South FLA

!I heard it straight from the horse's mouth! I just finished speaking with Mr. Paul Davis about the proposed legislation. Basically, it was introduced to raise awareness of problem associated with rubber like lures ending up on the bottom of bodies of water and/or killing fish. He mentioned that a trout was dissected by “Fish and Wildlife” and was found to have 17 pieces of "rubber" lures in its gut, he also mentioned that it cost the State about $6-8 dollars to raise trout for release and that by prohibiting use of rubber lures he hopes that the money spent on the resource doesn't end up wasted on fish that die from the consumption of plastics. Mr. Davis also told me about one small body of water in particular that was found to be littered with “rubber lures.” He realizes that although a complete ban is not the "true intent,” the main purpose is to raise awareness of the problem associated with the use of “rubber” lures littering bodies of water and potentially clogging an animal’s digestive system. Ideally fines for littering or throwing soft plastics overboard would be enforced and/or the use of biodegradable type rubber would become a mandate and the future of fishing in Maine. In essence it is the parallel of the banning of solid stainless steel hooks, like what was done in Florida.

Let us follow the details behind "Prohibiting use of rubber lures for fishing" Sponsored by Paul Davis (Republican) Here is his contact information: http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/davipt.htm Here is the information of when the house bill was proposed: http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280046354 What is interesting is that it originates from Maine's Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee: http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jt_com/ifw.htm Davis is the ranking minority member composed of 13 total members: http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jt_com/ifw.htm I am going to call the committee clerk, Diane Steward, and ask for details on how the committee arrived at their opinion which was introduce by Paul Davis and motioned by Senator David Dutremble of York, the committee chair. Some interesting reading if you snope around a bit, did you know David the committee chair is a master electrician, EMT, and Firefighter. Paul seems to be a career politician with rental properties providing his living. I would like to find out how they (the committee) came to the conclusion of how prohibiting use of rubber lures for fishing helps Maine's fisheries? I will post my findings if any, but those Bass Resource members that live in Maine, may have more potential!

Who's your dentist!

Just finished looking through most of the post, really enjoyed the old to new, and the family pics! I was telling my wife next year we need to include the dogs! Figured I can take the glasses and hat off for your guys!

Still looks like a Corvette to me! Very impressive numbers and it should have nothing to ***"performance wise" to European rivals, but I still can't help to think the interior looks like a Pontiac Grand Am, chincy!

I thought winner won in a fish off where he went to Kissimmee? http://fishology.blogs.theledger.com/14552/just-one-10-pounder-in-southern-open-on-kissimmee-chain-as-howes-wins-in-fish-off/

We have Zombies down here

I use this: http://www.moto-stops.com/ I also use the clips to make sure engine doesn't move side to side. I debated which was better and asked the opinions of a structural engineer from GA Tech and a mechanical engineer from Pratt and Whitney after asking which would be better years ago and they basically said the only way to relieve transom shock from trailering would be to remove the huge weighted lever (Engine) on the transom, which is not practical. The original "transom saver" allows the weighted lever to rest against the trailer so the downward force is transferred to the trailer, for example as the trailer drops off a curb. The force is first transferred into the tires, shocks/torsion axle, and then finally anything attached to the trailer in the opposite direction as the trailer levels out while being pullled along. The important aspect here is that the same weighted lever which is supported by the trailer through the transom saver also has forces acting in the opposite direction and ultimately back unto the transom. So unless you can come up with a device that cushions and distributes forces from rough trailering in BOTH directions you won't be protecting your transom completely! The moto stop or devices similar to it cushion/disperse impact force on transom to an extent on the drop, but when leveling out they provide no protection in the opposite way, the force is applied to transom. Therefore no solution is ideal, but you can avoid rough roads or at least avoid driving too fast down rough roads. I went with the moto_stop because of ease of use and the fact that if the transom saver if by SLIM chance becomes detached from the trailer or lower unit on a harsh bounce then you could have a severe situation. Imagine the arm which you have secured to the trailer coming off and pole vaulting into the road at speeds while still being attached to your lower unit, OUCH!

I think both, lol. I know he owns a place down here in Palm Beach Gardens.

Dwight and I headed out this morning on a whim to the Loxahatchee Refuge, in less than ideal conditions. In Florida bass are notorious for shutting down after a cold front, but getting them to participate is just a matter of having the fish tell you what they want to eat and luckily we were listening to the small fish at least. The short, 3 hour fishing excursion, was successful in numbers, but a disappointment size wise! Nevertheless, you never know what the day can bring and to me there is no better story than a man and his boat. Upon coming off plane just after a 10 minute ride in the slightly cooled S. FLA air, we encountered a wise gentleman and what I assume was his lovely wife about to launch a mint condition Hyra-Sports VL 465! When I first saw from the stern I mentioned to Dwight "Look at the colors of that old Ranger," noticing the combos of brown and beige, I thought to myself no one would ever choose those colors today! So as Dwight held my decade old Ranger close to the dock and gave details of the days catch to the creel survey officer, I went to back the truck down. I could not help but start up a passing conversation with the man and commented on how great the gel coat looked on his boat. His quickly replied back with “…it’s been kept in a barn” and his wife quickly responded with "look at his truck" which was equally immaculate. So after loading my relatively new Ranger I gazed a bit more upon his beautiful gel coated tiny bass boat that was well laid out with original OEM equipment from bow to stern. I quickly snapped some pictures after asking if it was O.K. As I circled this gem of a boat I noticed Kevlar stamped in the hull and thought man what a beauty. I could tell the old man was glowing with his upkeep pride, since he mentioned that the guys over at Master Marine Repair refused to change out the trolling motor, because it would just ruin the entire look of this piece of Americana. Anyway, that was my amateur attempt to make the story interesting, and so I hope you enjoy the pictures at least.

