04-28-2007, 12:19 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Thanks Marty. That has only happened like that once before, and it was with some large white bass down in Arizona. I guess it's in their genetic makeup to bust down doors...or make their own...to find a way out.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I usually only plan to get about a year out of each wire basket before retiring it. As you know, my stuff sees the water a lot and gets a lot of stress and strain...from fish loads. The baskets also get wear and tear when going through brush or during launching and beaching when there are rocks or other bottom hazards. Sooner or later, those fine wires wear out. When one breaks, it weakens the integrity of the whole basket. If a fish is wild and desperate, it can butt a hole in a weakened basket and wiggle through. Not many fish wilder or stronger than a large wiper.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My defunct basket was at least a year old. It has served me well. Over a hundred trips and who knows how many fish of how many species have "enjoyed" a ride in that now broken accessory. It will be retired...with honors...to the dumpster. Later today I shall visit the closest venue for Sportsmans and donate another $10 to my future fish harvesting efforts. My guess is that I will probably find something else I can't live (or fish) without and spend even more. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I don't know if you know it or not, but I am a major stockholder at Sportsmans. They just never send my certificates or dividends.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I usually only plan to get about a year out of each wire basket before retiring it. As you know, my stuff sees the water a lot and gets a lot of stress and strain...from fish loads. The baskets also get wear and tear when going through brush or during launching and beaching when there are rocks or other bottom hazards. Sooner or later, those fine wires wear out. When one breaks, it weakens the integrity of the whole basket. If a fish is wild and desperate, it can butt a hole in a weakened basket and wiggle through. Not many fish wilder or stronger than a large wiper.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]My defunct basket was at least a year old. It has served me well. Over a hundred trips and who knows how many fish of how many species have "enjoyed" a ride in that now broken accessory. It will be retired...with honors...to the dumpster. Later today I shall visit the closest venue for Sportsmans and donate another $10 to my future fish harvesting efforts. My guess is that I will probably find something else I can't live (or fish) without and spend even more. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I don't know if you know it or not, but I am a major stockholder at Sportsmans. They just never send my certificates or dividends.[/#0000ff]
[signature]