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10 Checkpoints For Your Truck, Your Trailer and Your Boat The Backyard Approach to Tongue Weight "Gone Fishing" The Waters of Watts Bar Lake, Tennessee Live Bait Equals LARGE Largemouth in Arkansas - Lake Monticello, Arkansas

10 Checkpoints For Your Truck, Your Trailer and Your Boat
from BoatUS Trailering Magazine

For trailer boaters in the north, these are happy times. The shrinkwrap or the familiar blue tarp is finally coming off after months of snow and rain and below freezing temperatures. There is anticipation and excitement about getting back on the water.

For the trailer boaters in the south who have enjoyed a winter of activity, today may just be another day in paradise. But both perspectives from both locations require some questions to be asked. In the north it's the result of getting ready for a season. In the south it's because safety requires a routine inspection of operating systems. Perform these checkpoints and the chances of a breakdown will decrease.

Trailer

(1) Tires. Inflate to the proper PSI and inspect for spider web cracks on the sidewall. If present, then it's time to replace them. Look at the tread and measure it's depth. If less than 2/32nd's of an inch, the tread is considered worn. Also inspect the spare. And if you don't have a spare, get one. If your trailer tires sat outside with your trailer, consider removing them and putting the trailer on blocks next year. Remember that most trailer tires need replacing not because of use, but because the trailer tends to sit for long periods.

(2) Frame. You are going to have to get on your back and crawl under the trailer to look for corrosion and rust. Keep in mind that once an area begins to corrode, it is only going to get worse until sanding removes it. And when it comes to removing rust, there is no time like the present.

(3) Lights. Plug the trailer into the tow vehicle's electrical system and turn the vehicle on. Put the lights on and inspect if any bulbs or lenses need replacing. This is a moment where you are going to need a second person to tell you if the trailer brake lights come on when the brakes on the tow vehicle are applied and if backup lights come on when the tow vehicle in placed in reverse. This is also a good time to make sure you have the appropriate bulbs in your tool kit for replacement should it become necessary on the road.

(4) Bunks/Rollers. Inspect the bunks for wear on the carpeting or on the rubber padding that is beneath the carpet. Some trailer boaters spray a silicon coating on the bunks to make the surface easier to slide the boat on and off. Roller should be turned individually to determine if any have locked. Inspect the rollers for wear and remember when it comes to rollers that are worn, there is no time like the present to replace them. Poly rollers last a lot longer than their rubber counterparts.

(5) Safety chains. Inspect for wear and check the S hooks for possible bending. It is a good idea to replace the S hooks with screw-pin shackles that have a wire running through the pin's eye. It provides a connection that is considerably more reliable and solid than S hooks.

(6) Bearings. Inspect the grease in the hubs. There is no time like the present to replace the grease, especially if the trailer has spent a winter outside in dampness. Inspect the grease seal and if you (or the shop) decides it needs to be replaced, make sure a double lip seal is installed. Inspect the bottom of the boat or the inside of the trailer tires for grease. If it's present, the bearings are in need of attention now.

(7) Brakes. As is the case with bearings, if you aren't sure about what to do, take the trailer to the shop and let an expert do the work. The result will be peace of mind (and good bearings and brakes). Check the fluid level in the master cylinder but be sure to clear away debris around the cap before opening it so as not to contaminate the fluid. If it is low, you may have to bleed the system to get air out of the lines. Pull the wheel and inspect the disc/drum to see if new pads/shoes are required.

(8) Tool kit. Go through your tool kit and make sure the proper wrenches and screwdrivers are packed. Make sure you have a trailer jack that fits your trailer as well as blocks that can be used to support your tow vehicle's rear wheels.

(9) Winch. Inspect the cable looking for broken wires or worn areas. Clean and lubricate the winch. Make sure you have a strong tie down for the bow as well as the stern of the boat and that both are properly secured to the trailer.

(10) Hitch. Apply grease to the ball and inspect the hitch locking mechanism.

Click Here to Read More including Checkpoints for Your Tow Vehicle and Your Boat

The Backyard Approach to Tongue Weight
by William R. Gongaware

William R. Gongaware teaches engineering technology at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond,Virginia. Here, this BoatU.S. Trailering Club Member offers some practical advice on how to gauge tongue weight. Bill and his two assistants (grand children) explain how it's done using a little bit of engineering and a lot of common sense.

