For the Week Ending Sunday, March 3, 2019

Monday, Feb. 25 (from Ron)...With the wind blowing 17 to 29 and gusts to 30, I had to fish a protected creek. Launched at Indian River Road and fished upper West Neck Creek from 4 to 6 p.m. Found a few slime darts and a lone bass but no panfish. The pickerel gave a food fight...sure beats a skunk.

Tuesday, Feb. 26 (from Ron)...Sun was shining at 3 p.m., but clouds and wind made it a bit chilly toward sunset. About 4 p.m., the bass turned on, and I managed to get four--two at about a pound, a 1-8, and a 2-14, which was nice. All hit a micro spinnerbait with white skirt. Caught everything in northern Back Bay, where I managed to find some wind protection. It's getting better.

Thursday, Feb. 28 (from Ken)...Had the water all to myself today from about 9 o'clock to 1 p.m. Didn't expect a lot of action, and that's exactly what I got. However, I did manage to catch a couple of bass before day's end. The first one tipped the scales at 1-8, and the other went 1-4. Caught both fish on my new INT No. 2 above the bridge. Had three or four other strikes (didn't really feel like strikes...was more like something "scratching" the bait) throughout the day but took too long figuring out that what I was feeling actually was a fish. Each time, I found out when I saw a swirl in the water. Tried to point the boat into the wind and fish my way up the creek this morning, but that wasn't going to happen, given today's conditions. Eventually motored up past the S-curve and fished my way back down. Gotta admit those "long handles," long-sleeved shirt, two coats with hoods, and blue jeans felt really good all day long. Anything less, and I would have had to quit sooner than I did today.

Planning for the "What If"

The "what if" in this case is the emergency no one ever really wants to think about, but it's the one we all increasingly need to think about as we get older, especially if we spend a lot of time alone on the water. It doesn't matter if you're piloting a 50-foot yacht or a 10-foot kayak, the smart person makes sure someone at home knows your float plan, e.g., where you're going to be all day.

As one admitted "old goat" put it, "My wife always knows the following information anytime I take the boat out:
     * The place I'm going to fish
     * Location of the ramp I'm going to use
     * Time I plan to launch
     * Time I expect to be back
     * Cellphone numbers for anyone fishing with me"

The same gent went on to state that he always calls his wife as soon as the boat is back on the trailer, "so she can put the life insurance policies back in the desk drawer."

My personal choice for a float plan usually begins with an email or text addressed to two or three different people, followed by updates if/when I change locations throughout the day. Just make sure you let family and/or friends know what you're doing, in case an emergency should arise.

It Won't Be Long Now...

And, no, I'm not talking about the old joke concerning the monkey that got its tail run over by a lawnmower.

Instead, I'm making reference to the fact I can't remember how many people have made that comment to me in the last few days. As a matter of fact, I added a couple more names to that growing list just today.

Had taken my boat to Wayne early this morning to start getting it ready for the new season, and as luck would have it, a handful of passersby (Dave, "Doc" and Gary) caught me while I was putting it back in the shed at West Neck Marina. It was readily apparent they all share my anticipation for getting back on the water regularly. In Gary's case, he knew our 2019 tournament season starts in exactly three weeks--March 16th, to be precise.

Don't blame these fellas for being anxious. If their off seasons have seemed as long as mine, there's nothing like smelling a healthy dose of outboard exhaust again to eliminate some of the frustration of being grounded. I've been lucky enough to get out two or three times this off season, but those half-day sessions in no way make up for being able to spend a whole eight hours on the water.

Got a feeling I'm still in for some more half-days before things return to normal. Also have to give Wayne a chance to tweak the outboard a bit more, but alas, it really won't be long now.

For the Week Ending Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019

Thursday, Feb. 21 (from Ron)...Took advantage of the semi decent weather and fished Milldam from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Got the first bite about 5 o'clock and boated a small white perch not worthy of the stringer. Shortly thereafter, found a 1-14 bass. That was all. The water was murky, and there were very few signs of life. Was nice to finally get out again, though. Only bait that worked was the micro spinner. Tried shallow crankbaits, jerbait and beetlespins to no avail.

