Al Wolbach

I have caught them at Santee-Cooper and all over Florida. Common name there is Mudfish..............Al

The baby brush hog works better on the lakes I fish, great baits..............Al

When I first started working at BPS they taught us a formula. If I remember correctly it was top of hull cap to the water plus 18 inches. This is probably a minimum lenght........................Al

Switch to fluro line(not a leader) and you will see it jump and feel the bite, even with slack in the line......And forget the peroxide for fish(except for livewells)...................Al

I would bet the fish hitting your rig are coming up from deeper water and the fish hitting Kents' rig are following the rig. Just a theory, but makes sense to me..........................Al

X5-Well written and right on the money............................Al

I agree, glad to see him win...............Al

The lakes here are well over 100', but they only shock to 8'. They compare data from previous years so for that purpose 8' is ok. They usually shock in front of my house in June when it's hot. And they usually have to shutdown their generator because my weimaraners swim out to their boat to visit. Anytime a boat comes in this cove to fish my dogs think they have a visitor and swim out to greet them.....Al

When they shock fish in the TVA chain of lakes 8' of water is max depth they can shock. Florida wildlife probably use the same equipment. I'm not sure of the range but 8' is max depth here. So if the fish can find water deeper than 8' or possibly under a dock, they may be safe from shocking. Could explain why bigger fish were not reported....................Al

Glad everything worked out well with your insurance company. That marine repair shop can afford to be very nice. Their cost on that lower unit is $1500-$1800 dollars max. And they probably charged a labor charge to change it. Around 6 bolts and 15 minutes labor and another 15 minutes to install the prop. Usually around $100-$200, or $10 a minute. It takes longer to unbox a lower unit than it does to change it. But they do have to add a quart or so of lower unit oil. Not trying to rain on your parade but they are being paid quite handsomely. Around 40% proffit margin for an hours labor..............................Al BTW- That lower unit should come with a new water pump, so if you change yours every year you can skip this year.

I have fished all of the southern states and have not had any problems with state boating requirements even though they vary by state. I have been checked several times for routine inspection without issue. You are only required to meet the laws from the state of registration.............Up north all bets are off................Al

Ditto- You can sand and paint if you want it to look good but ok as is.................Al

Only have three trips since putting it on but really like it so far. Cast good , lays on the reel good and does not bite into itself. I'm using 65lb.....................Al

I recommend you rinse that bed liner with a water and baking soda solution to neutralize the battery acid. Someone help, baking soda is correct isn't it?..........................Al

One additional cost, in your case, will be controls if you change brands of outboards. The last time I checked new controls where $700- $1000. Even though your outboard is insured for 8 thousand, if the blue book value is only say 4 thousand I don't think your insurance company will pay the greater amount. I hope I'm wrong but don't think so...................Al

We see them just pretty routinely here in East Tennessee. At least once a week. I live about 20 miles from Dollywood, which is a sanctuary for Bald Eagles. They heal injured eagles and release them back into the wild. The release area is in a cove about a 1/4 mile from my house. The cove has bouys marked " no boats allowed" to keep people from disturbing newly released birds and allow for a safe release. They all stay in this area for a little while and many have made it home. Dollywood had two Bald Eagles escape from captivity last fall due to a tear in some netting. They were both raised in captivity so Dollywood wanted to recapture them because they would not survive in the wild. They caught both birds within a few weeks with the help of people in this area reporting their whereabouts. They think they survived by eating road kill or just got lucky finding food, lol. I will never tire of watching them...................Al

I'm curious, how much damage to the truck?............................Al

You may get your wish, but you may not think to much of the value of you old motor. They may total your outboard if the lower unit needs to be replaced. New OMC lower unit will probably be $2500-$3500 and your outboard isn't worth that much I don't believe. Did it not get the prop? You can purchase after market lower units but I know nothing about their quality, but their prices are a great deal lower.........................Al

I hit a rock pile a couple of years ago. My insurance company paid for a new lower unit and a new prop, hull damage as well........................Al

I have had the BPS 100MPH suit since 2004 and it is as good as new. Color has faded a bit(red) but still dry and warm. But a little too warm for hot summer days, but again, it holds up well to heavy use....................I bass fish during the warmer months and wear it when it rains or early morning runs(heavy dew). I crappie fish 2/3 times a week during the winter and usually wear it all day. Has held up very well and much better than it should have(nothing torn or broken).......................Al

Glen I don't mean to offend but that is not all you need to know. Well it is all you need to know to release then alive, but if you want them to still be be alive 3 days later you need to do more and the link provided by Todd is a good start. Delayed mortality is the real problem that we don't see therefore it must not exist. The research I have done indicates it is a real problem that needs to be addressed and a capful of magic potion and a bag of ice are not the entire answer. Please read Todd's link........We owe it to the fish we all love to chase............................Al

Glad to hear everything went well. Will continue with thoughts and prayers.........................Al

Your welcome, Todd. I looked a several of their products at a boat show in Knoxville, Tn. They appear to be to be top quality as well as look good.........................Al

I would like to see the charter of any company change from, "how do we make it just as good cheaper" to "how do we improve it". When the front office is separated from the manufacturing facilities by thousands of miles and different languages quick mods or improvements are not going to happen. Just a sign of the times I suppose......................Al

I forgot to mention: You can see the beds on both lakes if the water isn't stirred up by the wind. The locals have the time, maybe days, to find them when the water is clear. If you are there for a week and the wind blows for that week you may never see a bed, yet be all around them. The cypress trees in deeper water is probably just experience. If someone tells you about the deeper trees, have your map handy and ask them to show you where some are. These people are amazingly helpful to a visitor. I lived there 9 years and never should have left but that's for another day.....................................Al