Mike Z

JFrancho, I may have misread your post, but I think the mentality that he is safer buying new because he is up north is a wrong one to take. Regardless of where you live, the boat is going to take a big hit the first year of ownership. The price he will pay for new will be a few grand higher than what someone can get the same new boat for next spring and will be many thousands higher than what he could get just a few year old boat for. In looking at the boats for sale site, a boat just 3-4 years old can save you a minimum of $10-$15K on some models. The largest hit on value occurs in the first few years. As far as the OP, just being out of college, one shouldn't be taking on debt of this type when one could get something very similar for many thousands less. I understand the "want" aspect as I was that age not so long ago. I've made my mistakes and now realize that toys like this are best bought used where someone else took the plunge and also took the hit on the de-valuation. The economy is in the crapper in many areas still and people are willing to part with some items for about what they might owe on it. In some cases, this can mean a very sweet deal. I would also consider what someone said above about running costs. I am also looking at purchasing, though used. The difference in fuel costs alone can be enormous between engines. For this reason, I know that it is doubtful that I would purchase any boat with a 250hp engine.

Sorry to pick on you, but it's statements like this that just throw common sense out the window. There are MANY Dobyns rods, around 60 bait cast rods in three distinct series. The Powell MAX and Endurance rods are priced in the Savvy series range. So when you make a claim like that, back it up with some particulars. rant mode off OK, here you go in as much detail as I can. The dealer sells Powell, Dobyns, Carrot Stix, Okuma, and many other lines. In the Powell linup they had roughly 20 rods available and in the dobyns lineup they had about the same. Prices ranged from less than $200 to nearly $300 for the rods I held. I walked around with a rod in my hand comparing each one to a rod I was interested in buying because I was given a recommendation here. In each case he Dobyns rod not only felt more balanced but also lighter. This may or may not be true, but the rods overall felt lighter than the rods from each other company I mentioned, no matter what the price range. Now, what I will admit is that once you add a reel, the rod balance will go away anyway because of where the reel is mounted. However, a rod that feels more balanced initially should have a similar feel when equal weight is added vs the other rods. To me this means very little right now since I'm not casting 800 times a day and am not 60 years old. I have plenty of strength to stand there for hours on end and toss a worm. Again, I just added my .02 based on what I felt in the store.

I have a Powell rod and have also held the Dobyns rods. If I were buying again I would go with the Dobyns. The balance is far better IMHO.

I'm glad I read your review on the Carbonlite. I was at a BPS for the first time today and looked at the Pro Qualifier, Carbonlite and some of the signature series reels. Then looked at the Revo SX in both the old model (on sale) and the new model. I really liked the new Revo SX but also liked the clicking feature on the Carbonlite. I have heard great things about the PQ, but not a whole lot on the Carbonlite and I wasn't sure. Also not sure how they compare to the Revo series or the Shimano reels in the sub $200 range. I'm done buying signature series reels though as I am not sure I want to be paying for a name when I could get something just as good for a few bucks more.

Getting my mom's 78 Sea Raider boat back in the water. (35 horse Johnson) I picked up some new plugs and bought a carb rebuild kit. I was wondering if anyone knew where I could find instructions on line for the rebuild? I also want to do a compression check. Does anyone know what the compression should be on these engines? Also, the plugs are L78V, does anyone know if they are 14 or 18mm threads, or something else? The local harbor freight has a basic compression tester for $8 but it only fits those thread sizes. Large kits are in the $25+ range. Last, What else should I check in the engine to make sure I minimize any problems at start up and when I take out out on the water for the first time? Thanks

Water would have to flow up hill about 3 feet or more vertically for you to get water in your engine because a tailpipe was in the water when you were backed down a ramp. Its just not going to happen. The backpressure is of no real concern either because the gas can escape relatively easy. I would leave it running though simply because you never know when bad luck will strike and your starter or some other related item goes.

When you look at how cheap scent is and how much you get vs how strong it is, there is no reason to try and make your own.

How much are you looking to spend? I just made a post on a Dobyns rod. I was checking out some rods on Friday. The Dobyns Champion rods were amazing light feeling and very well balanced. I have a Powell Rod and compared to the Dobyns, mine does feel a bit heavy. You can really tell a difference, but not as much with some other rods. I would also say that if you have larger hands I know the grip on the Powell and Dobyns is a bit longer so it will fit in your hand better. The Carrot Stix rod feels pretty good as well but the grip isn't quite as long so you might run out of grip. The Gander Mountain GSX rods also feel pretty light and are about $100 All rods that I have been looking at were 7' rods.

