Again, you will feel a slight click as the brake moves past a small clip. You will notice now that the brake is free to move away from the spool axel. It is held in place by an orange colored spring-loaded retainer. The retainer allows the brake to move out towards the reel frame as the spool turns at high speeds and then retracts the brake as the centrifugal force can no longer overcome the pull of the spring. 6. So in essence, you can set all or none of your brakes. When I set three of six brakes, I will alternate every other brake to even our the load, although I've been told by a bass pro (Jimmy Houston) that it doesn't really matter. Hope this helps.

There's no need for backing, but if you want to save some line, that's always an option. I use a palomar knot for everything.

Dicks Sporting Goods sells those with a Berkely Lightning Rod for 59.99 with a $20.00 rebate coupon attached to the rod. They look like fine reels and I don't think you can go wrong with an Abu.

Man, I wish I had a Clarus just lying around... Of course, I'd have to go out and buy another reel... That's a great rod for fishing weightless plastics around docks.

I don't think the brakes are all that important as I find myself feathering the spool with my thumb anyway. If your looking to do a lot of pitching, I really wouldn't worry about it. The BPS Extreme series reels are fine for any fishing application and won't cost anywhere near $200.

I think you'll be fine using a M action rod. I'm looking for a reasonably priced 7' M rod myself for spinnerbaits.

Congrats on the new boat! You shouldn't have any problem with a 22 gallon livewell as long as you have a good recirc / aeration system. If you want to learn more about the right prop, I suggest you look at the Mercury website and look around for their prop calculator. You will be asked a few questions (size of boat, type of fishing, etc) and based on your answers, it will recommend a prop right for your boat. Have fun!

I spoke to a service rep on friday about the 5 for 5 with free shipping. She said there is a glitch in the system that will charge for the shipping but if you call them they will refund your 4.95 for shipping. Kind of a moot point right now anyway as they were sold out. She said to try back in a few days.

It won't have a hard stream until the motor is up to temp and the thermostat opens up. If it's been running a while I'd say you have a blockage. Do you have good water pressure at temp?

I think you'll find that this weekend's show, the "new" Bass-a-Rama, is more of a boat show (cruisers, yachts, etc) than anything else. There are only a few bass related participants. The new Richmond Fishing Expo (Jan 25 - 27) is more along the lines of what anybody who's been Bass-a-Rama expects. Some pros scheduled to appear are: Hank Parker (Sat), Davy Hite (Fri and Sat), and Shaw Grigsby (Sun). Show is at the Richmond Raceway Complex. The website to this event is www.richmondfishingexpo.com.

Looks like you want to keep the tournaments close by, which is fine. I belong to a club that fishes tournaments (most on the Potomac, but some not so close) but the goal is to have fun more than win a bunch of money. Not everyone in the club owns a boat and there's always room for more members. Check out this site if you are interested: http://www.nhbayouthfoundation.org/

In VA you just need to submit your original receipts along with the corresponding tax form.

I like to use a Zoom Trick Worm. Bring it across the top and then let it drop into holes in the grass mat. s

Maybe the shop increases its prices right before a tournament? (Supply and Demand?)