kjackson

I've seen very heavy plastic used in the Puget Sound region of Washington. It is fairly thick--like an inch or more, through-bolted with countersunk heads of the bolts, and pretty much indestructible. I'm thinking it is something like UHMW or other super-tough plastic. It doesn't offer any cushion, but it keeps the boats from getting dinged or scraped by the dock. I've also seen old firehose used to good effect, but the bolts or screws will still scratch the boats.

I lost one of the side guide boards on my trailer, and I was thinking about using some Trex/plastic decking to replace the 2x4 instead of buying the board, wrapping in carpet that I have to buy and then doing the same thing again in five years or so. Has anyone used the plastic stuff? If so, how did it work?

I'm surprised that the 70-hp, four-stroke won't troll down slow enough. I used to do a lot of trolling with my 50-4 Yamaha on a former boat, and it would go down to as slow as I'd want. However, that was on a different rig as well. I've done a ton of trolling for salmon, trout and walleyes and can offer my advice, which with $5, will buy a cup of coffee in New York. If I were to pick a boat for trolling, I'd probably look at a vee-hull, and Lund makes good ones. Currently, the company is running a special pricing on a 16 or 17 footer that I would consider if I could upgrade the motor to the maximum for the hull. G3 also makes vee hulls that look good online, and trading the boat back to a G3 dealer might be a good financial move. But as for trolling-- First, don't even think of a transom-mount electric motor for forward trolling. They are beasts to control; as one of my friends said, "It's like trying to push a rope." A 24-volt bowmount does a much better job of pulling that rope, er, boat, and it is much more efficient. However, it may not reach the speed you want against a strong wind or in current. A small, four-stroke kicker is the answer to that. On the Columbia River, where I used to fish, walleye guys would run upstream, deploy the bowmount and troll spinners downstream. Once they reached the end of the reef or structure, they'd reverse course, fire up the kicker and pull crankbaits back upstream. For that kind of use around here, I'd think a four or six-horse four-stroke would be ideal. I'm thinking about doing just that as I want to do some striper fishing, and I'm thinking a kicker might be the ticket. The 50-two stroke I now have does troll fairly well, but it also uses more gas than I'd like.

Here's another WW question--while working on tackle yesterday, I came across an original, NIB, Wee Wart in the crawdad color--the one with a lot of orange in the bill. Is this smaller size something I want to fish? Obviously, I will try the size, but just wondering about the Wee Wart. I have some Steelie Wee Warts, so I'll probably fish those, rather than this particular one. The Steelie was intended for steelhead fishing in rivers, BTW, and is just a color and hook difference from the Wee Wart. For what it's worth, there are two other companies that manufacture WW clones besides Rapala: Brad's Baits has some of the original molds (one of the Storm family is or was involved in the company) and has an extensive line of colors. Yakima Bait has a large line of FatFish as well but few bass colors and no craw colors. Cordell tried to enter this niche of the market with the Wiggle-O, but it didn't sell. I can't testify as to how any of these three baits work for bass, but I may have feedback later.

That color is known as "blue pirate" in steelhead circles, and it's a killer. There is also green pirate that is gold with a green back and red bill. It's also deadly. I have a bunch of the originals in steelhead colors but only six or so in crawdad colors. Maybe I should give some of the old steelhead WWs a try.

I was wondering if anyone has tried those new "old" Wiggle Warts...not the ones that were "improved" when Rapala bought the company and fixed the WW, but the latest version. They are made using the old Storm molds and processes and sport the original colors. I've got a few to try, and the only real difference I notice between the originals I have and the latest version is the hooks--they are round-bend VMC trebles rather than the beaked hooks used back when. I have yet to throw mine, so I have no comparison between the originals, the MadFlash versions and the new/old WWs. Anyone given them a shot?

I'll be there as well; the expo is must as I've heard that there will be a lot of new products introduced this year. I'm not sure exactly what the program is for the group I'm going with, but it will include some fishing as well. I've been to one Classic--the one in Chicago--which wasn't much; although, I did spend a day in the boat with Alton Jones as an observer. That was good.

If you want to use it in both places, you will need a transducer and wires up front as well as power to the dash and a transducer at the transom. It will be easier to switch if you use a mount like a Ram mount in both places. It's not a difficult process but does require that you buy a second transducer and power cord.

Has anyone been at the Dam Site parks? I tried launching at the Holiday Island marina today with no luck--had to run to Eagle Rock instead--so I'm thinking I may focus on Beaver if I can launch there.

Thanks to all. I recently discovered this board, but the wealth of information on here is astounding. I will be a frequent visitor--maybe too frequent. Looking at the opportunities in the area has me feeling like a kid in a candy store. I want to do it all now, and I would except that "W" word does get in the way. However, I'm thinking that my next trip (on the 4th or 5th) will be to launch at Holiday Island and run upriver in search of walleyes. I fished for walleyes a lot when we lived in Spokane, and it will be good to get back in that game. While I have only a little experience fishing in the area, if there is anything I can do to help someone out, just let me know. Thanks again for the welcome. Keith

What I've done in the past is take the bearings and races in to the local parts store and asked the guy behind the counter to help size them. It wasn't a big deal to have done and was part of the service. However, that was a while ago and customer service standards have changed a bit.

I think RPs has the best solution. The only small line-counter I know of is/was the Abu Garcia 5500 that may no longer be on the market. I have several I've used in the salt, and the best of the lot was the Shimano Tekota in 300 size. But its overkill for what you're doing.

While I haven't fished that exact rod, I'm familiar with many of the G.Loomis rods. I did fish the 721 in a spinning configuration (same blank) and it was the perfect rod for 1/16-3/16 ounce leadheads. It would not be what I'd pick up for your use. I'd probably prefer the 723 for that.

Hi-- We are finally settling into life in Eureka Springs after living in the wet side of Washington State for 15 years after living on the far east side of the state. I've been fishing a bit here and am thrilled with the opportunity in both Beaver and Table Rock, not to mention the White River system. While most of my fishing in the past has been in the saltwater for salmon, I really do enjoy bass and walleye fishing and am looking forward to getting back into it. I recognize couple of familiar names here; it's starting to look familiar. Keith