| FISHING REPORT |
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Well, folks, we have just about made it through another year. My, how time flies. Seems like just yesterday that my kids were babies and now they are growing fast as weeds. In making small talk, most of my clients always ask me if I had a good year. My answer is almost always "yes," with an explanation.
It would be hard for me to say anything less than "It has been a great year." Just imagine if you got to go fishing almost everyday--and got paid to do it. I still go out on my own when I do not have a charter, and if my wife would let me, my vacations would consist of fishing.
With my 23 foot custom boat painstakingly rebuilt and repowered by a 2001 135 hp Opti-Max Mercury, I could not be more ready to take out charters. If you consider that my new Pro-Line 18 foot flats skiff is fully loaded with the most modern fishing gear and electronics, then I am double ready. Homosassa, Florida is one of the best places in the world to fish and now I am ready to fish it in a different light with Lenco Marine's Troll'n Tabs (TNT's).
When it comes to using the new Lenco dual trim tab mounted trolling motors, although I am a short-timer, so far I am very pleased. On a recent outing, with the wind blowing 15-20 mph, I engaged the TNT's with a push of two trim tab buttons on the console to the down position.
With a neatly designed remote control box that can clip onto your belt, operation of the TNT's can be performed while you fish from anywhere in the boat. Being new to this, I needed the time by myself to learn how to control the direction of the boat. This became second nature within minutes using the toggle switches for low/high speed and forward/reverse. Each of the two motors has their own toggle switch, and this enables you to control the motors independently.
Using an 8 weight fly rod, I was able to catch several ladyfish in just a half hour of casting. Most of the time was spent getting used to the control box of the TNT's. On low speed, I would guess that the dual motors are putting out about 40 pounds of thrust each since the design allows for 12 volts of current employed to each of the motors.
For high speed, a simple flip of the toggle switch employs 24 volts and each of the motors are then putting out 84 pounds of thrust. This moves my boat into a fast speed (4 mph) in order to get in front of, for example, a large school of traveling tarpon.
The Lencos are a great innovation. The system can only get better as Richard DeVito and Sam Mullinax of lencomarine.com demonstrate through their web site. Check out their web site; you will be glad you did.
In closing, I want to thank all my readers and clients for a great year and I am wishing you the very best possible prosperity in 2001. Happy New Year!
Capt. Mike