Devins

Here's my thoughts. I think you have it pretty much figured out. Your 6 1/2' rod is your most versatile one, so I would put a 6:1 reel on it. That way you're good to go for spinnerbaits or t-rigged worms. That being said, I would have one problem going out with your setup: With only rare exceptions, I like to have a spinnerbait and a t-rigged worm or jig available at all times. If there was any way possible, I would add a 6 1/2' or 7' MH rod for pitching worms and jigs. If adding another rod is not possible. Then I would probably use your 7' MH for spinnerbaits (realizing this is a compromise), 6 1/2 MH for worms/jigs, and 6' for topwaters and crankbaits. I could live with my topwaters and cranks sharing a rod easier than my worms/jigs and spinnerbaits.

X2.

Last summer I caught my PB LM, 6.5 lbs, on a 5' UL with 4 lb mono. I was using a 4" Kalins Western Weenie worm with a 1/16 oz bullet sinker. It was the middle of summer and the fish fought very lethargically. Otherwise, I don't think I would have had a chance of landing it. Short ULs are fun, and having fun is why I go fishing. But even give that, I don't use my ULs very much. Usually only when I'm bored and looking to change things up.

What is the benefit of getting any particular crankbait a few feet deeper by using different line? Why not just use a deeper diving lure? Don't we all have tackleboxs full of lures that go various depths?

Brian, thanks, but after some more calls, I found a place that can get me in next week at a time that I won't have to take off of work. No one said why they do not inspect trailers with brakes. I have had 2 trailers inspected in the past 3 years, both w/o brakes, by two different places. Like you, I just pulled up and they did it. One place took so long though that I will not go back, and the other said no when I told them this trailer has brakes. At least one other place I called said the same thing - no trailers with brakes. Good thing there aren't very many people in MD with boat trailers! At least I'll have this weekend free to go out!

Does anyone know of a good place to get a state inspection for a trailer in (or near) Montgomery County MD? I have called several garages but they either do not inspect trailers at all or do not inspect ones with brakes. At least one RV place will inspect, but only during the week and they need about a week lead time for an appointment. This is starting to drive me crazy! I think I am going to end up spending the rest of the summer trying to get my new boat inspected/titled/registered instead of using it! Your help is much appreciated.

First, I distinguish between teaching fishing to a child or bringing a friend fishing and actively promoting fishing through other (usually organized) means. I will gladly admit to being extremely selfish when it comes to fishing and do not feel the need to promote it. I enjoy fishing alone and not being bothered by anyone around me. Furthermore, I'm not that thrilled when nearly every bass above 1 lb shows signs of being caught by someone else. I would rather fish for "wild bass in the wilderness" than for "domesticated bass on a farm" which is how I sometimes feel. Of course I just recently came to MD from WA where salmon fisherman outnumber bass fisherman by 1000 to 1 and I could fish certain lakes all summer without seeing another bass fisherman. I think that these are among the very few reasons supporting any need to promote fishing. Of course, popularity invites the passage of more regulations restricting fishing, too. In the end, its probably a toss-up in this regard. An additional benefit I would add is that more people fishing encourages innovation by those supplying goods used for fishing. The diverse amount of lures, rods and reels, boats, and electronics we enjoy today would not be in place if bass fishing was not as popular as it is. On the other hand. Many of the new lures and techniques are only needed because of the immense pressure that so many fishermen put on the limited bass population. I think golf is a great example. Golf is more popular since Tiger, but for the average golfer it is not better off.

I'm no expert, but I have read a lot on building wooden boats and am in the middle of building a small sailing pram right now. The most important thing is to know why you are considering building a wooden boat. There are some good reasons and (in my opinion) some very bad reasons to build one. Here's my take on reasons why people build one: 1. You like to build things and think that it would be very satisfying to build your own boat. This was my reason, and I think it is the best reason to build your own boat. In my experience, only building a boat will quell the urge to do so. 2. You think varnished wooden boats are beautiful. This is true only if you are willing to exert a great deal of care for your boat. 3. You can't find a production boat that is suitable for what you are looking for. This is another good reason, especially for small sailing and rowing boats. For bass fishing, I can't imagine not being able to find a boat that meets your needs with the selection of inflatables, bass raiders, aluminum boats of all shapes, and fiberglass boats on the market. 4. You want a boat on the cheap. For a bass fishing boat, this is probably one of the worst reasons for home building. There are a lot of cheap used aluminum boats out there, some even for free. Building a boat is more expensive than it appears, especially if you use any quality wood. Just the price of a few sheets of A/C fir plywood (what many consider the minimum acceptable quality of plywood for boat building) would pay for a small used aluminum boat. Plus, when you home build you are only building the hull, not the other associated gear such as motors, electronics, trailer, etc. So even if you save some money on the hull, you may only save a fraction of your total cost if you want it fully outfitted. Plus, you better plan on keeping your homebuild boat until it rots, because you'll never get any mony back if you try to sell it, they are worthless. If you do decide to build one, there is a ton of information online on how to do so. Just look up Woodenboat Magazine or "Instant Boats" for starters.

One of the first baits I learned how to fish with was a spinnerbait and its one that I have people who do not bass fish use when they come out with me. Its easy to fish, versitile, snag resistant, and simpler to hook fish on than many other baits. Transitioning from trout fishing, you need to learn how to focus much more on fishing cover near the shoreline such as logs, weeds, and docks than you may be used to With a spinnerbait you can learn how to cast accurately into these tight spots and work the bait back without worrying too much about either getting hung up or working it wrong. Usually a bass will hook itself so you only need to keep tension on the line rather than use an exagerated hook set when one hits. To begin with, I would take a 1/4 or 3/8 oz spinnerbait, pick a bank that has both a "medium" slope to it (not a cliff, and not so shallow that you can wade 20 yards out) and the most brush, weeds, or other cover that you can find and just work my way down it. Focus on throwing to every piece of cover you see. Welcome to bass fishing and Good luck!

6ft., Med. Light, Quantum spinning rod Mitchel reel Just switched to 8# P-Line Floroclear from 6# Stren mono Gamakatsu Splitshot/Dropshot hook 4" Zoom C-tail worm or Chompers Dropshot worm Purple, smoke, or green pumpkin color 3/16 oz. splitshot

Thanks for the replies. There seems to be several possible causes. I have been surprised by the number of boats, even only 6 or 7 years old, with blown or replacement motors. I would think that they should hold up longer than that.

I have just started looking for a "real" bass boat to replace my all-electric reservoir rig. While looking at ads for used boats, one thing I have noticed is the large number of boats that have replacement or blown motors. Why do so many bass boats blow their motors? Is it usually lack of oil? Running too hard? What kind of routine maintenance will prevent it?