cadman

I'm way behind you. This is my second boat in 24 years, I must be missing something.

I had a Bass Tracker boat for 17 years, and never had any issues with it at all. I would buy another boat from a Nitro/Tracker dealer, not from a BPS store. I went to look for a new boat there and got nothing but excuses and a belligerent salesman. I walked out of there and didn't buy a boat from him. Ended up with a Ranger. But I know a lot of guys that have Nitros and love their boats. I have also driven in a Nitro, and can't say anything negative about them. Everyone buys what they can afford, and hopes that they get a good boat with no problems. That is not always the case. I had issues with my brand new Ranger, but they did take care of the problem. Like stated, you can catch a lot of fish in a rowboat, you don't need an expensive boat.

Mine is set up like this as well and it works great.

I have a 619VS Ranger and I love my boat. Not the fastest boat on the water, but when the wind kicks up, I'm dry and the ride is exceptionally smooth. When the waves really start rolling the big bass boats all seem to slow down. Also I'm a bass fisherman, and there is plenty of storage space and a rear deck you can put on the Rangers to make a fishing platform.

As long as I have a jig or a good hook and some plastics, 1 rod and 1 reel, I would be content. I'm confident enough in my technique, that I would catch fish and I would be able to feed my family if I had to. You can throw everything else away for me.

I have a Terrova on my 19'6 Ranger 619VS. I have an 80 lb thrust, and I love my motor. If you get this motor don't get the co-pilot, definitely get the I-pilot as it is worth every penny. The I-pilot does everything the co-pilot does plus a lot more. Also if you go that route get the Terrova that has the built in transducer for your graph. Prior to this boat I had a 17' aluminum deep "V" Magna 17 with a power drive. The power drive always had a slow response time and I went through three pedals with that motor. I would buy another Terrova and probably go with the 101 lb thrust. But the 80lb does work really well in my opinion even in the wind. Now we are not talk 60 mph winds here though. Nice thing about it is I rarely use my foot pedal, unless it is really windy. Remote all the way.

wnybassman, I have made a couple of hundred blade baits with the double hook instead of a treble, the ones that slip on. I have found that Gami makes these in a black nickel. If you don't mind two sets of double hooks instead of trebles, these work very well and they will never come off either. Just a thought. Excellent bait for cold water.

I make my own as well

Net Bait Paca Chunks

X2, Similar to us in northern IL. Not a lot of 6+ lb bass caught regularly, not in my boat anyway LOL.

Like others have said. I've been there done that. My BPS is in IL, and there are people camping out. Did that two years ago, and never again. People mobbed the store as soon as it opened and by the time I got in all the stuff I wanted was gone. Nope not worth it to me to save $20 or $30 and waste 2-3 hours of my time.

I'll tell you one thing, and I have fished the HJ-8 for at least 10 years, and all my float to the top. I put suspend dots on the bottom of my Husky Jerks to keep it suspended in the water. Sooo I don't know what the deal is. I have bought at least a dozen or more over the years and they all do the same thing. Maybe the smaller versions are more buoyant than the bigger versions. It doesn't rise fast, but I can see it rise to the top.

Rapala Husky Jerk

As far as making a mold, maybe it would work for a plastics molds, however for lead molds, I don't think the resin from 3d printers is rated high enough where the resin won't start melting. But definitely some good ideas.

I have the model and 3d cad making capabilities, as I'm a designer and use solid modeling software, however I don't have access to a 3d printer. I was going to post on what I'm working on, but then I refrained myself from doing so, because no sooner you post something, your idea is gone. But yes I have quite a few ideas floating in my mind. Need to finalize these and find someone that can make some stuff for me and/or buy a 3d printer myself.

As far as my go to colors mainly black/blu, grn pumpkin, watermelon, watermelon candy. Actually any color that Netbait makes other than white and ylw chart. Never did really well on those two colors.

First and foremost my homemade jigs with a Paca Chunk. Second, wacky worm. Third, would be a rattle trap or jerk bait.

I've had very good success with Husky Jerks in the chrome and black color.

I wish I had a warm spot to keep my boat and clean it up for winter, this way I would be fishing up until Thanksgiving. All my boat maintenance has to be done outside. Boat won't fit in the garage. Anyway you guys at least got some fish. Job well done. As long as I fished the lower dells, I never caught a white bass and I fished it for 8 years straight. I caught sauger, walleye, nothern, smallies, buegill, drum, and crappie but never a white bass. "Really put the SI/DI thru their paces as well and I'm getting more impressed with the technology the more I use them." Pardon my ignorance, but what does this mean? BTW what did you catch your fish on?

:thumbsup1: :thumbsup1: I like people that give all kind of input to the forums, that's the only way we learn. If it doesn't work for me it might work for someone else. Information is here for everyone's use. Yes I do have a roll of electrical tape in my boat, and better to use that, than nothing at all.

No offense to anyone who uses a different way to do this but I like the heat shrink tubing, as it is simple and easy for me. Thanks Wayne P and everyone else for the replies.

Just thought I'd ask one question to the guys about the heat shrink tubing. I use 3/8 diameter tubing 1/4" long. Sometimes , I think that it is too short and the worm has a tendency to be pulled off. However, with a 1/4" long piece I get a lot of worm action. So what length do you use, and does it hinder the action of the worm as it falls? Thanks for any info or suggestions.

I don't know what your budget is but I bought a multi-species boat, because I wanted to fish bass tournaments with my wife and also take my niece and nephews boating when I had time. I can't speak for other boats, but my choice was between a Lund and a Ranger. All said and done, I bought a Ranger 619VS multi-species Fisherman boat. It will easily fit 4 people ( although fishing with four is a challenge unless you're all jigging) and if you put the back deck on (optional), you can have a casting deck. I've had this boat since 2007 and I can't complain about anything. Lots of storage and doesn't get wind blown. I will say that this is a heavy boat. There are other good boats on the market, you just have to decide your budget and what you want. Cheaper to buy a multi- species than two boats. Plus the maintenance of two boats could be costly. I attached a pics of my boat. The second pic shows the casting deck on where the butt seat is.

Tried braid as well and didn't like it . I tried Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultrasoft for my spinning reel and Yo-Zuri Hybrid for my baitcasters from the suggestions here and I like it very much. Have also used Berkley Big Game, Xl and XT and Triple Fish, all good lines in my opinion.

On my old boat, I had some seat covers, that I bought that fit car bucket seats. I bought them at Wal-Mart. You can get them for the high back or low back seats. Mine had a full back on them. I will tell you one thing though, and the ones I bought only lasted about 4 years or so. They weren't high quality, however I only paid $15 for each cover.