More Marbles, Fewer Marbles, Or Maybe Just One Big 'Un?

That was the basic gist of a question I recently found had been submitted to an online forum. Actually, the question asked by a reader was: "In your experience and knowledge, is there ever a time when one big rattle (popularly called a 'one-knocker') will work over many smaller ones and vice versa?"

Three of the respondents boiled down their answers to something along the general lines of it all depends on what the fish may want on any given day. "Let the fish tell you what they want" was their collective advice.

A couple of anglers, however, offered more in-depth advice.

Said one, "I like one-knocker baits, especially in lakes that get lots of pressure, or where a particular bait that's normally productive isn't working very well. I think fish get conditioned to seeing and hearing all the regular cranks and traps with BBs in them and learn to avoid them through the negative stimulus of being caught. The single 'knocker' ball, however, isn't something they hear as often and will get a much better response from them at times. Still, like almost everything in fishing, there is no set rule for when one will outperform the other. You just have to try them and listen to the fish.

And, finally came this response, "In the good ol' days, we would take a bait with dual ball bearings inside of them, drill a hole, remove one ball bearing, and seal the hole with glue. This was done to give the bait a different sound... . Today, you can get both a 'one-knocker' and a regular rattle bait from a number of sources.

"So, yes, there is a place for both types. The bass just have to let you know if they prefer the more intrusive noise of a 'one knocker,' or the quieter sound of Rat-L-Trap-type baits and topwaters... .

"Remember, being a successful fisherman is all about outsmarting the bass, as well as other competitors."

Aw Right, Time to Fess Up

Are you the guy who needs 20 different brands of worms in 20 different colors? The guy with 50 shades of crankbaits for 50 shades of daylight? The guy who pitches jigs all day but changes them after every third cast because the last one wasn't working? The guy who buys creature baits with six appendages and then proceeds to surgically remove two of those appendages, because that's what the fish wants?

Are you the guy who buys bullet weights in 1/2 oz. and 8/16 oz. because the fall rate is different? The guy who switches from a 7'0" rod to a 7'2" rod because having a rod that is 2 inches longer makes you feel less inadequate? The guy who colors his faded braided line with magic marker because black is less noticeable than "off" green in stained water? The guy who runs out and buys the bait that won the Classic? The guy who has a 5.8:1 gear-ratio reel for spinnerbaits and a 5.9:1 for cranks?

And are you the guy who beats the same banks and same docks weekend after weekend, wondering why you don't catch fish? Or don't catch quality fish? The guy who is dumbfounded why some guys in your club consistently weigh in bigger bags than others? The guy who travels cross country to fish Guntersville or Okeechobee because the guys on TV catch really, really, really big fish there, and then wonders why he gets skunked?

I'm willing to bet all of us were, or perhaps still are "that guy" to some degree or another.

So, the operative question here becomes, "What changed you from being 'that guy' to the bass fisherman you are today? Was it age? Experience? Maturity? A specific event that made you open your eyes? Knowledge of the species? A little bit of everything?"

Hopefully, we've all learned to simplify things, including baits, colors, tactics, and our thought process. Ideally, we've come to understand that 90 percent of the fish are in 10 percent of the water, that a well-placed bait usually trumps color or action, that a bass has no self-control over its instincts, and that all animals are creatures of habit, including humans.

As one guy noted during my online research, "Experience, age and history have all helped change me from being 'that guy.' I tend to keep my worms simple, cranks in a handful of colors that cover the waters I fish, and although I do have a bunch of tackle (how else do we find what works best for us, other than trial and error), some baits get used more than others.

"I still am that guy who colors my braid with a marker about 18 inches up when flipping, who sticks with a few rod-and-reel brands that work best for me and my way of fishing, and who shares my experiences with others, so they, too, can learn.

"It's funny how I spent years learning to understand the meaning of KISS: keep it simple, stupid. Once I arrived at that point, everything just suddenly became gin clear."