If someone came up to you right now and asked "what's the tongue weight on your trailer," would you be able to tell them? And would it be correct? Do you even know what it means? Being able to answer these questions is important. Being able to get those answers is as close as your trailer and bathroom scale.

Tongue weight is just what it says: The weight of the trailer tongue on the hitch. It should be 5-10% of the weight of the trailer and boat fully loaded (including gas and, if applicable, outboard engine). If it is too light, the trailer will sway from side to side or surge forward and backward while being pulled. If the tongue weight is too heavy, the tow vehicle will be difficult to handle and, after a while, you will see excessive wear on the rear tires.
Click Here to Read More on Calculating Tongue Weight

"Gone Fishing"
from the pages of BoatUS Trailering Magazine

More than 80 million Americans have used those two words this year. And in order to do so, they have spent almost 38 billion dollars on rods, reels, tackle boxes, lessons, lures, boats, trailers and fish restocking. Fishing is the number one recreational sport in the country. Here, you will meet some Trailering Club Members and learn where they go and why. And you'll meet some professionals who are willing to divulge a few secrets about how they make a living doing what many only dream of doing. Everyone here is serious about the words "gone fishin."

John Peacock
WHERE: Chesapeake Bay

RULES: (1) I always say fishing "pends da wind. West is best. East is least." (2) Fish the currents. You want maximum current velocity. (3) Never give out your buddy's secret fishing spot.

ADVICE: Take the kid.

FIRST FISH: I caught a 15-pound pompano in Florida fishing with my grandfather. He had to hold on to me when I hooked it because I wasn't going to let go of the rod and this was a big fish for a little kid.

FISH STORY: I was fishing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on New years Eve with my friend Tony. I was using my pride and joy rod and reel combination and connected on a big striper that was taking the drag in spurts. "Your drag is sticking," Tony said. "The drag on this reel never sticks," I shouted back. "You'll lose that fish if you don't loosen your drag," Tony yelled. "No I won't," I yelled louder. "Yes you will," and "No I won't" went back and forth until I actually did loosen the drag and landed the fish. I assured Tony my drag was properly set and it wasn't sticking but just in case he was right, I sent it out and had the drag rebuilt. Several weeks later, Tony and I are fishing in another favorite winter spot when I hooked another striper that took the line in spurts. "Your drag is sticking again. Loosen it up or you'll lose that fish," Tony yelled. "My drag is not sticking," I yelled back. "Here let me help you," said Tony. Then, poof, the fish was gone. The silence of the moment was shattered when I heard the words, "See, I told you your drag was sticking!" Truth be told, my inept net handling had cost Tony a big fish early in the day so, you can put this one down as a matter of deserved poetic justice.

Wolfgang Gielisch
WHERE: California

RULES: (1) I observe catch and release rules. (2) For salmon you have to be on the water early. (3) When fishing San Francisco Bay, the fish bite on incoming or outgoing tides. (4) Be patient. ADVICE: Don't plan on catching fish. Instead, plan on having a good time out on the water. Catching fish is icing on the cake. FIRST FISH: I was 6 years old. I caught a northern pike in Lake MacGreor in Alberta, Canada. I was with my mother, who didn't like fishing, and my father, who provided all the necessary guidance. My mother did a good job preparing the pike that evening but I didn't like it because of all the bones.

FISH STORY: A friend and I were fishing for albacore 20 mils north of San Francisco Bay early one morning. Seas were flat. We went to an area called "the 601 spot" and the seas started getting some swells. We had four rods in use with no safety lanyards (not a good idea) and the seas started getting rough enough that the lure would actually come out of the water and the tension on the line would be lost. At one point the lure came out of the water just as the boat took a huge wave on the windward side and leaned to leeward. The rod came out of its holder and into the sea. My friend and I watched it happen and neither one of us could react in time to save it. A few seconds later a rod in the back corner sounded off. My friend started reeling in and when the lure came to the surface, there was another lure attached. A familiar one. We had caught our own fishing rod.

Bruce Marchette
WHERE: Florida

RULES: (1) Fish on the East Coast of Florida are caught only when winds are less than 15 knots. Since I'm a working stiff, the only time I can get out on the water is Saturday and Sunday. And every weekend, the winds are blowing more than 15 knots. (2) Offshore trolling before 10A.M.is always better than fishing after 10A.M.