OK, I'm convinced. I had a chance to hold a Dobyns Champion rod in my hand on Friday and I couldn't believe how light it felt compared to other rods I had been looking at. The size of the cork hand grip was perfect and not undersized like many others (I have big hands) The balance and feel was nice. Anyway, the rod was a bit out of my price range at $220. I was wondering if their Savvy series rods at the lower price range also feel and balance the same way?

I woondered the same thing a few months back. I then broke down and spend $130 on a Powell rod and my trusty old Eagle Claw rod was set aside. A few things I have noticed with the more expensive rod. You can feel a lot more and the rod seems to be more sensitive. I can feel the braid moving through the guides when I am reeling. I can feel every rattle of a crank bait, and I have found that the components used are generally higher end and are balanced way better. I have seen a lot of Dobyns rod questions lately. I had a chance on Friday to feel a couple of rods at a store and can say that they are balanced better than any rod I have felt yet and the tips feel very light. I am not sure how they got such a light feel, but it put other $100-$200 rods to shame that I had been looking at.

Perhaps I didn't put it in so many words the first time but my mono didn't fill the entire reel. it was rated for 150 yards of #10 or something and I was putting #8 and I was just guessing as to the amount on the reel. As I later tied it off and walked out the line I found that I only had between 75 and 100 yards on the reel. I noticed that with the spool full of braid that the cast is much smoother and further.

Bought my first crankbaits yesterday as Gander has Rapala DTs on sale for $5 each. I picked up about a half dozen. Also picked up some Storm crankbaits for $3 each from the clearance table. So now for the dumb question. Can someone tell me why crankbait rods are so flexible? They are like noodles compared to normal rods. I only have a few guesses as to why, one being feel, one being casting, and the last having something to do with the smaller hooks used on crankbaits vss your standard plastic worm hook. (the rod sets the hooks better?) Anyway, if someone can explain quickly about the flexibility I would appreciate it. Also, if anyone has checked out the Skeet Reese yellow crankbait rods and has any input I would appreciate it.

I'm casting nearly twice the distance with braid. I have found that one factor is likely to blame. When I first put Mono on my reel I used a 300 yard spool. I had no idea where the midpoint of the spool, or 150 yards was of line that I wanted to put on. I then switched to braid (40#) and bought a 150 yard spool. Put the whole thing on and the reel is full. I have no doubt that the full reel unwinds far better than a 2/3rd or 3/4 spool and therefore my casting distance is better.

Noticed these on the BPS website. Seems they look like a cheaper alternative to the Gamakatsu hooks I spend plenty of money on. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_97826_100010002_100000000_100010000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT Wondering if anyone has used these or otherwise taken a look at them in the store?

I was reading some reviews and found that Dobyns designed the Powell Max rods and selected the factory and QC procedures for them. I have a 702 Powell rod an it is not tip heavy and in fact balances just in front of the reel. Perhaps the Dobyns rods are better, but the ones I have seen are also quite a bit more expensive with the better line costing $100 more. I just know I like my Powell 702 and when the next sale rolls around I am grabbing a 704.

I kept all my worms and craws in their bags at first and tried using binders and stuff. Just didn't work. I gave up and just took the worms out of the packages and placed them in my plano 3700 boxes. Each 6" section/row can hold two packages of 10 Senkos, but only 1 pack of 15 if you buy the Gander Mountain trick sticks. When I mix two colors together I make sure one is light and one is dark so I can always see how many I have left. I was looking for a bag a few weeks back like the one pictured above. I found that even with the shoulder strap, I would still have to keep the weight on my shoulder. Someone suggested a military surplus ALICE pack. I looked at those but found that the military surplus MOLLE II packs held a TON more. I picked one up off eBay for less than $50 including shipping. I have 3- 3700 boxes in there plus 3 smaller 3500 boxes with plenty of room for more. I also have room for a bunch more storage and can add other pouches for tackle and beverages as needed. Best of all, with a waist belt in addition t the shoulder straps, this thing feels very light, even if it is loaded with 20-30lbs of plastic. Most weight is sitting on your waist and since the packs were designed for loads of close to 100lbs you know they'll hold up. This is the one I bought http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320539111420&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT I will be adding a sleep carrier for more boxes next week and maybe a few canteen pouches for drinks or additional tools and line. <Edit>, if you can find a laptop backpack for cheap, they will fit 2-3700 boxes and most have small webbed pouches on the side that will hold a pair of scissors, pliers, and a tube of Megastrike. This is what I tried before buying my MOLLE II pack.

