WRB-2.0

My advice is go to an empty parking lot to practice backing up the trailer. The key to start with is straighten out the tow vehicle and trailer so can see the trailer fender in the side view mirror. If you align the trailer path to back up straight it’s easy to keep it going straight. I put my hand on the bottom of the strirring wheel and make small adjustments moving my hand the direction I want the trailer to go, just watch the fender in the mirror, the trailer goes where the fender goes. practice turning the trailer takes more time but the same method as backing straight but you need to watch right side mirror turning right. Left side turning left. Make smooth adjustments so you don’t snake back and forth. At the lake get everything ready before you approach the ramp. I start at the back of the trailer to check the drain plug, take off the engine support and lower the engine so the slag is about 6” off the ground surface. Take off the trailer tie downs, prime the gas line, then go to the tow vehicle and put away tie downs and tilt support. Now the front of boat. Attach your sonar units, get out what ever you use in the boat, PFD’s, tackle, lunch, water/drinks etc. put them on the boat. Now loosen the bow wench strap about a foot, I use a launch rope attached to bow eye and wench a little longer the the trailer. Put on dock fenders the side the dock is on and attach a stern dock rope. Ready to launch. Like you practiced turn your rig around so you are straight with ramp and dock. Slow down and back down easy like you practiced and forget whomever is around, it’s you and the trailer fender backing down until the fender is about an 1 “ about water. Check to see if the boat is starting to float. If the boat is floating disconnect the wench and take the bow rope and walk the boat to the far end of the dock. If not floating back down until it does. Secure the dock lines and bumpers, then park your vehicle. Recovering is the same, back down the trailer until the trailer is straight both fenders about 1” above water and drive the boat onto the trailer, tilt the engine up. Attach the wench strap and tighten until the boat is fully on. Drive the rig until out of everyone’s way and reverse the launch sequence. Check the trailer lights and ready to go home. Tom

Light rain with light wind, the reason I am old is didn’t fish in storms with heavy rain and ⛈️. Tom

At 1st glance it looks OK. Not all bait casting reels are equal regarding spool fill level. I recently spooled line on a very low profile Tatula reel to the level that looked good. After making a dozen or so casts the reel started to cast poorly. The problem turned to be the spooled line loosened slightly and was rubbing on the rod reel seat under the reel. After pulling about 5 yards of the line reel performed good. Tom

This is a term in bass fishing that confused me when first hearing it. I came to understand weeds vs grass was regional. West and northern regions anglers called all aquatic vegetation weeds. South and eastern regions aquatic vegetation is called grass. Specific aquatic vegetation is broken down into the type like coontail, hydrilla, etc. It’s confusing like most terminology in bass lingo a language of it’s own. Tom

Do you need over 500 yards of 15 lb braid? The line cost are more then the $50 reel! Tom

The. Midwest* style of finesse bass pre dates the western techniques but wasn’t called finesse bass fishing until Micheal Jones used it. The difference is the lake types being fished where western lakes are deep structure highland vs Midwest being shallower hill land type lakes. Charlie Brewer slider jig/worm and Ned Kehde Beatle Spin and currently Ned rig are examples of Midwest finesse. What both Midwest and West have in common is light line presentations. Tom * The Midwest members can dive deep into this style of finesse bass fishing.

History of the term finesse regarding bass fishing was 1st used by Micheal Jones defining the technique west coast tournament anglers Don Iovino and Dick Trask were fishing. Don Iovino is in the Hall of Fame as the father of finesse fishing. Neither Don or Trask used spinning tackle during 80’s when the finesse term was 1st coined. Don primarily doodled shaking brass n glass T-rigged small 4-5” straight tail hand poured worms. Dick was a spilt shot and dart head jig fisherman using Mister Twister and later Flutter Craft 4 1/2” curl tail worms. Don targeted bass near it on structure, Trask mostly suspended bass. Both used mono line 5# and 6# using highly turned Bsit casting reels and custom medium power fast action Phenix rods. Spinning tackle followed because it was available to everyone else who started finesse bass fishing. To me bass behave as individuals that often group up to take advantage bait fish as prey. Like all predators bass are not always active feeding, in fact they rest more then hunt. Active bass are feeding bass, neutral bass are resting bass and sleeping bass are inactive not catchable imo. Finesse presentations can be used to catch both active and neutral bass, more often targeting neutral bass that may respond to lures in their face whereas active bass will case lures. Tom PS, read my Cosmic Clock and Bass Calendar.

