J-Doc

Totally understand that. I'm a recovering "just in case syndrome" guy myself. I find I fish a TON less baits than I think I will use. I often forget to try some things. So I've started a "day box" method. I also have a used box that I out plastics, hooks, baits, etc in to keep from loitering the floor. Then I put up baits where they go at the end of the day if I don't put them in the tackle boxes immediately. It is a big help. As for weight, when you only have a 115ProXS, every pound saved helps. :-) Fuel and speed on long runs.

So Dave sent me some samplers. I haven't used them until yesterday. I wasn't' getting bites (probably fishing too fast). That and the 180+ bass boat tournament traffic along with other weekend anglers and de-winterizing ski boat traffic was making fish a bit skiddish. I found fish. Just couldn't get them to bite. So after socializing with fellow OAF members on water and searching spots for fish, I buckled down and started focusing hard. Pulled out the Ned rig, glued on a fresh Zman PB&J, and on the very first cast....."thump". I shook my head and chuckled. Keeper bass. Must have been a fluke. ? Maybe? Third cast, I let it sit while texting a photo. Lifted slowly to check for weight, something didn't feel right so I set the hook. Bam. Fish #2. Then on the 6th cast, repeat to check for weight and a hookset yielded a walleye. Or a saugeye? Had more striped colors than most walleye I catch. I was so excited, I released it after measuring (only 16") nd didn't think to get a pic u til it was swimming away. Go figure. Fourth fish in a different area thumped it and I missed it. Second cast to same place was a short strike and almost pulled the worm off even with glue! Never did get a follow up. But I got 3 fish in 10mins after nothing in the previous hour of fishing. The quality of Dave's jigheads are great. Durable paint, quality hooks, and just a solid product. Ths is to him and his knowledge of how to fish it (and Quillbacks constant reports of fish on the Ned) I had to give them a try. Dave. Send me info on how to get more. I'm going through them quickly. Oh.....and I HATE Nanofil line now. I lost 3 of the jigheads for no reason. One on the first cast of a retie. I had just tied it and cast it. As it cast, it flew off about 50yds. I took it off this afternoon and it won't go back. It was a free spool so I had to try it. Won't do it again. I'll stick with what I know.

Mine weighed 40lbs exactly. I weighed it. I never noticed any speed or ride quality loss on a tri hull with an 85hp Rude monster. Lol! 39-40 all day. :-)

Taking care of a rig and making it last is awesome. I know the feeling. I brought a 1979 rig back to life. When I sold her (sadly) the upgrades and replacement list was half a country mile long. It was a spoiled little boat. Even built a deck extension on it with locking storage lid. She was one nice little boat. But the constant tinkering and such wore my wife out. So I bought a new one. Now I'm constantly playing or fishing from the new one!! Lol!!!

I did as well last year. Had a Quantum reel on it. The reel was shot. But I cleaned up the rod and used it for a while. Then it snapped on a hookset. I heard Yakfm caught a banana last year. Lol! Odd things. I've found many baits before and line.

I stopped by the 12 Birdge area. Looked like I-40 come 3:00 with all the bass boats flying through. Lots of traffic and that point across from the ramp at 12 gets beat on like a punching bag as the last stop before weigh in. I found a wad of crappie but I couldn't get them to bite with all the noise and fuss. That and I've not had that much luck finding the right color as as well as feeling the bite. The crappie bite has been so very soft for me. Just barely feel it. And I'm using a B&M Uncle Bucks Super Sensitive graphite rod with 6lb flouro. I managed to get some later on a dock using tight lined live bait. Even then at 8-10ft below my boat. Could barely feel the bite. It's like they were tickling the bait instead of eating it. No "thud, tick, or tap tap tap". It was much more subtle than that. When you have to stop and think, "did I just feel something?"......it was that kind of bite for me. I didn't get a limit so I let mine go. I've got a report to write up so I'll save the pics and such for that. Nice job on the crappie. Let us know how the drum turnsout. :-/

Scale above is good price. I've used a $20 Rapala digital for several years now. Only replaced batteries twice. If I were to get another, this is what I'd look at. Would make a great scale for anything you'll catch on Beaver and other freshwater lakes. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Rapala-Touch-Screen-Scales/1139887.uts?productVariantId=2805646&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=42-38786713-2&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03095825&rid=20

Yep. They will surprise you. Handles it much better than one would expect. Worst I've been in was the main cut past the islands at Prairie Creek with 30-35mph winds. It was howling. I've only seen it that bad once before from a glass boat at 50-60mph. And my rig didn't care for it either. When you're concerned about taking on water and such.....it's too bad to be out there. Other than that, I can take on any normal windy day. If you were running a 14 before, the 15 will fix you up. I agree. A healthy .Otis is best. Don't lug it down though. Max rpm range at wide open with you and a light load is perfect.

In there taking measurements he says!! Lol!! Now that's funny. Sounds like a great trip. Must be wonderful to be able to fish so frequently during the week. I'm jealous!

