T.K.Bouressa, Cliff Brown, Rick Smith, Bill Guzman standing besides the Triton boat won by T.K. and Bill for first place at the 5th Annual Fishing for Freedom tournament on Lake Belton, Sept. 25, 2010

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Click here for hundreds of photographs taking by Sherran Bard at the Friday night dinner and Saturday on the lake

Sports News Article

27 September 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Take a Soldier Fishing

The 5^th Annual Fishing for Freedom bass tournament was held this past Saturday on Lake Belton.  Fishing for Freedom is a free open bass tournament where boaters volunteer their time, boats and tackle to take a member of the armed forces on a fun-filled day of tournament style fishing.  Over 240 boaters from all over the nation came to town to participate and to honor our military heroes.  Friday night over 1,000 people gathered at the Killeen Convention Center to eat some great Texas BBQ, which was sponsored by Texas Partners Federal Credit Union, Ft. Hood BOSS, Texas Boat World, Marine Outlet, Academy Sports & Outdoors and Stanley Motor Group.  Then acting Ft. Hood Commander, Major General Will Grimsley, welcomed everyone to Central Texas and thanked them for their efforts on behalf of the military.  The keynote speaker, boat building legend and Triton Boat Company President, Earl Bentz, honored the military for giving us the freedoms that we enjoy every day.  Earl said that after the events of 9/11 he wanted to join up to answer our nation’s call.  Wiser heads suggested that he could do more for the nation by staying home and encouraging and supporting the military, which he has committed to doing.  It is worth noting that Earl has donated almost $150,000 in boats, motors and trailers to Fishing for Freedom over the last six years and this is only one of several events that he supports across the nation.

Saturday morning starting at 4:30 found the boat owners and soldiers launching their boats at the various boat ramps on Lake Belton.  There was not a breath of air and humidity hung heavily, casting an eerie glow off the navigation lights of the boats.  By 6:30 am the boaters anxiously awaited safe daylight for the tournament to start.  Sgt. Goss of Ft. Hood sang the National Anthem and then Chaplain Cpt. Pena blessed the fleet.  Jeff Cook, weigh master, started the teams based on their team number.  Each team was allowed approximately 30 seconds to work their way toward the main lake before the next team started.  This allowed for an orderly start.  In order to make the fishing times about the same for all teams, the teams that started first had to weigh-in at 1:00 pm and then every flight of 25 teams weighed-in at 15 minute intervals.

A large tent and stadium seating was supplied by Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) for the weigh-in.  The first flight of 25 boats started showing back up at the weigh-in at BLORA at 12:30 pm.  Everything was moving along smoothly until a storm blew in from the north bring lightening, winds and heavy rains.  Many of the teams rushed back to the safety of the dock and tent to weigh-in early and avoid the severe weather conditions.  Some of the boaters had to beach their boats on the shore.  Fortunately no one was hurt.

The winning team of Bill Guzman and T.K. Bouressa caught three fish weighing a total of 13.32 pounds.  They also received big bass honors with their largest fish being 7.99 pounds.  For their efforts they won over $2,000 in cash and a brand new Triton bass boat with Mercury outboard motor worth almost $20,000.  Not bad for a tournament where neither the boater nor the soldier had to pay an entry fee.  Second place went to Eric Wendeborn and his soldier Justin Baker.  They won over $2,500.  Payouts went to the top 15 teams and hundreds of door prizes were given out to the participants.

The 240 teams caught a total of 297 fish weighing 556 pounds giving an average weight of 1.87 pounds.  Fifty-four percent of the field caught one or more fish.  The fish were released back into Lake Belton.

The Fishing for Freedom foundation is already planning next year’s event for sometime in October.

rick@marineoutlet.com                                                   -30-

Sports News Article

30 August 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Full Schedules

September is a busy month, what with the kids back to school and all sorts of fall outdoor activities.  Here is a list of some of the highlights for September to add to your calendar:

Sept. 1

2010-2011 hunting and fishing license required.

Dove season opens for the North and Central Zones.

Sept. 4

Special white wing dove areas open.  Check the Texas Parks & Wildlife calendar closely as this season opens and closes several times.  www.tpwd.state.tx.us.

Sept. 11

Qualifier number 1 for the 11^th Annual TuffMan Open Bass Trail. This first tournament will be held on Lake Waco with headquarters at Airport Beach Pavilion.  Entry fee is $200 per team and payout is guaranteed at $2,500 for first place and an additional place paid for every 10 teams.  Big bass is included in the registration fee.  At the ramp registration is $250.  The top 12 teams will automatically qualify for the championship held in January during the Central Texas Boat Show.  Ten thousand dollars is guaranteed to the first place winners at the championship.  This is a popular fall tournament trail averaging just over 100 teams per tournament last year.  Contact rick@marineoutlet.com, 1/866-397-5934, for a registration form.

Little River Catfish Association (LRCA) 12^th Annual World Championship Bean & BBQ Cook-off at the Stewart Pecan Farm near Little River-Academy.  The LRCA is a charitable organization that sponsors fishing derbies and cook offs throughout the year.  The proceeds from their events go toward youth projects like Project Celebration, Children’s Advocacy Center and the Bell County Youth Fair & Rodeo.  Phil Grouss is the committee chairman.  His contact is philgrouss@aol.com.  Entries are still being accepted.

Sept. 18

Second Annual Temple Area Builders Association Open Bass Tournament on Lake Belton.  Headquarters will be at the Sunset Pavilion at Cedar Ridge Park.  Pre-registration is $120 which includes big bass.  First place is guaranteed $1,000 with an additional place paid for every 10 teams.  Big bass is guaranteed at $500.  Last year this tournament had over 50 teams and paid out substantially more than the guarantees.  Contact Cheryl Hunka at 254-773-0445 or Cheryl@tahb.org for complete details.

Belton Lions Club Annual Car Show in downtown Belton.  This event is lots of fun and the proceeds go toward community causes.  If interested in displaying your favorite automobile, Contact Dr. Larry Montgomery at 254-939-5801 or at beltondc@yahoo.com.  Be sure to stop by and vote for your personal favorite and to show the kids what you thought was cool when you were a youngster.

Sept. 24-25

The 5^th Annual Fishing for Freedom Bass Tournament will host a BBQ Friday evening at the Killeen Convention Center sponsored by Texas Partners Federal Credit Union.  Then on Saturday morning the 250 teams will meet at safe daylight at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) to participate in this fun filled tournament.  The mission of this tournament is to give every member of the armed forces an opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing on Lake Belton.  Area boat owners are asked to donate a few hours of their Saturday to make new friends and to show their appreciation to those who give us the freedom to enjoy our outdoor sports.  There is no entry fee for either the boat owner or the veteran and everyone will have a chance to win a brand new boat, motor and trailer valued at almost $20,000 plus hundreds of door prizes.  The Fishing for Freedom website is www.fishingforfreedom.org.  Tournament directors are Cliff Brown at Texas Boat World, cbrown@texasboatworld.com, 254-699-9151, and Rick Smith at Marine Outlet of Temple, rick@marineoutlet.com, 866-397-5934.                                                                       -30-

Sports News Release

23 August 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Hunter Education Courses Starting Now

AUSTIN — Back to school also means back to hunting as summer winds down and fall approaches.  The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is reminding hunters born after September 1, 1971, to take a mandatory hunter education course.  Individuals as young as 9 years old may register for hunter education.  Courses are starting this month.  See attached chart for scheduled area courses.

Terry Erwin, coordinator for hunter education at TPWD, advises interested hunters to check the online calendar at http://archive.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/hunter_education/city.phtml for complete state-wide class schedules.  By law, the agency is required to offer the hunter education course at least once in each county every year.

Hunters can take the two-day course spread over a minimum of 10 hours, or they can take the knowledge-base portion online then attend one day of field training. The cost of the course is only $15, but there can be facility-use or range fees charged at some of the training centers.

To receive a passing grade, students must take a 50-question written exam and get 70 percent correct if they take the traditional two-day course or 80 percent if they take the course online. The certification is valid for life and is honored in all other states.

Hunters who are at least 17 years old and have not completed the hunter education course can defer completion for one year. However, hunters who took a deferral last year must complete the course this year to hunt legally this season.  “The deferral is only available once,” Erwin said. “The license point-of-sale vendors are not allowed to sell a deferral once it has been purchased by an individual.”  A database keeps track of hunters who have previously opted for a deferral and will not allow a second deferral to be sold to an individual.

“Our focus is to keep students safe in the field,” says Erwin.  He notes that as a result of the hunter education courses, hunting-related accident rates in Texas have noticeably decreased since 1966 when 12 accidents per 100,000 hunters were reported. This rate has decreased to 2.9 accidents per 100,000 hunters during the last four years.

Complete information on Texas hunter education can be found at www.tpwd.state.tx.us.           -30-

Sports News Article

16 August 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Hunting & Fishing License

Current year Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except year-to-date fishing licenses) expire August 31^st, and new licenses for 2010-2011 went on sale Sunday, August 15^th.  So now is the time to get that new license to avoid the long lines right before the first of the month.  Remember to take your driver’s license and your social security number.  Prices took no increase this year.  Resident freshwater fishing license cost $30.00 for everyone except senior citizens who will pay only $12.00.  Children 16 and under do not have to have a fishing license.  Resident hunting license is $25.00; senior resident hunting is $7.00.  The best deal is the resident Super Combo fishing and hunting for only $68.00 with seniors paying $32.00.  Active duty military get the super combo free.  All hunters must have a license in order to properly tag their game.  For a complete list of the various categories and costs of licenses take a visit to www.tpwd.state.tx.us.

