Bassassins

Thanks guys! - it really was a blast and Dave is already texting for the next time we can go lol he is in trouble now... soon the dreams will start! lol lol - Schedule is different next week but thanks for your enthusiasm lol

es·cape - to slip or get away, as from confinement or restraint; gain or regain liberty This is what I needed to do.. lots of work, small quick outings... feeling trapped, rushed and just needed to ESCAPE the city. With a Monday night and all Tuesday off I talked my friend and newly obsessed fisherman Dave into taking a day off and joining me. Ended the work day Monday and got out of the city as soon as we could - the wilderness was in our sights, off the beaten path - a little adventure if you will. This was Dave's first TRUE camping experience but far from civilization may have not been the best idea --- but to see the true off the grid experience through his eyes was quite fun - could have stared at those stars for days! The noises we were hearing around us even put a chill down my spike but hey good to get the heart pumping every now and then. I will be honest I wasn't the first one up in the morning and I have to thank Dave and his excitement for this shot! He was rushing me way to much to even think of it! lol This lake has been great to us in the past from shore and I was excited to hit it from the boat - started fishing shore lines and the bass just kept coming! This smile I couldn't get off his face all day - Dave has been fishing a lot around the city but when I said this would be an amazing day I don't think he really knew what he was going to experience - fish after fish after fish ... unfortunately as the day got hotter those hook sets were sPikes instead of bass. As I was reminded a fish is a fish :roll: BUT it really started to get to me a little ... cast, hit, hookset --- another sPike!!! Spinners, Wacky --- even went deep to avoid them on the Drop Shot BUT more and more sPikes!!! I NEVER would have guessed my highlight from this whole trip would have come with teeth but when they are this big even I won't complain!!! We did however manage to find the odd bass through the pike as the day continued... It was hard to get off the water, who would want this to end but it was time to get back to the real world... A trip I think we will both remember for different reasons but I will admit it was incredible to see this from the point of view of a first timer. Need to find time for more of these - camping, fishing and a little drinking .... sounds like an adventure to me!!! Until next time --- tight lines!

Bass Opener - new rig, new motor, new year - NEW VIDEO!!! Figured we would kick things off with a little Sunday Funday taking it easy working the new motor in - couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!!! ENJOY - we sure did!!! WATCH HERE ---> http://vimeo.com/m/99044059 Tight Lines!

Thanks again guys - the feedback is awesome... Hey Art - this is also a great option, we had seen it before, I did have the drywall around the house so it was an easy option for me.

Thanks again guys - the feedback is awesome... Hey Art - this is also a great option, we had seen it before, I did have the drywall around the house so it was an easy option for me.

Things I was a little worried about but we have been on the water twice with it now and it really isn't bad at all. You do need to be smart about moves you do make and for the picture we were both on the front (to try it out and for the shot) but we find ourselves usually one at the back running the trolling motor on or off the back bench (I was surprised how wide the back bench is and with the carpet its very safe) and the other spending most time running around the front. Like any boat or standing in a canoe or other things like that it is important to be smart about sudden movements but we aren't complaining.

Thanks guys - so happy that you liked it! Landry - thanks for the tips... ended up getting a nice little hummingbird unit and a 55lb minn kota for it... should be perfect!!

Living so close to Petrie now I knew we needed to have something on the water at the island. I had an old 14ft HARBERCRAFT aluminum boat that belonged to my grandfather brought up to the city for me to work on. It hadn't seen the water in almost 20 years so once we knew it floated I went to work on a plan to make it ours. NOW I will warn you all that this is FAR from a pro job on modifying this boat and my own plan after lots of reading. So everything I have done was from my own head and I can’t say that it will work for everyone BUT I can say that after a few days on the water we could not be happier – blown away really! After lots of reading I had seen many different upgrades done to a tin boat – I felt that a lot of the things done where a little overkill and added unnecessary weight by complicating the issue. Why not let the natural frameworks of the boat do all the work for you? Keep it simple? I started by sanding the old paint off the boat and the trailer – I read aluminum can be hard to paint so I followed some steps that would allow the paint to last longer but without a professional paint job I know it won’t last forever. I sanded, washed with soap and water and scrubbed with vinegar… all before I applied the primer. Once the primer had dried I applied professional high performance Tremclad – two coats were needed on all surfaces outside, inside and the trainer. Once that was all done I was able to add a clear coat for shine before the decals were put on. NOW to turn this bad boy into a bass boat!!! I had read so much about adding compartments by building framework etc., etc. – I thought to myself WHY not let the benches in the front do all the work for that? One big compartment will allow us to add a live well, maximizes storage and eliminates the added weight of the “structural” wood. So I pulled out a piece of drywall as its sheets are the same size as the plywood sheets but MUCH easier to cut. I took my measurements and went to work laying out a template with the drywall. Once the drywall template was created I cut it apart and used the pieces to draw out my plywood and cut my pieces. I screwed in a couple of pieces of 2X8 underneath for the added support under the doors – I felt that this made the flex point of the bigger door much smaller and ensured that the smaller door wouldn't fall through if stepped on. With the pieces cut I went to work carpeting them using a staple gun before attaching the finished pieces to the boat – I used indoor outdoor carpet with a low pill to avoid hooks continuously getting caught when laid down. Once all the pieces were carpeted I used self tapping screws to attach the deck to the inside of the boat. The big compartment I secured with a 24inch hinge and I used two smaller ones for the front. Final touches were a couple of handles – I grabbed some flat rope, doubled it over and attached two smaller screws from the inside of the door – this way there was no trip hazard. Two small closures were needed for the big door as it kicked once the hinge was added and didn't stay flush – all good now! This project was less than $300 to complete and with the addition of a few more toys – decals, Hummingbird fish finder, 55lb Minn Kota trolling motor and a 15hp Johnston – we are set! As I said before my first shot at one of these and once we were on the water I couldn't be happier with how she turned out. SOOO NOW that the project boat is complete our fishing has moved to a new level – you never know where you will see us next… BASSASSINS BABY!!! Tight Lines all… hope this mod gets your creative juices flowing – life is a lot more fun outside the box! See you on the water. Smooth

