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Just went and picked this one up, 05 bass tracker with a mercury 50hp. The boat is in perfect condition, everything works, and 130 psi on all cylinders for 5k. Excited to get it on the water, thank you all for your honest advice

I've been working on this one for awhile. Its my latest Blade. Alot of the feature of the original Fogy but now with an Owner spinnerbait hook, eyes, and a wire keeper. Its already won a tournament in NC. Megalodon Blade is a Football blade bait! The head is a Football design with epoxied on eyes. The Megalodon Blade comes in 2 different blade styles. The AP is an all purpose blade. The Pro blade is for a slower retreive and it has a unique hunt to it. CUSTOM BUILT TO ORDER EPOXIED ON EYES Owner Spinnerbait HOOK OWNER HYPER WIRE SPLIT RING DOUBLE DIPPED POWDER COATED FOR EXTRA DURABLE FINISH SILICONE SKIRT 55 +/- STRANDS COLLAR OPTIONS WIRE TIED, BANDED https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/tremor-blade

I fish really clear water. Cloudy and overcast days are my favourite. On cloudy days, the bass tend to move away from cover and roam around more.

A few more 110 SRs. Really need ice out to get here so I can stop looking at baits on the internet and start actually using them. I feel like this is the time where us northern guys are busier in this thread as we patiently wait lol -

If any of us were ever sane to begin with. 🤪

In my old boat, I had a 10lb mushroom anchor tied to ~30ft of rope. End of the rope was not tied to the boat...some days I would tie anchor to front of the boat, other days to rear...depending on wind. One afternoon I found a good spot and decided to anchor up and pick that area apart. Dropped the anchor over the side...and watched the rope spool out...then disappear over the side...as it was not tied to a cleat. Doh!

This thread has been amazing. As mostly a bank angler, I find all sorts of things washed up on the shore and I wonder "how in the heck did this get in the lake?!". I feel like now I'm getting an idea of the other side of the story.

I would stick with the original drag washers especially if its felt. Too me, felt washers have a better drag release and consistency with light line. I've swapped out some of my carbon fiber drag washers in my 1000 and 2000S with felt washers. Watch some of I-fish 's videos on YouTube and he'll explain this theory.

A few looks at the bill differences between the regular 110 vs SR. The hooks are also a little heftier (still katsuages); I’m interested to see if these hooks would be good replacement 110 hooks in the summer to help it get closer to suspending in the warmer water

I’m joining the club. Just bought this from a gentleman on marketplace. Looks like I’ll bet getting off the bank this year.

I practice from daylight to dark as well, only difference is I don’t fish tournaments 😂

You're going to get spoon fed on this so we have a known solution once and for all for the thin USDM and JDM Daiwa knob complaints. You can see in the pic of aTatula 100 USDM knobs compared to Shimano Curado knobs (on a JDM Zillion) that the Shimano knobs are much larger. Daiwa and Shimano use the same knob shaft size meaning that knobs are compatible between the two. Actually the opposite of this swap was popular for years when guys would put the colored or clear cork Daiwa SLP knobs on their Shimano reels. The new style knobs on all 2020+ Daiwas look very Shimano like in their shape and end caps but are very thin in both the USDM and JDM versions. The solution is to do the opposite of placing Daiwa knobs on a Shimano and put Shimano knobs on a Daiwa. For black end caps you want a Curado K knobs and for a metallic finish end caps you want a Bantam or USDM Met B (mets have bantam knobs for US). All also add that if you want to be super cheap about it and like the Zillion HD style long EVA knobs then this Aliexpress handle is a good $11 option from Artsea.

In my neck of the woods, a hula grub is a smallmouth staple. Everyone I know throws them from now to December. A football head jig is the norm. I good friend of mine showed my an alternative rig option and he swears by it. He was fine with sharing it. It’s a form of Neko rigging. Use the o ring tool, insert the collar strand portion in the tube. I turn it as I insert it, wetting it first until I can slide the o ring on the grub body. Position the o ring 1/8 inch behind the shirt or tentacles. Insert a Neko nail weight in the collar center. The key is to use a nail with a bulbous head that is exposed. Hook an extra wide gap finesse hook under the o ring perpendicular to the twin tail. The head of the nail weight clicks when it’s in contact with rocks. The twin tails will stay slightly raised. It’s less prone to wedging in rocks and the hook penetrating is similar to a nose hooked drop shot worm. I use the Dobyns nail weights and throw this rig on a medium action spinning rod, braid to Floro leader. I honestly have only tried this set up for one trip because it is new for me but I hooked the three bites I got on it. I hope it might be an option for you guys and gals. BTW: best with the 4 inch size!