Licenses may be purchased at any of the Texas Parks and Wildlife regional offices, state parks and at more than 1500 retailers across the state.

Dove Season

Dove season for the North and Central Zones starts Wednesday September 1^st.  The South Zone hunters have to wait until September 17^th.  The special White-Winged areas start September 4^th.  Spring rains have greatly improved the dove population which had been dwindling from the 2009 drought.  State dove program manager, Corey Mason, says “These rains will help produce both native and cultivated foods important to doves.  Good local dove production equals good dove hunting.”  The recent dry conditions have dove populations heavily populating area farm ponds, but as every hunter knows, the hunting gods always get a good laugh by bringing showers right before the start of the season, scattering the birds.  Remember that sunflowers always seem to produce the best hunting opportunities.

Don’t have a friend with a farm or ranch then check out an Annual Public Hunting Permit (APHP) which cost only $48.00 plus the cost of your hunting license.  This permit allows access to over 1 million acres statewide.  The permit is valid from September 1^st through August 31^st and allows walk-in access to more than 200 state parks, wildlife management areas and privately-owned lands.  You can hunt deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl, quail, squirrel, feral hogs and other legal game.  The permit is also good for fishing camping and hiking.  For a map of the areas available under the APHP visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publichunt.

rick@marineoutlet.com                                      -30-

Sports News Article

Fall Bass Fishing by Pro Angler Keith Combs

Fall fishing

             It seems that every year I cant wait for Summer fishing to get here, but half way through Summer I cant wait for the Fall. To me the fall transition in Texas begins about mid September, days are getting shorter and water temps are beginning to drop, and bass are changing daily. I have found probably the most important thing a fisherman should consider this time of year is not a particular pattern or lure, but the weather. Fall fishing is different than any other season, bass are looking for a reason to move and feed and a change in wind or a cloudy day may be all they need.  I cant tell you how many Fall tournaments I have lost because I had pre-fished and dialed into a particular pattern and the weather changed and I did not. Now days I try to use my pre-fishing days looking less for bass and more for areas bass will move to if the weather gets right. A good example of a fall pattern in most Texas lakes is to fish windblown banks with running baits like square billed crank-baits and spinner-baits. But with cold fronts moving in and out so frequently you never know whether to pre-fish North or South banks, this is where just reading the weather for that day and just going fishing comes in.

              Fall bait selection is also complicated in the fact that alot of different baits will work, the good thing is the fish are usually active and they will let you know when you are throwing the right one. My boat deck will most always have a few rods with shad imitating baits tied on. I prefer baits I can cover water quickly with and find schools of Fall bass. A shallow running crank-bait that will dive 3'-5' will work extremely well this time of year, a lipless crank-bait like a shad pattern Strike King red eyed shad will also produce. I will fish both baits fast and around a variety of cover from rip-rap banks to lay downs and shallow grass. Another great fall pattern is to fish isolated cover this can be in the form of brushpiles, stumps, laydowns. or boatdocks, just about any cover that is isolated and a bass can ambush bait from will work. The great thing about cover like this is you can fish it fast and bass will replenish throughout the day. I prefer to fish these types of places with a slow deliberate bait such as a jig or a shakey head worm. If a bass is there they will usually bite within the first couple of casts. Another fall pattern that should never be overlooked is a shallow topwater bite. When clouds and rain roll in during a cold front bass will feed heavily and sometimes a top-water will catch the biggest bass in the lake. I base my bait choice on the type of cover and the water color. Walking baits like a Zara Spook or Sammy will be one of my first choices in clearer water or around shallow grass. I will go to a frog type bait around thicker cover or in more stained water. A buzz-bait will also be tied on any day I'm on the water in the Fall.

               Fall fishing can be some of the best of the entire year, especially when a weather change turns bass on around shallow cover, just remember to stay flexible in your bait selection and locations.

Good Fishing,

Keith Combs

Sports News Article

Central Texas Bass Fishing by Adrian Barnes

Central Texas Bass Fishing

It’s that time of year again, Fishing For Freedom 2010!!! This event gets better and better every year, and I’m more excited than ever to have the opportunity to take one of our soldiers fishing. This year, the tournament is being held on Lake Belton in late September, which coincides with several productive late summer patterns. We’ll go over some of the most productive patterns for this time of year and some of the baits we can use to catch these fish.

On Central Texas lakes, late September will still fish a lot like August… which can mean deep structure fishing, chasing schooling fish, or running up to the upper end of the lake and fishing skinny water. There will also be a strong top-water bite early, for those that get around the right areas.

With a basic understanding of seasonal movements of fish and the right lures tied on the end of your line, you can enjoy some outstanding fishing opportunities.  Let’s take a quick look at some basic seasonal movements that dictate what most fish will do during the four different seasons of the year. Keep in mind that these are basic guidelines that MOST fish will follow, not all fish do the same thing at the same time and they still surprise me after doing this for 25 years.

Last year we talked about seasonal patterns and movements for Central Texas in great detail, so let’s recap: 1. During the fall, think “bait”, think “shallow”, and think “cover.” Where you find all three, you will find bass.  2. During winter, think “bait”, think “deep”, and think “vertical.” If you can find deep structure with bait and steep drop-offs, you will find fish. 3. During the spring, think “warmer water temperature”, think “shallow”, and think “creeks and coves.” If you can find these ingredients, especially during March and April, throw plastics and you’ll catch plenty of fish. 4. During summer, think “bait”, think “structure”, and then think “bait” again. During the late summer and into fall, bass relate to baitfish more than any other time… so find the bait and find the fish.

Let’s tie on some baits that should put some fish in your boat for this tournament.

Shaky-head

The shaky-head worm consists of a light jig-head from 1/16 to ¼ of an ounce and a small 4” to 6” straight-tailed worm. I use light line, usually 8- 10 lb test fluorocarbon for this technique because I want the bait to sink faster and the fluorocarbon line provides a better feel for what’s going on. This little bait will catch fish 12 months out of the year from water 6 inches to 60 feet deep. I’ve caught bass up to 9 lbs on this rig and it also catches all species of bass. I throw some shade of green pumpkin as a color on my shaky-head 90 percent of the time. There is no wrong way to fish this bait as long as you are fishing it slowly. I’ll cast it out on structure, near docks, near shallow bushes, on rock-piles, or any other likely looking area. Let it sink to the bottom and sit for a few seconds, if a fish doesn’t grab it, begin a series of very light shakes and hops with intermittent pauses making sure to keep it on the bottom. Generally the more you let this bait soak near a likely looking spot without moving it, the better it works. I like the Gambler Giggy-heads or Spot Removers for jig-heads because they have models with screw-locks which will allow you to catch multiple fish off of a single worm. You want to make sure and tex-pose the point of the hook back into the worm to assist in making it more weed-less.

Jigs

The jig is another lure that I will always have tied on while fishing both Belton and Stillhouse. Let me qualify that there are several different categories of jigs, but for the purposes of this article, I am concerned with two categories, standard flipping jigs and football head jigs. For a standard flipping jig, choose weights in the 3/8 to ½ ounce size and football head jigs from ½ to ¾ ounce. You’ll want to use heavy line for both techniques, I always use at least 20 pound test flourocarbon, although you can get away with 15, I wouldn’t chance it.  Use the flipping jigs for fishing shallow, visible cover and the football head jigs for fishing deeper structure such as rocks, points, etc… I like a Lunker Lure Rattle-back Jig for flipping and an Oldham’s jig for the football style. You want to select your skirt colors based on the water clarity, so for clear water stick with shades of green pumpkin and watermelon with a few light orange or blue strands. For stained water, try any combination of black, blue, and/or chartreuse. I normally always match the trailer of my jig with the color of the skirt. In the fall, white can be a very good color for your flipping jig if you get in a creek with lots of shad flipping on the surface. Between these two styles of jigs, you can catch fish 12 months out of the year on both lakes.

As a side note here, if you are flipping a jig into visible cover and not getting bites, try using a tube or beaver-style bait in the same colors on a pegged Texas rig instead. This will sometimes generate more bites than the jig because they have a slightly different action falling through the cover.

Topwaters

Probably one of the most important baits to have tied on during the day is some sort of top-water, especially if fishing the main-lake area. A Zoom Super Fluke, Zara Spook, or a Pop-R may just put the biggest fish in your live-well for the day. If you are sitting on main-lake structure, have one at the ready because you never know when fish will chase bait up to the surface. As for colors, anything that looks like a shad will work. I generally like a Zara Spook Jr. for this application because it throws so much farther than any of the other top-waters. If fish do come up to the surface, being able to throw just past the splash and work the bait into the fish as quickly as possible is key. If you are up the lake in stained water, a white buzz-bait will usually call up a good kicker fish. Reel it slowly past any visible cover like lay-downs, stumps, bushes, or rocks on the bank. If you are working down a bank casting at visible targets, a fluke or a Pop-R is an excellent bait that will draw fish in from long distances.

