Chickamauga 11-19

[Pointer 78]

Put in at Skull Island aroung noon. Ran over to Soddy Creek. This is an area that I haven't fished in a long time. Pretty much pitched a jig all day around rock. couldn't force then to take a blade, jerkbait or crankbait. Caught alot of spots but didn't bother to measure any of them. Caught only one LM just short of 15 inches. After the sun went behind the clouds, it got kinda chilly. Saw lots of places that look like great areas to fish once the water comes back up.

 

[polo-dog]

I figure that until the water stablizes a bit the fishing for good sized lgmouths will be a bit slow. If we have a few days of warming weather I'll bet that the fishing will pick up like crazy. The water in the mid 50's and going up to the 60 degree mark in the late afternoons will have the bass hitting the banks. Everybody that really likes to catch bass really ought to get out there if we have a little warm up. It sometimes is a good time of year to catch a few on a fly rod as much of the year you have to fish with sinking lines but at this time of year you can catch them on top with poppers. It can be a real "blast"!

 

[Pointer 78]

I tell ya Polo, I'm one of those that forgets about the top water bite after the water temps go below 60. It's something I need to do more.

 

[JerDog]

Looks like cold weather is here to stay. Maybe a little of the white stuff too...no warming trend in the future...time to get the long underwear out boys!

 

[SNUFFY]

PUT MINE ON THIS MORN JER DOG.... AND MY NEW FISHHEZD MASK...MAN THOSE THINGS ARE THE CATS MEOW...70 MPH AND FOR ABOUT 15 MILES IN 38 DEGREES.....REALLY WORKS GOOD

 

[jason]

Have you seen the new mask with the warming apparatus at the mouth? I can't recall the name, but it was definitely worth checking out.

 

[DHaun]

I wish I would have had one of those masks the other morning. My face was painfully numb after a slow 5 minute run in 30 degrees...I had hand warmers in my gloves and a warm hat on with sunglasses to keep my eyes from watering but I think the worst pain was in my fingers (exposed with the gloves I had on) and trying to fish when you can't feel the reel in your hand. We later saw some guys running the river in a fast & fancy boat with motorcycle helmets on. My budget this time of year is a bit tight so I probably will not want to spend a whole lot on a mask, so I was wondering if there might be a cheaper alternative... Would anyone laugh at a guy in a big jon boat wearing a modified old welding mask on the water? emoBigsmile

 

[Pointer 78]

Cheap alternative D? Paintball mask. Been using one for 2 years and they work well in cold, wind, and rain. Just use electrical tape to cover the slits. However, I'm ready to buy a Fishhedz. Now Jason has piqued my interest in this heated type mask. Anyone know what its called?

 

[DHaun]

Thanks Pointer 78! Looking on ebay now at a paintball mask for $10.

 

[JerDog]

Heated Masks...what has the world come to! What's next, boats with heaters built into them....hmmm maybe I am on to something there

Where can you get a FISHHEZD MASK cheap?

 

[SNUFFY]

DHAUN MY FISHIN BUDDY WEARS HIS FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE HELMET JUST ABOUT YEAR ROUND... I THINK HIS WIFE MADE HIM PROMISE TO WEAR IT...I CAN SEE IT IN THE WINTER WHEN ITS COLD BUT IN THE SUMMER????BIG HOGHEADED THING TAKES UP HALF THE FLOORSPACE IN MY BULLET AND ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE IN THE WAY WHEN I`M MOVING AROUND......STARTED TO THROW IT IN THE LAKE A TIME OR TWO.......I`LL JUST WAIT ...I`LL CATCH HIM NOT LOOKIN` ONE DAY AND SET IT UP ON THE BACK AND BLOW IT OUT OF THE BOAT AT ABOUT 70MPH.......IF YOU GO WITH WELDING HOOD ...JUST DON`T LOOK BACK...IT MIGHT RIP YOUR HEAD OFF...........I SAW SOME FISHEDZ ON BASSFAN STORE OR ALA LAKES TACKLE FOR 49$ I BELIEVE........A YOU CAN GET THEM DIRECT AT FISHEDZ.COM...THEY DID HAVE BLEMS FOR 59$ REGULARS FOR 69$ AND THOSE FANCY PAINT JOBS FOR 89$...COMES WITH A NICE BAG AND CLEAR LENS..WELL WORTH MONEY IN COLD OR RAIN

 

[jason]

Found it...just saw the commercial on the Outdoor Channel.

