Wayne Gatt

Thx guys, I'll give it a try next time I'm out for Buckets.

Here's another question which may seen stupid - I assume one dead sticks this rig - or does one add action to it or all of the above??? Not something I have attempted yet and see it has value. Could you use Senkos? Wayne

Thx Way2slow Just updating you and everyone else, Evinrude left me high and dry, stating it had nothing to do with the design but also not an warrantee issue. They called it an accident. Good news is my insurance is covering the repair which consists of installing a new power head. Extremely happy about that, still very angry at Evinrude which in my mind shows exactly what they think of their customers. Something I may not be for long. Wayne

Thx for the infor, but tell me, what can I expect to get for this motor with its power head blown, but lots of parts in great shape. She likely has only 50 to 75 hours on her. I fish a lot, but I run to the spot and then fish for hour(s) there. So the rude doesn't in a days fishing see a lot of run time. Wayne

Thx Way2slow I had her int the dealer as soon as I could, no chance that was an issue. C-Rod bent and went through the cylinder walls, not repairable. She is a 2004 200HP. So I'm told obtaining a used power head is not very likely. I've gone to Evinrude and stated my case. I still think a $10 alarm of water under the cowling would have saved the day. Thx, Wayne

Hi, this happened to me last week, while under way, my cowling filled with water and then filled the # 6 cylinder and bent a rod which went through the block - one power head no-go. The water came in to the cowling via its air in-take at the top of the cowling. I have no issue assuming that some of the water came in while I was drifting. It couldn't have filled completely as the engine started with no issue and we were half way up the drift, about a quarter mile, with about another quarter to go when the motor failed. Where, Lake Erie, out of Buffalo. Day started off with 3.5's and quickly built to 4's. We completed 2 drifts with the odd wave getting into the 4.5 range. I was going to complete one more drift and check a spot closer to the launch for a drift or two and then likely head in. While going through the process of calling 911 then transferred to Cost Guard and then on to a towing company and finally waiting for the tow, an hour and a half went by. In this time waves were building to 5 with the odd one at 5. I have fished this water for a number of years. I respect the lake, and at where it started had no issue fishing. One drift sock did the trick just fine. It was a soft ride out and would have continued to be so. I know my craft and run it for my comfort, so speed was not an issue. The waves do however cause an issue, for in going into them the boat is in a 20 to 40 degree angle which can cause the motor to site very low in the water. Add the odd funny wave and I have to assume there are times when the cowling may be fully submerged. What I want to understand is, Why Was There No Alarm to tell me this was going on. If I had known, all I had to do was full raise the motor and it would have drained via the hose the gas/electric/linkage cables/hoses enters the cowling. Problem solved. I'm not happy is an understatement. $8,000.00+ is what I'm looking at all for the lack of an alarm. Has this happened to anyone else in the last few years, say from 2000 to date, and if so, did the manufacture give you any assistance. Please add to this thread or PM me if you wish to let me know. My dealer is telling me it is unlikely I will receive any. I think this is a design flaw, missing a simple alarm. Type of motor is not the issue as I understand it; none of them have this alarm. Mine is an Evinrude 200 HP. No, I have not discussed this with my insurance company yet; I plan to after I discuss it fully with Evinrude. Thx, Wayne Gatt

Thx Redtail

Hi, I've used this line for a couple years now. Has great knot strength, not too much stretch and the fish don't seem to care about the colour. I fish in extreemly clear water with 15 to 20 feet visability. So far, I have only used it for spinner baits and cranks. This year I plan on increasing that to flipping/pitching as well. Wayne

Hi does anyone know if this sale is still on? Thx, Wayne

As I fish mostly extremely clear waters, 15 to 20 feet of visibility, and for Smallies most of the time I use a ton of tubes and colour is a very big topic argued all the time up here. I can tell you that with out a doubt, colour is very important, as smallies have very good vision and will really show a preference for one colour over another at times. Having said that, I find throw greens, browns, and smoke by far the most and all with some flake or hologram or both in them; and this is regardless if I'm dragging, casting or flipping. As for Flukes, I you bait colours in open water or near weed edges, but when fishing shallow in pencil reeds, I throw something I can see, like white or bubblegum. Reason being, most times the strike is not felt, but you see the bait has suddenly just disappeared, or the line is not where you expect it to be. Senko's, if around sparse weeds, bubblegum or white, otherwise, green watermelon with black flake. The real issue is this, remember, once the bait has caught the angler and past by the cash register, it has done its job, if it catches fish too, that's a bonus. Wayne

I agree, LC already comes with great hooks and the lure is tuned with the size they come with. If you do feel the need to replace the factory hooks on any lure, the first thing I think about is how and will this change affect the action of the lure. Normally with cranks, this is a real concern. Therefore, I have found that if I use a light wire treble, like Excalibur's, I don't see much of a change if I want to increase the size of the hook(s) and I like these hooks. I like them because their very sharp out of the package, I can sharpen is necessary after use, I rarely loose a fish on then once she's hooked up and I like the idea of the rotating bends. Hooks are a very personal thing, so look around and don't be afraid to test out the changes made in you buddies pool or your sink. LOL Good fishing Wayne

Just want to say thank you all for making this old guy feel welcome.

Hi, I just joined this site and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm from Canada, Ontario and live in the city of Hamilton. I belong to two bass clubs, one is a BASS club and the other is a local one. I have always liked fishing and could care less what was tugging on my line, however, for the last few years I've focused on bass. I do love both hunting for largies and finding smallies. My best to date is a 6.2 Lb Smallie and a 4.8 Largemouth, oddly enough, both caught on a tub and both in Lake Erie. I have a Triton TR20X DC purchased new in 2004 E/W a 200 Evinrude with a lowrance LMS480 on the console and an X68(?) colour unit on the MG bow mount. Nice soft ride, particularly with those upgraded seats. I fish Lake Erie's eastern basin both CND & US waters, plus the Niagara River upper & lower, Lake Simcoe, the Trent canal lakes, Long Point Bay on Lake Erie and anywhere 4 hours or less from home. My best partner is my loving wife Barb; however, Barb won't do tournaments. Every cloud has a little rain in it. Talk at ya later. Wayne

Hi, one of the other things you may wish to try, is to continue to use your brade, but add about a rod lenth or a little more or Floro as a leader. I do this a ton on Lake Erie where the water is so clear, it's almost crystal at times. Sitting in 15 to 20 feet under the hull and can see bottom. You get the advantage of the floro and the sensitivity of the brade. If you don't use joining knotes, find one of the many Blood Knotes that you line and use it. Best of luck

Hi, I have a question or two, are you reeling down to the fish before setting? Where you're fishing, is this open water or in sparce weeds or heavy cover?