Alpster

I have a tendency to pitch a little beyond the stump, stickup or weed edge so the "pendulum" will swing toward my intended target. I like to keep as little slack in the line as I can without it being real tight. Quick decisive hooksets are the key to not losing fish. I often jerk the bait out of the water. It makes my fishing partners a little nervous, but it works. Ronnie

Is anyone as amazed as I am that (with my help) this thread has gone 21 pages. I'm thinking we need a hobby. Fishing maybe??? Ronnie

to the forum. There are many articles on the techniques you are interested in right here on this site. Check out this area of the site. A ton of information, yours for the reading. A quick way to get answers to your questions. Scroll down, there's lots of info. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/features.html#techniques Glad to have you here! Ronnie

I am compelled to share this one with you guys. This is one for the Bass Resource record books. As you know Speedbead & I are trying to rent a little outboard motor to clamp on the transom of my boat to use on the Guntesville trip. After searching and calling for days and drawing a blank, Speedbead suggested we post on the Roadtrip thread and let the fellas know what we need to see if anyone can point us to a place where we can score little motor. As you can see, many guys are already beating the bushes to help us find what we need. No surprise there because you guys are awesome. I must tell you I wasn't prepared for the PM I received from "frogtog" while I was having my coffee this morning. Basically the message was "my 20' Skeeter is here for you to use if you can come by to pick it up". I about choked on my coffee. We are completely blown away by his amazing offer. Wayne and I talked about it and we are VERY RESPECTFULLY declining the offer. We would be so worried about something happening to that boat that we might not enjoy the fishing, if that's possible. But I have to tell you, in that one gesture, I learned a lot about frogtog. His offer to trust us with his fancy boat shows me his priorities are in order. He owns his toys, they don't own him. I am continuously amazed at how this community operates the way it does and Wayne & I are feeling pretty privileged to be a part of it right now. Absolutely unbelievable!!! THANKS frogtog!!! Ronnie

Dear Santa, Before you make that list....LET ME EXPLAIN..... Ronnie

Your motor is probably a 2-stroke, which means you mix 2-cycle oil with the gasoline in the fuel tank. It doesn't hold any oil in the crankcase like a 4-stroke does. Unless you are referring to the lower unit. There should be a sight glass or a fill plug you can open to check the gear oil in the lower unit. What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Ronnie

I am sorry Wayne, I had just got off the phone with a guy named Steve when I made that post and it's just the way my mind works. I do that all the time. My close friends have given up hearing their correct name from me. I always call my daughters by the other ones name first. Sucks to get old. Ronnie

I use a Loomis DSR820 dropshot rod (6'8" ML) and a Stella 1000FB YoZuri US #6 line. Ronnie

A WORLD RECORD. ;D ;D Sorry Matt, you teed that one up pretty high. LOL Ronnie

OK, so what's your point?? ;D WELCOME TO THE FORUM! Ronnie

I want to be very clear about what we need. I really appreciate Keith wanting to chip in $. I have also received a couple of PMs offering the same and I am extremely grateful for the support, but money is not the issue. Availability is the problem. If I could run down to 'Billy Bob's rental and give him a deposit and $250 rent for a weeks motor rental, problem solved. That doesn't seem to be an option. The best case scenario, in my mind, is a member in reasonable proximity of the route to AL has a sailboat or salt water sportfisher with a kicker motor that doesn't run much. We pick it up on the way to Guntersville, give it a little exercise and return it with enough money to get a new prop for the big boat or make the monthly payment. Everyone wins! Thanks guys! Ronnie

Hey Zel, Believe me, I have thought of this. I live right on the Jersey Shore and I have called every marina in the phone book. A few will rent both a boat and motor launched out of their dock only. As soon as I mention a motor only and taking it out of their parking lot, all bets are off. Keep your ears open and thanks for wanting to help out. I will give your marina a call. They have a used 10 HP for sale for $395. If they will guarantee it for 7 days, my problem might be solved. LOL Thanks! Ronnie

Thanks Jimzee! I really appreciate it. Ronnie

I posted this sad story on the Guntersville Roadtrip Sticky thread and am re-posting it here in case it is missed there. If this is out of line, I hope a mod will fix it, move it or delete it. Speedbead and I need some help if anyone can.... I have my heart set on pulling my boat behind the BassBus to Guntersville for Wayne & I to fish in for the week. It's a 16' aluminum V-hull. I do not own an outboard because you can't put an outboard in fresh water where I live, all the lakes are electric only. I have rented several motors in different places on my trips to Canada. However, I have called every place I can think of in my area and in Alabama and have drawn a blank. It seems no one rents an outboard alone. I am hoping that someone in NJ, Eastern PA or anywhere along our route to Guntersville (I-81 SW to I-40 to I-75 to I-59) has a small outboard we could use for the week. We don't need much. A 9.9 or 15 hp kicker with a tiller will do. The boat is rated for up to 40hp so anything up to that with a tiller, would be great. I am happy to pay rent, make a deposit and I will be fully responsible for the motor. I will treat it like a baby and return it better than I got it. If you have one or know of someone or a commercial rental along our route, Wayne & I would greatly appreciate if you can help us get hooked up. If I have to, I will even look at buying a used motor on ebay or whatever, but consider this a last resort as I would promptly sell it as soon as I return. I can't justify owning, storing and maintaining a motor for use once a year. If you can help a brutha out send me a PM and I will be in touch. TIA Ronnie PS- I had no Idea this would be so difficult.

