Jeff_NHBA

Most boat ins. companies I've ever dealt with will cover a boat like a Gambler, Allison, Bullit or a Blazer. Will the premium be higher, of course just like the premium will be higher if you're insuring a Mustang GT vs a Ford Taurus. I just recently bought a used Bumble Bee (also not mass produced) and insured it through Progressive. I had to fill out a questionairre/declaration form where one of the questions asked if the boat was capable of speeds in excess of 74 mph. There may be a threshold between premiums for bass boats and "high performance" boats.

Gotta protect the eyes. I wear prescription glasses with polycarbonate lenses and while fishing I'll either wear my Fit-Overs (grey lens) or Cocoons amber (lens) sunglasses. The amber lens also provides excellent color definition, great for deer season...

Congratulations Nick! By the way, which are you more excited about, the scholarship or fishing with the pro? ;D Either way, I wish you great success.

Hi, I'm looking at buying a used boat. It has a Lowrance Flasher mounted in the console (original quipment) and has a Garmin 168 Sounder mounted off to the side of the console. The flasher gives an accurate depth reading. The Garmin was on a page that showed course over ground with a track history, speed, etc. but there was a display on the screen that read "Sonar Off". The Garmin unit comes with a transom mounted transducer, but it looks like there is a temperature sensor there in its place. I'm going to take a look at the boat again this weekend to see if I can find the two transducers. My assumption is that since the units are from different manufacturers, they cannot share the same transducer. If there are two transducers, wouldn't they interfere or can that be cancelled out with different sonar frequencies? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

I find it useful to go to location specific sites like Potomac Bass.com to get a more local angle on things. So you might try to find something similar where you live. It never hurts to get all the info you can. Eventhough this is a great site as the content is thorough and the layout is very user friendly, you never know, there might be something else out there that's useful.

I've been thinking about a Ranger too. How did you know you were getting a good price?

I'm looking at getting a new bass boat but without the boating equivalent of Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book, if feel like I'm at a huge disadvantage when I talk to a dealer. Aside from considering a Tracker or Nitro product since they use a national pricing structure, how do you know what's reasonable? I thought about calling my credit union to see what loan amounts they've approved for the models that interest me, although I don't knop if they'll give out that info. My other thought is to use the NADA guide and increase the estimates to compensate for depreciated values. I'm looking at something along the lines of a Triton TR186, Nitro 581, or ProCraft 18-19 ft. I understand the dealer's service deptartment is also a huge consideration for where to buy as well, but I have to start somewhere. I've read the articles on this site which are very helpful in general terms but did not address this issue. Any suggestions are more than welcome. Tight Lines Everyone.

Sounds like they should pay you for taking it off their hands.

Will bass boat engines run ok on the "new" gas formulated with ethanol? I saw a placard at a gas station that essentially told boaters to ask the station attendant for more information. Just curious.

Woo's video is perfect for learning about fishing tidal water. Most tidal fisherman prefer to fish the outgoing tide within a couple hours of the low tide, through the slack water of the low tide to about an hour after the low tide. The low water = less water volume and therefore concentrates the fish.

Here's a link to the Lowrance site: http://www.lowrance.com/tutorials/transducerguide.asp and a link regarding installation: http://www.lowrance.com/support/installation_guide.asp. You also might want to try angling the transducer up a bit so that when your boat is running at speed, the transducer is level.

The website he's talking about is BassResearch.com.

Welcome aboard! Just attach the line with an arbor knot. You want to make sure the line comes off the top of the filling spool as it faces your reel. You'll also notice the line from the filler spool has a natural curve to it from being on the spool. You should make that your tag end when you tie your knot and that way you're not going "against the grain" of the line as it sits on the spool.

Why not try to hang a white grub or 4" tube on a jig 2 - 3 feet beneath a slip bobber. You can let the bait sit there and the slightest movement from current or wind will impart action on the bait. It's almost too easy but it works.

