Al Wolbach

I fish G Loomis rods exclusively except for one St Croix Legend Elite. I have only one GL2 and it seems dead by comparison to the the GLX or IMX. I have about 15, mostly IMX, GLX and crankbait series. If I had the same dicision to make as you I would probably buy the Shimano Crucial. I believe it is a better rod than a GL2. The warranty difference is mail back versus over the counter. Buy the way Shimano owns G Loomis. G Loomis makes a great rod in the IMX and GLX but I'm not so sure in the GL2 and GL3. Make no mistake I love G Loomis rods, but only the high end...............Al

I had the same doubts so I purchased some Storm brand swimbaits, at about $1 apeice and they will work in stained water and seem to attract the bigger fish as well. I'm sure there are better swimbaits than these but I wanted to try a cheaper version before spending more for the better baits. I'm sure someone on this site could recommend a few of the better baits. I'll be reading also...........Al

All of you have made good points. We all realize there is a very large problem that does not have an easy solution. Jim, one problem with the frequent weigh-ins is the consuption of fuel. On some lakes the weigh in area may be 25-50 miles from a preferred fishing area. On smaller lakes this may be viable solution, but on lakes large enough to support an FLW event I don't believe so. I don't believe there is one solution to this complex problem. However one partial solution may be adding oxygen injection systems to bassboats. Research I have read indicate this would help, although not solve this problem. An oxygen injection system can be added to a tournament bassboat for a few hundred dollars. It could be a factory option on new boat for far less. These systems will increase the disolved oxygen in the livewells and at least increase the chance of survival for bass. I believe you will see these systems on higher end boats in the near future. Most bass fishermen do not see the problem. After their tournament they see the fish swim off and assume the survive. Local Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency officers tell me many bass are dead within hours after being released alive and that all dead bass do not float to the surface as I would expect. They told me that they have sent divers down after major tournament fish releases to discover large numbers of dead fish on the bottom. I suspect that may be the reason B.A.S.S. started using a release boat some years ago after their tournaments to release the fish in other areas of the lake rather than at the weigh in site (only a guess). I believe the use of these systems in bassboats at least may help with the problem. Just my opnion............................Al

I am not familiar with either of these units, but I do not believe the power will matter unless you are fishing very deep water (<100ft). These units can be used for ocean envirnoments also, and there it might matter, but for fresh most water I don't think believe so. The color units are nice..........Al

When you approach the max trim angle for your boat and motor combo it is a good idea to keep a close eye on the water pressure gage to ensure you don't damage your engine. If you don't have a gage I would highly recommend you get one. In some cases it is possible to trim up behond your engines ability to pick up sufficent water to cool it........Al

I usually fine something shallow about once a year and ding my prop. As long as the blades are still attached and not bent to bad, it can be repaired. Local prop shops in this area (E.TN) charge about $80. We have several shops that specialise in prop repair and sales. Check the yellow pages and ask at local tackle shops. Good luck....Al

I have always relied on the computer God provided me, but the memory files are becoming harder to access than in years past. I would highly recommend a journal for anyone.....................Al

As Nick_Barr stated in his post, these maps can vary a great deal. Unless you fish the same lakes that he does your experience may be just the opposite. Meaning that Navionics may have a great chip for his lake or lakes but not the lakes you fish. You really need to look at a gps with different chips installed for the area lakes you will be fishing. PS- I plan on buying Navionics as well, after comparing the options. One of the others had more contour lines but these lines prevented me from being able to read the map as well. Just to many lines for my requirements. One foot contour lines wood be great on shallow lakes like Okeechobee where the average depth is 6-8' , but would flood the screen on deep lakes (100' or more) that I usually fish. I don't mean to offend anyone, just trying to insure you are happy with your final selection, whatever you decide.............Good luck.............Al

One item I forgot to mention. The more depth contours details a chip contains does offer great detail it also has so many lines you may have difficulty actually reading the map. This is personal preference. You really need to look and decide....................Al

Just a suggestion. If you live near a Bass Pro Shop or Cabelas go by and compare. They will install the chips and let you compare them. Some of the larger marine dealers may do the same. If this isn't an option I would talk to other fishermen at boat ramps or tournament weight-ins. Good luck.............Al

I have a 20' Champion. The boat with motor trimmed up ( on the motor totor ) is 27' long. This includes trailor tongue. Soneone already said use 10' doors (a must). My garage is 28' deep and is a problem to walk around the boat if I don't fold the swingaway tongue.