Crankbaits

This time of year, you will generally only need two types of crank-baits in two primary colors. Include a square-bill or shallow-running crankbait for fishing shallow water and visible cover and a deep diver for probing offshore structure. The main key with crank-baits is to make them deflect off of something, whether it be a rock, a log, a lay-down, or a drop-off.  Make the bait do something different to trigger fish into biting. Mix up your retrieve and let the fish tell you how they want it. You can limit your colors to anything that looks like a shad… one with a white hue to it and another with a chartreuse hue. That should have you covered on crank-baits for this time of the year. Hang-ups are common with these baits and expected. If you are getting the bait snagged every so often in lay-downs or rocks, it probably means you are fishing it in the right areas. A good way to free your bait without going up to it is to just give it slack, which will allow it to back out of the cover. If that doesn’t work, you can then try and pop it free by short quick jerks of the rod tip.

Texas Rig and Carolina Rig

Another staple on Belton during this time of year is fishing plastics slowly through deep trees, points, brush-piles, and off-shore rock-piles. The Texas rig where the bullet weight meets the eye of the hook; and the Carolina rig, where the weight and hook are separated by a length on leader can both be very productive this time of year. I usually use a ¼ to 3/8 oz sinker on my Texas Rig and a ¾ to 1 oz sinker on my Carolina rig. It’s hard to beat a 7 inch Berkley power worm on a Texas rig on Belton, or a baby brush-hawg in watermelon seed on a Carolina rig. To rig a Carolina rig, slide the weight on first, then a small plastic bead, and then tie a swivel to your tag end. Next tie a length of line to the other end of the swivel… usually about 2-3 feet, then tie on the hook. This allows the bait to follow the weight very naturally on the bottom and will usually get bites during the middle of the day when nothing else will.

These rigs and lures should cover your bases for the tournament, no matter what end of the lake you fish and I hope that this article will help you to catch more and bigger fish on Belton for this event and in the future. If you need tackle for the event, Chuck Guthrie at Tightlines Premium Fishing Tackle has an excellent selection of all of the tackle mentioned above in all the right colors for Belton. He is also a good source for current lake conditions and information on Belton and Stillhouse. He can be reached at (254) 690-3474. If you need any boat supplies, I would recommend Marine Outlet in Temple, Texas. They carry a full selection of marine parts and accessories and have mechanics on stand-by to get you up and running again.

-Adrian Barnes <><

Sports News Article

8 August 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Recreational Boat & RV Financing

The downturn in the economy hit area boat and recreational vehicle (RV) dealers very hard.  If you travel the Interstate you probably have noticed that there are several Central Texas dealerships that have either consolidated or closed up shop.  Our local area started seeing a downturn in June 2007 due to heavy rains flooding area lakes resulting in the closing of most boat launching ramps and the lakeside RV campgrounds.  Due to lack of federal funding for repairs some of these parks did not reopen until the spring of this year.  Then the drought started along with extremely high gasoline prices.  The rising cost of fuel resulted in the increasing cost of many essential goods and services.  Finally the economy sputtered and took a nose dive.  Unemployment rose dramatically.  The housing market collapsed in many areas of the nation and banks pulled back on financing discretionary purchases.  Major corporations required government assistance to survive and it appeared we were headed for an economic depression.  Bottom-line banks were no longer interested in financing boats and RV’s.  Dealers were unable to acquire floor plan financing to stock product and consumers discovered that even with credit scores in the 700’s , they were either unable to secure financing or were being asked for substantial down payments to get approved.  All of this was happening while families wanted to stay closer to home to vacation, hence the new word “staycation”.

National banks pulled back from recreational financing while regional credit unions increased their media exposure hoping to acquire new account holders by offering extended services and financing opportunities.  Many credit unions saw this financial void and began to offer excellent boat and RV financing with competitive rates and terms with some offering up to 10 year payouts.   Dealers and consumers increasingly sought out credit unions as an alternative to bank financing. 

Unless something changes dramatically on the national level, I believe we have seen the crest of the wave and financing will continue to become more readily available.  Currently we are seeing interest rates as low 6 to 7% on tier one credit (credit scores of 720 and higher), but the average contract will normally be between 7.99 to 8.99% with a 10 to 15 % down payment.  As an example a boat purchase in the $20,000 range with $2,000 down will result in a monthly payment of about $225 per month for 120 equal monthly payments.

If you are looking to purchase a pre-owned boat or a new boat that may be a couple of model years old, you will find that the banks and credit unions will probably ask for additional money down in the range of 20 to 30%.  The financial institutions use values developed by independent sources like N.A.D.A.  These are national averages and do not reflect regional preferences or variances, so unfortunately even though N.A.D.A. is considered the bible of the industry for boats and RV’s, I find it to be inaccurate in many cases.  Personally, to determine values, I prefer to use comparables by going to websites like www.boattraderonline.com or www.boats.com to see what is happening on similar boats within the Central Texas region. 

The good news is that there is financing available for anyone who has had comparable credit for at least three years and who has made timely payments.  So don’t believe the national news that recreational loans are not available.  Check out your local financial institution or visit your area boat or RV dealer for complete details.

rick@marineoutlet.com                           -30-

Sports News Article

1 August 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Boater 101

Water safety is important to all of us:  power boaters, sailors, fishermen, swimmers, divers and hunters.  For this reason the marine industry has made a commitment to bring the water safety message to everyone.  Common sense is common only if you have had the experience.  So it is important to train instructors that can go out to the community to educate everyone how important it is to be safe anytime you are around the water.  It has been said that water is the strongest force on earth and anyone who has seen a flooded river knows exactly how true this statement is. 

A group of outdoor enthusiasts recently took a day out of their busy schedules to attend a one day training seminar at Frank’s Marina on Lake Belton.  Captain Ned Stone of Florida representing Marine University’s Boater 101 course visited only two cities in Texas-Austin and Belton-to train and certify local boating safety instructors.  The course was provided through a grant in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Program.  The Belton seminar consisted of four hours of classroom review and two hours of on the water hands on training.   Five future instructors, Billy Conway, Bob Kujan, Patrick McCarty all from Belton, Mark Prentice of Harker Heights, and I, participated.

After the course the students then take an on-line exam to receive their certifications.  On completion of the course each instructor will be asked to teach a boating safety class.  The class will last approximately eight hours with four of the hours being in the classroom and four being on the water.  The goals of this program are to give boaters a basic overview of boating while having fun and promoting water safety.  In many states this training is mandatory but in Texas it is only required for boaters ages 13 to 18 who wish to operate a boat by themselves. 

Students are taught the types of boats, navigation rules, what safety equipment is required and its proper use, how to file a float plan, boat handling, rescue procedures, distress signals and proper launching techniques for trailable boats. Other subjects include the new rules as set by the Department of Homeland Security, weather, tides and environmental concerns. 

Courses are set to start in September with classes being offered for ladies only, youth only, families and individuals.  The cost of the course is set by the individual instructor and will include all training materials, the on-line exam and on the water training.  Special discounts will be available for families and groups taking the course together. The boats used for training and all safety equipment will be furnished by the instructor.  Some area marine dealers will be offering to pay the cost of instruction to customers who have purchased their boats from their dealerships.  Most insurance companies will offer a 10% annual reduction in premiums for graduates of the program.  Of course the real benefit will be the knowledge and confidence that the graduate will have when on the water making our lakes, rivers and bays a safer place for all. 

Information on class locations, dates and times will be available after August 15^th on-line at www.keepthemswimming.   More information on Boater 101 may be found at www.Boater101.com.

rick@marineoutlet.com                                                               -30-

Sports News Article

25 July 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Periodically we step off the dock to pick up our shotgun or rifle to do a little hunting.  Like many hunters I learned the basics from my grandfather and father.  Memories of early morning dove and deer hunts still linger as some of the happiest times of my past.  These two sportsmen have moved on to the Happy Hunting Grounds, but they instilled in me a love of the outdoors, that I’m attempting to pass on to my children and grandchildren.  I learned to never waste a hunting resource.  As a kid, the game that we harvested added to the protein on our dinner table.  So today we’re going to put down our fishing poles and pick up our shotgun.

DOVE & TEAL SEASON ANNOUNCED

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved the 2010-2011 Texas dove season, including a 70 day season and a 15 bird daily bag limit.  Texas dove season for the North and Central Zones starts Wednesday September 1^st (a religious holiday for the avid dove hunter) and go through Sunday, October 24^th.  Then it will reopen Saturday, December 25^th (Wives take note!  You may be having dove instead of turkey on the Christmas dinner menu) and go through Sunday January 9^th.  No more than 2 white-tipped doves as part of your daily bag limit.

The South Zone dove season starts Friday, September 17^th and goes through Sunday, October 31^st then reopens Saturday, December 25^th and goes through Tuesday, January 18^th. 

Your possession limit is twice the daily bag limit for all migratory game birds except light geese and sora and Virginia rails.

The teal season starts Sunday, September 11^th and goes for 16 days through Sunday, September 26^th. 

Check out www.tpwd.state.tx.us for complete details including the special white-winged dove area for 2010-2011.

HUNTER EDUCATION TEACHERS NEEDED

Texas Parks and Wildlife plans a free hunter Education New Instructor Training workshop Saturday, August 14^th.  The workshop will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the North Texas Education Center located at 5411 Robinson Road in Grand Prairie.

