Bassin_0502

If that's the case, I'd post a question on the rodbuilding.org link above. That forum has the most activity; be sure to say where you're from as the guys there are all around the world. That group is mostly pro's that build and repair rods for a living. Good luck.

Are you looking for someone to rebuild a rod for you? or are you interested in learning how to do t yourself? There are several rod building forums; if you're looking for a pro, then post there along with your location. If you want to do it yourself, I suggest starting with a 1 1/2 day course offered by Mudhole. They travel around the country offering these classes. For about $150, you get all the equipment and supplies you need to get started and you leave on the second day with a 6'6" basic spinning rod that you built yourself. Hobby is addicting however. Here are a couple of links: http://rodbuilding.org/list.php?2 http://forums.mudhole.com/index.php?showforum=2 http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/ http://www.mudhole.com/

Personal opinion....A professional builder is probably going to tell you 1) Don't do it 2) If you insist, then consider rebuilding the whole rod, new guides and all. 3) Approach like Islandbass (nice job!) and be super careful. As far as chemical/solvent cleanup, don't use anything stronger than denatured alcohol on the blank. The graphite resin prepregs that modern rods are made from use epoxies as well, something strong enough to clean up the two part handle adhesive epoxies will surely hurt the blank (and void the warranty). Same with heat guns to soften the epoxy, it can just as easily soften the prepreg resins. A little bit of heat and slow careful manual cleaning with something like the edge of a popsicle stick or credit card is the safest way to do this. This isn't a $29 blank after all! Mounting handle components and reel seats from the butt end is a compromise. The taper is bassackwards from how they are usually mounted. Handles are typically fitted by reaming the id to fit as you slide the handle down from the tip towards the butt. The inside of the handle is then actually tapered to fit the 'line' of the blank. If you must install from the butt, then the 'top' of the handle must be big enough to fit over the butt of the blank; once you put it in position, the fore part of the handle will have a larger id than the blank's od. This gap can be hidden and managed, but it's just more work ($'s). May well be faster/easier/cheaper to remove all the guides and current handle, clean up the blank, and rebuild.

The 'pre-wired' aspect only makes sense if you mount the motor at the bow. The battery stays in the stern and makes for improved balance. If ou do decide to mount up front, you will need to buy a male plug for the trolling motor leads. I ended up buying a complete male and female set and replaced the one that came with the boat. It was cheaper that way than having to purchase the male from Pelican. Don't forget that you still need to supply power to your fishfinder (assuming you have one) somehow.

If it just fo have backup, I'd get a 12V lawnmower or motorcycle battery. Small, and they don't weigh much.

I wouldn't think it would cause any 'lasting' damage at all if that's what you mean. Sure the life will be affected slightly, but no 'damage'.

For 16 bucks, I get the 50.

x10! I just don't understand the whole concept of search baits. If you get a hit on a spinnerbait, what are you supposed to do now? Change just because you found them?! I don't get it.

I wouldn't cut it off, may cause too much damage to the blank. Most tiptops are just stuck on with hot melt glue, warm it gently, no torching!, and it should slide right off. Get a Fuji kit as Outdoorsman suggests, or many tackle shops sell single tiptops. The tube size is measured in 64's of an inch so a size 8 is really 8/64 in diameter. Use a drill index to size it. If you can't find one, go to Mudhole.com, they'll set you up.

Sweet! I like that alot!

I used butt splice electrical connectors and then wrapped them with electrical tape.I generally try to have the splices 'offset' by and inch or so, that way when wrapped they're not so bulky. (In other words on the plug side, the positive wire might be two inches shorter than the neg, and on the other side, the positive wire is two inches longer than the neg. Hope that's clear.

It's beautiful! What reel seat is that? Also, did you buy or print on your own printer the decal of the flag?

I ended up buying both the male and female plugs from Walmart...buying just the male from Pelican would have cost about 25 bucks if I remember. At least buying them as a set, i knew they would fit. Just replaced the female connector in the bow. Weight distribution is much better with me up front and the battery in the stern. Needs a rudder however (stationary) clamped to the back, boat stills tracks like garbage without one.

How come nobody suggested a pontoon boat? I'm getting close to retirement, starting to get a few grandchildren, and startingto think about moving closer to them to the Raleigh-Durham area. I had kinda settled on an 18 foot or so pontoon. Seemed like it would be the perfect platform for young ones. Doesn't anyone fish out of one of those?

My 10E fits perfectly between the wheel wells on my 94 F150, perhaps you can measure an F150 well distance and compare to your Tacoma.I leave the tailgate down and strap it in for highway driving. If your wife fishes, it is going to be tight with the two of you and the dog. Maybe ok if she doesn't fish and is just along for the ride, you can move her seat well to one end or the other. No insult implied but...if the dog being elderly means you might be also, well let's just say they are easier to get out of the truck than they are to get in. You can do it yourself, but it is a little awkward. Good luck!

You need to look over in the Bass Boats etc section, there's a thread that's about 20 pages long on this type of boat. I'll give you my 2 cents though...It would be hard to pass up a deal like that, 150 bucks which includes the trolling motor, however...the 8 foot is a little small for two big guys, not necessarily from the loading standpoint, just from the lack of room. I have a 10 foot with a 40 lb motor and love it. I'm a big guy as well, no problems with loads etc. The extra 2 feet I think makes a big difference though. It would be real tough to walk away from your deal though, even if you find it's only really big enough for you alone.

If any of you are interested in custom building your own rods, I definitely recommend signing up for one of the Mudhole classes. They are 1 1/2 days long, different locations around the country and well worth the time, effort, and cash. For about $150, you get the classes, all the tools, supplies, and rod components you need to build your own spinning rod. The instructors are great, friendly, and really helpful. If you ever thought of getting started in this hobby (or business) check them out. No affiliation, yada yada, just one satisfied customer! John

I have a 40 lb MinKota with the transducer mounted right on the motor pod. MinKota sells a bracket that fits the curvature of the motor pod and attaches with a hose clamp. Transducer sits right behind the skeg. Never had a problem with any interference.

Personally, I find all of these boats to be so similar that price would be the only differentiator. Just make sure that you compare apples to apples. Some might offer only 'rigid' seats while another might offer folding seats with cushions. Just have to make sure the price comparison is fair.

x2 on the relay if it's in only one direction, and x2 on the battery if it's in both up and down directions.

Sure, you can...at least once! Seriously though, depends on the reel and the materials of construction. A high quality reel would probably be ok. Me, I prefer being sure and only use reels that I know can handle the salt. Going the other way is no problem.

Thanks for the feedback!

My fav is my 66 St Croix Avid MF casting rod with a Quantum Energy PT spooled with Yo Zuri Ultrasoft. (I think Roadwarrior would approve of two thirds of my selections!)

The Avid has a great rep on this board. I bought one and have never looked back. Reel plays a very limited role with plastics as Grey Wolf pointed out. You won't be disappointed.

Thinking about trying my hand at custom rod building and was wondering if any of you had any experience with the 2 day classes offered by Mud Hole? Looks like a pretty nice way to start learning, they have classes in various regions throughout the year; included in the $149 fee is a kit for a 6' 6" MF spinning rod. You've made your first rod by the end of the second day. Have any of you attended one of these? What did you think?