Done.................Al

I have heard very good reports on the new e-tec except price. They run about $5000 more than other motors of the same size...........Al

I fish several local lakes that back fill almost daily. One of these lakes has a lot of shallow cover consisting of laydowns and stumps. After this lake has been back filling a few hours the fish will usually move very shallow, a foot or less. There is also a lot of shaded areas on this lake because of standing timber along the shoreline. May not apply to your situation, but I would try fishing shallow under these conditions. I was told years ago " always fish the new water". Good luck............Al

Check out Deka batteries. Sealed and very good batteries. Deka Marine Master I believe. Run about $90 for the larger size in this area.....Al

I work at BPS part-time and feel sure they will replace this rod, but they probably need to look at it. If they give you a hassle ask to speak to the fishing manager, he will resolve the problem. They can tell the age of the rod by the numbers on the rod. Should not have a problem.....................Al If you e-mail them be sure to send the pictures.

RW, great explanation for rod selection/consideration. Would you mind it I print this post and place it in the Bass Pro Shop where I work part-time? It would be used to educate others........................Thanks............Al

I start by studying maps of a new lake to locate areas to fish based on seasonal patterns. Check with local tackle shops or the web to determine what type of structure the lake has ie, weeds, stump fields etc. And water temp certain times of year( spring and fall). I try to ignore specific bait type info such as rattletraps, crankbaits etc. I have learned that this type info is usually non-productive for me. The first thing on water is a ride around the lake to look at areas preselected on the map with a close eye on my electronics to check out botton type, contour and bait fish. If the lake is very large I will select an area of the lake rather that the entire lake. This is a pre-tournament practice routine I use that you should be able to apply to almost any lake in a condensed version......Al

Regardless of what type of retreive you use the best advice I could offer is use the lightlest weight the wind and water depth will allow. Let your line tell you when you have a bite, it will jump, move or just swim away. Frequently if you feel a fish thru your rod, the fish felt you as well. This is especially true of larger fish. I always fish a worm or jig on slack line if the wind will allow and watch my line to detect bites. As someone stated on a earlier post, I carry three colors of worms. I carry grape, green pumpkin and pumpkin. I do however carry three sizes. These will catch fish on most lakes. Hope this helps.....Al

Fished a tournament earlier this year. Fish I had located in practice were way under docks hitting weightless flukes. The flukes had to be skipped under the docks to reach the fish. Day of tournament wind 25-30 mph. I had a great time. Boat control nearly impossible, lure control totally impossible. No backup plan. Only caught three finished 1 place out of the money but learned a lesson. The real bottom line is if you don't feel safe get off the water.

Avid is right on again. Been there done that................Al

There are a good number of glass boats available on the market today. Most bass anglers love their brand of boat and are very opinionated, and rightly so. I personally own a 20' Champion with a 225 Yamaha and have been very satisifed with it. The advice I would offer is to talk with other bassers in your area about the different dealers in that area. The boat you choose is only as good as the dealer that stands behind it and maintains the boat regardless of the brand. This is especially true if you have routine maintaince performed at that dealership. No one wants to stop fishing for two weeks because their dealer didn't have a waterpump in stock or the time to change it, etc.(only an example). This is overlooked by many customers because they wanted a Triton, Ranger or whatever brand. With the market the way it has been in recent years your dealership may not even be in business next year. Just my opinion........Goog luck with your search and research.......Al

I have a 20 ft Champion and love it.

I went to the local Bass Pro Shop and they installed the different chips in a unit like mine and let me see the differences, and there was a big difference on the east Tn lakes. You may try BPS, Cabelas, West Marine or possibly local boat dealers. Not sure if the local dealers are willing but the guys at BPS were more than willing and very helpful. I would be afraid to recommend a chip for another area as the detail may be different. The biggest difference I saw was depth contours and land (bank) detail. If none of these are available talk to other fishermen at local tournaments or tackle shops. Good Luck

Does anyone have experience with an oxygen injection system? I have read a great deal of information on the subject but do not know anyone that uses one. As we all know summer tournaments and warm water are killers of bass and none of us want to kill our prey. Local wildlife wardens have told me that many bass die after being released alive. They claim these bass do not float to the surface as I would expect, but lay on the bottom dead and no one is the wiser. Several of the tournament series I fish use oxygen injection in their release tanks during the summer but no one has been able to advise me ( from experience ) on one of these systems suitable for a bass boat. Any help?