As with most all the release boats in California, with the exception of the Clearlake Bassmasters release boat, this system requires netting of the fish to evacuate them from the tanks. It’s a common practice and not harmful to the fish in anyway if done correctly and with patience. But I really still wanted to release at least some of the fish via the tubes. I also figured that release of some the water rapidly would also aid in netting out the fish that didn’t vacate the tanks via the gated tubes.
Once I got the tanks back on board and could test them and seal them it was on to putting everything else back together on the boat and begin working on a trailer I knew had its own troubling issues.
Historically, this trailer was not without its own set of problems. Every time it was used to travel any distance it seemed to blow out a tire or two. As a result, the boat wasn’t allowed to travel around all that much. Another problem was that the boat had been used too many times in ‘out of the water’ weigh in scenarios. They’d back the boat and trailer into the water, fill it up with water and then drive to a weigh-in situation where the boat/trailer were on land, taking on the fish from the tournament. Sounds great but the problem was that the trailer wasn’t built with such use in mind. So the trailer, when used in such a manner, took on too much weight, what with water at 8 pounds per gallon and the weight of the fish, so
stresses to the trailer, bends and other calamities resulted.
I called on a fellow bass angler, Dave Newton, to work on the trailer issues. The trailer had been modified previously, an axle was replaced at some point but the wrong leaf springs were used in the repair and one side was considerably longer then the other. Suddenly a history of blown out tires was explained as one tire was literally being dragged and wasn’t given much of a chance to roll.
My other concern about the trailer was the tiny little 10-inch wheels that were on it. I imagined that those wheels, turning at a much higher rate then the larger wheels of the vehicle towing it, were literally wearing down the tires that much faster as a result of turning so darned much.
Again, my meager to non-existent budget didn’t allow for much so I turned to a good friend in Ron Howe for his assistance. Howe works in the tire industry and has worked out several sponsorships for tournament organizations over the past few years. I’d hoped he might be able to work his magic for the release boat’s trailer. We spoke and he assured me he’d be able to help out and we worked out what I could do for a potential tire/wheel sponsor. The very
Issue 4 October 2011
Welcome to Catfish Slough VACATion renTAl
2-Bedroom, 2-Bath - 1 Queen, 1 Full, 4 Twin Beds Full Kitchen, Dishwasher, Blender, Microwave,
Toaster Oven, Washer & Dryer, BBQ
weekly rATes
Stay 6 nights, get the 7 th FREE - $120/night
Up to 6 people • Boat ramp on property • Next door to Casino on Clearlake
Check in early. Stay late. No deposits All you need is food & enjoy your stay!
Call Marvin & Coni Dixon 707-354-0138 • conidixon@gmail.com
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mailto:conidixon@gmail.com