blongfishing

Not nearly enough. But seriously, I have probably ~500 (give or take a little) packs of plastics, lures and weights.

Are you gonna be fishing it soon? When are you fishing? Will you be fishing from a boat? I have some experience on that lake.

Did a Cabelas/Academy run yesterday to spend some gift cards I got for Christmas. Spent $225 between both stores BUT I saved $300. All of the good deals came from Academy. Some highlights of the deals featured Strike King Structure Heads for $0.98 (reg 7.99, I think), Strike King 8.0 Magnum Cranks for $3, Seaguar Senshi for $5, and my favorite, Bill Lewis (Rat-L-Trap maker) Echo 1.75 for $1.48. I bought every Echo 1.75 they had which was 6 in Sexy Shad and 1 in a blue/chart. color. I only anticipated on spending $50 at Academy but I couldn't resist and had to throw an extra $50 out.

It is certainly possible. i bought mine for $1,000 and after all the repairs and stuff I needed it cost about $3,500 in total. After I added everything I wanted it cost about $5,000. It is possible. I have even seen some for around $4,000 perfect condition and ready to fish.

I am gonna copy and paste this from a response I sent to someone asking for high school sponsorship. I think the same rules apply. I am the president of my high school team and I am over all of our sponsorships. Here's a few tips that helped me out: Ask any local businesses. Doesn't matter what they sell or what service. Most people (at least around here) love supporting their local schools (especially alumni). Write up a pretty letter that outlines your team, your accomplishments, and what they will get out of it. Send out team members. Create a small army of team members to approach local businesses and even people. Some members may know or have connections with different people. Create a diagram or some way of showing people what they are gonna get out of it. If you have jerseys then tell people what size logo will go on your jerseys or logo size on a banner depending on what size of sponsorship. At my school we have to have invoices to get money that our sponsors gave us so maybe ask for gas cards from some people because most gas stations won't let you pay by invoice. I am sure I am missing something but these tips seem to be the most helpful for me and brought me most of my success. If you have any questions feel free to message me on here.

I am the president of my high school team and I am over all of our sponsorships. Here's a few tips that helped me out: Ask any local businesses. Doesn't matter what they sell or what service. Most people (at least around here) love supporting their local schools (especially alumni). Write up a pretty letter that outlines your team, your accomplishments, and what they will get out of it. Send out team members. Create a small army of team members to approach local businesses and even people. Some members may know or have connections with different people. Create a diagram or some way of showing people what they are gonna get out of it. If you have jerseys then tell people what size logo will go on your jerseys or logo size on a banner depending on what size of sponsorship. At my school we have to have invoices to get money that our sponsors gave us so maybe ask for gas cards from some people because most gas stations won't let you pay by invoice. I am sure I am missing something but these tips seem to be the most helpful for me and brought me most of my success. If you have any questions feel free to message me on here.

Ha! If you don't like it don't watch it. To get on here and speak negatively is no way to do it. I find the videos helpful especially the ones near my area. maybe you don't but come on. Respect takes you far.

My first bass boat I owned was full time at the dock. Now that I have done it I have realized I will never do it again. Although, I didn't have a cover on mine. I don't think it would help other than to keep the water out. You would also have to have a battery charger to charge your batteries so keep that in mind. I know my neighbor on the lake has a lift and cover that goes on his pontoon all the time and his boat is in great shape. Another couple of docks down the guy has a 2012 Ranger Z520 on a lift under a aluminum covered dock. His boat is in nearly the same condition as when he bought it new. So to answer 'Should I keep my boat at my dock?' heres my answer, It depends on how much you are willing to spend on protection of the boat while at the dock. If you do decide the keep it at the dock be sure to get an automatic bilge pump and keep the battery charged. I learned the battery part the hard way. Heres the pros: easy to get in and go fishing and heres the cons: algae grows on it, sun/water damage, bugs, damage and so much more.

