Channel Bass

Channel bass, also known as red drum, is a delectable fish that can weigh between 30 and 60 pounds. There have even been channel bass caught that have weighed in at over 80 pounds. Reeling one in is quite a feat, especially when you factor in how much of a fight they put up.

When I was living on the east coast, I got to experience red drum fishing firsthand in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. Nowadays, red drum fishing is primarily catch-and-release due to coastal restrictions along the North Carolina coast. Still, I would rate taking my outboard motor boat with Yamalube 2W oil and catching a red drum as one of my proudest fishing moments.

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Castaic Lake

Is there anything tastier than a fried up recently caught largemouth bass? Fortunately for me, I live just a few hours drive from Castaic Lake, California. The pristine lake is known for its excellent largemouth bass population.

I’m sure that all you readers are thinking ‘I know a much better lake for largemouth bass,’ but since it’s my blog, I’m going with Castaic Lake. Plus, I chose Castaic Lake based on the fact that no other lake in the country has boasted as many 20-plus pounders caught. I plan on taking my family down to the lake this spring; they can go swimming while I take the boat out, properly outfitted with Yamalube 2M oil, and try to catch a beauty.

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Tarpon of the North

Yesterday I wrote about tarpon fishing in Florida. Today I want to tell you about the tarpon of the North, also known as sheefish. Sheefish is a freshwater whitefish that as an adult can weigh as much as 55 pounds. It lives off of plankton and smaller fish.

The prime location to catch sheefish is Selawik Valley, Alaska. Like many places in the Alaskan wild, you will absolutely need a guide through the wilderness. Sheefish can be caught year round, although summer is the best season while the sheefish go through their feeding. I haven’t been that far up north myself, but I hope to someday take my Yamalube 2M taking outboard motor boat up there for a few days of fishing.

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Unmistakably Yamaha

The 212SS is all new for 2012. The 21-footer can fit a number of passengers, yet maintains a sporty look. My favorite features of the boat are the twin engines. The high output 1.8 liter engines go from zero to 30 mph in exactly four seconds. When pushed, the engine can reach 55 mph.

I also love the helm and steering of the 212SS. The engineers were clearly inspired by sports cars and featured the gauges and controls accordingly. Next time I pick up some yamalube 2 cycle oil I’ll be sure to chat up my mechanic as to what he thinks of the new 212SS.

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Yamaha SX190

I thought the Yamaha AR190 was top of the line until I took a look at the SX190. Although it is a 19-footer like the AR190, the SX190 is even more spacious in its lay-out. The bow has plenty of seating, cup holders, speakers, and an anchor storage locker. Additional storage can be found in the wet storage compartment on the swim platform.

Even more storage can be found in the oversized in-floor locker. The in-floor locker is ideal for storing towables and water sport gear. In my case, I’d probably use it to store fishing gear. I assume since it’s manufactured by Yamaha, I could use my supply of yamalube to keep the engine running properly.

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Water Skiing

It’s been a long time since I last water skied. As a little kid I would love to go out knee-boarding (it’s similar to wakeboarding, only you kneel on the board instead of standing up) and water skiing on the river near our home. Fishing became more interesting to me in my adult years.

My daughter has now expressed interest in learning how to water ski, so I suppose it’s time to dig out my old skis and give her a few lessons. I’ll need to pick up a new tow rope and clips because I don’t trust that my old ones are safe. Next time I purchase some Evinrude oil I’ll select a new tow rope.

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New Johnson Propeller

I’m in the market for a new propeller for my Johnson outboard motorboat. Johnson as an independent brand has not existed for many years; they are currently owned by Evinrude. Though Evinrude stopped producing new Johnson models, the company still carries parts for Johnson motorboats.

I’ve got my eye on an aluminum three blade, standard rotation propeller. The one I’m looking at is die cast with aluminum alloy for greater strength. It has also has baked on corrosion resistant paint. I’ll have to do a bit more research before I make my purchase, but I think that between the propeller and some Evinrude Johnson 2 stroke outboard oil my outboard should be up and running in no time.

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Entrepreneurial Teenagers

Who said all teenagers are lazy? Down at the marina this summer two young men from the area ran their own boat maintenance business. They did everything from cleaning to painting to minor engine work.

Though I prefer to maintain my own boat, I did give them a chance to earn some cash by changing by outboard motor oil. It turns out that they bought bulk outboard motor oil during the winter to help offset their costs during the summer months. By the time the summer was over the two young men had made a tidy profit.

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Easy Oil Spill Solutions

If you’re like me and you take care of all your own boat maintenance, every once in a while you’ll have a spill. Cleaning up an oil spill is much simpler than most people think. In fact, you probably have most of the items you need right in your own home.

Baking soda, for instance, is a natural cleaning agent that soaks up oil. It also absorbs odors extremely well. Baby powder is effective, too. For larger spills, like a leaky bulk oil container, use cat litter. The litter comes in bigger bags so you can spread it more easily over a wide area.

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Practical Gift Giving

Have you ever opened a present and said, “Oh, no, you shouldn’t have!” and inside your head thought, “No, really, you shouldn’t have.” I’ve never understood why people give knick-knacks, tchokes, and other random items that will likely never be used. Those items may have been given with love, but they end up wasting space. I much prefer giving and receiving practical gifts.

For example, instead of giving each other subpar $10 gifts this season, by buddies and I decided to go in on bulk motor oil. We all enjoy fishing fall through summer, so this gift will definitely be used. I’ll take this kind of gift over another reindeer tie any day.

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Top Five Fishing Cities: Seattle


Seattle is also a no-brainer addition to the list. I lived just outside Seattle for a number of years and can verify that locals are spoiled with an abundance of delicious fresh salt and freshwater fish. I used to take out my 2 stroke oil engine motorboat on Puget Sound and catch halibut, flounder, cod, and salmon.

Lake Union is teeming with smallmouths, crappies, and perch. Lake Washington has over 100 species of fish, including sockeye salmon. If you’re willing to travel a bit further, steelheads can be caught on the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skagit, and Sauk Rivers. A great fishing daytrip to the Yakima River can yield rainbow trout.

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Top Five Fishing Cities: The Twin Cities

Of course Minneapolis and St. Paul made the cut! They are located in the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’ aka Minnesota. I have frequented the Twin Cities because they have some of the best freshwater fishing in the nation.

The mighty Mississippi river flows through the cities and offers up a delectable offering of bass, walleyes, muskies, and catfish. You may want to check local regulations, but I’ve had no problems taking out my outboard motorboat filled with 2 cycle oil. Lakes litter the area, so ask locals for some tips. I personally favor White Bear Lake and North Arbor Lake in Hennepin County.

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