FWIW if you are using #5 o-rings with Senkos you are really pinching the worm to the point that it would rip easily. Perhaps other worms without the thickness or softness of Senkos will withstand the #5 o-ring. (one of the pics shown used a worm far thinner than a Senko.) In my searching the net I found that #10 o-rings are appropriate for 5" Senkos. They are 1/4" ID if that helps. The tools are available on line, but for extra o-rings try hardware shops or even places like Grainger if your place of business has an account there. #10 o-rings are $2.50 a bag of 100 there. I'm not sure how a worm lasts longer with heat shrink tubing. Before I bought some o-rings I tried some tubing. In order to get it to shrink properly you need to apply heat all around. This starts to melt Senkos. IMHO the o-ring method looks a heck of a lot cleaner and the o-rings don't tear as easy as the heat shrink tubing once heated. Also, when using an o-ring you don't put the hook through the Senko, but instead just hook under the o-ring. This allows the Senko to slide up the line as mentioned earlier. FWIW I'm a relative noob but tend to read about anything and everything I can find in order to help me. I've taken this info and tried it out when possible. If you are using regular worms or thinner worms, disregard everything I just said. ;D

I don't know about that one I purchased a well used and abused Nitro and I absolutely love spending time with it on and off the water...Call me wacky I guess That's cause someone else took the $15k hit on depreciation. ;D

#1 Gas will cost you a LOT more $$$$ #2 as said above, find someone to go out with first. #3 backing the trailer into the water will be very funny for others to watch for at least the first few tries.

Just a quick FYI, Gander mountain has Senkos on sale for $5 a pack. (Dick's Sports also has the 2 for $10 this week) Gander also has Terminator Spinner baits advertised for $4, which they claim is 50% off.

I've been to a few local stores that sell the Vendetta. IMHO they feel kinda cheap compared to the other rods I was comparing at the time. -Powell, Carrot Stix, Mojo Bass, and even the Gander Mountain Ti GSX. Not really sure why the impression. Just how I felt. In fact the GM Ti GSX felt REALLY good but they only come in Med or Med Heavy and I was looking for heavy.

I know everyone will have a different opinion, but if I only had a hundy to spend I would much rather get a nice spinning reel with a decent rod. I think the selection for that price range is way better for spinning setups than baitcasting setups. I recently purchased my first baitcasting reel and while it retailed for $130 I picked it up significantly cheaper. Even at that price point, I find it frustrating at times because I can set the brake perfect so that the bait slowly falls and stops when it hits the ground and then 5 casts later I could need to set it again. Its not always like this, but they are very touchy and getting one dialed in is a challenge in itself.

IIRC, other stores also carry those spinners but the ones made for Dick's have a tag that say made exclusively for Dick's I have a few but haven't caught anything with them yet. I have noticed that the cheaper ones lack some of the detail of the $4 and up ones, mainly the nice color eyes and the really nice multi colored skirts. For someone needing a few lures to start with I'd say they were worth the money because I have been able to practice with them and see how fast or slow to reel and how they cast, and if I got hung up then it was only a $2 lesson. If I was headed out on a boat, I'd probably pick up a few of the nicer ones though. Also FWIW WalMart has some of those spinners for a few bucks too. Gander mountain by my house was clearancing out a lot of cheap spinners but the quality to me was low and I have enough of those right now.

LOL, if my &^$ words are going to be edited, the least someone can do is come up with something more creative than Ahhhhhhh. Perhaps even an ARgggggghhhhhh!! would have been way more appropriate. ;D ;D ;D And I will give them a call. Guess it couldn't hurt.

I finally saw the Tackle Warehouse sale going on last night and noticed that the sale ended 10am pacific today. (1pm my time) So I figured I had until lunch was over to order the rod I was wanting to get. Well wouldn't you know, I got stuck working on something with a repair guy at my desk and he didn't leave until after 2pm here. > > So now I have to wait and see if anyone will be having a fourth of July sale. :'(