Keeping Your Fillet Knife Sharp

When you catch that beautiful fish that you are excited to stick on the dinner table that night, you don't want to mess up that beautiful piece of meat when you fillet it just because your knife isn't sharp enough. Here we will talk about how to keep that fillet knife sharp so you will always have a perfect cut of meat.




Getting The Burr

The burr is a wire edge that forms across the blade opposite of what you are sharpening. Your job is not finished until you can see or feel the burr.

The Edge Bevel

Most kitchen knives have a 20-degree edge bevel. For filleting, an edge bevel of 12 to 15 degrees per side provides a clean easy cut and reasonable resistance to dulling. If you don't cut bone, monofilament or bait with your fillet knife, a 15-degree bevel will be okay for you to use.

Set The Bevel

The easiest way to figure out what angle to set the bevel would be to stack two quarters high. Using this method is not exact, but it gets you pretty close.

To Push or To Pull

We each have those friends who swear by pulling the knife across the stone, and those who swear by pushing. Quite frankly, it doesn't matter. Both ways are just as effective. What does matter, is that the spine moves ahead of the edge. So, just make sure to angle it.

Sharpen

Draw the blade across the stone, sweeping it from heel to tip as you go. Once you have a full-length burr, sharpen to create a burr on the other side. Finish with blade-first strokes, like slicing a sliver from the stone, until the burr disappears.

Keeping your fillet knife sharp is important and now you have the tools and know how to do it saving you time and money.

What Now?

As the weather is cooling off and the boats are tucked away for the time being. We are sitting and wondering now what? This time of year may not be a favorite among boaters but there are some things you can do now to make your next boating season a great one.



This time of year is perfect for doing all those little projects on your boat that you never got to over the summer. You know which ones I'm talking about. Upgrading your navigation system, doing those minor repairs to keep your boat running in like new condition, and doing all those checks to make sure that your equipment and all your boating accessories are working properly. Getting these little things, or maybe even a couple of big things, accomplished over the winter will give you more time in the spring to spend on the water.



Maybe you were growing tired of your boat last season. It could have been it was just getting older or your boat wasn't giving you what you were hoping to get out of. Whatever the reason, this time of year is actually a great time to research and buy a new boat. Take your time to do your research and find the perfect boat for you and your needs. Then during boat show season (Jan-March), you can make your purchase. You will never find a better price on a boat than at a boat show.



If neither of those fit your fancy for the off season, you can always take your boat and head south for the winter. There are places where the boating season never ends and boaters are always welcome. Whatever you choose to do with your off season, we will be there to help you.

The Art of Catch and Release

There are some of us who fish to put food on the table and then there are some of us who fish just for the fun of fishing. If you are the latter, catch and release tactics are important to ensure that you are not sending a hurt fish back into the water. We will cover a few tips to help perfect your catch and release fishing game.


The first thing to remember is to always handle a fish with wet hands. This well help to reduce the damage to the fish's protective mucous coating. This mucous helps to prevent disease to the fish and makes glide smoothly through the water.


Our goal is to provide protection to the fish while we are fishing, one of the ways to accomplish that would be to use a rubber net rather than a knotted nylon one. Doing this will help you to prevent abrasions to the fish. When you are handling the fish, always use two hands to support the weight if it is over 5lbs. If it is a smaller fish, you can hold it vertically by the lower jaw.


Once you have finished with your photo shoot it is time to release the fish. You will want to gently lower the fish into the water until it begins to swim away. You may have to slowly swish the fish back and forth to encourage him to start swimming.


The biggest tip to ensure that you have a successful catch and release day would be to plan ahead. Take along a de-hooking tool or needle nosed pliers to assist in removing the hood as quickly and safely as possible.


Now we have covered the basics for a catch and release fishing trip you can learn more here. Go out and practice your newly discovered catch and release tips and make sure to send us a picture with your catch! Let's go fishing. 

How Did You Discover Boating?

We all have our own boating stories that are very special to us to tell. Some are exciting, some, “The Norm.”  One of my favorite stories that i love for people to share with me is how they discovered boating. Hearing their tails from childhood, or talking about their buddies in college, or even if they were a late bloomer and didn't discover boating until they were older. Those stories are the best. The story teller always has an emotional connection to the story and they always end in a smile.


One of the most common birth of a boater story is I was born and bred into this great lifestyle. We know it, we have heard it, and for most of us, we have lived it. We were born into a family of boaters. Mom and dad or the grandparents had a boat and we would spend our summers and weekends enjoying every second we possibly could on the water. Once we were old enough, we bought our own boat, had a couple of kids, and carried on the family tradition.