The workshop will train new and certified instructors in live firing exercises and trail skills.  The trainers will put some fun and excitement into the event.  There will be actual hunting simulations where the students will have to make decisions whether to shoot or not to shoot.

If you are interested in participating go to tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/hunter_education/instruct.phtml.  You may also contact Robert Ramirez, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Hunter Education Specialist, at 972-263-1219 or at robert.ramirez@tpwd.state.tx.us.

Every Texas hunter born on or after September 2, 1971 must successfully complete a hunter’s education course.  The program’s goals are to reduce hunting related accidents and violations; to promote safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunting; and enhance hunting traditions and values.  The course provides instruction in Texas hunting regulations, wildlife management, identification, conservation, ethics, firearm and hunting safety and responsibility, and outdoor skills.

Even seasoned hunters say that the Hunter’s Education Course is well worth taking. 

rick@marineoutlet.com                                                   -30-

Sports News Article

11 July 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Most of us that own boats have a motor and a trailer to make up the complete package.  Even for those who are religious about taking care of their motor maintenance there seems to be a problem remembering that the trailer needs a little TLC too.  I was reminded of this over the weekend as hundreds of boaters were headed to Austin for the Aquapalooza Festival on Lake Travis.  It seemed like IH35 was littered with boaters broken down due to trailer problems.  So here is a list of some simple jobs to perform BEFORE you head out for that fantastic weekend on the lake.  If you do not have the time or talent to perform these tasks then take you trailer to your nearest marine dealer or service center that will service it for you.

Start with the wheel bearings, which typically is the most difficult job.  Unless you have maintenance free Vault bearings, then annually you should pull the hubs and replace any worn bearings or seals.  At the very least use your grease gun and put some fresh grease into the Zerk fittings or add fresh oil to the oil bath bearings. 

While you have the wheels and hubs removed is a good time to check the springs or torsion bars along with the bolts and nuts holding everything together.  Clean the brake pads and check the brake lines for leaks and secure fittings.  When remounting the wheels don’t forget to properly torque the lugs.

Most trailers have boards to support the boat and many trailer manufacturers do not use treated lumber.  Make sure there is no wood rot and that the bolts or screws holding the boards to the trailer are nice and tight.  Otherwise the boards may loosen causing major damage to your boat.  Typically this happens when you launch the boat.  The board floats off exposing the metal braces which can do a number on a fiberglass or aluminum hull.

Check the trailer tires for uneven wear or sidewall cracks.  If there is uneven tire wear, you may have an axle alignment problem or improper inflation.  Check your air pressure.  Most boat trailer tires carry greater air pressure than automobile tires.  The recommended air pressure is on the sidewall of the tire.  If the tire shows 50 psi then use an air pressure tool to make sure you properly inflate the tire.  Under inflated tires will build up heat, especially in these Texas summers, and you will be looking for that spare about 50 miles into your trip. Tires will last much longer if you can protect them from direct sun light while the trailer is being stored.  Treat the tires with a sidewall UV inhibitor like 303 Protectant.   It’s not a bad idea to have the tires balanced for smoother road handling.

Speaking of spares, make sure you have one.  The lug pattern on most boat trailer tires is different than you automobile so you can’t count on using it.  Also the lugs are normally a different size so pack a four way spanner lug wrench along with a jack to properly lift the trailer.

Check all your trailer lights and light connections.  Now might be a great time to convert your trailer to LED lights.  They are a little more expensive but last much longer and have multiple LED’s so you are not stranded if a bulb burns out, plus they put less strain on your automobile system.

Couplers (where the trailer connects to the trailer ball) do wear out so make sure the components are free from wear and securely lock onto the ball.  This is a good time to tighten the trailer ball, check the safety chains and check the brake fluid.

Finally check all the fasteners on the trailer, the winch and the winch strap.

With a little proper maintenance your trailer will not let you down.  Your boating adventure will be one of fun and excitement not anger and frustration. 

rick@keepthemswimming.com                                                             -30-

Sports New Release—13 June 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Temple, TX

TuffMan Bass Tournament 2010-2011 Schedule Released

The Central Texas Marine Association (CTMA) has announced the dates and lakes for the 11^th Annual TuffMan Bass Tournament Trail.  CTMA, whose membership consists of several Central Texas boat dealers, sponsors this tournament series to promote fall and winter bass fishing on area lakes.  The Trail started in 1999 with only two qualifying tournaments and a one day championship and has grown to four qualifiers and the championship which is held during the annual January boat show at the Bell County Exposition Center in Belton, TX.  The first year had less than 75 teams participate.  Tournament participation in 2010 grew to over 400 teams competing for the title of Central Texas Champions along with a $10,000 first place cash prize. 

The dates and lakes for the 2010-2011 tournaments are as follows:

DATE                       LAKE                                       HEADQUARTERS

Qualifying Tournaments

Sept. 11        Waco                                      Airport Beach Park & Pavilion

Oct. 16          Limestone                             County Ramp 2

Nov. 13          Belton                                    Cedar Ridge Park Sunset Pavilion

Dec. 11          Stillhouse                               Stillhouse Hollow Park Island Pavilion

Championship (qualifying teams)

Jan. 8, 2011     Belton                                 Cedar Ridge Park, weigh-in at Bell County Expo

Pre-registration is $200 per team per tournament or $250 at the ramp.  A big bass side pot is included in this entry fee.  The rules allow teams to qualify one of two ways.  The top twelve teams in each tournament automatically qualify for the championship and the top twelve teams in points that do not qualify at one of the tournaments are invited to participate in the championship.  A total of 61 teams compete on the final day as last year’s champions are invited back to defend their title.

For complete information including the rules on this tournament trail go to www.fishingworld.com/TuffMan.                              

rick@keepthemswimming.com                                                         -30-

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Sports News Article

2 June 2010

Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Buying a Pre-Owned Boat

In my conversations with new boaters I have talked with numerous families that are getting ready to purchase their first boat. Many wish to start off with a pre-owned boat to save money. Some tell me that they think that they would enjoy boating but do not want to invest too much until they see how often they will use their boat. Most of these new boaters do not know what to look for when purchasing a used boat, so I thought I would develop some helpful hints as to what to look for when evaluating a boat.

The very first thing to agree on is what type of boating you plan on participating in as a family. The reason there are so many types of boats is there are dozens of way to enjoy the water. Some of the more popular boating activities on our area lakes are fishing, water sports like skiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, knee boarding, and tubing and just riding around the lake enjoying the view and fellowship.

Also determine how many people you will have with you at one time. Several recent boating accidents resulting in the loss of life have come about from overloading of the boats involved. Just because a boat has seven seats in it does not mean it can safely carry seven people. Check the data plate located inside the boat for the recommended weight carrying capacity and for recommended horsepower rating. If you know that there will be five or more with you all the time then don’t even consider purchasing a boat that holds comfortably only four people. Remember that you will also be carrying lots of gear like water toys, fishing tackle, life jackets, ice chests and so forth, so make sure you have plenty of room for your riders plus their gear. Kids especially like to be with their friends, so if you want your entire family participating then you should be sure to allow room for future guests. A boat that might be just right for a young family starting out might not be the best investment if you outgrow it too soon.

For many families that enjoy all aspects of boating a fish and ski style boat or a deck or pontoon boat with a fishing package gives the best of all worlds. The kids can still enjoy being towed around the lake and dad can get in a little fishing time when the kids need to take a rest. These style boats typically will have an electric trolling motor mounted on the bow (front) of the boat, a fish/depth finder at the helm, several comfortable fishing seats, an aerated livewell, a ski pole for towing water toys and a ladder allowing you access back into the boat while on the water. These boats are typically built of fiberglass or aluminum and have a large enough motor to gain speeds necessary for water sports. Make sure the boat will attain speeds of at least 30 mph on the water with your family on board.

Next week I will discuss what to look for when shopping for used boats. What items to check on the boat and common pitfalls that occur to the unsuspecting buyer.

Visit my new website at www.keepthemswimming.com and feel free to e-mail me rick@marineoutlet.com with your questions, comments and suggestions for future articles. Until next week wishing you clear horizons, fair winds and tight lines.

-30-

The above article is a reprint of one I wrote about a year ago.  Due to numerous requests from my readers, I have decided to resubmit this three part series.

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Sports News Article-For Immediate Release

25 May 2010

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Texas Boaters Safer in 2009

Texas boaters did a much better job in 2009 over 2008 operating their boats safely in Texas waters according to statistics released by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Austin.  Deaths from boating related accidents on public waters decreased by 24 people from a 10 year high in 2008 of 62 to 38 in 2009.  Accidents dropped from 272 to 207 and injuries down from 175 to 139.  The state’s marine safety chief, game warden Major Jeff Parrish, says that he believes part of the decrease is increased law enforcement and a state educational outreach.  “While we hate that anyone died in a boating accident last year we are very encouraged to see that the number of deaths fell so dramatically.  The trick this year is going to be to keep these numbers down and hopefully see them decrease even more.”

In 2009 there were 192,882 boat safety checks and game wardens issued 9,705 citations and 9,928 warnings.  Interestingly enough the number one violation was not having enough life vests on board.  The wardens did arrest 220 persons for boating while intoxicated.