Still a Kinder, Gentler World? Some say "yes"

Back in the day, "paying it forward" was a way of life. Today, however, we're all very conditioned to be skeptical of helping others, especially those we don't know. We live in a fast-paced world, where the demands of daily life have a tendency to force us inward. We tend to guard against those who need help, be they beggars on the street, random passersby, or whatever. That makes any act of kindness seemingly random just because it's not programmed into our lives to naturally pay it forward.

Fortunately, however, there still are some people out there who demonstrate that paying it forward isn't just a nice gesture. Rather, it's second nature. Helping other people is in their DNA, and they's shocked to find out when people make a big fuss about their selfless contributions. These are the people who have the power to bring about real positive change in the world and often do. For them, the impetus for doing a good deed is not the possible pat on the back they'll get for doing so. It's from an honest intention to help out others and nothing more.

I recently read about one of these individuals. He's a 35-year-old bass fisherman who, in his own words, "has watched the world change tremendously in the last 20 years. If you only watched the news, you'd think the whole word has gone to hell in a handbasket," he said.

"About 45 miles southeast from where I currently live and much closer to where I grew up," he continued, "there was a mass shooting. When you reflect on these kinds of things, the world seems like a really scary place, full of bad people."

This angler then explained that he recently had purchased a nice reel from a total stranger. He said their communication was great, and they even had engaged in some casual conversation.

"When I received the reel, I immediately noticed the heaviness of the box," said the angler. He was expecting something much lighter, because the reel he had purchased is one of the lightest on the market. As he opened the box, he quickly saw why it was so heavy. It was jam-packed with soft plastics, jigs, jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits, and more.

"This gentleman had no reason to send me all this stuff, but he did it out of the kindness of his heart," explained the fisherman. "Gestures like these keep my faith in humanity strong; they take away the negativity. It may be a relatively small gesture in the grand scheme of things, but if more people would make similar efforts, the world would be a better place."

The stranger who sent this stuff happened to see the fisherman's preceding comments on a forum and responded with, "You're very welcome. Like I said, I was out of packing peanuts and couldn't let that nice reel just bounce all around in the box. The extra stuff I sent no longer suit my type of fishing (I prefer finesse fishing now).

"I've had many random acts of kindness gifted upon me over the years, and I try to pay that forward as often as possible. I do so because I'm able and, too, because I have a 2-year-old boy, whom I'm trying to lead by example. He's still a little young to catch on, but I'm trying to stay in good practice. Hope you enjoy the reel and the baits."

Ready for Something Funny?

Ran across the following item on the Internet the other day and decided to share it with you readers. Granted, it's not about fishing, but it is funny, and I figure everyone needs a smile every once in a while. According to Reader's Digest, "Laughter is the Best Medicine."

By Sam

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence.

One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts. "One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me...," said one boy.

Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.

Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, "One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me..."

He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend, he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.

"Come here quick," said the boy. "You won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls!"

The man said, "Beat it kid. Can't you see it's hard for me to walk?"

When the boy insisted, though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery. Standing by the fence, they heard, "One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me..."

The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord."

Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were unable to see anything.

The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter, as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord. At last they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence, and we'll be done."

They say the old man had the lead for a good half-mile before the kid on the bike passed him.

For the Week Ending Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019

Thursday, Feb. 14 (from Ken)...Took advantage of the one and only chance I knew I would have to fish this week and headed to West Neck this morning. Launched about 9:30 a.m. and fished 'til about 2:40 p.m. Water temp at time of launch was 42, compared to 52 when I quit. Caught a total of five bass, the biggest of which weighed 2 lbs. on the nose. To my surprise, he came early...on only my second cast. In fact, three of the fish came within the first hour or so this morning (above the bridge). The remaining two came about 30 minutes before I quit (on the other side of the bridge). And, just for good measure, I caught one small pickerel this morning, too. All six fish fell for my new INT No. 2. Ran across Rob Peppers and Dave Anderson on the water today, and through Skip Schaible, who also came out for a short while this afternoon, learned that Rob and Dave caught a total of 11 fish before they quit today. Skip told me that he personally didn't even have a confirmed strike.

A Valentine's Day Greeting...

