Al Wolbach

Wouldn't it be easier to use the trailor winch?..................Al

You'd be doing the whole fishing community a huge favor if you could take and post some decent quality pictures of the reel, expecially with the side cover off so we can see the brake. I can't find any decent pictures of this reel anywhere on the net and I'd like to see one. You do not need a password to enter..............Al http://www.ardentreels.com/Login/login.asp

Thanks Micro- I prefer to avoid any BPS branded reels, no experience with Pennicle. Good? And the 4.7:1 is probably a little slow for my needs, although I do throw my deep cranks on a Fritts 4.7:1. I need a reel that is a little faster. I can not force myself to slow down when in a tournament situation, so a 6:1 is out also..........Al In addition to the BPS David Fritts and the Shimano, two others come to mind... The Johnny Morris Signature in 5.4:1. Pinnacle also makes the Matrix II in 4.7:1, which looks like a killer reel. Pinnacle Matrix II

JT- If you have any pull with Pflueger would you encourage them to make a 5:1 reel. I realize it is really ipt that matters, but 5:1 reels are more likely to fit the ipt range for spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Very few manufacturers are making a high end reel in this ratio range (only one comes to mind). I needed to replace two reels this year and I could only find a BPS branded reel or Curado that would fit the bill. I would prefer to have a larger choice. I realize it is all about sales numbers but there is a void in the market that could be filled.......Thanks..AL

Next weeks In-Fisherman TV show is going to cover this topic.........AL

I had the opportunity to play with a prototype and did not care for it, however most of the faults I had with it are supposed to be corrected in the production model. I have not yet seen a production model. I have purchased five of the baitcasting reels and really like them. Two of these reels are in their third year of tournament fishing. They excel in casting distance, especially with light lures and the drag is very smooth. I did have a problem with one of the baitcasters but it was corrected in just a few days by Ardent. I had a knob come off a handle and they sent a new handle to my home within just a few days. Otherwise the reels have been flawless.................AL

You may want to check with Farm Bureau. Excellent claims service and good rates in this area. I have home, vehicles and boat with them and no complaints......................Al

The only lake I have fished in Georgia is West Point and I would have a hard time believing there is one better. It is also one of the prettiest lakes I have ever fished. It seems to have a park on every point, boat houses/docks everywhere but you don't see any houses. Apparently property owners are not allowed to clear trees and underbrush between their homes and the water. All you see is paths from the boatdocks leading into the woods. And great fishing........... In florida Lake Istapoga would have to be my favorite. Alabama would have to be Guntersville, but it is the only lake I have fished in Alabama............. You didn't mention South Carolina but, Santee-Cooper is my personal favorite lake in any state............Al

Good advice- and generally the shorter the rod the shorter the handle. I use a 6' MF for hard jerkbaits and a 7' MH for soft jerkbaits........Al

It's going to create a huge headache for tourney directors and anglers. The misinformation going about concerning the new size limits is amazing. Just in the last week I've heard that the new limits don't apply to this lake or that lake. Boone, South Holston, and Watauga are the only lakes in NE TN not affected by the change. Al, have you heard any more concerning Douglas and the smallie limit? Still 20"? Hey Burley- The rodrack situation is caused by slow resupply from the warehouse, Not sure why. The smallmouth on Douglas remains at 20", I still do not agree with TWRA on this one, But I didn't agree with the 15" largemouth on Cherokee several years ago and that move has payed off very well, so maybe they are right. There is a larger concern for tournament anglers concerning smallmouth in Tennessee. The new fishing regulation booklet from TWRA has a change that identifies a black bass as a largemouth, smallmouth, spoted bass and the coosa bass. The next line states, any black bass with a tooth patch is to be considered a spotted bass. Recently at a large tournament on Douglas a bass that appeared to be a smallmouth and was well less than 20" was weighted in as a spot because it had a tooth patch. Yes it was allowed and had a large impact on the money winners. Not sure why TWRA changed or added this statement but it will cause some arguements at weighins.......Al

You can purchase a complete hose assembly at Wally World for less than twenty dollars and eliminate the hose entirely. It is a good idea to have a spare anyway. Just make sure you get one that is for your brand of motor so the QD's will fit... That will eliminate the hose from the equasion and give you a spare.....................I really believe the problem is the tank and probably is the QD on the tank........The only other thing it can be is the vented cap on the suspect tank. If the caps are interchangable on the two tanks change them and see what happens. I recommend you mark the caps for easy indentifing later. You can also loosen the cap on the suspect tank to allow air to enter and do the same thing......Just be careful of spilled fuel.........Al

