Al Wolbach

They live and breathe catfish down there. The locals don't care much for bass, only catfish and stripers................Al

I have never stayed at Black's but I have launched and ate there. The food was very good and the folks are very, very nice. Everyone in that area of South Carolina seem to be very nice.............Al

No I'm not sure. That was around 12 years ago and I can't remember what I ate for supper last night lol. This was parked at the entrance to a very well defined canal that ran towards the hay fields. I was convinced that it was one of those machines but I could be wrong.....................Al

I have seen one of those machines on Big O between Harney Pond and the Hay fields years ago. It sat there for the week I was there, without moving. I had never seen one before that trip. Not much use for one in my neck of the woods......................As for Toho, money talks. But for me Okeechobee is unique and a different lake every visit Love the place.................Al

I do not know the format for that type of tournament but if you can fish anywhere on the lake I would suggest the fish hatchery. It is a well defined large area that was a fish hatchery but the gates are open now(and have been for decades). You can locate it on the maps. It is a spawning area and you can find fish going to and from spawning. It is somewhat protected from the wind which usually blows hard in March. It is also full of big gators, so be careful. You can't avoid snakes and gators anywhere on those lakes that I know of, they are everywhere. PS If you can launch anywhere there is a very good launch in the hatchery and it is not heavily used. I can provide more detailed info if you want about the hatchery in March, let me know.....................Al

Congrats on the new boat. Hope it serves you well. The blinker style trim switch is very nice to have so you don't need to remove your hands from the wheel when driving. Trim at the transom is not necessary because it is on the motor, which can be reached from the transom. A trim switch at the bow is very nice. It allows you to trim the motor if you are in shallow water and operating the trolling motor(or any time you are on the bow). The bow switch is usually standard equipment. Good luck with the new boat..................................Al

I keep my bass boat in the garage but I fish in the winter, all winter, as long as the lake isn't frozen. Usually not a problem as you can navigate around the ice patches. The only problem I have had with the motor freezing was with the water pressure guage. The water froze in the tubing and moved the needle of the guage to 5 psi with the engine shutdown. The water pressure ran 5 psi higher until I replaced the guage, but no real problems. All I do to winterize is change the lower unit oil. Use stabil and seafoam all the time.................Al

I know that 4 adults in a 20' bass boat does not work and I know bass fishing in a ski boat does not work well. Have you thought about looking at a walleye style fishing boat? They seem to be a lot more roomy as far as seating and floor area and are available with 150+HP yet have good livewells and must fish pretty well. Just a thought................................Al

Another consideration is the type of lake you fish. If you are fishing heavy weeds you can not have to much thrust. Same for heavy current. Open water lakes not so much, you can only safely fish so much wind and a 24 volt motor is enough. Variable speed is a plus..........................Al

Good advice...............................Al

That utube video would make a good Motorguide comercial..............Al

Hyd steering is a big plus as is a ss prop. I would highly recommend you have the hotfoot added, the safety issue alone is reason enough. Installed is only a few hundred dollars. After you operate a boat with a hotfoot you will not operate one w/o it. I am really surprised they sell a bass boat w/150hp without one installed. I'm sure the dealer would install one to make the sale...................Al

Lee, where is Henderson's? I mean, what part of the lake. The only places I have launched is Trails End fishcamp and the state park on I believe the north end of the lake. BTW, great pictures........................Al

I have fished electric drive motors and cable steer and it depends on what lakes you fish. Open water the electric steer are the cats mewow, they are great for this type fishing. Take that electric steer to Santee-Cooper, Okeechobee or any lake that you flip/pitch a great deal, that requires quick motions because of wind, waves and tight cover they are a pain. That electric steer can't see nor react to that stump, rock or limb of a lay-down you just spotted a second before impact. There is a reason you don't see the electric steer motors on the boats of professional bass fishermen. However you see them routinely on the boats of the professional walleye fishermen. Great for open water, not so great for close quarters combat of flipping and pitching or sight fishing.......So it just depends on your style of fishing and where you fish.............Al

Great video. I love Florida winter fishing, shorts and flip-flops in December. Again as always, great video.......................Al

I fished one last year but did not win any money. The tournament was well organized and very well run. They gave constant text messages on your phone to update current weight. To weight a fish all you had to do was pull up to the dock walk about 5 yards and weigh the fish, very quick and well run. Weigh-ins will probably vary with the lake but they used a dock here. One of the organizers said since this was the first year at this lake the turn out will only be around 200 boats but next year they expect over 500. He said this has been the trend everywhere they have been. So expect a lot of boats compared to last year.....................Al

I too love the 1911's in 45 ACP and I have several. Been waiting for a follow up to your range visit. How does it shoot?.....................Al

I'm keeping an eye on this thread also. I have a nephew fishing the college FLW tournament on Okeechobee, I believe it starts on the 9th Jan. Any info you could share that would be helpful is appreciated. Thanks..........................Al

Check your PM's..............Al

Next time I have to come up here I'm going to whip your butt..................

This may sound a little strange but it works in Tennessee. I have found that if targeting SM only wild colors seem to work very well. Colors that I never use for LM. Pink and purple is one of my favorite, but don't rule out any wild combination............Al

Wonderful story. Bring a tear to a glass eye........................Al

The starting problem is ok. How about the steering? Still hard to turn?..........................Al

Let us know how you like the ride..................Al

This would be my advice also and is exactly what I did with my wife and sons..............Al