As a hobby hand pours work OK. Not a fan of recycling used soft plastics= ugly colors and stiff baits. Tom

At this time I couldn’t get to or out of a canoe or kayak and unwilling to walk terrain around our local lakes. It’s back seating a bass boat or the my recliner chair. I can still catch bass when I’m a boat but limited as a passenger and in my tackle choices. Tom

Go to another Mercury mechanic and cut your losses. The common denominator is the fuel pump, have it replaced properly, it sounds like it was not installed correctly or defective. I would start with looking at each spark plug. Number the plugs so you don’t mix them up. Spark plugs tell you how the fuel is burning by the residue colors; chalky white too lean, tan is good and black is too rich, if oily a dead cylinder. Compression test each cylinder while the plugs are out.; 100-110 psi is normal range. Tom

I am not a kayak angler so what is the optimal length for rocket launcher rod holders ? For purposes of discussion the average length for over the counter 7’ rod is 14” from center of reel seat to end of rod butt. Tom

Mike Lembeck performed a 3 year tracking study in 3 San Diego area lakes with about 200 bass back in early 70’s, Bill Murphy worked with Mike as noted in Murphy’s In pursuit of Giant Bass book. What they learned is big bass tend to group up off shore over deep water. The bass acted like individuals coming and going randomly rejoining the same group. These were undiscovered bass until this study located them. The study showed 1 big bass would leave and swim to the closed dam area when the lake opened to boat traffic and didn’t return until the lake closed for the season. Murphy was calling these bass the new frontier and learning how to catch them when he passed away. FFS is a tool today that can exploit Murphy’s frontier suspended bass over deep water. The big bass in our local local lakes definitely shut down from boat traffic during the day. Night fishing we tend to move around less and more slowly in turn we are quieter fishing. I learned to make long casts during low traffic periods to up my odds catching big bass. I believe some big adult bass are wary of noisy bass boats. Tom

Crocodile battery clamp but a crimped on terminal lug is your best choice. Tom

Kate your are our bass fishing ambassador👍👍 Tom

The OP removed the line and the spool still turn easily so it’s the drag washers and disk and he is having it serviced. Problem is solved! Tom

Rual good to hear from you👍it’s been awhile. Tom

You plan to take the battery out to charge it. The terminals need to be compatible with the charger and the TM wire size when you remove the alligator clips. The connectors shown by MN Fisher look good! Tom

Patio furniture/marine vinyl cleaner with UV protection and Tarp cover. Use PVC plastic pipe for tenting the cover so it drains off water. Tom

The thought that giant bass or other species live near you is wishful thinking. Record size fish are very rare and live in even fewer places around the country. The biggest bass are usually caught during the spawn cycle when the big females are less wary. No I haven’t caught the largest bass in the lakes where I fish. Tom

Not sure about interchangeable spool sizes because the spool match the rotator a bail diameter. Most 3000 spools are deeper for additional line capacity not larger diameter line. Bass fishing I rarely use more then 50 yards of line because bass don’t run over 30 yards before turning. Tom

I bought Vanford 2500 about 3 years ago and just checked it for any handle play it is solid no movement and very smooth operation. I suggest you return the new reel for a replacement. Tom

The 4.8 size flick shaky worm is the only size I use because they work where I fish on 3/32 Jackall wacky jig and 1/8 oz drop shot. I prefer the Owner hooks smaller dia forged ZO wire penetrates with less hook setting force. Tom

Not a EWG hook the gap is regular size sickle type bend and it’s an excellent drop shot hook rigged weedless skin hook.👍 Tom

Owner size 1 Wacky Weedless Jungle hook #4109 on a 1/8 oz drop shot rig works. Wacky jig heads tend to gather weeds on the line to jig eye tie. Just trying to help you out! Tom

Who suggested to use a Fkick Shaky wacky rig in weeds? The Flick Shake worm is designed to be in open water to free movements. I use the 4.8 watermelon candy with good results as a wacky hooked drop shot rig in deep rocky structure lakes. Tom