Don't change the fuel pump. I believe it is working fine, it is supposed to pull fuel via vacuum. The problem appears to be air not replacing the space being vacated by fuel. Some type of vent problem and since it works fine on one tank then the problem must be with the other tank. I have accually heard of plastic tanks starting to collapse do to vent problems. If I understand the problem correctly your problem must be with one tank and must be a vent problem with that tank...............Al

Those bulbs do get weaker over time and you may have fixed the problem. If it reoccurs I would check the quick disconnect on your main tank. It may not be opening the ball check valve on the hose quick disconnect. If I understand the problem correctly...........Al

Va BAIT was on Cherokee last weekend, only 14 lbs to win and 9 lbs to get a check. That tells me Cherokee was pretty slow........Al

Jeez, I took my wife to Hawaii for 2 weeks for less money than you have in electronics. Great set up though. Billybob, you mentioned a 3 foot space for the transducer from the unit. I don't remember reading this before. Must there be a 3 foot physical distance or just 3 foot of wire for impedence matching? I don't think my antenna is three feet from my unit but I do have three feet of wire. Thanks.......................Al

A second 520 up front would be nice for locating deep structure you have saved in your gps. I just could not justify the addition money. I go to the structure that was saved by using the big motor then drop a bouy. This works well for me but if money is not an issue a 520 up front would be nice, however, always use separate transducers. I have an Eagle 480(recessed) on the bow.................Al

Skippinfool- I suggest you recess your 520. After you have looked at a color unit you probably won't look at the x65 again. I mounted my antenna next to the drivers console but only for convenience( only out of the way flat spot ). I had a x75 recessed and the 520 fit the cutout without a hitch. One problem I had when I purchased mine was the supplied transducer was a skimmer with built in temp sensor. I wanted mine to shoot thru the hull and if I installed the supplied transducer I would have only had the temp of the bildge. I had to order a different transducer with external temp probe. If you want to shoot thru the hull and have water temp check your transducer type..............Al PS- I have a totally separate unit up front

From Summerville you are only 20 miles or so from Santee-Cooper and about the same to the Cooper River. Great fishing for many types of fish. Hugh Crappie, catfish, shellcracker and bass. The river takes some time to get used to but can be a lot of fun and a good place to fish when the wind is blowing to heavy to fish the lakes. A word of caution- These lakes can get very, very rough in a hurry if a storm is approaching or the wind picks up. By awear or the weather. Also, these lakes are very shallow in many places with very hard stumps. Get a map or gps and be careful. BTW- My personal best, 11lb 7oz came from the Cooper River.....Al

I have both rods you asked about in GLX. Both are great rods but I prefer the 844c. The BCR has a little stiffer tip and does not cast 1/4 oz jigs quite as well as the 844c, but I prefer the guides on the BCR after you get used to the sound they make while fighting a fish. I like to fish jigs and I normally will have a 1/4 oz rigged on the 844c and a 3/8 or 1/2 oz on the 854. To me these rods are nearly interchangable for Texas rigging or jig fishing, no sensitivity or weight difference that I can detect. I debated about even responding to this thread because of objectivity. I love the MBR 844c for jigging and rigging. My favorite rod period. Had I purchased the BCR854 first maybe I would not be so biased. I really like them both but the MBR844c just feels better to me, with the BCR854 a very close second.............Tight lines............Al

Have it tested, if it is bad return it to BPS. While you are there buy a battery charger with an auto cut-off................Al

Trojan is one of the best if not the best. I suggest you take that battery back to the dealer to find the problem. If it is the battery they will probably replace it......................Al

I can assure you if you are not watching your line with or without slack you are probably missing fish. It is almost impossible for a fish to suck in a jig without the line jumping or making some type of movement. With slack in the line the fish will not feel you first. I don't mean having line bunched up on the surface of the water, but not tight either, just a bow in the line. I prefer to have some slack. Regardless of how you fish, with or without slack, you should be line watching.................Al

If your prop is ok check the hub. You may have spun a hub, which will increase your rpms without gaining much speed..........Al

Just curious do you know if they charged him for them or does he get his stuff free ??

Everyone is going bonkers over the sexy shad colored baits just because KVD won a couple tournaments on them last year... KVD stopped by the BPS where I work last week to pick up some Rapalas on his way to Lake Hartwell. Go figure............Al