The Old Bass Fisherman

Doctors say that we all need exercise. Here's a story about bass fishing and exercise, if you can make the connection.

By Sam

An 80-year-old bass fisherman goes to the doctor for a checkup. The doctor is amazed at what good shape the guy is in and asks, "How do you stay in such great physical condition?"

"I'm a bass fisherman," says the guy, "and that's why I'm in such good shape. I'm up well before the first rays of daylight peek over the horizon and out fishing up and down the rivers and lakes all the time. I have a glass of vino, and all is well with the world."

"Well," says the doctor, "I'm sure that helps, but there has to be more to it. How old was your father when he died?"

"Who said he was dead?"

The doctor is amazed. "You mean you're 80 years old, and your father's still alive. How old is he?"

"He's 100 years old," says the bass fisherman. "In fact, he fished with me this morning, and then we went to the nude beach for a walk and had a little vino, and that's why he's still alive. He's a bass fisherman and a good one, too."

"Well," the doctor says, "that's great, but I'm sure there's more to it than that. How about your father's father? How old was he when he died?"

"Who said my Nonno is dead?"

Stunned, the doctor asks, "You mean you're 80 years old, and your grandfather's still living? Incredible! How old is he?"

"He's 118 years old," says the old bass fisherman.

The doctor is getting frustrated at this point. "So, I guess he went fishing with you this morning, too?"

"No, Nonno couldn't go this morning, because he's getting married today."

At this point, the doctor is close to losing it. "Getting married? Why would a 118-year-old guy want to get married?"

"Who said he wanted to?"

Bass Thumb--Proof That You're Not Lyin'

It's truly a "badge of honor," or so I used to say when I had a case of bass thumb (see photo at right). Today, I never have to deal with it because I wear half-finger gloves on both hands whenever I'm on the water for a day's fishing.

For anyone not familiar with "bass thumb," it feels like a rug burn. It's caused by the tiny needle-like teeth bass have for crushing their prey. The damage comes from placing your thumb in the fish's mouth to release him/her back into the water. In most cases, you won't feel the teeth right away, unless you happen to have hold of a trophy-sized fish, and he/she gets to thrashing around before you let go.

As pro bass fisherman Zell Rowland will say, when asked to describe bass thumb, "Ask an angler to turn his hand over and look in the "V" of his hand (between the thumb and pointer finger). It it looks like it has been rubbed down with sandpaper, he's got a bass thumb."

You also can get "bass hand" (see photo at left). That's when your entire hand gets chewed up from handling big ones all day.

It took Michigan bass-fishing enthusiast Brian McCarter sitting at work one day, staring at his thumb, and wondering if anyone ever had started a company based on an aching bass thumb to come up with a solution to the problem. He began a company named "Bass Thumb Apparel" (https://www.facebook.com/BassThumb/). They have merchandise for all bass-fishing enthusiasts.

I just wonder if they have anything that will alleviate the problem I developed yesterday while spooling up a couple of new baitcaster reels with braid. I was grasping the line between my thumb and forefinger for extra pressure to ensure it was wound tightly. And by the time I had finished spooling the second reel, my thumb felt like it was hot enough to light a cigarette. I did a quick glance just to make sure my thumb wasn't smoking.

Have felt a little additional pain at times yet today, depending on what I happened to be doing. Reckon I'll have to apply some more hand cream tonight before I go to bed to aid the healing process and to give me a good night's rest.

As I checked my thumb earlier today, I was reminded of my Navy days in Washington, D.C., when it came time for renewing my security clearance. For as long as I can remember, I've had problems with the skin on both of my hands peeling, especially during winter months. Some officials used to swear I intentionally was trying to disguise my fingerprints. And more than one of them threatened to withhold my clearance accordingly, but that never happened.

Photos by Michele Eichstead.

When the Urge Gets Too Strong To Resist

A couple weeks ago, while I was researching the Internet for some articles and videos on different subjects, I ran across an item about a lure that didn't prompt me to take any action on first read. Instead, I let it rest for a few days, while I continued my Internet research...and coincidentally continued finding additional articles and videos about this particular bait.