Another common discover boating story, which sometimes can be a little more entertaining, is the while I was at college story. This one has a little more variation, but the essence of the story is still the same. You meet a lot of new friends during your college years and one of those friends happens to be one of those people we mentioned earlier about being born into boating. They talk to you about it and then you finally agree to go out on their boat. That one trip is all it took; you were a boater for rest of your life.


The third most common boating discovery story is the person who doesn’t find boating until later in their life. Maybe they have a work colleague who shares with them how they unwind after a long week at work. Maybe it is a friend, neighbor, or even their own kids who say that boating is good for the soul. Whoever does the introduction, the ending is always the same, one happy new boater.


Everybody’s stories are different. We all come from different backgrounds, have different experiences in our lives, but we all have one thing in common; our love of boating. Now it is your turn, we want to hear your story. Tell us, how did you discover boating?

So You Want To Start Fishing

Imagine this; you are walking into your local sporting goods store because you have decided to take up the sport of fishing. You walk over to the fishing isle and you stand in front of what seems like a mile long display of different types of fishing rods. You are about ready to throw your hands up in the air and say I’ll just go buy some fish. Well, hang on a second before you give up. Yes, it can be overwhelming but let me help you to make it a little more manageable.


Picking a rod is an important process in fishing. I mean without a rod how are you going to catch anything? Now, back to the mile long display. What you are trying to catch plays a huge part in the rod that you choose. There are 5 different categories of rod/reel combinations. They are, spin casting, spinning, bait casting, trolling, and fly casting. The first decision you have to make is what kind of fish are you looking to catch?


Once you know what you are looking to catch, that will help you to decide the length of the rod that you will need. The longer the rod the longer the cast, more control over the line, and more accuracy. A shorter rod will give you the power and heaviness that a longer rod cannot provide.


Congratulations, you are shortening that overwhelming rod isle. The next step would be to choose a reel. For us first time anglers, a spinning reel is suggested for use. Of the five different categories mentioned, spinning reel holds the line in a spool and the line is cast off one end.


Your last decision in picking your new fishing pole is down to how much you are willing to pay. They can cost from $10 to thousands of dollars. Once you think you have found the rod you want, pick it up and handle it. Give it a good once over to check for cracks or defects. Once you are satisfied with your choice, it is time to hit the water and begin enjoying the sport of fishing.

Bringing Your Pontoon Home

While we only sell one line of pontoons, we have to say that we like them. A lot. Pontoons are a great way to cruise around the lake and have a little party while you're at it! (Though, of course, the captain of the pontoon should remain aware and practice safe boating measures.) But we realize pontoons are a bit different than the other deck boats we sell in terms of maneuverability. They can catch wind more easily and can be more difficult to dock than many mono-hull boats. So here are a few tips we've picked up over the years on how to successfully dock your pontoon.

Minimize damage with fenders. Especially if you're still getting the feel for docking your pontoon, there's no harm in tying on 2 or 3 fenders to, well, fend off the dock. We'd rather have fenders hanging out than scratches from the dock, wouldn't you?



Come in at an angle. Even just knowing this is what you should do will make your docking life easier. More often than not, it will be impossible to line up straight to the dock. So don't put that pressure on yourself! Once you get closer, straighten up and aim for a spot on the dock. 



Slow and steady. Don't race into the dock. Go as slow as possible, preferably spending most of your time in neutral and bumping it into gear for a moment every so often. The best way to execute a sharp turn is with the lowest amount of power possible to minimize skidding.

Use reverse. Don't be afraid to knock the engine into reverse! That's actually the best way to slide up next to the dock. Once your front end is close, turn the wheel all of the way and slide into reverse for a moment (give the throttle a good little push) so that the rear slides into place.

Practice makes perfect. Every boat handles differently, so it will take awhile to learn exactly how to handle your boat in order to dock it gracefully. (Remember how long it took to learn how to back the trailer down the ramp?) Just remember: don't use excessive speed. That can cause a little mistake to turn into a big problem.

How often do you practice docking? Are you comfortable with your pontoon yet? 

Why Fish CPR Is Important

And we don't mean mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

One of our salesmen, Tom, is an awesome bass fisherman. I think every time he goes out, he makes at least one catch - and they're hefty fish, too. Here's some evidence in case you don't really believe us:



Now do you believe that Tom is pretty much an expert on bass? So when he tells us to practice fish "CPR," we certainly listen.

