Al Wolbach

I work at BPS two days a week. Work Friday, will find out details then............Al

I received word yesterday(at BPS) that the Curados will be $50 cheaper effective December first until April first. Although I do not know all of the details yet, apparently it will be a Manufacturers instant rebate and all Shimano retailers can honor this rebate, not just BPS. My understanding is no paperwork necessary, just a price reduction for three months. Just a heads up for anyone in the market for a new Curado. I suspect this is a response to Shimano not particpating in the reel trade in at the BPS spring fishing classic. They are not going to allow trade ins this year either and this may be a way to keep customers happy. Just a guess......................Al

I have three of these reels and love them all. Two are the older model XS reels and one is the newer XS1000. The bottom line is they cast further with fewer backlashes. They are easy to disassemble and routine maintenance is a snap. I did have a knob come off of a handle on one of the XS models. I contacted Ardent via e-mail to ask if I needed to return the entire reel or just the handle and was told "just the handle". I mailed the handle with a service that required them to sign for the handle upon delivery so I could verify they received it. They received my broken handle on a Monday afternoon and I received a new handle on Thursday morning of the same week (via Fedex). I was very pleased with their customer service. I doubt any other reel manufacturer could or would do better. Two draw backs to their reels. They are not currently available in a left hand model and they only come in one gear ratio. They are 6 something to 1. I will continue to replace my other reels with Ardents as more gear ratios become available and my finances allow..............................Al

Their offical policy is replacement for 30 days from purchase if you have the receipt. After 30 days return to manufacturer. However you can try anyway, they do occasionally make exceptions, especially for regular customers............Al

I had State Farm and switched to Farm Bureau several years ago, vehicles, home and boats. I have a 20' Champion w/225 Yamaha. The standard policy only allows for $1000 for contents so I purchased a rider to cover $10,000 for contents( rods, reels, GPS, depthfinders and other equipment). I pay a little less than $400 annually. They will not cover a trolling motor unless it is locked in a rod locker, mounted on the boat not covered ( I carry a spare on trips ).....................Al

This is news to me as well. I live in Tennessee. Probably does not apply here, anyone know for certain?................Al

Could you not drill an extra hole or two for additional drainage?...............Al

Condensation occurs because of a temp difference between the outside air and the air in the fuel tank. A full tank has less air which equals less condensation or less water. If you have portable tanks and keep them in a protected area you can store them empty with the lids off and not have a problem because this allows the air temp to equalize. If you keep your boat inside or live in a mild climate you may not have a problem but why take a chance. I live in Tennessee and I keep my tank full during the winter months and always use Sta-bil even though I normally use the boat year round. Cheap insurance IMHO........Al

This sounds like a good idea to me and a hell of a lot easier.....Al

Good engine choice. Bass Cats are good boats but look like old boat designs to me. Skeeters are an unknown to me. It sounds as though we are in the same age group. At my age (60) I still tournament fish and the beating of rough water can take a toll. Weather is not the only cause, blast off is rough in any boat and the ride back to weight-in can be as well. Two or three years down the road you may wish you had the Champion. Just MHO..................Al

The following is a quote of Aaron Martens in Bassmasters Mag: There seems to be an inherent breaking problem with fluorocarbon, but Aaron Martens says it is almost always involves the type of knot being used. "You have to tie a San Diego knot or some kind of cinch knot like a Trilene knot" he advises. " A Palomer is not good because it crimps the line. It crimps on top of itself and it will break."...........Al

Stand out hook http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_58058_100010002_100000000_100010000_100-10-2

I have an 8ft Zodiac and I put a 30 lb Minn Kota on it and it will fly with myself(200lbs) and my Weimaraner(100lbs). I purchased it a Wal-mart for less than $100. I am not sure of the shaft length but it is no longer than 36 inches. A 55lb motor would be overkill unless you can get a great deal on one.....................Al

They do now, mine is lighted. My MG is lighted as well, but for the price of $599 that he is looking at I believe it is the Pro series not the digital series. The Pro series does not have a lighted arrow or at least the one I looked at last night in BPS didn't. If this motor is a digital series 24V motor for $599 you should get it, they normally run around $900......................................Al

This meeting took place almost 2 yrs ago, not long after Shimano had acquired G. Loomis. The rep also stated no company has a rod to compare with the GLX, however they can be a little fragile if not handled carefully when not fishing. It is interesting when meeting with the other factory reps, they would prefer the name G. Loomis did not come up. Some will admit "off the record" that their rods don't compare but are quick to point out the price difference also. The Shimano rep would not speak negitively about G. Loomis for obivious reasons....................Al

I can not speak for Cabela's but BPS has over the counter replacement for the Shimano rods no questions asked, forever..... A Shimano rep told us (BPS employees) that the Crucial was about equal to a Loomis GL3. I don't know, I have never fished a Shimano rod of any kind. I have fished the Loomis MBR844c GLX and it is my favorite rod. As RW has stated many times " If I could only have one, the 844c would be it" Loomis customer sevice takes a backseat to no other company.................Al

I prefer motorguide, but both have a strong following and both are good motors. That being said, more thrust is usually better. I don't believe the MG has a lighted directional light in the head. This can be very useful if you do any night fishing. I am not sure about a light in the MK............. The formula to determine the shaft length needed is measure from the gunnel at the bow to the water and add 22 inches and get the shaft that length or the next longest available.......................Al

I noticed you did not ask about shaft length so the info I am providing may not be needed. If you are looking for a bow mount motor the shaft length is determined by measuring from the top of the gunnel(at the bow) to the water line and add 22 inches. If the exact shaft length is not available get the next longest shaft available. A 12 volt 55lb motor will work fine but if you fish tournaments or weedy lakes a 24 volt motor would be a better choice......................................Al

And I use mine for flippin also..........................Al

Just for info- If any of you fish the Evolution jig- BPS has them on clearance for $4.88 per pair.Reminder- If you link to BPS from this site the site will benefit...................Al

No, the zip ties will break long before damaging the cable. Let us know what Lowrance has to say after you contact them. I'm curious, thanks...................Al

I suggest you contact Lowrance at http://www.lowrance.com/. My guess is the transducer if everything is installed correctly.......................Al

+2 Good luck with it.....................Al

Ditto although I normally only use a left and right. They can be very effective reaching under corners of boatdocks and when pulled along docked pontoon boats allowing the blades to bang against the pontoons................Al

Good advice- Remember to watch your line. I detect 80% or more of my bites on a jig by seeing line movement or a slight jump in the line. I recommend using the lightest jig the water depth and wind will allow.........................Al