You found my favorite pattern.

In theory, 4-blades are for getting on plane faster and for running the motor higher in the water. Since you're not raising the motor, there is no benefit to you and you're not looking for lightening fast hole shots on the salt flats or way up the White River by chance. On this boat, a 4 blade can actually have slower hole shot and faster top end which is a bit backwards. But that is what I've been told by users on another forum. Keep it simple. Get you a 15 p aluminum and you should be setup fine. You're not concerned about squeezing out every ounce for a 70hp 4 stroke. Or at least I think you have a 70. Can't remember for sure.

Sorry. I am. Lol!! Just hoping to help. So if you had a 17 today, you must be running a 14 or 15 normally. So ....a 15 or 16 is worth a try. I've been told aluminum is better on hole shot but I disagree. I've seen them slip a lot on hole shot. And they can flex at top end and cause the bow to bounce. If it does, I can help with that too. Shift weight to the back. Should solve it. If not, need a stainless prop. We need to go fishing soon. :-). Maybe an afternoon trip ?

I get 5,500 with just me but my motor peaks at 5,750 and I'm still a bit on the low side. Run a 21, need a 20. I have a 19 that puts me at 5,700 and 5,750 but I don't run it much. Add you in the boat and I drop to 5,200 or 5,350 depending on how much gear you bring with you. :-) So extra weight will slow you down a little bit.

Take into affect extra load when tested. You had a passenger with you. That will drop you anywhere from 200-300 rpm. But mid 6 to mid 4 is way too big of a jump. With mid 6, was this with more than driver? Medium load on gear/fuel? What size prop (pitch). Stainless or aluminum? Guessing you had a 17 pitch prop before?

Prop testing already? (Man the irony of my comment....if only you knew) So what you running now? Need bigger prop or smaller prop?

Dang. ...... I was hoping for that big shock and awe factor when proof was posted and everyone's jaws dropped. And you could have posted a picture and said: THAT JUST HAPPENED.... Well toot....

80lbs.... Must have been Jabba the Hutt!! Lol

DD22? Strike King Super Deluxe XD equipped with a smart car hood as the bill?

Yep. One reason I don't do tournaments very much I do it for fun. Some do it for the money strictly and do whatever it takes including cheating. Ah well. As you said. Some will try.

Makes you ponder the logistics. One could catch a 12 in MO, drive back across the border and no one would know unless you got caught. Maybe not a high probability but I bet there were and are some that would cheat that way. Talk about a tough lake......I've heard Bull Shoals can be brutal at times. I've yet to fish it. Hope to one day. My bud does every year and says it's always tough. Super clear water.

I believe Table Rock does as well. Probably not nearly as many as Beaver though. And I've yet to find a bass in a striper belly. If I do.....I'll post a photo so the haters can grab pitchforks and torches. Lol!! :-) Kidding guys. Just kidding. All in fun. Not starting a war or anything. I will post a photo if I ever find one but everything I've seen so far in the few I've cleaned had gizard shad remains. One had crawfish. Kid you not. I showed Champ the photo. Now back to the subject at hand. No length limit for spots on Beaver. And 15" on TR. I don't know about Bull Shoals. Never fished it. Someone here knows I'm sure.

Correct. Not disagreeing at all on the results posted above. I'll say this though. 191 start the day Only 20-30 actually stay the full day and weigh in fish. Most leave early and give up with several hours remaining. So this is something to consider. Most don't get enough fish or give up way too early. We cannot say that 170 boats didn't boat a fish. I think some did from what I heard. But they released the one or few they had and gave up and left early. That and weather hasn't been that great for those events. I'm not one that can go out and catch a 10-15lb sack every trip or I might try it. That's my lack of skill....not the lake. Beaver is tough. Super tough at times. No one can dispute that. Doesn't mean it doesn't have fish. Some big bass have been caught lately. I was simply stating there is no length limit on spotted bass on Beaver. Not for two years now. I think it may be helping. Probably way to early to tell. I look forward to seeing the AGFC data. Would be interesting.

They removed the length limit on Beaver Lake because AGFC test results showed stunted growth due to over population and too many people releasing them vs eating the smaller ones. Was taking 4-5yrs to get to 12" long. Since this length limit has been removed, I've seen much better quality spotted bass in last 2yrs. Which surprises me because that's a super fast turnaround and may be unrelated to the limit removal. When you get a lake that has no predators putting pressure on a species, you get an over populated lake full of skinny fish. And Beaver is on the recovery from this. Due to several reasons. Bass are getting bigger, fatter, and moving in the right direction.

Long Island?? Don't look now...... But you crossed over the Mason Dixon line. Don't panic, just breathe deeply and turn to the south. Then pour the coals to it and gear-jam that big rig back home. :-)

What you do in a Yak.......... It's just incredible. And inspiring. One day this summer, I'm going to have to take you up on the offer to take your spare and see what it's about.