Land Surveyor13

Long story short. My lower end unit blew up from the inside out. Yes while out on the water and 6 miles from the boat ramp. Was not a fun day at all. Anyway got it to the marina. Called in the specs to Mercury. They immediately said it was under warranty and sent out a new part. Marina received the part, installed on my boat and sent me on my merry way. All within 1 week too. I was impressed until a week ago and the marina calls and states that Mercury will not cover the part now that they have had a chance to inspect it. They claim there was water in the oil. Which I am sure there is since it blew a quarter size hole in the side of it. The marina is trying to get them to warranty it. And I have already called my lawyer and they are going to get involved if I don't get satisfaction from Mercury soon. Anyone else have Mercury pull this kind of stunt on them? Jerrod

I am going to second roadwarrior and say send it to the Reel Mechanic. Awesome service and quick turn around time. Jerrod

SirSnookalot it just maybe the area. My father-in-law lives in Jensen Beach. They saw the eye of both Jeanne and Francis. I pay less in property taxes than what you pay for home insurance every year. I live in the Atlanta suburbs on 1.3 acres. 3,200 s.f. home that is less than 5 years old. FL is still way over priced for what it is worth. Just my opinion. I like FL, love the fishing but can't justify the cost of living. Jerrod

fourbizz and chris fenk are really making my mouth water every time I see those pictures. I just hope they are on for the 3 days were are going to be there. Thanks for the other suggestions from everyone else. I plan on hitting as many places as I can on this trip. Been counting the days till I leave. Leaving on the March 26th. That's 55 days from today. I just hope the weather is good for the days I am driving across country and don't get a blizzard going across the midwest. Jerrod P.S. I know about those blizzards. sat for 2 days in Limon, CO at a Flying J truck stop just ideling and keeping the truck and me warm. Eat, sleep and fill up the truck. Really sucked. i would have drove if Kansas had not shut down the interstates.

My vote would be Alabama. So many places to fish. I think it has been voted bass capital of the US a few times. I lived in Florida for 5 years and yes the fishing is great but there are many negatives that would out way it. Yes they have no sales tax. However they do have astronomical property taxes in many places, Hurricane season and getting insurance on your home is ridiculous. If you read the news State Farm just announced they are dropping everyone and moving out of the state. My father in law was dropped after Francis and Jeanne came through and when he did get insurance the deductible was not a fixed price but 5% of the home value. 5% on a $500,000 home is $25,000. Gas prices are higher. Don't get me wrong I like many aspects about Florida but right now for the money and with the economy it just doesn't make sense. Also in AL you can get a lot of home for a little money. Suburbs of Birmingham would be my choice. Just a hop, skip and a jump from Lay Lake, Lake Guntersville, Logan Martin, Lake Weiss, Lake Wedowee and many others. Just my $0.02. Jerrod

Pretty sure there is a cable adjustment screw or something like that. I would start there and maybe a way to lube it also. Check your users manual. Jerrod

Well personally I can say I would have to see inside the mouth. The main lake I fish around here is stocked full of both spots and largemouth. 2 Sundays ago at our first tournament for the year I weighed in 2 fish that looked just like a largemouth, however when you looked inside of the mouth they had the spotted bass tooth patch. Around here that is the only way to tell sometimes. Jerrod

Look for it on eBay. Got my Anteras DC a.k.a the Calais DC here in the U.S.A. for $300.00. All of the Calais DC's were going for $150.00 more. Same real just a different name. Jerrod

Very nice. However will any of them re-paint the lures I have. You know ship them to them, they do there magic for a fee and send them back? I just hate to waist a perfectly good lure because the paint is knocked off. Jerrod P.S. Never mind i guess I should read a little deeper. I answered my own question. How do the re-paint's paint hold up?