I have the same problem. I love spots and on Lake Hartwell you can catch a limit of them and win so I don't mind catching them. It's almost like they are attracted to me. If I go to lakes that have a small population of spots I ALWAYS catch spots. I blame that on my fishing style. Probably because I am use to Lake Hartwell where I have fished everyday for 2 weeks and caught limits daily of all spots. I agree they are more aggressive. I think their aggresion is one reason why the smaller ones bite a lot. Makes it easy to get a limit at least. Lol. I do find largemouth on structure mixed in with spots so that shouldn't be a problem.

I bought a boat in a similar situation (just sat out for several years and hadn't been ran). I cleaned it up replaced carpet and got a tune up on the motor and if I sold it I could make money off of it. I would say to take it and fix up.

I love fishing by myself. I somewhat despise fishing with a partner. Unfortunately for me, High School tournaments almost always require a partner. I enjoy the time alone and time to relax.

Was it the PBC High School tournament?

I use copolymer for almost anything. Just what I do lol

I think you should have different things from each category (crankbaits, jigs, topwater, etc.). Just have small amounts of each. Although, like someone said above, the demand for fishing baits in a boat showroom may not be big. Get something from a smaller company and try it out.

I usually just put whatever I think is gonna work on the front deck. If they don't work I do the dreaded and open the rod locker and tie on something else or get another rod.

I was wondering how I should pack my boat for the best performance. I bought a 1997 Stratos 282 with a 150 Johnson yesterday. How would you recommend the layout? Weight in the front or in the back? I carry a lot of tackle and rods. The boat is 18 foot. In the past in my 15 foot bass boat I just threw everything in and drove off. I feel like I didn't get good speed or a good ride. Thanks!

Nice boat! I almost bough a bass hawk last summer but ended up getting a stratos just yesterday. The paint on the top of mine is faded and the gel coat is worn from the sun. From what I have read it looks like you can put a gel coat on it and do some buffing and it will look brand new. I am sure you will love the boat. It is nice and you will have it on the water ripping lips before you know it.

I fish a lot of high school tournaments with a partner out of another boat even though I have my own. I have never had a problem transitioning my rods from boat to boat and I have expensive gear.

I fished a tournament on Wylie last May and I had never visited it before. It was a great lake and I enjoyed fishing it. The fishing was good then and fish were even biting topwater. Any time from spring to really early summer would be a good time to go. I am not sure exactly what the fish would be doing because of the insane weather here in SC. If they have that tourney again this year then I am going back because I loved it.

I know nothing about guiding for bass. I grew up helping my uncle because he was a striper guide. I can't give much information on bass guides but I can help you a little on the general guiding aspect. He started guiding when he was about 19 and never turned back. He has earned quite the reputation and is probably the best guide on the lake (honest opinion not just because we are related. lol) As someone said above, guide often times book up the whole summer. My uncle would book up everyday and tell his clients to call one of his buddies who guides. So you would almost always be busy and have a steady income but the payout is not a huge amount. Yes you can make a living and make it pretty good but you aren't gonna become a millionaire. After building yourself a rep. then you will have steady business. Hopefully I gave a little bit of info. I am no expert.

Welcome! I am from SC as well! Good to have you

I was just wondering what y'all do about electronics for your co-angler. Whether fishing with them or against them do you leave the console electronics on for them to look at or what do you do? Just thought of this when I was fishing a team tournament from the back of the boat over the weekend. Just a thought for when I get my boat in the next few weeks.

10-15 lb mushroom head anchor always worked for my 10 foot plastic jon boat. Always worked fine and should work for you.

Have the same problem with a 1980s Evinrude. Asked around and heard air in the pump that brings it up. Honestly, I haven't made the effort to fix it because I don't use that boat often so I don't have a for sure diagnosis. But I agree with others, possibly could be the low fluid.

Had this same problem here on Lake Hartwell (SC) but with gar. I would be fishing deep or shallow and still they were there. The gar were 2-3 foot and they would chase my bait and never bite. I asked around a bit and they said the area was heavily populated with gar and bass didn't usually hang around in that spot because of the gar. The area was a grassy area which is where gar like to live. Is this your case? I don't know but could be a possibility.