Long Mike

Team-Doughterty, Right On! Ohm's Law is such a simple equation that it should be taught in Elementary School. ;D 8-)

By any chance was your TM accidentally set to the "ON" position when you first hooked it up to the battery? If so, the sudden amperage spike may have taken out the fuse for the lights. That's the only explanation I can think of at the moment.

Luger, thanks for the input. I'm in Tulsa and am safe. It's my wife and sister-in-law I'm concerned about. Thankfully, they had the good sense to stay in Pensacola, instead of trying to drive to Rayne.

Last Friday my wife flew into Lafayette and then drove to Pensacola with her sister to attend a family function. They are planning on driving back tomorrow - unless I can convince them to park their butts for a couple of days.

Most batteries these days are sealed. I suspect that all you need to do is recharge your battery and you will be good to go.

Huh? Could you repost your question in English?

I like the photo in your avatar, but you you need to make it MUCH smaller. ;D

Dickenscpa. You are correct 14 gauge is 14 gauge, whether stranded or solid wire. Obviously, the stranded wire is much more flexible, but if you want to use Romex be careful in attaching it to your existing power leads. I suspect that they will be no more than 18 or even 20 gauge. I get a little antsy when trying to attach braided wire to solid core.

Guys, many thanks for your very valuable input. Come this Winter, I will probably have at least one of each of your suggestions, except for Jivey's. Jivey, I don't believe your tent will fit on my Tracker.

I know I'm being premature, but last winter I froze my cojones off while fishing. I want to be much better prepared come this winter. I live in Oklahoma, so our lakes remain pretty much ice free. It's the wind, combined with rain, sleet, ice and/or snow that chill me to my bones. I am, by no means, a wealthy man, but I don't mind spending several hundred dollars to equip myself with the proper gear. BPS is located nearby, but I don't mind buying off E-Bay. Can any of you experienced cold-weather anglers recommend a retailer/brand that will keep me warm and dry? This includes footwear. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Tom, glad to have another Old Fart on the board. We guys in our 60's are few and far between around here. Like you, despite my advanced years, I'm a relative newbie to the sport. I've been pursuing Old Bucket Mouth for only a couple of years.

Welcome! I fully agree with Dominick, but that was forty years ago. Are you still using the same rod? ;D

I assume that you are talking about the power leads leading from your F/F. Go to Radio Shack and buy the length of speaker wire you need to reach back to the battery. 14 or 16 gauge stranded wire will work fine.

That Rhino Liner could get awfully hot in the Summer.

Well, I can't comment about you folks out East, but if the slop called Bar-B-Q that was served at Guntersville Lodge on the last BR fishing trip is any indicator, you have my condolences. Wayne seemed to enjoy it though, but then, he's a Yankee. What do they know about good food? ;D ;D ;D

You young'uns just love to brag, don't you? ;D When you get to be my age you'll wake up in the morning and start trying to figure out what part of your body doesn't hurt. :'( Happy Birthday!

I fish with braid on all my rods, both bait-caster and spinning. I also use a fluro leader on all of them, for the reasons cited above. I use a Stren knot to tie the flouro to the braid. I have never had that knot fail. When I have had to break my line, it always fails at the palomor knot on the hook/lure.

Muddy, if you don't make it to the next "gathering" I will hunt you down like a mangy dog and cut off your jewels. Capice?

Well, bless your pointed little lazy head.

Well, bless your pointed little head.

Caney Lake. About 20 miles SE of Ruston. Next to Toledo Bend, probably the best bass lake in the state.

http://www.seaeagle.com/MotorMountBoats.aspx?hullID=SE9

Olebiker, your memory is much better than mine. I know Sky King had a niece named Penny, but I have no idea what the name of his plane was. As for Gene Autry's horse? His name was Buckwheat. ;D

Most retailers who wish to remain competitive are lucky if they can make 10 cents a gallon profit.

Muddy, tank type of course. It allows you to wash and rinse your hair easily. ;D