Mr. Swabby(aka westtennessee1)

Thanks Kent! I'll stop by BPS this week. BTW, where do you go in Florence to have your reels serviced? I might be headed out that way next week. Jeff

Well the Florence FLW Tour experience was great. I'd never been to an official tournament weigh-in and I must say they have it down to a science. I went for the day three weigh-in and Mark Rose was leading and apparently took the win on Sunday. It was neat to see the co-angler of the year award given to Clent Davis. I was amazed at the fish they brought in over the course of the event- sacks over 20 pounds! And I think the four day winner had over 77 lbs! I struggle to catch one or two fish down there when I go (althought I've only been to Florence twice). I wish I had thier knowledge and skill - guess that's why they call 'em pro's!

Fellow members, I've never attended a professional tournament although I've watched many on television. With the tournament in Florence this weekend, I'm thinking of driving from Memphis to see one in person. Not sure if I'll take my boat but definately see launch/weigh-in and visit the expo at the local Walmart. Anyone interested in making the trip and bearing the heat? Any suggestions on whether or not I should take my boat and watch the action on the water? Jeff

I'm interested. Once you hammer out the details please pass them along. Not sure if Road Warrior is also interested but we may be able to caravan together...

Fellow fishemen- Did not know if I should post his here or in "rods-reels-line" but I have a broken BPS rod and need repairs. I accidentally stepped on it and smashed one of the guides... Anyone know a place local to have it repaired? Thanks! Swabby-

Great video and awesome fish! What were you trolling with to land that toad? I've caught a few smallies with storm hot-n-tots while trolling for walleyes in the west basin of Lake Erie...

Great catch, nice picture. What did you catch her on?

Great story and congrats on your new PB!

Had an absolute blast at this year's Road Trip! What a great group of people, and my only regret is missing past Road Trip Events. I arrived on Wednesday and was able to share a room with Rhino (thanks BTW). Fished Wednesday by myself and battled the wind landing a couple of LMB all under 3lbs. Enjoyed dinner at the Moors restaurant on Wednesday night where I met all the other Road Trippers! I'd love to list the names of all the great folks but it would use up the lines I have on this post! Fished Thursday with Roadwarrior- We had a very eventful day with the morning slow battling wind but as we fished the Kentucky Dam and were about ready to leave -WHAMMMM! I had something crush my DT-6. At first feel I figured a Drum... OH NO- this was something else! With three bursts away from the boat and a frenzy shake of the head I knew this was one mad Smallie. After RW took over the controls of the boat to keep us off the rocks I commenced battling this energetic fish. After about a ten minute drag pulling fight, I landed my PB. The fish went a tick over 6 pounds and that fish put the icing on the cake for this great Road Trip event. RW and I moved to a couple different spots that day capped off with finding balls of shad off a point in the main lake catching over 20 LMB in two hours. Nothing over three pounds but all keeper fish. Back at the beach, we decided to hit Patti's Restaurant and that was really great food. Fished with RW again Friday but the weather really hampered our morning of fishing. Tried Barkley Lake with no real success. Overall an awesome Road Trip event and I'll be there next year for sure. Thanks again to all of the fellow Road Trippers for your hospitality and sharing your fishing knowledge! Oh ya- the Road Trippers have officially voted that I change my forum name to Mr. Swabby... Long story but the Readers Digest version is it has to do with my career in the Navy!

Took a guided trip with Mr Sam Parker on 5APR. Great trip although the weather was a challenge with a cold front blowing through a day before our trip. The Elite Series fishermen were there practicing prior to the "Alabama Charge". We got to see all the big guys and that was pretty cool. Caught many fish- catfish, drum, stripers, LMB, SMB. Attached are a couple of the bigger brown fish. Overall an awesome trip and well worth the money!

Fellow Members, My schedule just opened up and I will be able to attend from Tues-Friday. ;D I have a boat and woiuld be willing to take on a partner for the week if anyone is interested (please PM me). I don't yet have a room reserved either, going to check later this week for availability... Thanks! Jeff

Looks like a great day. I was out on Friday with my son and could not buy a bite. One fish all day, about 2lbs. Yellow Creek and main lake up north focusing on points... Where did you guys focus?

Thanks for the report Kent. Sounds like things may be picking up at Pickwick and I'm going to have to get out there soon! Jeff

All, Well after all of your great advice, I have traced the problem to a blown in line 20A fuse stashed between the gas tank and the live well. Everything is "up & up" now and I plan to complete the Humminbird install this weekend. I appreicate everyone's advice! Good Fishin! Jeff

thanks to all of you for contributing to this post- I tested the voltage across the exact positions that the old Lowrance was attached to. The unit was disconnected at the time I tested. I tested the positive side of the fuse terminal and ground bar on the fust block. I also tried positive terminal and hull of the boat to see if there was any difference and there was not. I'll post pictures tonight or tomorrow to help describe how I am measuring the voltage...

Rhino- I have 12V off of the main but the fuse block does not have a voltage, well it's a small voltage that starts low and increases over time. (5mV to about 9 mV or so). The old Lowrance ran off of the fuse bus with no problems. I measured the voltage at the terminals that the old unit was connected to. Can't figure out why I don't get 12V. The boat is only a year old, should not have a short or anything like that... :-[

Help! I'm getting ready to install a Hummingbird 998Csi, in teh place of the stock Lowrance X51. I disconnected leads from the fuse bus for the Lowrance and wanted to verify 12V dc with a voltmeter before connecting the Humminbird. I get a "creeping" voltage which starts at about 5mV and works up to about 9mV. Never get straight 12V dc. I tried turning the motor over a couple time to see if I get the 12V and had the same "creeping" voltage result... Any advice? :-/

JDW/DVX, I'm a relatively new bass boat owner but have fished my entire life. I own and '09 BassTracker190TX(09) with a MERC115. Love the boat but looking at upgrading stock electronics to a Hummingbird 998. Couple of questions, first I am an experienced aircraft electrician, should I attempt to install myself, any special tools required? Second, will having the new electronics reduce my battery life significantly? Last, and I appreciate your opinion, should I get the model with hotmaps preinstalled or buy the chip seperate? Thanks! Jeff :-/

Fellow boaters, I've got BassTracker, 190TX with 115opti. Looking for the best stainless steel propeller application. Anyone have the same motor with a stainless prop? Any opinions or suggestions on the best stainless application for the 115? Thanks!

Hey fellow Pickwick Anglers! I'm thinking of taking a couple days off work soon to hit the water. Any thoughts on tactics? Heard the shad kill has occurred... I'll probably hunt for smallies below the Pickwick Dam. Any thoughts that you might have would be appreciated!

Took my son to Pickwick yesterday, below the dam. Water was steady 44*, solid bite but mostly junk fish. Lot's a moving water and windy too. Caught five green fish, no brownies. Attached is a photo of the biggest LM.

Roadwarrior and Memphisballer hit it this past weekend, below the dam. Lots of water and Memphisballer tagged his PB smallmouth at 5lbs. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1291597012

What a toad! Congratulations on your PB!

First I have to thank RW for joining me this Saturday for a day on Pickwick. We fished below the dam and had a solid day with about 10 fish total. Water was about 59 and the action was somewhat slow. Mix of SM, LM and a few drum. Learned alot from RW, and I think he had as much fun as I did. I look forward to the next opportunity to fish with him. Posted a couple of pics...

Nice fish and great informational post. Appreciate it as I am planning a trip out to Pickwick next Friday/Saturday. Hope they are pulling water! :