Game wardens are concerned that most of the water causalities are one boat accidents.  On this list are capsizing, running aground, and collisions with fixed or floating objects or from falls overboard.

“Staying safe while boating is simple as one, two, three,” Parrish said.  “First, wear a personal floatation device.  The new inflatable jackets are lightweight and comfortable, and they save lives.  Second, don’t drink and boat.  Third, take a boater education course.”

Parrish also said that studies show that taking a boater education course can cut accident rates in half.  All boaters can learn something from the 6-hour basic training course.  Many boat insurance companies offer premium discounts for boaters that have completed the course.  In 2009 over 36, 000 people took the Texas water safety program.  If you are interested in taking the 2010 course, you may do so in a class room setting with fellow boaters or participate on line at www.tpwd.state.tx.us.  The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 05-07, offers the boating safety course at the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) twice a month.  For dates and times go to www.keepthemswimming.com or contact BLORA at 254/287-3722.  Cost is only $13.00 per participant.

BOATING SAFETY TIPS

          Always wear a life jacket.

          Avoid alcohol.

• Be especially careful on personal watercrafts.
• Children younger than age 13 must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket while underway.
• Enroll in a boater education class.
• Don’t overload your boat.
• Operate at a safe speed.
• Always have a passenger serve as a lookout in addition to the operator.
• Watch out for low water areas or submerged objects.

For comments and suggestions for future articles please e-mail rick@keepthemswimming.com.                                    -30-

Sports News Article

3 May 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Be Prepared

Everyone knows that the basic premise of being a good Scout is to Be Prepared, so why is it so many of us get our boats out of storage and head directly to the lake without any consideration that everything is shipshape?  Such action invariably leads to a very unhappy trip spoiling what could have been another perfect weekend with the family.  We all know that recharging our internal batteries on these special times together makes for a more successful week ahead.  So for peace of mind and family harmony here is a list of some of the more important items to check before heading to the lake.  This list is by no means complete as each trip and boating situation can be different.  It is meant to be a guide so that you can develop your own special list.

Because of the length of the check list this article will be a multi-part series.

Assuming your boat has an electric start motor and trailer package:

1. Hook up the trailer to your vehicle and do a complete walk around making sure all trailer lights are working including clearance lights and turn and brake signals.  Check lenses for cracks and wires for corrosion, cuts or wear points.  Inspect the trailer coupler, trailer winch and winch strap or cable. If the trailer has brakes, then check brake fluid, lines and make sure discs and pads are clean of debris.  Especially check all brake lines for wear.  While under the trailer inspect all undercarriage components for loose or missing bolts and check the trailer springs or torsion bars.  On tube type painted trailers confirm that the trailer frame is not rusting from the inside out.

Many boat trailers use yellow pine as the support bolsters under the hull and this wood can become rotten. If a board breaks, the support bar could cause damage to the hull.  Replace and re-carpet as necessary.  Survey the tires for any sidewall dry rot (cracks) or uneven wear.  If they look good then check air pressure, being sure to follow the air pressure instructions found on the sidewall of the tires.  Underinflated tires heat up rapidly causing pre-mature failure.

 If it has been some time since you had the wheel bearings repacked, then now is the time to pull the hubs, clean the bearings and spindles, inspect for worn parts and replace as required.  Hand-pack the bearings making sure to put the proper amount of torque on the castle nuts.  Replace the cotter keys with brand new ones.  Hopefully you have some type of bearing grease fitting so that you can periodically add grease to the hubs.  But be careful to not over pack the bearings as you might blow out the seals.  Note that many newer trailers have oil bath hubs and you can inspect the oil through the clear housing of the bearing covers.  A few trailers have the Vault brand of lifetime sealed hubs that supposedly require no maintenance.  These are not easily inspected or maintained by the boater but are best inspected by a certified technician. 

2.  Check you batteries for proper fluid levels.  Some batteries are gel cells and do not require maintenance, but others will need to have distilled water added periodically.  Smart boaters keep a battery maintainer on the battery during the off season.  If not kept charged, the battery may be so low that your battery charger will not charge it, so here is a trick I have learned that may bring the battery back to life.  Take a set of jumper cables from a good battery and hook them up to the weak battery.  Hook the positive lead to the positive lead and the negative to the negative (known as a parallel connection).  Then hook the positive lead of the charger to the positive lead of either battery and the negative lead to the negative lead of either battery.  Once you have good connections then plug your charger in (never hook up a “hot” battery charger as any sparks could cause an explosion).   The charger will now charge the batteries, but since you are charging two batteries instead of just one, it will take longer for the process to complete.  Always charge batteries in a well ventilated area as hydrogen gases are given off during the charging process.  It is recommended to wear safety goggles and protective clothing when working with batteries.

3.  Check your boat’s navigation lights, bilge pump, bilge blower (on stern drives and inboards) and all through hull fittings.  Check all fuel lines and replace any fuel filters as required.

4.  Make sure you have your drain plug and that it still fits tightly (I recommend that you always carry a spare).

5.  Check all motor fluid levels.  Take special note of the color of the oil checking for any water contamination. 

6.  Pull the propeller and check behind the prop for any monofilament line or string which can wear into the prop seals.  Place a small amount of grease on the prop shaft before replacing the propeller.  If the propeller has any damage either have it repaired or replace it with a new one.  The vibrations from a damaged prop can do major damage to your lower unit over a short period of time.  Make sure to properly torque the prop nut so that you have the correct amount of “play” in the prop.  Not too loose or too tight.

7.  Check the lower unit fluid.  If it is contaminated with water it will have a mocha color and should be drained and refilled.  Check it often and if it continues to show signs of water then you will need to have the seals replaced.

8.  Hook up the motor to a flushing device and turn on the water.  Make sure the area is clear around the propeller and then start your motor.  Watch for the tell-tell stream showing the motor is cooling.  On many stern drives you will see the water coming out of the prop area or under the bell housing.  Shift the motor in reverse and then to forward to make sure everything is in good working order.  Watch your gauges for proper normal operating levels.  Pull the kill lanyard safety switch to make sure this safety device is working properly.

9.  Replace water pump impellers at least every two years.  When you have your boat motor hooked up to a flushette it is difficult to know if your impeller is function properly or not as the city water pressure overrides the effectiveness of the impeller.  Make impeller replacement part of your every other year check list.

10.  Check your steering cables or hydraulic system on the boat to make sure the steering is smooth and effortless.  Cable systems can become corroded and hard to turn so keep the area where the rod passes through the engine clean and oiled.  Hydraulic systems need to be bleed of air periodically or they will become mushy.

11.  Inspect all safety equipment like fire extinguishers (normally replace no less than ever five years) and personal flotation devices (life jackets and float cushions).  If your PFD’s have any tears or broken straps they must be replaced.  Older style Kapok jackets can become water logged after a few years and must be discarded.  Children out grow their jackets and it is important that the life jacket fit them properly, snuggly, but not too small.  Never put an adult jacket on a small child as they could easily float out of it.  Unless you have a USCG approved baby carrier, do not strap the infant into the carrier as the carrier may not float.  All children 12 and under must have their PFD’s on while the boat is underway even if the boat is just drifting. 

Use this list to help you have a successful weekend on the lake.  Until next week, I wish you safe boating with clear horizons, fair winds and tight lines.      rick@keepthemswimming.com  -30-

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Sports News Article-14 Feb. 2010-For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Lake Belton

Belton Fisherman, Daniel Barnes, won the Lone Star Bass Series #1 on Lake Belton Saturday with 3 fish weighing in at 9.33 lbs.  Fishing solo in this 2 person team tournament presented no problem for Daniel as his 3 bass were enough to best a field of 21 fishermen.  Braving temperatures in the high 20’s, a lake that was almost 11 feet above normal and dense fog, which caused a delayed start for the fishermen, did not damping the spirits of those who showed up to fish.  What was his secret?  He found fish deep but could not get them to bite even when he placed a drop shot right on top of them.  So he moved to shallow water and caught his 4lb + smallmouth on a rocky ledge only about 1 ½’ deep on a black and blue flipping jig.  Later in the day he found the largemouth in some flooded grass using the same jig.  Second place was the team of Andy Nuyen of Austin and Robby Crabb of Coupland with one fish of 6.01 lbs, which was big bass.  In third place were Dean Jones of Cedar Park and Chris Nors of Waco with 5.15lbs.  The next tournament for the Lone Star series will be held on March 27^th on Lake Conroe.  Details are at www.lonestarseries.com.

Media Bass Trail IH35 Division is fishing Lake Belton Sunday.Check their website, www.mediabass.com, for the location of their headquarters.

Lake Falcon

We all know there is a heaven for bass fishermen and right now Lake Falcon in the Valley is it.  Keith Combs, professional FLW & PAA fisherman and guide, is proving that Falcon is the place to be.  He is consistently catching 8 to 10 lb largemouth bass on almost every trip out.  The water is warmer in the valley and the fish will spawn much sooner than ours, so now is the time to plan a trip south.  Now don’t get me wrong, it can and does get cold, so take extra clothes. Lakes fail to stay hot for lunker fish forever so plan that fishing trip of a lifetime right now.  And if you don’t wish to spend several days finding the fish, just check out Keith’s website at www.trophybassguide.com.  Keith can also put you on some great fishing at Lake Amistad.  Don’t forget to ask Keith to tell you where to get chicken fried steak 6 ways.  The food alone is worth the trip.

