TheRodFather

Ouch, really sorry man.

Yes, don't upsize the fuses, a bilge pump amp draw for typical 500gpm is only about 2A, so wiring would have been sized accordingly and won't be able to hand a ton of current. Do you have a DVOM (multimeter)? Any idea what is going on? Need more information. Do you think the pump is locked up because it was run dry for an extended period of time? Possibly. Does anyone know what the part number for the bilge pump on this boat is? Model? I do not Can I just replace the cartridge on the pump? Maybe Like the other poster mentioned, start checking for voltage and path to ground, if there is a float, or other type of water sensor, you will have to find a way to "trick" it into allowing the pump wiring to get voltage. At minimum you need a test light, multimeter is better though.

I can't answer your question specifically, but I would say that you could get some of the 12v led strips and run them in the fender lip. Sort of like what the "kids are doing these days" with the neon lights under the car. I got a bunch of them off of the Bay to use in my boat storage compartments and such. No idea if it is legal though.

Looks like they make a "mini" set now as well, they don't seem to get the same outstanding reviews though. I did see that they had a problem with a spring breaking in an early version of the Mini, that they have since fixed. May be worth a shot, I don't need the full size, or stainless version for my tin boat.

It always seems like everyone else is slaying them. Same as how it seems like everybody on Facebook is having tons of fun that you aren't. It's not that you never have fun, or that you never catch fish, it's just that out of all the people online, 2 or 3 are going to have caught fish and post about it, or have something fun to share on FB. So day after day you see those fish and think your not keeping up, or that your life is boring :). Don't get discouraged, the LMB fishing around me is slooooow, every place that has LM is crazy pressured, or private property. I haven't caught a LM in 3 outings. The heat is not helping either. I try to get a fix wading in creeks and rivers for smallmouth, until I get my boat done, then it's game on . You might try going out in the evening into night, or early in the morning.

I have a Pointer 100 SP in a bluegill pattern that was producing very well for me in the late winter into spring. I haven't really been throwing any JBs in a few months. I only have one Megabass JB, in Pro blue, haven't caught anything on it yet though. So I guess that means I like the Luckycraft lures better

It definitely seems unanimous!

Thanks for the replies gents, I will pick up a pair since they seem to be worth the few extra dollars. TRF

Like the title states, do you use them or any of the other brands that make a similar product? The Boat Buckle brand is quite a bit more expensive than a standard set of straps, but some of the other brands (Reese) are just a bit more than a set of standard straps, so is the extra price worth the convenience?

The decking and transom is still going to be subject to moisture during normal use, and especially if stored outside, even with a cover. I would paint it at a minimum. I fiber glassed my transom (I'm re doing an aluminum also), and will most likely paint my decking. My transom has to last as long as possible. The decking is cheaper and easier to replace, but after the cost of the carpet that would need replaced when the unprotected decks rot, it just makes more sense to seal them. Just something to consider. TRF Unless you mean you are just protecting it while your away, then sealing it up properly later, disregard my post

If you have a DVOM you can check for parasitic draw. Then if you find something drawing current, start disconnecting systems until you find what is drawing the current. Half an amp draw is considered normal in the automotive industry. On a boat, I wouldn't think there would be much of any since there aren't very many things that need power to store any memory.

Knowing that, then yes, the strength of the line is going to need to factor into your choices.

I believe that the recommended drag setting is about 1/4 to 1/3 of break strength of line being used. Or around 2-3lbs for your set up. You may be surprised how hard it is to lift a 10 pound weight off the ground, and how much 2-3lb will bend your rod before the drag slips. Especially an Ugly stick :). Your aren't fighting the weight of the fish with your drag, you are fighting its swimming "thrust". Unless you are lifting him up and over something to get him landed, the weight of the fish is not exactly relevant to line size. For example, using light tackle, all other things being equal (line size, , both fish same weight, etc) a 4lb smallmouth that has lived in current his whole life is going to be able to pull a heck of a lot harder and has a better chance of breaking you off than a 4lb largemouth that has been living in a pond. It may be a better option for you to set the drag to recommended spec, then hold the spool with your reeling hand if you think he is going towards something that will wrap you up. That way the drag can do it's job the whole rest of the time. Like if it makes a quick surge, etc. The balance is strength vs visibility. Good drag settings and keeping line size down "should" get you more bites.

I was catching some quality fish at a pond that a local sent me too, but anything connected to a canal, and even the ponds to a lesser degree have such a stain to the water it's hard to imagine the fish can even see a lure. Last year I could pick out beds on the shoreline of the canals. This year visibility is like 3inches. What is causing that? It's my understanding that decaying organic material releases tannins that stain the water. Did the drought earlier in the year expose a bunch of underwater vegetation which then died from lack of water, then the when the rain came it covered all the dead vegetation back up and now it's decaying?

I was talking to Frank, then he introduced me to a local that gave up a spot or two. It was next to a business and despite a lack of signage, an employee told me I couldn't fish there. I had caught 2 real nice fish a couple average fish by then though. I will check out the canal in North Port tomorrow morning, thanks again! What is this spot that Robert and you know

The coco plum canal system is the canal that my in-laws place sits near. They are just south of coco plum between two of the smaller canals coming off coco plum. I have fished the minor and major canals around their house that produced for me last year. But no luck so far, the water is very low and quite stained. I met a guy at fishing Frank's that put me onto some ponds, caught 3 or 4, several over 4 pounds, which, for a guy from PA are hawgs Thanks for all the help guys

Oops, yes autocorrect got me. OK, will check that out, thank you!

Bummer............what other options do I have in the Port Charlottesville area to catch some fish from the bank?

Hey guys, down here on vacation with my in-laws, there are two canals that form the back of their property and my FIL built a deck on top of two pontoons and put a trolling motor on for buzzing up and down the canals. Last year we were down here it was heaven, walk out to the deck or get on the pontoon boat and start catching largies (long as the alligator wasn't sunning himself on the deck). This year though I have been fishing for two days and had nothing but a Gar take a swipe at a spinner bait. What the heck is going on? Last year it was senkos pitched towards shore or lay down palm trees. The water is badly stained, like 3 inch visibility, so I switched to a spinner bait for some flash and vibration, but still no luck. Any thoughts?

Pretty neat. I wonder if fisherman were saying "some lures are for catching fisherman" at that time too.

What about the other 2, what type of failures did they have?

I personally would not take the advice of a vehicle manufacturer over the tire manufacturer. Remember all those Firestone tires that were blowing up on Ford explorers? That was a direct result of Ford recommending a tire pressure of around 26-29psi in order to give the SUV a softer ride. Firestone got a bad rap until it came out in the wash that Ford was asking that the tires be under inflated to fix a ride quality issue. I was a Ford mechanic around this time so I remember it well.

I too have been doing the best on a jerkbait, I have this Lucky Craft pointer 100 in a bluegill pattern that just keeps working, I must have caught 20 on it so far in just a few outings. Caught a couple on senkos, and one on a spook, one on a spinnerbait, one on a paddletail, etc, etc. The jerkbait is just flat out outproducing everything.

Boy you guys are really racking them up. I haven't found anything yet this year. Lost a couple X-raps though

Maybe, but it seems like something about the birdsnest upps the catch percentage, like murphy's law.