Thanks guys! EasyFish - things are all open water here now - be safe!

With the winter that wouldn't end instantly gone in a flash its time to close the books on this ice season --- no better way then an ice recap so make sure to spot the snoopy there may be a quiz BUT most of all enjoy!!! Thanks to all of those that support us... Tight Lines!

Thanks guys!!

Yeah - Stoked that I got to set it right in the top of his mouth - made the land a possibility!!! Head shakes on the light rod where a whole lot of fun and stress with every back and forth. Thanks guys!

Smooth was out today having some fun jigging up some crappie and hitting the odd sauger when this happened. "That is either another little school or something really .... FISH ON!!!" -- fun fight on the little rod and BOOM PIKE! C-P-R Hope you are all staying warm!!!

Thanks guys!!! - we hope everyone got lots of new toys for Christmas!!!

First a little Christmas message from the Bassassins ... Watch the video!!! What better way to celebrate Christmas than going out with the lads and fish, no?! Wrapped up the last busy days at work, finished all the shopping and now its time for a little treat. A local outing down to Walleye Bay was just what we all needed,Cpt. John D. pulled out the old shack a week ago and all was set for the day. Greeted by a lovely sunrise over the Ottawa River, we set up camp for the day. Gps coordinates from last year made picking the right spots a breeze. Drill, flash, slush, repeat. We positioned ourselves right over a hump with a steep drop. Perfect location as this bay acts like a conveyor belt, fish will pass through this spot all day. Walleye and Pike chasing perch and crappy in and out. "A brilliant sky, sunny and clear, might make it a tough day" John mumbles as we are about to start fishing. Sure enough the flasher is marking, solid red bars separating themselves from the bottom to investigate our offerings, but no takers. The old Williams does an excellent job calling in the Eyes from a distance but doesn't seem to be to convincing. The change in the weather over night sure made for a tough bite. Plan B Downsizing is the key, switching to the ultra light with a tear drop jig and just a piece of minnow sure did the trick. Suddenly even the perch and crappy seem to be in a mood to play a little. Turning the morning in to a slap fest was unexpected but welcome, keeping us rather busy for a while. The schools of fish seem to come and go fairly fast, in and out of the flasher which tells us only one thing. They are skittish, on the run, they are being hunted, not by us but by something that's lurking in the depths bellow us. We want whatever is chasing them. As another swarm of perch disappears we know the big boys are just behind them. Sure enough the zoom on the flasher turns in to one solid red bar, the hit was instant. "Fishing" I shouted out Rob as the ultralight bends in to an agonizing half circle, the screaming drag and solid weight at the other end lets us know that this ain't no perch. Big fish on light tackle is where its at, nothing gets your blood more going than the constant fear of losing the biggest of the day. A big, glossy eye pops by the hole, its a chunky old walleye, the tear drop barely at the tip of its mouth, no time to panic now! Gently sliding her in to the hole, Grab, lift, secure. A beautiful Ottawa Eye, perfectly healthy and still full of spunk, quick photo shoot and of she goes back in to the murky dark waters. High fives everywhere and everyone is fired up. Spending the afternoon hoping from hole to hole and chasing crappy, sunfish, perch, saugers and walleyes made for the time to fly by way to fast. Smooth sure stole the show in the slap department, as John suddenly shouts in distress. His rod bend down in to the hole, he got himself in to a little trouble with a good old northern, no steel and he inhaled the little spoon in true pike fashion. John cool as ice makes short process of the lunker. Grab, snap, release. Finishing the day with a wicked evening bite, everything was still on fire but soon enough we got reminded that its Christmas and time to head home again to celebrate with our loved ones. Merry Christmas and a happy new year from the Bassassins Headquarters, stay safe and have a wicked ice season Tight Lines!.