The trailer also helps slow the fall of the lure which is the time when most fish will hit it. I try to match the color of the trailer with the jig and for some added color i"ll dip the claws in Spike's Dip-It (chartreuse).

Hi Hillbillyhooker, Since your assignment is demonstrative in nature, the more you are showing the class how to do something will be better than telling them. Since fishing is a passion, why not show the class: 1. Your equipment used for fishing: a. Rod - Explain different types of power and action by showing the class the difference between two different rods, one a MH fast tip and the other M slow. Tell them why it's not a "one size fits all" application. b. Reels - Differences and applications of a spinning and baitcasting reel. c. Line - Show them how to spool a reel with some mono and then bring in some filler spools of other types of line you have on hand if you've got some braid, flouro, etc. d. Polarized glasses. You can show the class hoe they filter out horizontal light waves by holding the glasses up to a light and turning them 90 degrees. The light coming through the lens will change color. 2. Lures - Bring in one of each (crankbait, spinnerbait, plastic, lipless, jerk bait, etc. ) and show them the different retrieve types. You can explain the different seasonal applications as you are demonstrating. 3. How to cast - if there's room... You should be able to flip at least. This should get you in the ball park. I think you've got the right idea talking about something you enjoy. You'll be surprised how fast five minutes will go by. Have fun with your assignment.

The bass should relate to pilings and docks just like anywhere else. A couple things to remeber though: 1. Bass are lazy. They don't want to waste their energy hanging out constantly in a strong current. They will relate to pockets just outside the current where bait can come to them. 2. Bass will relate to current like we do to wind. If it is cold, bass get out of the current (and if you are smart, you'll get out of the wind.) Conversely, with warmer water, the bass will relate more to the current (just like we would enjoy a nice summer breeze.) On bright, sunny days you should find bass under docks, especially the ones closest to deep water. Try skipping a senko or jig way in the back where others can't get their bait and you might have success.

Another good point is to learn how to fish the tides. You always want to fish on the lowest tide, rationale being that there is less water volume and therefore more fish per available volume. You can go to this website http://www.saltwatertides.com/pickpred.html and click on the region where you live. A number of reference points will appear with high and low tide times. Chart these times to the associated river you're going to fish and just keep an eye on your watch. When you're close to the end of low tide, you can run the river in the direction of the next location before it hit low tide and you can fish a falling tide there and so on. Hope this helps.

Are you sure GY didn't put you up to this as some sort of market research tool?

Way to go RW!

Ike was at my BMU class last year. He was one of the nicest, most approachable guys there. His class by the way was by far the most well prepared and organized. He didn't even promote products like the other pros. Misunderstood? Sure. Disliked? I guess, by misinformed people.

I just got back from Bass-a-Rama. Seemed smaller than last year wrt vendors but I usually go for the seminars anyway. Today we had Woo Daves (2000 BM Classic Champ), Marty Stone, Guy Eakers, Woo's son Chris Daves, Ken Penrod (a local fishing legend and author of regional fishing books), Teddy Carr (Another excellent guide.), Steve Chaconas (Guide, author, local outdoors radio show host) and one other pro whose name escapes me right now. I wasn't really there for the stuff so much as info (although the bait monkey talked me into some Chatterbaits.) Marty Stone and Woo will be there again tomorrow for sure. I particularly liked the new way Woo showed us how to rig a trick work. Kinda sneaky and sure to be the hottest thing this spring on Kerr and Gaston.

I'm looking forward to my class as well but it isn't for a couple weeks. Until then, I'll have to attend some local fishing seminars...

I saw those advertised on Bill Dance's show and they looked promising. He says you can't get hung up in one but I'm sure I'd figure out a way. Algae starts to grow on them in a matter of days which of course attracts the little guys with the rest of the food chain not far behind.

I belong to a small tournament club in Manassas, VA that has been around for about 20 years or so. The annual dues are $30, tournaments are $20 with an additional $5 for biggest fish pool. A percentage goes to the club , with the remainder divided proportional to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers.