Al Wolbach

Rode enduro's late 60's thru early 70's on Hodaka's and Penton. My son just bought a new HD Street Glide with a 103 cubic inch motor. He lets me out on it from time to time.............Al

If you want to keep this to a PM I understand, however, if it doesn't matter I would like to read your comments............Al

Wayne, I'm sure you are correct. There are too many fishermen already using them for them to be overly difficult. I'm just not an electronic fisherman, I probably use 10 percent of my GPS's capability. Other opinions as well as the fact that there are dedicated web sites for side imaging indicates, to me, that it might be more than I bargained for. I just wanted him to understand it's not a turn on and use product................Al

I recently fished in a boat with two power poles and they get in the way if you are fishing in the back of the boat. My partner would partially lower them to fish but if a big fish had been hooked I'm not sure what would have happened. Big fish don't usually come straight to the boat. We were mostly pitching so we made it work. My partner is a touring pro so he normally fishes alone so for him it works but us regular fishermen I'm not so sure. It would probably require both men to fish the front deck..............which some like some don't. But they look cool.......Al PS-Came back to add. He also had side imaging and he used it a great deal, however it has a drawback as well. Getting the unit properly setup and learning to recognize what you are seeing. Long learning curve requiring a lot of patience that I'm not sure I have. However he used it a lot and it works well for him. I like to fish not play with electronics.............Al

Hope you put a rainwater drain hole in it. If not I would modify before going out.........Al

My new motto "reelect no one"......................Al

Good info for anyone from Tennessee or visiting Tennessee...........Al http://www.tn.gov/safety/handgun/reciprocity.shtml

Not sure what country you are in, but you need to purchase OMC lower unit oil. Where you got the seal would be a good place to look for the oil.....Al

I have had the Magnum Cranker for two years and I am pleased with the performance. I have it paired with a Revo winch and it will cast a mile. I throw mostly hot lips, DD22's and Rapala DT's. The rod easily handles these lures with the tip, only getting into the butt section when fighting a fish. I haven't landed anything over 7 lbs but the rod easily handled it with a plenty of power left, so bigger fish will not be problem. The only thing that disappoints me is the handle. I still prefer a solid handle and this rod has split grips. Split grips dictate where you will place your hands when casting, one near the reel and one on the butt handle. I prefer both hands together like a golf club or ball bat. However many like the split grips and was not a deal breaker for me. I almost forgot, I don't like St Croix hook keepers either, wrong side and hard to use. The blue and gold colors are very good looking if appearance matters. Sensitivity is a crankbait rod for me, it is hitting bottom or not, there is a fish on or not and once stuck you will not loose the fish. Some of this may be line choice, I crank with mono. This rod is at least equal the my Loomis crankbait rods. I can't compare it with other rods except Loomis. I have fished with many guys that overload their crankbait rods when throwing deep crankbaits. The bait itself pulling into the power section to far, without a fish on it. You will not overload this rod with any deep crankbait. Good rod for what it was designed to do...............Al

On my Florida trips I am always surprised at the size of the heads/mouths of the Florida strain largemouth compared to the Tn native largemouth of the same size. Even the fish from Santee-Cooper have smaller heads than Florida. Just an observation..........Al

I tie hair jigs for bass in 1/4 oz to 1 oz. with several different heads. I use 3/0 to 5/0 wide gap hooks. The only hair I have found long enough is bucktails........Al

I put anti-fatigue matting in my jon boat floor. It is a closed cell foam and easily cut to fit. The only drawback was it floats, so you may want to glue it. I got it at Lowes and if I remember it was about $30 to cover the floor of a 14'-48" jon. I was trying to provide traction for my dogs but it did dampen the noise a great deal. It comes in light gray and is cool............Al

I have a very close personal friend that has retired from guiding On Santee-Cooper, so I can no longer recommend anyone that I have used. However, Inky Davis has a very good reputation in that area, but I have never hired him. A large number of fishing guides in that area primarily guide for catfish or even shellcracker. Inky Davis guides for bass only. Good luck...............Al http://www.bassfishingthesanteecooperlakes.com/

I too flip/pitch a great deal to heavy timber, mostly pine laydowns. It has been my experience that plastic baits with tails and appendages, especially ribbon tails, tend to hang up on limbs during the fall. Which, of course, prevents the bait from reaching the bottom and normally the strike zone. This doesn't occur every cast but often enough to be annoying and causing rapid ducks from flying lead on empty hooksets. Creature type baits and worms seem to be the worst to me. For this reason I pitch jigs, craws and beaver type baits primarily. I don't fish much grass locally because grass is bad for the jet ski business therefore TVA kills all grass(in E.TN.) or anything green in color that may be growing from the bottom. I need to move to Alabama, their jet ski's are not bothered by grass.........Al

I peg and still use toothpicks.............Al

Winchester Model 12, these days, mostly used for turkey shoots. Mossberg 835 Ulti-mag for the rare times that I hunt turkey or doves........Al

I carry a Kimber Ultra Elite 45ACP in the winter but found it difficult to conceal in the summer. I'm retired and the uniform of the day in summer is shorts and "T" shirt. I found myself frequently leaving the Kimber in the vehicle rather than carrying it due to difficultly hiding it. My solution, however warped, was to purchase a Ruger LCP for the summertime. My reasoning was, any firearm is better than no firearm. I originally carried the Ruger loose in my pocket but finally purchased a Bulldog PDA type holster and have been very happy with it, but a quick draw is out of the question regardless of practice. I have several Kimber's and love each of them. Hooligan, I believe you would be very happy with the Pro Carry ll...........Al

I have several and really like them however, they are expensive. Glad they are making a left hand model...........Al

Ott Defoe is the man you want, great guy, christian and great fisherman. You will enjoy yourself. He is the current Rookie of the Year for B.A.S.S. I'm not sure of his tournament schedule but if he is available, he's the man you want.....Al http://odfishing.net/OD_s_Guide_Service.html

I don't believe you would be disappointed with either but I too lean towards the Loomis flippin' stick...........Al

One option is to visit a BPS, Cabelas or Gander Mountain and look at the display units and see if the lake is programed into the unit. BPS will also install the different chips available to check detail. Not sure what part of Georgia you are in but if you are close enough to drive this will eliminate any doubt...........Al

Not sure about Mercs but Yamaha has a grease fitting on the shaft the motor rotates around. There is a shaft that is directly behind the mounting plate, when the engine is turned it rotates around the shaft. Look for a zirc fitting................Al

I have three Supremes that I have had several years and I have done nothing but replace line on them. Very good reels............Al

The rooster tail they are talking about is caused by water rushing around the sides of the hull and meeting the prop wash on the centerline of the boat. I'm going to guess and say 20-30' behind the boat. If your boat is set up correctly and trimmed correctly the rooster tail should be about even with the top of the motor. You are probably looking at the stern of the boat but the rooster tail is behind the boat, or at least should be...............Al

I retired from the Navy as a Senior Chief Petty Officer (TMCS) with 22 years service. I retired in 1986 and have been thanked more for my service in the last few years than all of the previous years combined. I'm not complaining, just amazed at the patriotism being shared these last few years(maybe since 9-11). Please don't stop, as many vets will need our help and support for many years to come. As for me personally, thanks is not necessary. It was the best time of my life, hands down. The friends I made there remain my best friends today even though we are separated by hundreds/thousands of miles. Thank God for the internet and unlimited long distance. The military is not for everyone but for many it was/is the best years of their lives. However some have sacrificed far too much and need to be in our prayers daily.......Al