ADVICE: A low tide on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon is a great time to go to the boat ramp to watch the "low tide pull-out" drama. FIRST FISH: My first fish was a trout about four inches long I caught in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. I was about 4 or 5 years old and I was with my Dad.

FISH STORY: One Saturday, two other guys and I launched my 21-foot boat from the Dinner Key boat ramp and headed across Biscayne Bay south of Cape Florida. We were going to troll for schooling dolphin. We had four lines out and the deck was slippery because we had caught a few fish already. And since it was a Saturday, the winds were blowing out of the east at 20 knots. One of my friends gets a smoking reel hit on one of the deep-running baits. While he handles bringing the fish in, the other guy cleared the other three lines while I steered. A huge wave rolled beneath the boat and the guy with the fish lands on his back. The rod goes over the side. We were in 300 feet of water. A few months later, one of the guys buys his own boat. He asked for suggested names and we all agreed "Reel Loser" is appropriate.
Click Here to Read More "Gone Fishing"

The Waters of Watts Bar - Lake Tennessee
from the pages of BoatUS Trailering Magazine

It is the largest of the nine reservoirs operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, running more than 72 miles from Watts Bar Dam northeast to Ft. Loudon Dam. Built as part of the New Deal to put people back to work during the Great Depression, these TVA projects were the center of the largest hydroelectric project in the country. Today, the five power-generating units inside Watts Bar Dam providing electricity are one of 29 hydroelectric power plants in the TVA system.

"In comparison to other inland lakes, Watts Bar has a history," says Al Alexander, assistant manager of West Marine's Knoxville store. "You'll see old road beds that come out of the hills and go into the water and old railroad trestles." This was all part of the Tennessee River until 1939 when TVA went to work creating reservoirs and power plants. Watts Bar Dam and Ft. Loudon Dam to the north created the huge lake, which now has more than 783 miles of shoreline.

"You can come out of our cove (Cane Creek) watching the depth finder," says Blue Spring Marina owner Larry Steidle, "and though we have plenty of water (30 feet), you'll see where there are parts of a trestle bridge you'll pass over. This was part of the area before the dam was built."
Click Here to Read More about the Waters of Watts Bar Lake

Live Bait Equals LARGE Largemouth in Arkansas
By Taylor Wilson

Russell Owens, Sheridan, Ark., hoists a big bass caught at Lake Monticello, Ark.

LAKE MONTICELLO, ARK.— Don Sowell of Alexander, Ark. had just put a lot of air in a balloon he was using as a float/cork, and perhaps a bit more than big bass guide Russell Owens, Sheridan, Ark., preferred.

“Hey, Don, I know we are celebrating and all, but do you think you really need that big of a balloon?” Owens said and laughed. “You just need the balloon big enough to keep the bait up a bit, and to let you know where you are and when you get bit.”

Sowell, owner of Legend Craft Boats, could care less that his balloon might be a bit too festive. He had just landed a big double-digit largemouth and was quick to get another bait out in what was evidently a honey hole for hawgs.

When most folks think ballooning for bass, they likely think fishing in Florida with big shiners. But Owens has skillfully put the art to work farther north in Arkansas. Also skilled at fishing for striped bass in the Natural State, Owens is well-versed in fishing with big shad, in catching them and in keeping them alive. In fact, he and Sowell especially designed Owens’ boat to house a large aerated and circular livewell for keeping these baitfish very healthy and fishable.

“I’ve tried a bunch of different baits for big bass, but it wasn’t until we started fishing the really big shad, that we really started catching the big bass,” Owens said.

And “big” is the key word (and in several ways). First, some folks might have filleted fish the same size as some of the shad Owens has clients using for bait.

And second, as for the bass themselves, well, they are hawgs, especially by Arkansas standards. On this trip, with a strong and constant wind that likely yielded “wind advisories for area lakes” (but we didn’t hear it ’cause we were fishing), the two biggest bass weighed very near and surpassed the 10-pound mark, respectively.

“The balloons are also easy to move up and down the line, and are easy to see. They are likewise inexpensive, with all the timber in this lake, you would otherwise lose a lot of corks,” he said.

