Crookedneck

I purchased a 2000 Xpress x21 this last fall with a 2000 Mercury Optimax 200. 10" jack plate. It was well taken care of. I am getting low to mid 60's with it. And I have work to do with it. I should be getting 70+. It isn't in a glass boat. I will start by saying that. A couple differences.....the hole shot...I've seen faster on drag boats. But not on a bass boat. It was actually a lot of fun to listen to the comments all my buddies made after the first club tournament when they were all behind me at take off and couldn't catch me. A larger body of water, yes but it would have taken at least 4-5 miles of straight running to pass me. It rides and handles great. Some key differences, it does not cut other boats wake like my last 20' Nitro. It goes over them. But, it handles 2-3 foot chop as good as any glass boat I have been in. It does blow more in the wind than my old glass boat. But, the 112 fortrex takes care of that. Loading, it on the trailer took some getting used to. I have a tandem bunk trailer, but I think it actually sits higher on the trailer. So every once in a while she gets a little squirly. Where my glass boat just kinda centered easier, I guess. The livewell isn't as big. But, I knew that going into it. You'll hear some complaints about dry storage....Me rolling my eyes....when it's down pouring..things get wet. They did in my Nitro too if I opened that compartment. So I have to dry it out...I did my Nitro too a long with every other bass boat I have been in. The deck space is very work able! Mine has a full front deck, an 8' flipping stick doesn't touch either end. I can put an 8'+ rod in the either side rod storage. The back deck has two huge battery storage compartments. The back tackle storage is smaller. But, I never used it in my old boat. So, my co-anglers will have to deal with that... I attached a picture of it the day I picked it up. Please forgive me for the hideous Motorguide on the front of it in the picture. They look pretty sweet too! I get a lot of looks up here. A tin with a 200?! I have heard that a lot! I made the change because I fish rivers a lot. I like to get skinny. And my opinion, less to worry about.

I run Abrazx and Invizx for all my floro needs. 50% of my 12 rods are set up with floro. I have limited experience with the Abrazx as I just started using it. But I can't say anything bad about Invizx. I have been using it for cranking, t-rig in the rocks and brush, Jerk baits. I am trying the Abrazx as I have heard it has less stretch than Invizx.

I've fished both. There is a time and place for both. Open water Terrova all the way. But rivers, shallow water, slop cable steer every time. Fishing in current around rocks & obstacles only way to go is cable. That remote is a disaster waiting to happen in my experience.

x2 on the Flow-rite system. I installed one last year. Great product!

I've seen cheating 3 times in the last couple years that resulted in eliminations. Fishing outside marked boundaries x2 same team both times. Another time I took second to a team that accepted 1st on a clerical mistake on the leader board. After it was all said and done they knew it was a mistake and didn't bother to say anything. The mistake was an even 10lbs....they weren't even in the top 10. The boater in this one was involved in the two cases prior also. They have been banned from several clubs now.

It is going to come down to what you feel is reasonable for you own budget. I also look at it like this. Any time I need to be in contact with bottom or drop shotting I want a sensative rod. In cases like this then yes spend the money and find a rod that you like. And the deeper you are fishing the more this becomes important along with the type of line you are using. If I am dead sticking a senko what do I need a sensative rod for? It is falling on slack line so constant contact is not necessary.

Great rod and yes you will be able to fish Senkos with it just fine.

Every rod in my boat I have made myself. A majority of them are Mudhole MHX blanks. You won't be able to build a rod for cheaper than you can buy one. But once you get the hang of it, if using the right blank & components you will be able to build a high end rod the way you want it set up.

Last year my partner and I won a tourney with a big bag. At the weigh in the local paper was there they interviewed us. We actually gave bogus coordinates & told them we were using purple x-raps in 14 feet of water. The story ran & purple x-raps were impossible to find and there were boats all over the location we had given. On another day I pulled into a community hole with 30 minutes left and I so far had been skunked. I filled the live well in that last 30 minutes and took 3rd. All the guys were asking what I was using I told them leech colored tubes. That night I got a call from the winner all upset because he heard me tell everyone what I was using. It appears he really was using leech colored tubes....

Lol! I will add a few things to this. I fish a 1983 Starcraft bass 170 with a 1975 Merc 650 (65 horse). I really started tournement fishing hard last year. I fished 3 tourney trails last year. One other guy had a 18 foot tin. Every one else glass boats. There were a few guys chuckling, scoffing. I believe the term live baiters was thrown in there. In the end I finished 1st in one series, and second in the other 2. And wrapped up angler of the year in the one. No one talks about it now. My boat is what I can afford. And inside that boat is good gear and a boat that is well taken care of. Not so easy to say you would be upset about riding in a small boat when you are beating the bank or riding in a big boat with no fish. That all being said I would love to have a bigger boat. It just isn't a priority or me or my family.

Check the rules in the leage or club. Most around here have a minumum length of 16' because of the possibilty of going on big water. Lake Michigan or Green Bay. Usually the other is requirement is a working livewell. Probably the most important necessity, in tournement fishing is a good livewell. With that being said, fishing a smaller boat has it's advantages and disadvantages. Like said above though, the boat doesn't make the fisherman.

So I just bought this graph tonight. Super stoked. I have been wanting to get a new graph price was right at $599. Now I just need to hire Wayne to show me how to use it.

I would use the u channel or angle iron as a splint on the outside

A butt weld that is appropriately welded would probably be fine. Key here is appropriately. If you can't find pipe to do a sleeve over then see if u can find some U-channel or angle iron. I would strongly caution against doing this yourself if you are a novice. Just a word of advice from a safety manager in a weld shop with 400 employees. Welding in shop class is different then the quality of weld needed in this situation. As I don't know your skill level with a welder, I am not trying to say you are not capable, just cautioning.

I'm in. Hopefully, the ice is gone by June.