I'm this old 😁

Their $14 1K carbon handle is a better quality and slightly lighter option:

Normal is subjective. Based on my experience, my "normal" is what most people would consider the "lunatic fringe" (I'm being charitable on my own behalf). 😃

New Rod & Reel… Bought a Lews Custom reel last week on clearance. Bought a FishStyx 7ft Med/Heavy Fast rod today and paired them up. I’m excited to get to the water with it.

Overcast reduces depth of light allowing predators like bass to roam more. Bass have superior eye sight then their prey advantage bass. If the bass are active hunting they will chase lures take your pick. I prefer to use jigs in lieu of faster moving lures because reduced light allows crawdads to be more active and big bass eat crawdads. Tom

After a loooong cold and windy winter I'm going out for the 1st time in 2025. 70's most of next week so will pick out the least windiest day. Certainly don't expect optimal water temps but just trolling around the lake casting and the anticipation of the 1st bite should restore sanity 😉

Change the hooks! Tom

Katie, when I started reading this, the first thing I thought of was, "Your fishing partner on this trip has got to be a guy"! Even before you described him, I just knew. This is sooo guy stuff. We always jump before we look, step before we depth check, talk before we listen, and act before we plan. That's why girls outlive guys. Girls plan the next move. Guys plan how to fix what they just broke! That makes you, me, and AJ so far. I had just bought a new rope for mine. Tied it on the anchor and slung it overboard, only to watch the end of the new rope follow! Real rocket science moment that! I'll need to start a new thread for this one!

I believe they made a lot of 4.7:1 reels along with 5:1’s, plus some slower 3.x ones. Just find an imperfection somewhere on the spool, or put a sliver of tape, knotted line, etc. on the spool, grab the handle and make one full revolution counting the number of times the imperfection passes by. You’ll get a real close estimation of gear ratio that way.

My Dad and I were crappie fishing and he had his dentures in his shirt pocket (he hated those things). He bent over to land a fish and "plunk" in went the falsies! We could see 'em on the bottom in 10 fow but all efforts to retrieve them failed. Mom was madder than a wet hen when we got home!

60 and sunshine yesterday, 30 and blowing 30 with snow squalls today. March is coming in like a schizophrenic lion this year!!! 😂

I'll take DK. And I'll take Miles Garrett. Hey, a guy can dream, right?? Right?? Go Bills! I kinda like the TP...apt abbreviation for Tush Push...TP. I'll show myself out. Only after saying, it works for the Bills - except when they decide to not do it properly in the AFC Championship. Grrr.

Dobyns Kaden 715 C 7’ 1” Mag Heavy / Fast (doubles as my Carolina Rig rod) Mike

2019 trip to Toledo Bend, well two days in & only 3 fish ? But one was tagged BassCashBash which I was registered in, it won me a 2019 Dodge Ram

I caught my pb largemouth on a glide bait and my pb smallmouth on a Rago so these could be interesting.

Finally got to change lakes to a much shallower, almost muddy water lake today with water temps in the low 50s (51-53). As I thought, I found active fish fairly shallow despite the lake being down 2-3 ft below normal. Was a nice change of pace from the past 2 months of fishing.

If the water is that cold in Florida: My lures are: 1.) College football on TV 2.) Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips 3.) Yuengling Tan & Black Beer 4.) Johnny Walker Black if Yuengling doesn't make me forget about the cold. 5.) Buffalo Chicken Wings Those are my lures, because I'm probably not outside. 😆

Here's my list, which actually covers several years on the water, recreationally & professionally. You may notice some repeat offenders. Sunglasses - 5 pair plus. Ball Caps - Several A 10 lb mushroom anchor (don't ask) Deck/Boat shoes - some right foot, some left. Had a marker buoy sink out of sight one time, that was fun. Lost an assortment to tools standing in the surf at night. And finally, I've lost my mind more times than I am willing to admit. In fact it's mostly half gone right now. 🤪 A-Jay

This one may be the "WINNER"!