To get down to the nitty gritty, I finally reached the point where I couldn't resist the urge to buy a few of these lures, so I could give 'em the acid test. Yesterday (Wednesday, Feb. 6) was D-day for that test, albeit not a part of my plans when I first hit the water in the morning. I actually had talked myself out of throwing this bait at all yet. But then came 1 o'clock, about the same time the wind kicked in with a vengeance, and I hadn't had the first smell.

I put my rod down, walked back to my tacklebox, and snatched a couple of the baits that only had arrived at the house Tuesday afternoon before I got home from West Neck. After tying on the first bait, I tossed it toward the shoreline, took all of two cranks on the reel, and bam! I felt a solid hit, which yielded a dink. A very few minutes later, the same thing happened again...and again. After boating those first three fish, I decided to change colors, which I figured probably would kill the bait's bite, but I wanted to know for sure. Lo and behold, the bite only picked up, and it continued all the way to the end of the day.

Wish I could tell you what this bait is, folks, but if I did, I'd then have to shoot you (only kidding, of course), so for that reason, this bait is simply going to be known as my INT No. 2. Have no idea how long this "catching" phenomenon will last, but you can bet one thing: I'll ride it to the end of the rainbow and back. Incidentally, I've already ordered some more color variations.

For the Week Ending Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019

Tuesday, Feb. 5 (from Ron)...Got skunked Saturday and Sunday, but on Sunday, I had something on (in Muddy Creek), which gave me hope, even though he threw the hook. After nine straight skunks, I just had to get out and enjoy the decent weather this afternoon. Fished Milldam Creek, where I surprisingly saw some bait, as well as some grass and caught a fish. Landed a 1-13 on the micro spinnerbait and had a few taps and swirls. Gauge was a dreadful 1.7, but it was beautiful out there. Lots of ducks and even a few turtles. Maybe this warmup will turn 'em on. Really surprised I can't find any panfish. Been way too long since I had some fish tacos!

Tuesday, Feb. 5 (from Skip)...After weeks of being landlocked, Skip dropped his boat in the water at West Neck today and aired it out a little bit. He also did some fishing. By day's end, he had boated two bass--both on a finesse worm.

Tuesday, Feb. 5 (from Ken)...Meanwhile, I, too, found a couple of small bass, along with a pickerel. My action came on a couple of crankbaits and a jerkbait. Skip mentioned that he saw some 55-degree water, but some was running in the high 40s to about 51 degrees. All of our fish came out of West Neck. We both echo Ron's comment about it being beautiful on the water today. Water above the bridge today was, by far, the clearest. The vast majority of the stretch going toward the main river was pretty muddy.

Wednesday, Feb. 6 (from Ken)...With another nice day in the offing, I wasn't about to sit home. Instead, I grabbed my gear and headed to West Neck again this morning. The weather didn't disappoint, and, as it eventually turned out, neither did the fishing. Everything happened in the last hour and a half. I grabbed a crankbait about 1 o'clock, and for the next 90 minutes had a ball. Caught a total of eight bass in that time, including five dinks, plus a 1-8, 1-9 and 3-4. All the fish came from above the bridge. Don't reckon I'm going to get another day this week on the water, but you can be sure I'll be trying my best to get in at least one day next week. Almost forgot to share something funny that happened shortly before I called it quits today. A friend who had been fishing across the creek from me had just put away everything in his boat when he saw me set the hook on something big and decided to check it out before heading to the dock. He came alongside just in time to see me drag up the remnants of an old stump on my 40-lb. braid. I actually had felt a fish and set the hook, but the fish had taken my lure into the stump and wrenched it from his jaw. We both had a good chuckle.

Wednesday, Feb. 6 (from Ron)...With another banner weather day, had to get out. Fished vicinity of Back Bay in hopes of finding yellow perch but only found one bass at 2-0 on the micro spinnerbait. Saw some more bait and a few swirls. Had one more on, but he threw the hook. Tried jerkbaits, beetle spins, and small crankbaits, but the spinnerbait was the only lure that enticed a bite. Threw it with some lift and drop...very, very slow.