The CPR Tom is referring to is "catch, photograph and release." Catching is probably the trickiest of these three steps, and there's only so much we can help you with that. Check out a fishing report, and bring a variety of lures so you can experiment. The photographing part, obviously, is easy. Once you've worked hard to reel in that bass, take a picture with it! Photographic evidence is key for getting people to believe you (as we proved earlier!). Check out Field and Stream's guide to taking better fishing pictures. The point of releasing a fish is not to deprive you of your bragging rights. But once you've taken your fill of pictures, release the fish back into the lake. This is especially important in the spring, when female bass can be full of eggs. In order to maintain a sustainable bass population, we need to make sure that these females have a chance to lay their eggs. We all want to practice CPR next year, right?

Do you practice CPR? What was the fish that was hardest to let go?

Financing Your New Boat

With boating season right around the corner and lots of great manufacturer (and in-house!) discounts going on right now, the early spring is a great time to buy a boat. So with so many of our customers - and will-be customers - looking at making their boat ownership dreams come true, there's one question that seems to be on everyone's mind:




"Do you do in-house financing?"

And the answer is yes! Why is this so important for you? Well, this means that we can offer our own special finance programs and deals. We think you'll find that we are a lot more customer friendly and flexible than a big bank.

Here's what financing with ABM means for you:

• We handle the credit application process
• We negotiate with lender(s) on your behalf
• We provide finance bonus incentives with dealer arranged financing
• We provide protection purchase options with accompanying loan discount incentives
• We provide a competitive and comprehensive insurance quote
• We offer a one-stop close (sign and drive from our dealership) so no running around town to sign papers

Sounds pretty easy, right? That's our goal. So make sure to not only talk to us about what sort of boat you're interested in, but also about what sort of financing you need. We'll do our best to make it happen.

The Spawn Is Here!

Winter time is slowly bleeding into spring and this means in the bass fishing world that the pre-spawn and spawn is upon us. It’s the time where these bass will start moving up from depths in the hopes for a mate. Prior to the spawn, these fish will start gorging themselves on heavy protein prey. Crawdads, bluegills, and other indigenous bait fish are on high alert this time of year hoping not to be next for lunch. You can often see the smaller males cruising the shallows looking for their prime mating location in the hopes for landing a large female for the spawn season. The larger female bass will often hang just outside in deeper depths waiting for the right time and partner to begin their ritual.

 

Now is the time to un-winterize your boat and hit the lake. With a warmer than average winter, these bass will more than likely be ahead of schedule. Don’t let it pass you up, your double digit bass is closer than you think!

-Tom

Gettin' Ready for the Show

Are you gearing up for the show? Later this week, we'll be at the Austin Boat and Travel Trailer Show with our boats, including brand new Glastrons and Rangers. We are so excited! We've been preparing by busily moving boats over to the convention center all week, but we're not the only ones who need to prepare for the show ahead of time. In order for you to get the most out of the show, we recommend you do a little homework. So here are our tips on preparing for boat shows generally, and the inside scoop on the Austin show.

For any boat show
1. Take notes. A no-brainer? Maybe. But you probably won't be able to remember all of the boat and pricing information you get at a show after it's over. So write down everything you think you might need to know later as you hear it. You want to be able to get the facts straight in your head later so you know exactly which boat is the one of your dreams.

2. Plan a strategy. If you just plan to meander around the show, enjoy! We are all about that. But if there are particular dealers or vendors you want to see, we recommend you do a little research before you go. You don't want to get to the show and not be able to find your favorite dealer! (Hint hint.) So check out maps and/or booth layouts ahead of time (even though this show isn't all that huge). In addition, if there are seminars you want to see, look at the schedule ahead of time to plan accordingly.

3. Bring supplies. Bring a camera to take pictures, because boat brochures may only show "flattering" pictures (who knew boats had a good side too!). Those pictures also might leave out features you feel are important (especially if you're comparing specific features). We also recommend you bring return address labels so you don't have to spend a lot of time writing your contact information down for a variety of vendors.

Now for the Austin Boat Show specifically:
Tickets: you can purchase tickets online ahead of time for a small fee if you don't want to stand in line. In addition, you can sign up for a coupon online (though it's not good for Saturday).
Directions: Need assistance getting to the convention center? Look no further.
For kids: Texas law requires a Boating Safety Education course for anyone born on or after September 1, 1993 that operates any vessel over 15 horsepower, wind-blown vessel over 14 feet and all personal watercraft. Texas Parks and Wildlife is conducting the course on Saturday for $5. Email Tim Spice to register.