They're chinease sites that sell individual items the sellers purchase in bulk from Alibaba as well as other vendors (such as Daiwa China). Amazon also sells the same stuff minus the China market Daiwa reels. Temu is the same as Aliexpress except they ran a massive ad campaign in the west to the point that practically everyone has heard of them. Aliexpress is the OG china site and there is some real good stuff on there such as: The same reels sold in the USDM as the CDM but for way cheaper (Curados, Tatulas ect). I'm talking buying JDM like levels of discounts but for reels with 90mm handles and Curados instead of Scorpions. China exclusive reels like the Fuego SV ($100), Slamnduras, Tatula CS ect. Aftermarket tuning and color parts such as spools (ray's studio, KKR and AMO) drag stars, handles, gear sets, drag clicker kits and the list goes on and on. Even niche stuff like the AMO parts for the Ambassadeur reels. Also the "SDS Customs" on eBay is just Ray's Studio Aliexpress parts sold at markup. Cheap chinese market reels that are way better than what is available to US anglers from Amazon or Walmart. Instead of the $50 plastic peice of garbage Black Max everyone recommends for beginners you can find reels like the Seasir Megacuda for $30 with an aluminum frame, dual supported pinion, cone level wind and a power handle. In other cases the exact same reels sold by "reputable brands" on TW for $100+ will be found in its native form in its native market of Aliexpress for $20. Yes, there are numerous brands right now selling cheap Aliexpress reels as their own at INSANE mark up.

Heartbreaking. I ran a set of rapids once when I was young. My partner was impulsive. I wanted to stop upriver and scout the rapids. He wanted to run them with no knowledge of what awaited us and no plan. We tipped and I lost my best outfit. I waded into the rapids to retrieve it. He kept yelling at me to return, that it wasn't worth it. I was so mad at him that I kept going and actually found it and retrieved it.

@1984isNOW Smith Super Strike FO-56 They sell both grip + rod blade, and sell grips and rod blades separately. (I buy straight grips, and one person I know who bought a pistol grip said it was too small for his hands.) Offset grip puts the tall frame on round reels in comfortable thumb position There's a "Japan Underground" for round reels, offset grips with separate rod blades that emulate Fenwick Champion (Phillipson Bass Tamer, etc.) of the '60-'70s and Fuji grip (Lew's Speed Stick, etc) of the '70s-'80s. Smith and Glass Eye use 12-mm butt-ferrule dia., the rest use Fuji-std. 9.4-mm butt ferrule. The grips also come with 3/8" (9.6 mm) vise collet that lets you use vintage US-std. rod blades. The shops that sell this limited-run tackle concentrate on handmade wood plugs. The short rods, 5' to 6' (a few shorter, a few longer) fit right in my river kayak niche, finesse to frogger. The limited edition tackle goes from practical to both intentionally silly (AHPL) or ornate, such as Megabass Pagani Finding what you want means keeping up with limited production runs, or paying Yahoo collector and ebay scalper prices, though low-use rod blades re-sell for fair Yahoo prices. Much of it sells out in pre-release reservation and lottery sales. The limited-run bench reels are made by Isuzu, Ebisu, and Doryu, and the rods match well with Ambassadeur if you like to bench-tinker.

How do you guys find all these places ? I’ve never heard of half of them. Also, when you buy reel for 5.00 from some off the wall, obscure website on the internet do you really think it’s that great of deal and money well spent? I don’t get it Mike

I bought a tether and case too, but just not soon enough.

I got a new ProTeam 175 TXW at the end of last season. I ordered it in June, and when it finally arrived in August they sent me a 2025 at 2024 pricing. You’re gonna love the 175, super easy to fish out of, tons of convenient useable storage, easy to tow and maneuver. For 30 years prior I fished from a 15’ fiberglass tri hull with tiller steer and very limited storage. Lots of amazing memories in that boat. But the wood in the transom and decks is rotting beyond repair. I love the convenience of locking my rods and tackle in the 176, and being ready to go fish in 30 min. Hope you can make that happen. For the op I hope you can find something to suit your budget and your needs. Any boat that is safe, serviceable, and gets you on the water will catch you fish. I’d agree with many others though for an older boat in that range you should stick to aluminum. Even a good size deep v hull with a tiller drive will serve you well.

See my other comment above. The standard 24 tatula 100. For the record I'm not saying the tatula is a better reel, just that I don't need the zillions refinement for the applications that particular rod will be used for. The alphas is an 80 class sized finesse reel with an sv free floating spool. The tat elite is tuned for distance.

Also '22 Zillion HD comes with MagZ spool, '21 Zillion SVTW comes with SV Boost spool. MagZ has a distance edge casting heavy weights, SV has a light-lure distance edge. Yes to the rest.

