Bass_junky

Sooo much water to fish and so little time. All of the lakes mentioned are fun to fish. If you are going to be in Bend, OR. Crane Prarie lake is less than 1 hr from bend. That time of year offers plenty of action. The lake is most popular for the Rainbows and a oversight by most bass fisherman.

I have had good success with Gulp alive. We must remember this is a scent released bait. If fished too fast, might as well throw a crankbait. The difference between Gulp and Powerbait - Powerbait scent is impregnated, it must be exposed to release the scent, (be bitten, ripped, etc..) Gulp starts releasing scent when it hits the water. I have had better success with drop shotting & shakey head with the gulp, specially when the bite slows down. I even use the brine for some of my tube baits, just don't soak them too long, it will deteriorate. I had some leakage from the container, i just put it in a plastic bag and used a twist tie. The other use I found is waiting til your fishing partner has his back turned and douse him a bit with the stuff but don't let him know.....flying critters seem to be attracted to it also

Well, seems i should be buying a lottery ticket today. Only piece of waterlogged wood on the river and I found it. Unfourtunately when i hit the wood slab (which was submerged) it bent my skeg. It is not severly bent, just put a smile in it. I know i can put a skeg guard on it but was wondering if this is repairable without replacing the housing. Any input would be appreciated.

I don't remember the formula, but there is one for establishing tow capacity. Just because the horse power is there doesn't mean you can pull the load without long term issues. The gear ratio, tranny cooler & suspension are the main factors that should be considered.

Sounds like you may have a battery issue....

I actually had this happen to me yesterday. I accepted my penalty (1 lb) for the fish, but did not let it go to waste. Fish was almost completly white & hazy, even in those conditions. Yes, i was embarrassed but it happens to all of us in certain circumstances. Example: winds 10 mph, dropshotting 1/4" oz weight. Caught one that had the hook buried, cut the line and placed in live well. Water was 70 deg, used rejuvinate had dual 500 livewell pumps with aerator. Checked on it 1/2 hour later, dead...You cannot feel every bite, in those conditions. Everything was done correctly after placing fish in live well. So never say never.

I was in a event yesterday (club event) and came on to fish, but they were not active, or at least for me. It was approximately 6 a.m. and I was targeting smallies in the Willamette river( tide affects river elevation), oregon - water was 70 deg and visibility was 3-4ft. I came across a rocky cove off the main channel (gradual slope to river channel) and was marking several fish. I started throwing a X8 Rap. silver/black back and caught several 10-12" but noticed the larger fish following and on occasion bump my lure, had several 2-3lbs shake the lure at the boat and they were gone. I switched colors and retrieve, same results. Switched to tubes, dropshotting the finese tactics with same results. Zig Zagged from bankline to 40' for 1 hour. I moved on and did not revisit the spot due to the distance from weigh-in ramp. I would have had to backtrack an additional 15 miles. I know we have all run across this scenerio, so my question: Would you have moved on or stayed on the spot? Explain answers please.

It may be able to pull the gross weight, but don't forget about the toungue weight & suspension...or your front end will float...

X2 fishinfiend - I ran across several of these scams on Ebay & Craigslist when I was looking for a boat.

Power Pro - Reminder, when switching to braid the hook set is different and hopefully you have a limber fishing rod tip...

Nada Guides has a marine edition. Boat dealers use this. Banks use nadaguide.com, (not the marine edition) so this is what should be used as baseline.

I prefer MK - max pro is best I have ever owned, it has helped reduce back fatigue. The only TM I would "not" buy is on with electric steer, go cable steering. I had one last year (wasted 1K) and hated it, too noisy, slow reaction time, etc... Glad i sold it.

Costa Del Mar - best for long term and they have lifetime warranty...I use the FLIR w/exchangable lenses - wouldn't even consider anything else after 5 yrs of use and one free replacement pair.... Check out the fishing flea market section threads - pair for 120.00 Costa Del Mar for sale or trade

Only when using a Shakey Head set-up, but even then i use a flouro leader.

Mono will float, flourocarbon will sink. I was a diehard fan of Trilene XT & XL in my past also, still use it on some occasions. I have never had my line snap/break at the knot using flouro and I understand the palomar is not the best for Flouro or braided lines, but it works for me... The Sebile: I have recently bought my first and had the same experience (in still water) you must maintain a certian retrieve speed for it to operate correctly and it always seemed to wake. This was on 12 lb Seaguard flouro. I haven't tried it in the current yet but i can understand your issue. Against the current isn't natural, with the current and you must burn it for it to operate. My suggestion: Have you tried the old timers trick -no pun intended- of weighting the hooks down with weight/wire? This may not solve your retrieve problem but should help the sink rate...Make sure to tune for buoyancy

Well, I went out this weekend and tried to locate some fish with my sonar. Seems I have the land locked Salmon down!! Flopping s.o.b's. Have extra holes in my hand now from trying to get the hooks out. Still haven't found the big smallies, 2lb 7oz biggest rest 1-2 lbs. Tried all the way to 60'. Being their is no schools of baitfish in this lake, i'm assuming the fish shouldn't move too often. I believe their prey is, perch, crayfish and smolt. Never saw any schools of baitfish (perch) on my sonar. Ones I did see with my Aqua vue had 4-10 perch-don't think smallies would school up and follow those. Maybe the smallies aren't schooled???

Local Forums? send me a pm and I will let you know, but only one besides "BASS Resource"

Hit the Willamete river for some great smallie action or the Cascade locks. Silver Lake, use dark colored Jigs with trailer and hit the brush line or T-Rig 7"+ worm. Not my favorite lake but learning more everytime I go there.

If this thread wsa posted just a week earlier I was in your area on vacation, would have been happy to get together. You live just a few miles from one of the premier lakes on the oregon coast TENMILE....You should be able to have lots of fun on that lake. Hit the docks with Senko's, crank the points or texas rig worm, hit the weedline with spinner baits. The lake is bout 3' low currently & has algea bloom. If you want to fish for bigger, but fewer, bass hit takenitch, best early or late in the day. Currently it is full pool and water clarity is 5-10', try bluegill colored cranks at the sunken trees or riprap on main points. If you want your arms to fall off, try the Umpqua above Scottsburg bridge for smallies. I have found best to use a 4" Rattlesnake, purple with firetail on 1/16 oz jig head but don't put your boat in try the float tube...Go up the old IP road on south side of bridge

My new baby!!! Ranger Z20 w/ 225 E-Tec, MK pro 101, two LMS332 C's

You should not need a new transducer for a bow mount Lowrance with the MK w/ US You only need the adapter.

I may be wrong but this information should be on your data plate moounted somewhere on your motor...If not, Contct Mercury or your nearest dealer. You cqn check www.mercurymarine.com they have a contact link, give the year & model # they should be able to answer your question.

I agree Gary, the football jig is a great presentation. Typically, i only use this after I have "found fish" due to it's dreadfully slow presentation. I have to discipline myself even if I know fish are there with this technique.

I'm surprised the X-Rap #8 has not been mentioned. Zara Spook Jr 1/8 oz BB X-Rap #8 (although not top water) still produces in early/late light and mid morning

6.4 lbs Noxon Resevoir, MT - drop shot. Funny thing, fishing 30 ft ledge and the fish took the bait soon as it hit the water and ran like a scalded dog with it....