Official Site w/Reviews http://www.polarwrap.com/info.html

Cabela's http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...te=various&rid=7510101020603&_requestid=94694

 

[polo-dog]

DHaun, I think you ought to wear the welder's mask. Then I'll be able to pick you out from a distance.

 

[jason]

Just don't fall overboard with it onemoEek !

 

[omega]

Pointer 78 - 11/20/2005 8:33 PM

Cheap alternative D? Paintball mask. Been using one for 2 years and they work well in cold, wind, and rain. Just use electrical tape to cover the slits. However, I'm ready to buy a Fishhedz. Now Jason has piqued my interest in this heated type mask. Anyone know what its called?

Just bought a paintball mask this past summer and it works great! I paid $20 for it with anit-fog lenses. They will still fog a little, so make sure to coat em down with some RainX anti-fog sealant..works great! The mask specifically for boating called "Fish Hedz" (http://www.fishhedz.net/) which I was thinking about buying, but they're like $80 for the non-painted version and the $20 paitball mask (which I bought off Ebay (http://www.pbreview.com/products/reviews/3031/) works just as well.

 

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

I just can't resist, so I know this may stir up some of you "bass boat purist", but hey I don't need no mask sitting behind the nice wind blocking wind shield of my Coral fish & ski. I know, I know it's not a bass boat, but I researched long and hard to find the best performing fish & ski and the Viper Coral is just the Cobra bass boat hull with a fish & ski cap. I got (2) 7' rod lockers up front plus a ski locker in the floor, 45 gallon divided flow-rite livewell, two built in coolers / dry storage lockers, and a nice 20' 1650 lb. very good riding hull.

Seriously, every boat is a compromise, but I would recommend the fish & ski for anyone who needs to take the family out some, yet wants a high performance hull and fishing features. That wind shield feels real good on those cool mornings! I'm sorry for getting this subject even further off of a fishing report, but hey that's one of the nice things about this forum. We can exchange ideas and learn from each other.

All the Best,

 

[Jmax]

Hey there CCSM that is why I got a dual console on my Ranger. Two wind shields and I agree they do feel much better on the cold days hiding behide them as you go down the lake.emoBigsmile I got the drop down ladder for my kid to go skie with and still have the bass boat benefits for what I look for. I always believe that it all depends on the user and what they want in a boat and can afford. Also on the priorities of what you are in it for. The little lady might just want the higher sides than what my boat has to offer.emoCool Jmax

 

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

Jmax,

You are so right, it really depends on what the user is going to use the boat for. My family does appreciate the deeper seating area of the fish and ski, but of course the forward and rear fishing platforms are raised just like in your Ranger. I would suggest that the walk thru wind shield on most fish and skis offer superior wind protection that the smaller wind shields on dual console bass boats, but I've ridden in your Ranger and it is a sweet ride with good protection. Anyway, I don't own stock in any boat company so it really depends on the use and budget. One negative about the Fish & Ski's that I've observed is that they are a little heavier than the same length dual console bass boat and since the seating is moved forward, you lose some performace due to less bow lift. My Coral with a 225 right now runs 63 (gps) with a normal load. My engine height needs some tweaking, but when I get that done, then I should see 67-68 (gps) which is pretty good, but not the low 70's you would see with the straight bass boat set up. Anyone who is not familiar with the BBC (bass boat central) web site www.bassboatcentral.com should visit. They have boat owner groups by brand and also a set up and prop forum that are real good for anyone looking to optimize the performance of their rig.


Best Regards