Brass main gear and handle/knob size are all that I know of. scott

Break out and reel rip/kill the big 7-9" flutter spoons, 7" scroungers, northern style preacher jigs, or shake a 7" jerky j, armor shad, or raid fish roller along the bottom. I'd also try 4-5" versions of all of the above till I find what they want. It's basically offering the right profile very erratically, like you can't reel it fast enough before you kill it back to the bottom type erratic or slowly dancing it right on the bottom and right in front of their face like a gizzard in the final throes. I don't think @Pat Brown is wrong about the difficulty in beating the real thing, but if you get it right, that's gonna be where the big fish are. They are not skipping out on the buffet. These are some of the easiest calories of the year for the big girls. This shad kill pattern is dominant for my water mid november thru mid december. There's also a version right after ice out till the turnover and possibly a week or two after if the warm up is fleeting. scott

BP, your Old Town Guide has low primary stability, but solid secondary stability. This is unlike most canoes, which feel stable, but aren't. Your Guide will feel unstable, but isn't. My Bell Rockstar is has the same poor primary stability, but steady secondary stability. I don't know if you remember, but I tipped it in 2023. A boat like your Guide and my Rockstar, if you do tip it, will toss you from the boat. This sounds bad, but it's a good quality because it's unlikely to tip itself. It tips you, but not itself, remaining dry and upright. So, you don't lose your gear and have to struggle to move a submerged boat to shore. Here's the Old Town Guide summary: "With its unique cross-section and stabilizing chines, the Guide 147 delivers exceptional stability, as well as rugged durability. The Guide model has low primary stability but high secondary stability - meaning it rocks back and forth like crazy during paddling but is actually hard to tip over." The more weight it carries, the more stable it will feel, but if it's just you and your gear, you'll feel like you're standing on a balance beam on a gusty day. Don't worry. Paddle it for five minutes and you'll settle into it, but the first five minutes can be scary. Paddle on your knees for the first five minutes and splay your knees. That'll steady your boat and you. Also keep your feet on the keel (center of the floor) whenever you board and exit your canoe. In case you're wondering why Old Town would build a canoe with poor primary stability, it's because you can build a canoe with poor primary and good secondary or good primary and poor stability, but not good primary and good secondary. @bp_fowler: You might want to swap your bow seat for a cane seat so that you can paddle from that seat when you're alone. Yeah, you'll be paddling your canoe backwards, but that doesn't matter. What will matter is that paddling backwards from the bow seat will place you mid-canoe, which will allow for straighter, more-controlled paddling. And buy a good, bent-shaft paddle and always bring an extra.

And just like that, the Lakers are the 2 seed in the West. Luka was a +37 with 30 points and 15 assists last night.

How cool that your friends and family celebrated your catch with all those meals. I had the same reaction! My dream lake would be @Bluebasser86's magic water that never freezes full of @AlabamaSpothunter's big bass and every now and then, I'd catch a magic bass like yours. I'm going to ask Bob to make me such a lake. Bob's the builder. He can do it.

@Swamp Girl No ma'am 😉 I didn't eminently see the tag, in the top picture was how I held the fish up for my buddy Mike to photograph, I was going to chunk back. As per the rules I cut the tag off & put in my wallet & forgot about. When I walked into Fin & Feather's office I told the girl I caught a tagged fish, she casually says ok. Reach in my wallet, pulled the tag out, the girl freaks saying you caught a truck. I said what, she says they're color coded, turn the tag over. I sold the truck before ever taking possession, the check was in my pocket in that picture. I didn't pay for lunch or supper the rest of the week, shook a lot hands.

Jerkbait, lipless crank, Little John

Ordered some Jackal blade baits from TWH as I was shocked to find I didn't own a single blade bait and I already have more than enough hard sided jerkbaits. Lakes near my home are now ice free but its freezing rain and snow today so tomorrow is supposed to be dry and in the mid 40's and lake temps are 33-35* so I will see what I can do. Thanks to all for the help and advice.

Yeah I might think differently if I got to Bass fish in Mexico 😎 Hope you get to do some Bass fishing soon enough pal, but until then I'm not feeling sorry for you with 7 Blue Marlin 😆

For $5K, I'd be looking at a early 2000's Bass Tracker 175 that's been garage kept. It will probably have a 50HP two stroke Tracker/Mercury on it, and will probably need maintenance and upgrades like new fuel lines/primer. Ask for a water test, and you get anything but "sure we can do that", then move on. Also inspect the trailer for rust, tire tread, repairs (such as bad welds). And ask for a clean title for both the boat and trailer. I just went through this last spring to help a neighbor buy his first boat of FB Marketplace, and we had to weed through at least 20 listings before we found the right boat and seller. Trust your gut, if it seems to good to be true it is, and if you're not comfortable with the responses, walk away.