Al Wolbach

You may need to get some help with your limitations but this procedure will work for the long haul

I'm not an expert but I believe the sauger and walleye should be moving to the tail race waters below the dam in February. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I remember fishing for them below Ft Loudon dam when it was freezing cold. Either way the tail waters when they are generating is always a hotspot. And in Feb they should always be generating.

I run Seafoam at 1 oz per gallon in the following, chain saw, back pack blower, weed eater, lawn tractor, pressure washer, 225 Yamaha Vmax, 115 Yamaha 4 stroke, and 2 Harleys(and probably something I forgot). I have run this for at least 10 years, probably more. I also put 2 cans in my wifes van and my pickup at each oil change, in the fuel. I have never had a fuel related problem with anything listed since i began this routine. My son is running a can in his oil now to clean the inside of his engine because it sounded like a sticky lifter was clicking. But I have never put any directly in the cylinders however it may help decarbon the pistons/valves if you did but I would not try that without some research first. I truly can't prove it works but I know it doesn't hurt anything and gives me peace of mind.

The 203 deck height is actually pretty high up front and this is what probably makes it a little tippy. The rear deck is very low however which is where you were probably fishing. The front deck is high enough to make lipping a fish somewhat difficult to reach. The high front deck helps with the great rough water ride. Gulfcaptain...I think you will find the cursing speed of 45-50 will be the most comfortable. The boat seems to like that speed, ride and handles great without any steering input at all. Top speed on mine with a full tournament load is about 65 full of fuel. I run a 27 pitch three blade Tempest Plus. When I fished tournaments I dropped to the same prop in a 26 pitch in the hot summer months. My Yamaha will spin very near 6000 rpm with the 27 pitch and cool air/water. Big difference in hole shot using the 26 pitch, noticeably quicker but top end suffers. I tried a 25 pitch and did not like it at all, don't remember details. Never tried a four blade. I'm not sure why but when my boat was delivered it had a 27 pitch Tempest Plus, which as you know is a Mercury prop, which had a Champion logo on the prop. And that's with a 225 Yamaha. It may have been factory supplied, not sure. At that time Champion worked very closely with their dealers. My boat came from the factory with a 10 in Rite Hite jack plate but was factory recalled to install a 10 in Dewiler jack plate. Not sure why. Good luck with your new ride.....Al

I'm curious how this boat performed with a Merc 4 stroke engine. The 203, I've been told, does not perform well with less than 225hp and I was told in the days of 2 stroke only bass boat engines. The person that told me was the owner of the dealership where I bought mine. Looking forward to your feedback.

I agree, sounds like you may have a problem with your tach. You need to correct that problem first, then attack the prop. If your rpm drop every time you use the trim slightly something is wrong and the tach is the first place I would look.

Knoxville is surrounded by great bass fishing. You can not drive a mile of interstate here without passing a bass boat, year round. The best bank fishing that comes to mind would be on Ft. Loudon lake in the Concord area. Concord Park has a pier for fishing and a lot of open banks to walk. Also all of the TVA dams tailrace have fishing areas that can be productive for several species of fish including the brown bass. A google search should turn up a lot of info, but feel free to ask me questions. I live about 40 miles east of Knoxville in Dandridge......Al

I have a 98 203 DCX with a 225 Yamaha Vmax that I ordered new. I still have it and it is a great driving/riding boat. It is narrow by todays standards, but this aids the drivability. If you ever run any narrow rivers or trails like on Okeechobee you will love the way it drives. The fishability suffers a little because of the narrow hull. When fishing wakes from other boats will rock it somewhat more than wider boats. That being said, rough water ride is the best I have encountered, but have never ridden in a bass cat. A friend recently traded his 206 in on a Ranger 521 and regrets not keeping the 206 because of ride. If you have any questions feel free to ask.....Al

Champion made great handling boats but with any used boat condition is everything. If you don't know a great deal about bass boats perhaps you should pay a professional to inspect it. Could be money well spent.

Sam, I'm 68 and no longer have to roll with the employment punches, thank goodness, lol. However, my four sons do and I have trouble advising them in the current work environment. Thankfully I have a younger(than me) brother-in-law that can advise them on these matters. So far this has worked well. When a good employee of 20+ years walks out the door an incredible amount of knowledge and experience goes with him. This must have an impact on a business with repeated decision errors or mistakes that reoccur. We have all heard the words, "I don't know, Joe always took care of it". The amount of repeated mistakes must be very high which is costly to any business. Oh well, glad i'm retired. The BPS management cut that I mentioned may just be this store. I do not have insider knowledge of the organization, just friends in management of my local store. There are still a lot of business closing in this area and what I considered well established businesses, just locking the doors. The economy at least in my area does not seem to be recovering as well as the media is claiming. There is some expansion with auto related support businesses but not much else that I am aware of. Although home construction may be starting recovery. Again, glad I'm retired. Time to see if the crappie are biting....

I worked at BPS for about 5 years. The local BPS just cut their management team in half. The department managers now oversee 2 departments. Corporate office/store manager gave no warning. When managers showed up for work they were told to see the store manager where they were fired. They were then escorted to their desk, allowed to clean the desk, while being watched, and then escorted to the exit door. This was my first experience with retail sales (BTW, I quit) and it still blows my mind. Management has no concern for the employees, zero, nada, zilch. However I do miss the discount lol.

I installed a fuel/water separator on my Champion and my pontoon boat came with one from the dealer. I was told Yamaha requires one to be installed on new outboards for the warranty to be honored(not sure about this statement).

Bass'n bay was the name

Check here www.easttennesseefishing.com

Johnny Morris hasn't gotten where he is because he's a really nice guy.

There will never be another Goodyear Marathon tire on any trailer that I own. Or any Firestone tire for that matter.

As stated, knots are very important with floro. Find one that works for you and the floro, then wet it when pulling tight. This will cure your issues.

Cabelas has lews Tournament Pro casting reels for $119.99. Also Daiwa Freams spinning reels for $89.99. This is in a catalog named "Christmas with Cabelas" but tab the top of the page says "Fishing Black Friday 2015".

Someone makes a kit for this. I've seen it when browsing the web but can't remember the site. Probably Bass Pro, Cabelas or Northern Tool. I'll try to find it. As I remember it isn't terribly expensive. Here it is if the link will work http://www.cabelas.com/product/boating/boating-trailer-accessories/trailer-couplers-locks|/pc/104794380/c/104781780/sc/104642280/bolt-on-fold-away-8482-hinge-kits/701826.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ftrailer-couplers-locks%2F_%2FN-1100656%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104642280

Condolences to you and your family! AL

Dwight you will be in my prayers. Stay strong.

I read about the Verado a several years ago and the biggest concern I had other than weight was the wireless controls. At that time the throttle and gear selector were wireless which concerned me, however I have not read any negative comments about them. At that time you could not run a hot foot type throttle control, only the factory hand controls. That was years ago and may have changed but I would research it before purchase. High HP engines without a hot foot type throttle would be a deal breaker for me....

Good luck. Prayers sent.

RIP Eric. Prayers sent to family and loved ones. Tomorrow is promised to no one.