Choke Canyon

On the way down to the Valley you may wish to make a stop at Choke Canyon reservoir.  Long known for some record bass, the Toyota ShareLunker Program in conjunction with the Texas Parks & Wildlife just recorded fish number 478, caught by Richard Flores of Seguin.  It was a 15.09 largemouth caught while flipping a 10 inch plastic worm in 12 feet of 57 degree water.  His fish was 26.5 inches long and 21.75 inches in girth.  Of the 7 lunker fish entered into the breeding program this year, 3 have weighed 14 lbs or more with an overall average weight of 13.9lbs.

Anyone legally catching a 13 lb or larger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private between October 1 and April 10 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at (903)681-0550 or paging him at (888)784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code.  David will have the fish picked up within 12 hours.  Every effort should be made to keep the fish alive and healthy.  Complete information on the program may be found at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker.

Lake Stillhouse Hollow

CenTex Bass Hunters are having a Memorial bass tournament this Sunday on Lake Stillhouse Hollow.  This is an annual event dedicated to fisherman and soldier, Sgt. Terry Prater, who lost his life, defending our country in Iraq, and to fisherman Terry Mullins who passed away in 2007.  Complete details at www.centexbasshunters.com.

Questions

Do you have fishing, hunting or boating questions?  E-mail them to rick@keepthemswimming.com.  All e-mails are answered.  Be sure to let me know if I can use your question in my weekly article, otherwise all questions are confidential.           

Until next week remember to keep them swimming, running and flying!     -30-

Sports News Article--7 February 2010   For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Input Needed

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is asking for your input on possible changes in the rules and regulations concerning hunting and fishing for 2011 with the hope of expanding upon the success of several resource management initiatives undertaken in 2009 and 2010.  Each year the TPWD Commission holds hearings around the State to gather input regarding changes in hunting and fishing regulations to achieve resource management objectives and maximize outdoor recreation opportunities consistent with good stewardship.  Anyone interested including land owners, boaters, fishermen, campers and those who love the Texas outdoors are invited to attend these sessions.  This year the three closest meetings for us in Central Texas are San Antonio, Garland and Houston. 

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/feedback/meetings/statewide_hearings

Lake Waco

The U.S. Corps of Engineers reports that in an effort to get boaters and fishermen back onto Lake Waco they have reopened the boat launching ramp at Airport Beach Park.  A special thanks goes out to the Boy Scouts, who last Friday, helped clean up debris left by the receding waters in the parks.  The Corps wishes to let the boating, fishing and camping community know that they are moving rapidly to reopen the parks as soon as facilities are deemed safe to use.  They also remind boaters to be careful of debris that may still be floating on the lake.  Often logs and trees will be slightly below the water’s surface offering hazards to navigation.  For updated information you may contact the Corps at               (254) 756-5359         (254) 756-5359.

Bass Tournaments

Bass Champs Central Division held a tournament last Saturday on Lake Belton.  Due to the high waters tournament headquarters was moved from Temple Lake Park to Cedar Ridge Park, which is located on the north side of the lake.  Jack Waldrop, Jr. and Herb Bechtol, both of Austin, faced extreme fishing conditions of muddy water, a lake over 11’ above normal and lots of floaters, to come away with first place and $20,000.  They caught five fish for a total weight of 14.38lbs.  Their largest fish was 6.36lbs.  Second place and $5,000 went to Brandon Tingey and Blake Poncio of Katy with five fish weighing 13.62lbs.  Third place and $3,000 was won by James Hester and Chet Sutton of Salado with three fish weighing 12.50lbs.  Big bass, which was a 9.68lb lunker, was the only keeper fish caught by the team of Randal Christian of Burnet and his partner Randy Hibler of Marble Falls.  They finished in seventh place and won a total of $2080.  All together there were 200 teams participating with 133 teams zeroing.  113 fish were brought to the scales for a total weight of 329.26lbs. $50,750 in cash and prizes were awarded. Complete results are at www.basschamps.com.

This Saturday starts the Lone Star Series bass tournament trail which is a brand new trail to Central Texas.  They plan on going out of Temple Lake Park on Lake Belton.  This trail is geared to anglers who wish to develop their bass fishing skills while having fun and winning some money along the way.  Cash and prizes will be paid to the winners at each qualifying tournament plus teams will be fishing for a chance to fish the championship and the opportunity to win a Nissan Titan truck valued at $35,000.   www.lonestarseries.com                                           rick@keepthemswimming.com                                              -30-

Sports News Article-1 February 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

            If you are planning on fishing Lake Waco you may wish to wait a couple of weeks.  Due to the recent rains the lake level became over 10’ above normal conservation causing flooding of many of the parks and ramps and limiting access to the marinas. The U.S. Corps of Engineers has sent out a news release advising campers, fisherman and boaters of the very limited access to the lake until the flood waters recede.  Water is being released and the lake is currently dropping between.3/4 to 1 foot every 24 hours.

Freezing temperatures and high winds greeted tournament fishermen last Saturday on Lake Stillhouse Hollow and the fish continued to have lockjaw for most of them.  Four tournaments had been scheduled on the same day but the 2 of US Trail decided to postpone their tournament to a later date due to the weather and the rapidly rising waters from the recent rains.  Lake Stillhouse came up almost 8 feet in less than 48 hours causing concern regarding floating debris.  The Stillhouse Hollow Marina suffered some damage due to mooring cables giving way, but the hard working crew at the marina, with the assistance of friends and customers, were able to reset anchors so that they could be open for the fishermen.

            The C.A.S.T. couples trail went out of Union Grove Park and was fortunate that the debris field and mud line on the lake was west of their launching ramp.  Eleven couples participated with Joe and Pam Pope of Robinson being the only team to weigh-in a fish. Their single bass was a nice 6.33lbs largemouth which won first place and big bass.

            The Faith Angler Network (FAN) rented the Island Pavilion at Stillhouse Hollow Park and was barely able to use it due to the rapidly rising water.  They had 33 teams register for the event. The team of Tim Dixon of Austin and Kenneth Cummins of Bastrop took first place with three fish weighing in at 8.90lbs.  Second place was the team of Lance Wenmohs of Round Mountain and Mike Clark of Marble Falls with 1 fish weighing 5.63lbs.  This was also big bass for the tournament.  Third place went to Ronnie Trower who lives near Lake Stillhouse Hollow and his fishing partner Jeff Pitrucha of Copperas Cove.  They had two fish weighing in at 5.08lbs, but had to take a .50lb penalty as one of the fish died.  Only 9 teams were able to bring any fish to the scales with 73% of the field zeroing.

            The Bud Light Trail allowed their teams to launch from any ramp on Lake Stillhouse and had their weigh-in at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton.  This is their first tournament in Central Texas. Tournament director, Chris Davis, said that he was very pleased with having 30 teams participate since his trail was new to the area and was in competition with C.A.S.T. and FAN.  His first place team was Jason and Pete Garza with 4 fish for a total weight of 5.59lbs. They won $1,332 for their efforts.  Second place was Randy Nolen and James Knezek with one fish of 4.04lbs which was also big bass which netted them $1,150. In third place were Kenny and Bo Johnson with 2 fish weighing a total of 2.90lbs.  They won $540.  One third of the field brought a total of 14 fish to the weigh-in for an overall weight of 24.29lbs.  The top six teams won total prize money of $3,850.

            This coming Saturday brings the big daddy Bass Champs tournament trail to Lake Belton.  This trail will visit Lake Belton twice in 2010.  Expect over 250 boats on the water participating with a payout of $20,000 to the first place team.  You may wish to visit the weigh-in at the Temple Lake Park Pavilion.  There are pitch and flip casting contests and other audience participation events to keep the weigh-in exciting for fishermen and spectators alike.

                                    rick@keepthemswimming.com

-30-

Sports News Article-17 January 2010

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Crazy Man or Tuff Man either name makes sense after the TuffMan 10^th Annual Championship bass tournament fished on Lake Stillhouse Hollow on Saturday the 9^th of January.  61 teams showed up with their boats starting at 5:00 AM with the air temperature a brutal 12 degrees.  For safety reasons, tournament directors held up the launch until daylight so that the fishermen could see to maneuver their trucks and boats.  A load of sand had been delivered to the Stillhouse Marina launching ramp and it was an absolute necessity as the water running off the retrieved boat trailers immediately froze on the ramp.  A team of volunteers with buckets and shovels kept the ramp sanded and four wheel drive vehicles with tow chains were stationed on site just in case.

Even with all the planning fishermen still had problems as the cold temperatures resulted in dead batteries and frozen steering and hot foot accelerator cables.  Several boats were frozen to their trailers and had to be broken loose.  By 8:15 AM all 61 teams had their boats in the water ready for the tournament to start.  As the cold 12 degree air hit the 46 degree water, wisps of fog rose off the lake surface creating a surreal image as light bounced off the navigation lights of the boats.  Tournament weigh master, Steve Karlik, then asked the fishermen to bow their heads as a prayer was offered to bless the safe return of the fleet and then the music of the National Anthem filled the chilled air.  The imagery was one of beauty inspiring the fishermen to brave the cold with the anticipation of the day’s competition burning in their hearts. Steve called out the starting positions as teams left the protection of the cove to find their favorite fishing holes.  As the boats sped along the lakes surface at speeds of 40 to 80 mph the wind chill dropped to below zero.

