Bazoo

Thanks. I knew it was a budget model, but I was unaware that baitcasters were made without centrifugal brakes.

I believe it was 77º yesterday. We have started getting a lot of yellowing leaves, but still a long way to go for us. It's been quite warm lately. The lake we were at closes at sundown, and we didn't have time to fish that spot thoroughly, though we started getting into the bass. The boat is quite stable, and the seats are pretty comfy too, it's a Buster Boat, one of those plastic bass boats. I've had it about 3 or 4 months and I'm still figuring out what I like and don't like about it and what I can do to make it better.

I have acquired a used, but seemingly lightly used Lews reel. I took the side plate off, and there are no centrifugal brakes like the other reels I've seen. Does this model not have centrifugal brakes, or has someone removed the assembly? I appreciate the help all.

Took the bass buster out for a spin earlier. My friend caught a clam, deep rolling a spinnerbait, no pic of that one though. I have caught a clam too, many years ago.

WOW, thats pretty cool, thanks for sharing that. That's some crazy stuff right there. Still got the rod and reel?

I cast 1/4 ounce lures with a baitcaster, my Abu Black Max combo, using 10 # Big Game line. If I remember correctly, I have specifically used the 1/4 ounce Beetle Spin. The rod being graphite makes it harder, a fiberglass rod loads differently and works much better. I sometimes also use a cheap zebco fiberglass rod, since I don't have a decent quality glass rod. That combo, usually accompanies me when I'm bank fishing creek banks with plenty of cover, partly because of the casting qualities of glass, partly because it's shorter and easier to handle in cover. I digress, if you use a 1/4 ounce Beetle, and you use a reel you're familiar and comfortable with, I think you can do it just fine.

@VolFan Wow, thanks. It'll take me a while to read through this one!

@TotalNoob thanks for posting this thread. Any updates? hows the pond prowler treating you? I got my first small boat, a buster boat, earlier this year. I've taken it out before and been on one previously, but I'm still learning a lot about them. Interested to learn how the bottom has held up being beached on the fine shale/gravel stuff.

Thanks flyfisher. I've been trying to search for threads that are related, but I haven't tried pond prowler in the search terms. I'll give that a go.

I notice that the foam inside the pontoons are wet if I touch them. Water isn't standing in the hull, but I am wondering how much water is in foam. I'm considering rigging up the hair dryer to one of the holes to circulate and dry the foam, reversing it after a while to better dry the other. Is this of any concern? If it's 50 pounds of water, that'll make a big difference when moving the boat, if it's just 5 pounds, not so much.

I haven't had much in the way of baits lately. I lost my only Chatterbait a while back, but about a week ago, found a good condition replacement hanging in a bush that was easily accessed. Today, my boy was playing in the shallow part, and climbed up on a log, and found this Googan Squad Jr Scout. It has a bit of rust on the hooks, but otherwise is in good shape. I must admit that it's quite fun finding lures and then identifying them.

Congratulations. I have one that is 4, and another on the way. It's never too early to introduce them to fishing or other activities for which you want them to build a passion.

Pretty cool, thanks for sharing. I see baitfish schools on the surface at my local lake, but I am not sure what they are. Is there any way to determine what they are other than catch some of them?

Thanks for the heads up, that was a good read. I've not done any camping fishing, but I've been dreaming about it.

Glad to hear good news for her. Glad to hear good news for her.

One of the things I do, when the head of the senko gets torn from the line/eye, I remove the damaged part and re-rig it, turning the senko 90º to get a fresh place for the shank and point to go through.

Thank you for sharing all of that information, it was a great read. I remember about 30 years ago, when I first met Gamakatsu hooks. I bought a package from somewhere, and opened them, and I remember thinking "These are the sharpest hooks I've ever seen!" I was reading fishing magazines in the 90s, and into the early 2000s. I don't subscribe to any of them anymore, but I still read a few occasionally, and have a small stack of old ones that I snagged out of the recycling center that need reading. Howdy, Thanks for sharing your technique with us, that's a nice trick. When you say you use a glass bead, I take it that you are using both a glass bead and a lead weight? Does this rigging have a name? compact carolina rig? Do you peg the weight? if it wasn't pegged super tight, it'd still make some noise... sounds like it might be a cool rig to try. Or are you saying that you sometimes only use the glass bead? If so, why?

