The decision has been made.

[bassboogieman]

After the trip to Dale Hollow, I have decided I'm done with the bass boat, big truck, long trip thing. I'm still recovering from dealing with fishing 10 days with a bad back. The fuel prices are getting too much for my retirement income to be burnt up on. We used approx. 260 gallons of gas on that trip (truck & boat), two gallons of 2-cylce oil and half a bottle of Ring Free and Stabil.

So the truck has been traded in, the boat is for sale and I've sold my old Hobie Outback kayak and ordered a new Hobie Pro Angler kayak. I will be a kayak fisherman now.

This decision was easy. With my local water being trolling motor or paddle only, using the bass boat was not and really hasn't been the best choice for my fishing needs. It was GREAT for the trips and I've been from Canada to Alabama with it, but the few "trips" I make with the boat now - I can't justify keeping it. I was using the kayak more than the boat and I could see that using the boat, with gas and long trips taking more of a physical toll on my aging carcass, would be less a percentage of my fishing time going forward.

In the next week or so, I'll post pics of the new kayak and how I'm setting it up, similiar to what Walker did, but not nearly as involved because the Pro Angler is designed around fishing. The kayak will allow me to fish all my local waters, as well as much of the water I used to fish with the bass boat like the Potomac and the lakes I fish in Canada. The kayak trip I did in Jan. to Florida kinda sealed the deal for me as I enjoyed it so much. I really don't think I would have had as much fun if I'd taken the bass boat on that trip. The only negative is the range - I won't be paddling 20 miles, but the ability to launch a kayak virtually anywhere you can get to the water will be compensation. It's easier to load than a boat, and drive to whatever location you wish to fish, several times a day if need be.

This change will allow me to continue fishing, at a more economical pace. If something breaks on a kayak it's a couple bucks to fix not a couple hundred., and I'll save mucho dinero on fuel & additives. I also find kayak fishing more relaxing, as my tournament days are long over and I'm now fishing just for the enjoyment of it, and the Hobie Mirage Drive gives me some much needed exercise.

This also means I can downsize a LOT of my tackle. If you are looking for some quality rods & reels, lures, etc. watch the for sale forums - I'll be posting items in a week or so. And of course I have a boat to sell, but that is more for the locals. Stay tuned...................

Oh, Bryce - if you're looking for another 1197 I know where you can get one (not cheap, but reasonable). Sorry, the devil made me do it.