flyboy

I have a power pole and love it. I use it in so many situations I can't name them all but I am changing boats and plan to go with the power pole again; however I wanted to get input on the Talon from the board and see if there is any reason to change. Any body out there with a Talon that would like to chime in?

Rangerphil Have you had any need to use customer service in the last couple of months? Other manufacturors are saying bad things about Ranger's custormer service since the bankruptcy and the only way to know if they are true is hearing reports from people who are having contact.

This thread has ventured into many arenas and I have been lurking here absorbing all the great information that has been shared. I am fasicinated with the discussion on fiberglass work; learning things that will really help in making a decision. Getting back to the original topic, I know that all the top end boats are good so I think my main concern is customer service. I got terrible customer service from the manufacturor of the boat I am replacing; unfortunately their top end boat is the one I like best. Has anyone had any recent customer service experience with Ranger or Skeeter? I am wondering how Ranger is performing since they are operationg in receivership and Skeeter since Yamaha bought them?

In Clewiston go to the Clewiston Inn for dinner, otherwise it is fast food, Sonny's Barbecue or burgers at the Tiki Hut at Roland's. Sounds like you got a great trip planned. For the future if you want massive amounts of crab try going to the Saint John's River around Palatka or Welaka. There are a lot of commercial crabbers in those areas and you can get um by the bushell. There may be a chance there is a good crab place over in Labelle, about 30 miles west of Clewiston. It has been a while since I have been there so ask around Clewiston regarding Labelle.

That's called rubbing, and rubbing is racing.

Catt, have you been involved in testing of Skeeter?

Thanks for all your input guys. Anybody out there have any personal experience with Bass Cats? Skeeter is claiming a partnership with Yamaha on the design of the FX to pair with the Yamaha SHO four stroke. Any of you engineer types believe this is significant or can you really design a boat to be paired with a motor? I rode in a boat with a SHO on it the other day--at 50 mph you could carry on a conversation almost like you were sitting in your living room.

I hate to open a can of worms but I am ready to change boats, AGAIN. In the arena of top end boats, 21 ft. length, 250 Hp with all the toys; what is best? The boat I have now has given me fits and after a year and a half I am ready to change. The manufacturer of my present boat, after not answering my phone calls is telling me they have the best boat and will guarantee me great service--they gave me NO service in the past. I am leaning towards their boat again but actually would like to change brands because of the trust factor. I don't want to mention any names at this juncture but I hope to get feedback from the forum to see what is considered the BEST. I am in Central Florida and a good dealer with and outstanding product is a must if I am going to shell out 70K on a toy.

Way2slow seems to know his stuff about batteries. A while back I had some questions and he gave me some great info that was right on and I have been charging batteries for about fifty years.

Thanks!

Johnnylots wrote, "He was a really nice guy but was dead set on sticking to shiners when we really wanted to learn more about fishing artificials." I feel bad that your guide got switched. Next time you come get on the bulletin board and ask about guides in the area you are visiting, then talk directly with several and make certain of your dates and what you want to learn. There are many guides that specialize in teaching. It looks like you did catch some nice fish, sample some of our critters and see how majestic Okeechobee is. Good luck.

It must have not been a very good spot it you were trying to get the trolling motor up so quick.

I got a flyer last week at the ABA weekend tournament about this tournament. It is a fundraiser to help send the Florida Federation Jr. Bassmaster State Champion, Dustin Snelson, to the Regional Championship in Kentucky. There is an information contact name and number: Jeanne Buckner 352 516-2713. Seems like a good cause. My buddy and I are fishing Harris that day so we decided to get into the tournament.

Anybody know a good fish camp up there?

Thanks George Where you been? I haven't seen any posts from you in a while?

Anybody know a guide that fishes Lake George and specializes in artificial lures?

I use the little dental threaders that are made to pull dental floss through a dental bridge. Insert a few through your weights when you buy them and place them in your storage area. Makes rigging a snap.

Be sure to let all know how the trip went.

You can go to Roland Martins and be confident that the accommodations will meet your expectations. If you like good food get one of their units with a kitchen. In the last few years choices of restaurants in Clewiston has declined. They still have a number of bars with bar food--there is a Tiki Bar at the marina with some food. There's a pizza place, fast food, Sonny's Barbecue and good supermarkets to buy things to cook. As for the bait caster, it may be a little frustrating but in three days you should become pretty good with one. Get a practice plug and practice a lot before you go fishing. Be sure to teach yourself how to pitch. You will need that skill on Okeechobee. I just remembered one good restaurant in town. The Clewiston Inn has a good restaurant and a really neat cocktail lounge with old Florida murals on the wall. Have a great trip; your timing could not be better.

Hi I was there for a week early this month and the water levels were indeed low but not dangerous. If you go down to Lake George most of the pilings you could hit are far enough out of the water to not be a problem. When the water is higher some of the pilings are just sub-surface and can catch you by surprise. In the mouth of the Ochalawaha there is a tree in the middle, on the north side of it the water is about three feet deep and on the south side 8 to 10. If you rent the boat lift at the Welaka lodge it tends to hit bottom before your boat floats completely free, but it will still come off comfortably. Enjoy

Enjoy your trip to Welaka. I just came back from a week at Welaka Lodge. The fish are solid on the beds in the big lake and early in the am in the mouth of the river straight across from Welaka the schoolies are great until about 7:30. You probably won't catch a gator up there, but if you do please make an effort to get your lure out. If the gator is less than 36" they are easy to handle; just grab them behind the head firmly and remove your lure with a pair of pliers just like any toothy critter. Anything much bigger don't mess with them unless you are experienced. Chances are remote that you will hook a gator--I have been fishing Florida waters since 73' and have only caught two by accident.

A while back I was making long casts with a fluke and working it through grass in about 1-3 feet of water. I was trying to throw a couple of inches onto the bank, slide into the water and begin the retrieve. Just as my fluke touched the water I had a major blowup, set the hook and began the fight. About two seconds after the hook-up, I saw the tail and since it was only about a 30 inch little guy I fought him to the boat removed the hook and let him go. I have had a few gators blow up on top waters before but I have never had one hit a soft plastic. Anybody out there had it happen?

We stayed away as you all suggested. I was going on a Thursday to avoid the crowds. Ha... Good thing we didn't go down there.

I have decided to give Toho a shot tomorrow (Thursday). Anybody been there lately? Any suggestions? I will launch out of the ramp in Kissimmee.

Believe it or not you can ski on the Big Island.