Size Matters
Q: Is there a rule of thumb for figuring out the right size of pushpole to use for my boat?
- Anton Figueroa,
Tarpon Springs, Florida
LEAR: Yes there is and it depends on several factors. You should choose one based on the height of your poling platform and the depth of water you normally fish. Taller platforms and deeper water require longer poles to propel the boat without having to reposition the foot or tip as often. But you don't want a pole so unwieldy that it makes docking, trailering and storage an issue. Add two or three feet to your boat length for a good compromise. An 18-footer is a good fit for a 16-foot boat. I use a 22-foot graphite pole on my 20-foot skiff and it spins and tracks well in depths of one to six feet.
Tops for Towing?
Q: I have a boat about the same size as George Poveromo's big Mako and would like to know the specs of his tow vehicle.
- Scott Tharrington,
Boca Raton, Florida
POVEROMO: I drive a 3/4-ton GMC Yukon XL. It features a 6.0-liter (364 cu. in.) engine and a 3.73 rear-axle gear ratio. I intentionally did not order the steep 4.10 rear-axle gear ratio, because I do a lot of highway driving and want reasonable fuel economy. I also avoided the 8.1-liter engine, since the midsize engine has a ton of power. Because Yukons are heavy in the rear, I decided against getting four-wheel drive since I have yet to encounter a problem pulling my boat up a ramp. However, you might want to consider it if your boat ramp is extremely steep. In all, my fully loaded Mako 284 and trailer weigh around 8,500 pounds.
Color Schemes
Q: I own a ton of lures, but despite all the flashy patterns, I typically go to the same colors time and again. So I was wondering, if you could only use one lure color, which would you choose?
- Kevin Billings,
New Bern, North Carolina
DIBENEDETTO: I've seen seasoned anglers get into some heated debates over this question. Overall, I'd say that the way you work a lure matters more than its color. But there are times when the right shade will definitely give you more of an edge. Old salts like to say that if a lure's color "Ain't chartreuse, it ain't no use." They have a good point. Chartreuse is one of the few colors to hold its hues below 30 feet, making it a good choice in turbid water or when you need your offering to stand out. That said, I'd choose white. It's a color that's natural to all baitfish-the majority have white bellies-and it catches fish during the day or at night.