“And watch out if a shad starts getting fidgety or moving about. It’s likely to get smacked by something with very large lips.

Also among Owens’s arsenal are 7-foot Ugly Stik rods and big spinning reels loaded with 50-pound braided Power Pro line and Kahle hooks.

“It’s basically, just line, bait and hook, and you don’t have to blow the balloons up all that big, either. But remember, if you hook a big bass out here, you had better get him up quick, because it doesn’t have to go far on this lake to get you wrapped up,” Owens said.

Lake Monticello, located in southeastern Arkansas’ Drew County is Owens’ favorite spot for such tactics. Owned by the nearby namesake City of Monticello, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) manages the fishery — and trophy bass management is certainly part of the equation.

The 1,520-acre impoundment is 10 years old and is ripe with 10-plus-pound fish. AGFC stocked the lake with Florida- and northern strain largemouths and they have gotten plenty big.

Owens customers have landed them in excess of 14 pounds.

Sowell had been telling me for years about the luck he and Owens were having catching line-stretching lunkers on shad. And previously, I had to turn them down—a couple of times. So when he called and said, “I hate to call you on short notice, but it's happening, and we are going tomorrow and you can meet us en route at Pine Bluff tomorrow morning,” I said, “I'll be there.”

I left my West Tennessee home at 1:30 a.m.

At 7-something a.m., we had a near 8-pounder in the boat. Not long after that a largemouth that weighed 9 pounds, 11 ounces was boated.

“Is that worth getting up at 1:30 a.m. for?” Sowell asked, as I lipped the 9-11 and smiled for the camera.

“No doubt, worth it all the way here, and back!” I said while releasing the big bass. Did I feel like less of an angler because I caught it on live bait? Heck no.

Professional big-bass hunter, Owens, laughed at the notion of live bait being a bad word in the world of bassing.

“I had a bass plugger fishing with me the other day. He was kind of hung up on fishing a big plastic worm, but after we caught and released a 10-pound-plus fish on shad, well, he put the plastic worm away. He left that day with plans to get two replicas of double-digit fish he caught here. It was a great day on the water!”

This Lake Monticello, Arkansas largemouth surpassed the measuring stick of guide Russell Owens, Sheridan , Ark. And that's a good dilemma for a big-bass angler to have, no doubt.

Though we landed two true trophies on this day, Owens said we would have likely caught some bigger ones had it not been for the high winds. I believed him.

“It's (Monticello) is a big bass place,” Owens said.

Owens is not the only one that heralds the lake's lunker largemouth. A lot of people know about it, many of which believe the Monticello will soon yield a fish topping the state's 30-plus-year-old largemouth record of 16-4.

In the March/April 2006 issue of “Arkansas Wildlife,” there is an article by Jeff Williams about Arkansas 's record largemouth. In this story Jerry McKinnis, star of “The Fishing Hole” on ESPN, said, “ Lake Monticello has to be a candidate (for the Arkansas largemouth record). … Lake Monticello has good recognition. A lot of good fishermen know it now.”

In the same article, AGFC bass biologist Colton Dennis also gives the lake the likelihood of record-buster. “As far as lakes go, my No. 1 pick (in Arkansas) would be Monticello and No. 2 would be Millwood,” Dennis said.

Owens said this spring, there will be 50 bass boats in every cove at Monticello .

“They will be fishing for spawning bass, and with the hydrilla recently killed out, they are apt to catch some big ones. I just hope they return them to the water, but unfortunately, I imagine they will take some out,” said the guide who urges the practice of catch-and-release.

“Hey, I always say, let those big fish go and get a replica made,” he added.

Owens noted the allure of other big-bass destinations such as Texas and Mexico .

“Hey, I've been there (to Texas), but didn't do all that well, so why go back? And besides, look what I have found right here in my home state,” he laughed.

MORE INFO

For more information on fishing with Owens , write him at 36 Pinecrest Circle , Sheridan , AR ; or call 870-917-9001.

For more information on fishing in Arkansas , contact Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at (501) 223-6300; or visit www.agfc.com .

Taylor Wilson is a freelance writer and managing editor at Bill Dance Publishing, Inc. He can be reached via e-mail at taylorwilson@billdancefishing.com.

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