Does anyone know of someone that will re-paint lures for me. I love the Strike King Red Eye Shad Rattle Traps but d**n if the paint doesn't suck. I wear the paint off of one in a day. I would do it but I am painter challenged. Besides would like to have one of those special jobs done on them. Jerrod

I would like to come but I will be fishing either on The Delta or Clear Lake in CA. If it weren't for my old man turning 60 this year I would not be making a trip to the west coast and would join you guys. Maybe next year. Jerrod

Nice Mike. West GA Bass Club's first tournament is tomorrow on West Point. Gonna be cold and wet. OH WELL!

Give me some places in Idaho. Coming up I-84 and cutting across Central Oregon on Hwy. 20/Central Oregon Highway on my way to Bend. Jerrod

Thanks for the info. and the offer BassChump. Clear Lake is a go and so is Ten Mile. I have yet to decide on The Delta. I've got plenty of time so will see. Definitely bringing the boat with me. I will be looking for some fishing reports so I may send you a PM or 2. Jerrod

I just want to mention one more thing. Make sure your tow vehicle can handle what you have behind it. Yes myself and NitroMan may be overkill on our tow vehicles but we know that we can safely get to the ramp and home with out killing ourselves or someone around us. Realistically I could tow my boat with my wife's V6 Honda Accord Sedan. However I would not feel safe doing it. I know I can safely start, stop and travel down the road at Interstate speeds and only have to worry about the idiots around me. Think about the worst possible situation you could be in towing your boat and if you feel safe towing it with you tow vehicle then you are fine. Personally I know I can haul my 20' enclosed trailer loaded with 10,000 pounds across Kansas with a 40 mph wind blowing at the side of it and keep it in my lane or climb up to Eisenhower Tunnel west of Denver without any problems. Been there and done that. The bottom line is pick a safe tow vehicle and arrive to the lake and back home without any problems. Jerrod

I think it's a great idea. And remember you don't have to just get black anymore. They can color match now. I would look at Linex also. Jerrod

Nice rig NitroMan. Here is what I tow with. A tranny cooler is a must otherwise you will toast it in no time. Also most newer models trucks and SUV's already have them installed from the factory. I know my 2003 F150 had one on it. Jerrod

OK! I'll go at least 25 LB on whatever I go with. I just want it to hold up and not break off on me. The wait for the baits are 4-6 weeks. Order 3 of the new weedless versions. Rod comes in tomorrow sometime. I'll stop by the local tackle shop and see about some hard swimbaits until those arrive.

badog, Can you give me a town close by so that I can look it up on Google Earth? Thanks.

I'd say wait and go to Kentucky Lake too. I would like to go but I have a date with a few lakes in CA around that time. Thanks for the heads up Branuss04. :

Made in the USA plays into everything I buy. I live, breath, work and play in this country. Sending my dollar to China, Japan, Indonesia or wherever does nothing for this country. I know I can't get everything made here but I do my best to do so. Just my $0.02 worth.

Well I use PLine Halo a lot but was just afraid of it breaking on me. And especially throwing those more expensive baits. However I have never had any of the higher test PLine break on me like I have had the 10 or 8 pound. I guess I'll spool up some 15 or 16 pound line and see how it performs. Always use KVD Line Conditioner on all of my line. I even keep a bottle in my pocket while fishing.

Bought a G.Loomis SWBR956C Swimbait rod this morning. I've got a Shimano Calcutta 400 I am putting on it and need to know what line to use on it. Also just put my order in on some new Huddleston swimbaits. What does everyone recommend I use?

Well I think I will do Clear Lake for a few days. Run across the Cascades and hit Ten Mile. And up to Washington somewhere to hit a lake for a few days. I am looking at a total of 3 weeks in the NW so I have plenty of time to fish. Keep the suggestions coming.

WCCT, The Clear Lake suggestion made up my mind. The boat is going with me. I remember the BASS tournament on the lake from 2 years ago. Time to stock up on Swimbaits and will need to get another set up for dad. I am excited now. Jerrod