I generally use a backup with a senko, and I keep it at the ready. I mostly bank fish, and it's no problem to lay my rod down on the bank, making sure the lure and line is not in some weeds or brush.

Those look like real nice boxes. I've never seen them before. I know to keep my eyes peeled for them though. I'd like to see a picture of the inside. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the tip!

Howdy from Kentucky USA. I like Abu Garcia baitcasting reels. I like both the round and low pro reels. I learned how to cast on a round one, though I forget the model. Wish I had another one as I've regretted parting with the first for 20 years now.

Worse would be if they are catching fish and you ain't!

I bought this Buster Boat by Splash Marine some time back. It has a livewell and a cooler, and appears to be in very good shape overall. I do have some issues and some questions though, that I will attempt to address all in one thread. First, what are these boats called? I've heard buster boats, bass trackers, pond boats, and other names, but do they actually have a name? The front and rear handles appear to be very sturdy, and on the occasions I have moved the boat, used them to tie down with my ratchet straps. I also have used them to drag the boat in the yard via a rope and the lawnmower. I however have thought perhaps they are only meant to lift the boat and not to drag, winch, or otherwise horse the boat. Does anyone know how strongly the handles are attached? Does anyone know the interior construction there? Is it solid, or reinforced? I could use through bolts for handles with locknuts and fender washers if need be for strength. So far, there has been no sign of failure, but I've been as gentle as I can be. The second of my first questions is with regard to the hull drain plugs. It originally had something like this: When I purchased the boat, they had been siliconed shut, and were busted such that they were not usable. I broke them out, and the flange that remained made it suitable for a standard rubber drain plug. However, the flanges were brittle from age and broke after a short time. I removed the rivets that held the flanges, and filled the rivet holes with JB Water Weld epoxy, as the holes didn't match the attachment holes in the new drain plug pictured above. I since have decided, I want to just keep using the rubber plugs and not use the cheap plastic drain plugs I purchased. I'd rather it take a few minutes longer to install the plug, but have easily replaceable plugs. So, I am thinking I should add a metal flange around the holes for strength and because I suspect that the Water Weld will not hold up in the small holes over a long period of time from the plastic flexing. I appreciate any advice in regards to my drain plugs and what I intend to do, and any advice period. Bazoo

I use both depending on application. I've found that the standard gap offset hooks do not grab as much moss or grass when fished through thick stuff. I use a 4/0 for senkos and haven't had any issues. I have used as small as 1/0 for ZOOM lizards in a pinch without any issue, but I prefer 3/0 or 4/0. I generally only use EWG hooks with thicker plastics, or if I want a bit of keel for some reason. I also will use one just to experiment if I am not in need of the more weedless features of a standard gap hook.

I don't do social media other than targeted forums. I do this one, several gun forums and a knife forum, and often, only specific parts of a forum that are of interest to me. I like the community here, and I like the atmosphere. I don't always find something to post about, but I read a lot of the articles and forum posts as well. Shoulder surgery... learn to cast with the other arm? Crazy thing is, I learned to cast baitcaster just yesterday with my left hand. I don't have the aim yet, but my thumb learned pretty quickly since I had the reel adjusted for the lure via my other hand. As far as everyday carrying, I carry a mess of stuff, including a handgun. I'd be lost without my Leatherman Original and my pocket knife too. I also keep a spare Leatherman for when the inevitable happens. Perhaps take up whittling? You can do it in the house if you put down an old sheet or just sweep up. A little scoop I whittled a few years back. The knife is a 6.5375 Case XX Jumbo Stockman in Bonestag that I dyed black. You might also consider taking up writing. Choose a specific topic that you know well, write a good article on it, and submit it here. Might start you off on a new endeavor.