Friday, Feb. 8 (from Ron)...Fished Lovitt's from 3 to 6 p.m. Started really slow and found a bass at about 5 p.m. Then, thought I had a bowfin on, but turned out to be a catfish, and he was a real pole-bender. At about 5:30, the panfish got active, and I scored a stringer of five crappie between 11 and 13 inches, as well as a decent 9-inch yellow perch. Was a nice mixed bag. All fell to the micro spinnerbait or trolled beetlespin. Tried small crankbaits and pig-n-jig, but nothing hit them. The creek was well-protected from the wind, and the temperature didn't drop to uncomfortable, but it will this weekend. Tacos finally are on the menu!

Nobody Ever Said It Was Going To Be Easy

Rain, sleet, hail, wind, snow, ice...bass anglers everywhere more than likely have found themselves in those conditions more than once. So, what's the secret to success in bad weather?

Don't reckon there's probably any one or series of answers to that question that would satisfy everyone. After all, we're all uniquely different. In digging around the Internet, however, I found a few thoughts, which I've decided to share with everyone.

Weather. If bad weather is in the forecast, the No. 1 thing for anglers to keep in mind is to plan your strategy in advance. For example, if the weather dudes are calling for 47 degrees, heavy overcast, with rain and cold north winds on the way, the smart fella plans to fish an area that will help shield him from some of the winds.

Water Conditions. Water temperature is key to understanding fish patterns, so make sure you track the recent and current water temperatures to see if they might point you in the direction of more fish...like maybe water in the 60-degree-plus range. Bass can be found shallow on beds in that range, but if it's cooler than that, they often will back off the beds. (Check out the accompanying video for more discussion on this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaAywoW5XIs.)

Also look for areas where the surroundings may help maintain the water temperature, such as a railroad bridge or riprap. If you know the temperature was warmer earlier in the week, then fishing around these more protected areas will help keep the water in that area warmer, compared to other more open areas.

Gear. When you encounter tough fishing conditions, try and use search baits like crankbaits, jerkbaits, swimbaits, and spinnerbaits. This strategy will help you determine where the fish are located, and then you can start throwing an assortment of baits designed to establish a pattern.

It's important, especially when fishing with a partner, to make sure you are both throwing different baits to find that pattern. This helps eliminate baits quicker. Once you find a pattern, vary your presentation to see how the fish prefer the baits. Many anglers tend to lose focus when the bite dies down and will leave an area. Rather than just run around, though, look for key areas similar to the one where you caught fish.

Safety. Everyone likes to find a kicker fish. If that kicker, however, turns out to be your last fish of the day, and it appears bad weather is moving in, don't put yourself and maybe a partner in danger. If lightning and thunder are beginning to pop, get off the water. Your life is far more important than any kicker fish.

Preparation. Regardless if it's a body of water you've fished before, or if it's a new one, keep in mind external influences. Have a good idea of what weather to expect that day. Have a good assortment of different baits to throw (based on the weather conditions) until you can narrow them down and determine a pattern. Don't be afraid to try new baits or techniques. Learn to expand your knowledge base, which requires you to step out of your comfort zone.

Persistence. Don't get discouraged; learn to be patient. If you plan in advance, you'll be one step closer to finding the perfect bait selection for the day. Whether it's adding an extra pause in your retrieve, slowing down your cast, or trying a new bait, go for it. Give yourself a chance to build your confidence, step out of your comfort zone, and become a better fisherman.

Whether From Drought, Tides or Other Causes...

Shallow water can create problems for both the experienced and the inexperienced boater, as well as those who simply aren't maintaining good situational awareness. Check out these examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icbm-KDk2qE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjEc_dZNyTQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD2HiqXxDaU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIEQ0T-nl5M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=145kvqPcows

In the following example, bassmaster open pro Gerald Sopher runs a tricky flat on the James River while practicing for a tournament. Pay particular attention to the ditch he dug on the way into this little creek. It's just to the right of the duck blind he passes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYxQlmyY3o4

If you find yourself in extremis, make sure you have a friend you can call. And barring that, it would be wise to have an annual membership in a boat-towing service.