Just looked at the Armor all website and it is made to leave on until you decide to pull it off. I guess those of you up North need some winter protection! Down here we need it for BUGS!

Looks sharp! I like that they didn't spec it with mag brakes, the best casting Revo I own is the original Skeet Reese model with only centrifugal brakes.

When I visit my brother in Orange Park we fish the St. Johns River and local area ponds/golf courses and catch some nice bass usually. Here is a good article by Ike: http://www.bassmaster.com/blog/lessons-learned-st-johns-river

Most bodies of waters from canals to little ponds and lakes in Orlando have bass in the, SOME HAVE MONSTER SIZED BASS!

What? Jacksonville area is a great fishery!

Its awesome, if you are worried about car break-ins, have someone tow you there and pick you up when done, use to do that years ago when I lived in Miami. Also if you know anyone from the Miami Ski Club, ask if you go with them and FISH! It is absolutely INSANE!

As everyone said, 6' 8" to 7'6", if it was primarily a C-rig the longer the better, but for close in pitching 7' would be great. Med Hvy, fast taper is the go to standard. Remember not all manufactures Med Hvy Fast actions are the same. I know that you did not necessarily want name brands, but I can recommend from using the following rods Shimano Crucial or Cumara, St. Croix Avids, G Loomis GLXs and Dobyn 704c. All are great rods! As far as braid you should be fine with 30lb braid

Bill Dance=Class Act

I have been using it since it first came out! The other feature that is great about Google Earth is the time frame option, so you can look at potential spots during different water level years as an example. Sometimes it can be deceiving though and can get you in trouble as far as thinking there is a trail to the spot only to find out the trail is overgrown or doesn't exist anymore. The measuring tool is also great so you can predict how much fuel/time it will take to get back into the area if you only have limited fuel such as in a jon boat or airboat. Lastly, the best part is you can find contours especially in Florida lakes since the images Google uses are high res.

Never say NEVER, man I am glad the Ravens won, Brady could have run for two or three first downs at the end and possibly made it interesting, but he was to chicken with Lewis there and caused "Belly Ache" to cry! LOVE IT

What an exciting game, Falcons had a chance, but the 49ers got away with a non-call, that was pass interference from the linebacker on the crossing route. Nevertheless, go 49ers beat those PATRIOTS. I really want the Ravens to win, but it won't happen!

I recommend a Minn Kota Maxxum 24v motor over the Motorguide, i have both. http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/trolling_motors/freshwater_bow_mount/maxxum.aspx or http://www.motorguide.com/store/product/freshwater-use/tour How to do it right: 1. Two group 29 or better deep cyle batteries (Walmart Marine Everstarts are a great value or top of the line with Odyssey AGM) http://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Maxx-Group-Size-29-Marine-Battery/20531539 ($200/pair) http://www.onesourcebatteries.com/od31pcpc12vo.html *Use a mated pair of batteries UNLIKE my picture since you want them to be both new at the time of install and of the same make/brand 2. A bridge cable as pictured in white make sure it is at least 8 or 10 gauge, 8 being better. ($3) http://www.delcity.net/store/Golf-Cart-Battery-Cables/p_304 3. A circuit breaker see manufactures recommendation for correct size (see on/off switch in picture) ($30) (Make sure you turn it off when not using boat and when charging batteries or trailering boat) http://www.cabelas.com/auto-boat-battery-accessories-ranger-style-50-amp-circuit-breaker-2.shtml or http://store.minnkotamotors.com/products/392929/Circuit_Breaker 4. Make sure cable is thick enough gauge to carry voltage amp from the back of boat to where the trolling motor is, I believe you want at least 6 or 8 gauge wire depending on length . http://www.minn-kota.com/Minn-Kota-faq/Minn_Kota_FAQ.htm#6 http://greatlakesskipper.com/category-1/86_283-marine-electrical-supplies-battery-cable.html 5. The plug up front by the bow mount trolling motor if you don't already have one. ($30-$40) http://www.cabelas.com/product/T-H-Marine-Ranger-Style-Trolling-Motor-Plug-Receptacle/699783.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dtrolling%2Bmotor%2Bplug%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=trolling+motor+plug&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products 6. A trolling motor stablizing kit for those rough days on the water ($30) http://store.minnkotamotors.com/products/418628/Bow_Mount_Stabilizer_Kits 7. A GOOD battery charger and room to mount it on your boat, or you can get a GOOD portable charger. http://www.dualpro.com/products/default/ http://smartercharger.com/battery-chargers/ http://www.batterychargers.com/CategoryDetail.aspx?CategoryName=Battery-Charger%2FMaintainer 8. Don't use wing nuts to secure cables to batteries, use stainless steel nylon locking nuts and coat terminal ends with dielectric grease 9. Make sure you have battery tray with a method of securing batteries such as straps as pictured. 10. Recharge batteries within 12 hours of use Picture below is from the back of my boat, notice the white bridge cable from + to -, the circuit breaker, the lock nuts, and covering of exposed terminals. Also, notice the yellow fused leads from the dual pro sportsman series charger.

As everyone else is saying NICE fish, the memory of catching it will remain with you for a longtime! As far as guessng weights from pictures it is ALMOST impossible to do. Take a look at the golf course frenzy thread below that Dwight put up, the largest bass he is holding is 6 lbs 9 ozs on a digital scale. YES ONLY 6-9lb, but at the time he we thought it was at least low 8lb range, but nothing like a objectiving measuring device to get you down from the fish fever! Nevertheless, I would say your fish was in the high 4lb range to low 5lb range. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/111874-golf-course-frenzy/

You better be careful, I may drop you off on the bank while in the Everglades to prove that I am correct........or INCORRECT, lol!