At the end of 7 hours of hard fishing, the 122 fishermen found the fish to be uncooperative with only 23 teams able to weigh-in.  First place was won by the Gatesville team of Ryan Crawford and Ryan Warren with two fish weighing in at 9.83 lbs. For their efforts they won $10,000.  Jared Smith of Cedar Park and Paul Carman of Leader took second place and $4,500 with big bass, a nice 8.77 lb fish.  Coming in close on their heels was Billy Conway of Belton and Dan Wills of Temple winning $3,000 for two bass at 8.52 lbs.  All total there were only 30 fish brought to the scales for a total 86.23 lbs.  This is the smallest catch ever in the 10 year history of the TuffMan Trail.  Every team that weighed in received a check for their hard fought efforts.

The second place team of Smith and Carman were one of the teams whose hot foot cable had frozen and broken.  They considered not fishing the tournament when this happened but decided to do their best by staying near the marina and the nearby Stillhouse Hollow dam.  They caught their only keeper right after lunch on a wacky rigged Yamamoto Senko with weighted jig head in about 15 feet of water near a saddle on the north shore of the dam.  It pays to be determined and to never give up.

The fishermen that caught fish said that they had to fish extremely slowly as the cold water conditions had the cold blooded fish lethargic. One popular technique was fishing with large jigging spoons in 30 to 40 feet of water.

Congratulations to all the fishermen who qualified for the championship and who braved the cold to follow their passion.  -30-

Sports News Article-27 December 2009

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Upstream

The 2010 boat show season is upon us and the first show of the year in Central Texas is coming up January 8^th-10^th at the Bell County Exposition Center in Belton. This show is produced by the area boat dealers, so admission is only $5.00 for adults.  Children 12 and under have free admission when accompanied by an adult.  Parking at the Expo is free.  Show hours are Friday the 8^th from noon to 9:00pm, Saturday the 9^th from 10:00am to 9:00pm and Sunday the 10^th from 10:00am to 5:00pm.  In support of our military the show is free to active duty military and their families all day Friday.  The Scott & White blood mobile will be onsite Friday from noon to 6:00pm for needed blood donations.  Anyone giving blood will get a free VIP family pass to the show plus a goody bag to include fishing tackle and two free hats. 

There will be over 150 boats on display during the three day event plus displays by area sporting goods and tackle dealers.  Special discounts will be offered during the show.  For the children there will be a Kids Fish catfish tank where for $2.00 children will have the opportunity to catch a fish plus learn about conserving our natural resources.  Water safety agencies and lake authorities like the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Corps of Engineers will offer static displays along with safety handouts.

There will be free fishing seminars given by pro-fisherman/guide, Keith Combs, on black bass fishing and guide, Tommy Tidwell, on crappie fishing.

The 10^th Annual Tuffman Bass Championship will weigh-in at approximately 3:15pm Saturday inside the dome of the Expo Center.  Show admission includes watching this B.A.S.S. style weigh-in where the teams will be pulled through the arena to have their fish weighed. The winners will receive over $20,000 in cash and prizes.

For more information go to www.centraltexasboatshow.com.

Downstream

This time of year it is popular to make a list of the top 10 items that had the greatest impact on us one way or the other.  I have such a list of those things that had the greatest impact on boats and boaters.  Interestingly the number one item on my list also had a major impact on almost all us.  In the interest of brevity I will save my other nine for a later edition of On the Dock.

Number 1

The drought of 2009 followed up a year of lower than average rainfall in 2008 with a result of substantial drops in lake levels in Texas.  Even some of the so called “constant level” lakes were affected.  Many boat owners on Lake Limestone were unable to get their boats out of their boat houses.  Marinas on the Highland lakes were moved to deeper water and boat houses ended up on dry land as rivers dried up. Boat launching ramps were limited or closed.  People started arguing over who actually owned the water and who had the right to the resources. 

The drought resulted in poor fishing conditions on many area lakes but some lakes like Fork, Amistad and Falcon seemed to thrive.  It is feared that the low levels will hurt fishing for several years to come.  Extensive pressure was put on the lakes that remained open as bass tournament directors scrambled to find locations for their events.  Also the lack of fresh water flowing into the Texas bays and estuaries resulted in higher than normal salinity levels, resulting in fish kills. 

Fortunately the fall brought needed rains to inland Texas relieving much of the drought.  Weathermen are predicting that we may be entering a time of El Nino, which if true, should result in more rain coming to Texas. 

Got your own top 10 list?  E-mail me at rick@keepthemswimming.com.  The On the Dock crew wishes you clear horizons, fair winds and tight lines for 2010.

-30-

Sports News Article-20 December 2009

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Brrr!ware of Hypothermia

What is it?

When the weather outside gets ‘frightful’, we need to be careful of a condition known as hypothermia.  Hypothermia occurs when our body temperature drops below what is required for normal metabolism and body functions.  This is not to be confused with hyperthermia, where the body overheats and we succumb to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.  Normally our core body temperature is maintained near a constant level of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is needed for our internal organs to function properly. When we are exposed to cold, our internal mechanisms may be unable to replenish the heat that is being lost.  Not just boaters and fishermen need to be concerned.  Anyone who is subject to excessively cold temperatures long enough can fall victim.   The heat loss occurs through the skin and breathing when the outside temperature is lower than our body temperature.  Heat loss occurs much more rapidly for someone in the water.

What are the symptoms?

Are you shaking uncontrollably?  With a drop of body temperature of only 2-4 degrees, most of us will experience this shivering.  This is the mechanism our bodies use to raise our temperature through muscle action.  Blood vessels near the surface, especially in our hands and feet, start to constrict as the body attempts to keep the blood internally to warm our core.  Small goose bumps may form all over the body.  If allowed to continue, we go into the second stage of hypothermia (4 to 8 degree drop).  Interestingly enough we may start to feel warm as we enter this stage even to the point of feeling hot wanting to remove our clothing.  Normally by stage 2 shivering becomes more violent. Muscle coordination is lost.  Movements become slow and labored accompanied by stumbling and confusion, although we may appear alert. Surface blood vessels contract further as the body focuses its remaining resources on keeping the vital organs warm. We become pale. Lips, ears, fingers and toes may become blue.

Below 89.6 degrees we enter Stage 3. Shivering usually completely stops at this point. Speech becomes difficult if not impossible, thought processes are confused, and amnesia occurs.  We are no longer able to use our hands.  Walking becomes difficult.  We are extremely tired and just want to lie down to sleep.  Cellular metabolic processes are shutting down.  Below 86.0 degrees, exposed skin becomes blue and puffy, frost bite is evident, muscle coordination becomes very poor, walking is almost impossible, and we exhibit incoherent and irrational behavior. We may appear to be unconscious.  Respiration and pulse rates will normally decrease significantly (in some cases fast heart rates may occur). Major organs fail.

Preventive Measures?

LAYER THOSE CLOTHES:  the more layers of protection from excessive wind, cold and damp, the better we can maintain our internal core temperatures.  Water temperatures that would be quite reasonable as outdoor air temperatures can lead to hypothermia very quickly.  For example, a water temperature of 50 degrees can lead to the body freezing in approximately 1 hour, and water temperatures hovering at freezing only take 15 minutes.

KEEP MOVING:  if on land, keep moving as this exercise helps keep you warm.  Just the opposite is true if you are in the water.  Pull your body up into a ball or fetal position so as to reduce heat loss.

WEAR THAT LIFE JACKET:  The United States Coast Guard reminds us of their 50/50/50 rule.  Someone in 50 degree water for 50 minutes has a 50 percent better chance of survival if wearing a life jacket. This personal floatation device acts as additional insulation and lifts you further out of the water.   It is imperative that the person in the water be pulled out as rapidly as possible and their body warmed up. Remove their wet clothes, if dry ones are available, and wrap them in blankets.  Use your body heat to help restore warmth.  Slowly give them warm liquids in order to warm up the body internally.  Moderate and severe cases of hypothermia require immediate hospitalization.

Central Texans are blessed with year round boating.  With proper preparation every trip can be one of fond and cherished memories for you and your family. 

The On the Dock Crew wishes you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!                                                                                 rick@marineoutlet.com

-30-

Sports News Release-16 December 2009

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Mist, drizzling rain and cold temperatures greeted the fishermen who participated in the 4^th qualifying TuffMan Bass Tournament on Lake Belton Saturday.  Over 200 anglers showed up at Cedar Ridge Park, near Pier 36 Marina, for the 7:00 am start.  Steve Karlik, tournament weigh master, waited until safe daylight to call out the boat numbers so that the fishermen could head out to their favorite fishing holes.  The two person teams were vying for the remaining 24 places for the upcoming TuffMan Championship to be held on Lake Stillhouse Hollow on January 9^th during the Central Texas Boat Show.