Speedbead and I need some help if anyone can.... I have my heart set on pulling my boat behind the BassBus to Guntersville for Steve & I to fish in for the week. It's a 16' aluminum V-hull. I do not own an outboard because you can't put an outboard in fresh water where I live, all the lakes are electric only. I have rented several motors in different places on my trips to Canada. However, I have called every place I can think of in my area and in Alabama and have drawn a blank. It seems no one rents an outboard alone. I am hoping that someone in NJ, Eastern PA or anywhere along our route to Guntersville (I-81 SW to I-40 to I-75 to I-59) has a small outboard we could use for the week. We don't need much. A 9.9 or 15 hp kicker with a tiller will do. The boat is rated for up to 40hp so anything up to that with a tiller, would be great. I am happy to pay rent, make a deposit and I will be fully responsible for the motor. I will treat it like a baby and return it better than I got it. If you have one or know of someone or a commercial rental along our route, Wayne & I would greatly appreciate if you can help us get hooked up. If I have to, I will even look at buying a used motor on ebay or whatever, but consider this a last resort as I would promptly sell it as soon as I return. I can't justify owning, storing and maintaining a motor for use once a year. If you can help a brutha out send me a PM and I will be in touch. TIA Ronnie PS- I had no Idea this would be so difficult.

Your dad's welcome here anytime! As far as the fumes go..."what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger". It's a crazy picture in my mind... old guys getting high huffing melted senkos.

Also, I don't want to forget to say THANKS to Russ. Last year I hauled my lazy butt up to the same event and he fed me a fresh lobster dinner, put me up for the night, arranged for me to have an EXCELLENT fishing partner (Mike Broggi, stratosdadri) and a cadilac back seat in Mike's sweet Stratos. Hey Mike, what ever Russ paid you, I will double it to get to fish with you again. It was a fine day and a great event indeed. Thank you Mike! Russ is also making arragements for me to make it back this year and I really appreciate it! Thank you Russ.

WOW! I don't know what to say to such a generous gesture, except THANK YOU! Norman, you are the man! Thanks for supporting C.A.S.T. and now for supporting ME. It's an awesome gesture and I am humbled. I accept it graciously and hope I can represent BR accordingly. Like Russ said, you need to get yourself to the event somehow. I would love to fish it with you. It would be a great day. Thanks again! Ronnie

That's got to be a UNIVERSE record smallmouth!!! Ronnie

Are you kidding?? The closer to skunked these guys get, the better the stories will be! Besides, I will have some cool pictures of SPEEDBEAD after I lose my temper and toss him in the water if we get SKUNKED. There is a link on the Roadtrip website to order licenses 'on line' also. Ronnie

I have a 7' moderate action Lamiglas fiberglass rod, just like the one I wrapped for Muddy. I also use it for slow rolling spinnerbaits in deep water. I can feel every turn of the blade. Just because it isn't 'super sensitive' doesn't mean you can't feel anything. It's all relative. I'm not very good at cranking. I use a glass rod for crank baits because I tend to miss a lot of fish with my graphite rods. If you fish a lot of soft plastics, you can appreciate a real sensitive rod. JMHO Ronnie

This is scheduled every year only a week after my professional society convention. They have a gun to my head for "Continuing Professional Education" to keep my license. If Keith (flechero) will make plans to go next year, I will take some seminars this year and make it in 09. Sorry I can't go this year. Have fun and post up here and give us your feedback on the event. Have fun! Ronnie

I am certain that it varies state to state, but I would contact the RI department of consumer affairs and ask for guidance. It may not be anymore complicated than using you Social Security #. I have a federal & state EIN# (Employer I.D.") for making payroll taxes, but for my own tax payment and reporting, it's all referenced to my SS#. I am a sole proprietor. It may be different if I was incorporated. I am pretty sure you don't have to collect and pay sales tax on sales out of your state, but you still pay income tax on all profits. I would drop a quarter on the State Tax Office. They will be glad to tell you where to send any money you might make. Ronnie

It was starting to look like Russ was havin a beer there for a minute. ;D ;D I would ask about pre-fishing a new lake. Do you fish a lot? or do you spend a lot of time searching with electronics? I am always amazed at how these guys can fish so many different lakes and still compete. Ronnie

aboard. Good to have you here. Ronnie