Goggle-Eyed

Thanks, I will give Cody a call. I tried yesterday but it went straight to Voicemail so figured he was out on the water with his phone off or out of signal. Joe

LOL, I am guessing it will follow the guide curve and also history. Joe

Old Plug, you are correct this year has a very high potential for Dock Damage. I worked in the dock industry for over 5 years across the country. From my experience the folks that got the most damage, normally had an Ice Eater that kept there dock open and allowed the shifting ice to shear the floats of their docks. Actually saw one dock up in Iowa that had over 50% of the float bolts sheared off and the floats were just held under the dock by their own bouyancy.

I am not sure how long most peoples memory is but I remember the early 80's and Ice was very common across the whole lake. I remember one time at Lake Park when a buddy and I tried to break ice to Crappie fish and it was impossible. I also remember ice skating on a friends pond where the Ice was much thicker than 6". That was an annual thing back in the Late 70's and Early 80's.... I also laugh everytime someone mentions "I've never seen the lake this low"... Really? I hear the same thing every year. Check the Guide Curve check the historical data.... Joe

Billethead, I am about to be passing through that area for work and have my boat with me (Xpress X19 with 200hp Evinrude). I am curious if the river area you were fishing was deep enough for my boat? Also if you could let me know where the ramp is that you guys used... Thanks, Joe

The other problem is that if you have it moored very well the ice will start ripping the floats out and shearing the float bolts.... I have actually seen this more often that anything. I do think I had some dock customers up in Iowa that were able to get insurance for the Ice/Wind damage.

it appears to have shrunk your tolerance and/or sense of humor for tourist!!!! LOL.

well, that was $51 I wasn't planning to spend this week.

I have owned two Xpress boats. Most recently I purchased a used 2004 X19. I would highly recomend them. For NADA go to powerboats and they are listed as Alumaweld/Xpress. If you are looking at a Bass boat style hull I don't believe you can beat the ride quality of the Xpress Hyperlift Hull there is no comparison in ride to any of the other Aluminum boats. You can also feel free to PM, I am in numerous boat factories every week for work, so I have seen about all of them being constructed. Joe

Larry, The rogues were exactly as described, thanks for the fast shipping also! Joe

NEW PM Sent!

Dang, guessed I missed the sale. I just saw this 10:30 on 1/17 and was hoping to catch the sale... your work is Awesome Al, I have one print framed on the wall but will most likely not be able to wait for the next sale. "Tube Time" is awesome!!!! Joe

Thanks for the info. I am going to need to pick one up for my River boat, I will look them up next week when I am in Springfield.

Ya, when I am fishing the river, I am fishing SLOW. I throw some fast baits based on a few experts recommendation (Al) but I can't leave a "hole" without hammering it with soft plastics... so please pass me! On the lake just don't cut me off and pretend I should be happy!!!

Where did you get your axle at?

Old Plug, I wonder if you should still be living on LOZ, I have lived here my whole life but still can't get or be as negative about it as you??? I grew up fishing main channel out of a 17' Lowe Paddle Jon so trust me, I remember when you could fish any size boat at the lake.... I now live in a Condo because I travel a lot for work and don't need the maintenance associated with a lake house..... I watch your post and you always seem to find the negative of our current situation... I guess I have been lucky since I don't know ANYONE that has had their Gas Tanks drained or Stolen. I left my trolling motor unsecured along with two batteries and a 12 gallon fuel tank, all unsecured on my boat, for the past 12 months.... NO problems... I was being lazy and figured if they got stolen it was "my fault"... having grown up at "the lake" and watching the changes I guess I understand but YOU seem to have the worst luck or know people with the worst luck. I have also had people cut me off but I just laugh and figure they are "city people"... As big as this lake is I don't let 50' of bank piss me off..... For everyone else, "The Lake" is a great fishing lake and the crime rates are not that bad. Yes it happens, same as anywhere, but be smart and don't let yourself be a target....

Sorry I am not familiar with the model numbers... I am interested in all of the suspending models. Please let me know which ones are suspending and how much for all of them. Thanks, Joe

uhhh.... maybe try hiring one for a day??? Or maybe you could just ask one if it is okay to tie on and troll right behind him!!!! LOL. Not sure what you do for a living but I would imagine you would be a little upset if someone was trolling for your job! LOL, this post really made me laugh... NO I am NOT a guide nor do I want to be one... I just respect the time they put in to their jobs that really don't pay that well.... Ya, I know it sounds like a glorious job but after you factor all costs it really isn't that much money, well unless they are booked about 250 days per year... then they get some guy just trolling the internet to learn their secrets... Really????

Hey Griz, How is the water level at Choke now? I went that direction last week but ended up staying in the NE texas Fishing Fork and Welsh. Welsh was amazing. Throwing a Frog into 8" of water in December is just weird!!! No monsters but did pull a couple around 5 lbs (1 over and 3-4 right under).... Joe

Let me know where you are planning on going. I will most likely be somewhere on the coast of LA or TX "working" between 2/11 and 2/23. I will most likely be on the Texas side of things but could possibly meet you anywhere up to about NOLA for a day or two. Joe

I have also had luck just taking the cowl off and removing the peetube and letting it just shoot straight out not going throught the fitting and out the PeeHole. I run it like that for about 10 minutes then put it back together and it is usually fine. I usually have to do this a few times a season, most of the debris will come out if it is just flowing through the hose. I also repalce my waterpump every two years just as a precauaution because I suck up alot of crap... Joe

Here is the 2014 guide curve.

Main lake is back open on my end maybe a little ice in the backs of coves... It was really only frozen over a couple of days...

Ya, I am like a little kid going to Disney World!!!! Now I just got to get through three days of work!

Just want to Clarify this is not me!!! There is now a Goggle Eyed and Goggle Eye.... Joe