After 8 hard hours of fishing the team of Ryan Crawford and Ryan Warren of Gatesville took 1^st place honors and $2,500 with 5 bass weighing a total of 16.54 lbs with their largest fish being 6.50 lbs.  Second place and $1,300 went to the 2009 defending TuffMan Champions, Paul Stokes of Belton and John Guerra of Temple with 5 fish at 13.90 lbs.  Paul and John also won Anglers of the Year for 2009 by consistently finishing high enough in the standings to earn a total of 740 points out of a possible perfect score of 800 points during the 4 qualifying tournaments. Third place, along with $1,000, was won by Bob Cruff of Belton and Gary Riggs of Temple with 5 fish totally 13.07 lbs.  Big Bass, an 8.14 lbs largemouth black bass, was caught by the team, Joseph Isaacs and Melvin Williams of Killeen.  It was the only keeper fish that they caught.  The total payout to the top 10 places and for the two largest fish was $8,000. 

For more information on the TuffMan Trail visit www.keepthemswimming.com.

The U.S. Corps of Engineers has announced that they will soon be lowering the water level on Lake Belton by about two feet so that contractors are able to repair and replace the rip rap on the upstream side of the Belton Dam.  The floods of 2007 exacerbated damage caused by previous high water to the rip rap that protects the base of the dam.  Wind and wave action has caused displacement of the protective layer.  Repairs will involve lowering the lake level about two feet to aid in rip rap removal, re-grading of the soil and replacement of the rip rap to ensure an adequate layer of protection. The integrity of the dam will not be affected during the repair process.

Approximately $12 million dollars has been awarded to the project from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  The prime contractor, Zachry Construction Corporation of San Antonio, plans to start the project in January and expects to take 12 to 18 months to complete the work.    

Closure of FM 2271, which runs across the top of the dam, is not anticipated, however, temporary traffic disruptions may occur. Due to the already narrow driving lanes motorists crossing the dam should exercise caution.  For more information regarding this project contact the Belton Lake Office of the U.S. Corps of Engineers at               (254) 939-2461         (254) 939-2461.                                    -30-

Sports News Release--For immediate release

Touring Bassmaster Pro, Mike DelVisco, visiting Temple, Killeen and Waco

By Rick Smith

Professional fisherman, Mike DelVisco will be in Central Texas Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 22-24, visiting area Texas Roadhouse Restaurants.  Mike is a full time Bassmaster Tour Angler and fishes the Grand Slam Tour.  He has qualified for the Grand Slam National Championship in 2007 and 2008.  In addition to competing professionally, Mike conducts fishing seminars throughout the United States.  His Bass Bytes may be seen anytime at Video-on-Demand on the Sportskool network, http://www.sportskool.com/.  Mike will be appearing at the Temple Roadhouse Monday, June 22; the Killeen Roadhouse, Tuesday, June 23; and the Waco Roadhouse Restaurant, Wednesday, June 24.  All appearances will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  He will be available to sign autographs and to share fishing tips with fellow anglers of all ages.  He is touring with his state of the art bass boat rigged with the latest technology in fishing gear. 

Guests can also register to win a fishing package including a Tica rod and reel combo, a selection of Gary Yamamoto baits, Yo-Zuri hybrid fishing line and two DelVisco instructional videos valued at more than $200.

-30-

TuffMan Lake Belton Oct. 24, 2009

Sports News Article-26 Oct. 2009

For Immediate release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Last week I promised to start a series of articles regarding the proper winter storage of your boat, motor and trailer.  With so many bass tournaments taking place this past weekend, I’m postponing the winterization series until we can get caught up on all the latest fishing and boating news.

Saturday, the Central Texas Marine Association held their second qualifying TuffMan bass tournament on Lake Belton, headquartered at Cedar Ridge Park.  Early morning temperatures hovered around 42 degrees as a fog bank settled in the Cedar Ridge Cove causing low visibility. Only the twinkle of the navigation lights could be seen through the fog.  As twilight began to appear, the anglers cut off their engines, and a prayer was offered blessing the fleet, the fishermen and our military servicemen and women.  With the fishing teams standing in their boats, hats held over their hearts, the strains of the National Anthem resounded throughout the countryside...…..then a roar of excitement came from the boaters as the Anthem ended.  The air was electrified with pride as the 218 fishermen prepared themselves for the tournament countdown.  109 engines fired up almost simultaneously.  The teams’ starting numbers were announced and the anglers maneuvered their way out of the cove toward the main artery of the Leon River.  Caution was necessary because of the fog bank and debris that was on the water’s surface from the recent heavy rainfall.

The afternoon weigh-in started at 3:00pm and continued until 4:15pm.  Sixty-four of the 109 teams were able to make it to the scales with fish.  First place was won by the Killeen fishing team of Clayton Carver and Joshua Brown with five fish weighing in at a total of 15.86 pounds.  They won $2,500 for their day of fishing.  Keith Honeycutt of Temple, who had recently won $50,000 at the Bass Champs Championship on Cedar Creek Lake, took second place ($1,500) fishing with Sam Jones.  Sam shared that they fished shallow all day throwing white crank and spinner baits, catching most of their fish in the very back pockets.  The top 12 teams to qualify for the January 9^th championship are as follows:

1. Clayton Carver / Joshua Brown                         15.86lbs.      $2,500
2. Keith Honeycutt / Sam Jones                             13.06lbs.      $1,500
3. Sophal Korng / Rodney Gaskill                          12.37lbs.      $1,200
4. Ronny Maynard / Eddy Maynard                      11.79lbs.      $1,000
5. Darrell Newman / Billy Ficke                             11.58lbs.      $    850
6. Dan Wills / Billy Conway                                    11.58lbs.      $    850
7. Billy Rowe / Bubba Petrich                                11.51lbs.      $    600
8. Travis McCollough / Kenneth McCollough      11.28lbs.     $    500
9. Ronnie Trower / Bret Stafford                           11.26lbs      $    400
10. Jerry Richard / Jeremy Richard                          11.01lbs.     $    300
11. Jeff Pitrucha / Jason Dewald                              10.94lbs.     $    300
12. Markus Morace / Leland Smith                          10.45lbs.     $       0

Big bass paid two places with the team of Markus Morace of Moody and Leland Smith of Copperas Cove winning $763 for the largest bass weighing in at 7.31 pounds. Second place went to the team of Mark Beckman and Tommy McKay of Bryan.  They won $327 for a fish weighing in at 5.45 pounds.

Don’t miss the next TuffMan bass tournament on Lake Stillhouse Hollow out of Dana Peak Park on the 21^st of November.  TuffMan is an open team trail.  Interested?  Get more information at www.fishingworld.com/TuffMan or www.keepthemswimming.com.

                              -30-

Winterization Part 1

Sports News Article-2 Nov. 2009

For Immediate Release

On the Dock with Rick Smith

Fall is ideal for boating! So don’t put your boat up when the kids go back to school.  You’ll be missing out on some of the best boating of the year.  Fall temperatures are much milder than the summer and fishing is excellent. Since fall boating can be interrupted by school activities and holidays, it is important to plan a little preventive maintenance to insure your boat is ready for your next on the water adventure. 

Remember to add fuel stabilizer to the gasoline every time you fill up your tank, since fuel becomes unstable after a few months, especially now that most fuel contains ethanol. Ethanol absorbs moisture from the fuel and air.  When you try to start your engine, the water can cause internal damage.  Even gasoline without ethanol will break down.  Stabilizers stop the deterioration of the gas if added when the fuel is fresh.  Adding stabilizers later does nothing to bring the gas back to its original condition. 

            Keep those batteries charged!  The Three Week Rule:  If you leave your batteries unattended for three or more weeks, sooner or later you will be stranded.  The ignition systems on newer model stern drives and outboards take more battery surge to properly start the motors, since direct fuel injection requires more power.  Plus many boats now have high powered electronics, radios, etc. that pull additional juice from the starting battery.  So even though your boat started at the dock, thirty minutes or more of using these electronics can create a situation where the battery will not start the motor.  Keep your batteries charged with an automatic marine charger.  These units maintain a full charge without over charging.  Many boaters use larger batteries with more reserve output, or have a second ignition battery on a switch, allowing use of either battery in an emergency.  Self contained battery jump boxes can also save a weekend.  Consider shopping for the ‘Tournament Saver’ at your local boat dealer.  This is a relatively new product manufactured by Eric & Gary Wendeborn of Gatesville.  With a turn of a key, the boater can transfer the trolling motor batteries to the engine, and save a fisherman’s tournament chances.

            Outboards and stern drives have a lower unit that is under the water and lubricated by an internal oil bath. The seals can weaken or break allowing water into the unit.  Check the oil to make sure it is not contaminated with water by simply loosening the inspection screw to confirm that the oil is pure.  Mocha colored oil has water in it.  Water running out of a loosened screw definitely indicates maintenance is needed.  Water in the lower unit can freeze crack the entire housing.  If seals need to be replaced, then consider leaving this work to a professional, as a damaged lower unit can set you back several thousand dollars.

            Most inboard-outboards, better known as stern drives, are raw water cooled using the water they are running in to keep the engine from overheating.   These engines do not automatically drain when taken out of the water.  With a hard freeze, damage can occur to the engine block or manifold.  Drain using the factory installed hoses or petcocks.  Make sure internal debris does not block the drainage. 

Store outboards and I/O’s with the lower units down to make sure that they drain properly.   More to come next week……..

Have a question….always feel free to e-mail me at rick@marineoutlet.com with any questions or comments.    -30-