Shewillbemine

I have used my aluminum Tracker 6 times since I filled it up. I still have more than 80% fuel in it and towing it feels like nothing. At some point, I'll step up to a fiberglass but this one's great for the time being.

I've been able to use 3 baitcasting combos this past year and all 3 use different reels and rods. I think it's natural that one of them stands out to me as a favorite, whether it just feels good to use or has caught me the most fish (both are true in this case). FWIW my favorite is a Pflueger Supreme LBL (discontinued) and a Shimano Compre rod. So when you guys find that "favorite" rod and reel, do you typically go out and purchase more of the same? Do you consider purchasing the same reel and perhaps switching out the rod lengths/sensitivities based on how it will be used? Or do you buy different combos to fit the exact needs on the water?

My top choices. Bill Dance because he's funny and will probably fall out of the boat at least once. Shaw Grigsby because he seems quite approachable and would be a good teacher. That funny mustache is amusing to me as well. Lastly, Takahiro Omori because his last minute win is one of my favorites and I'd love to ask him to keep saying "troll", "Rapala" and "flipping".

I personally don't care if one company copies another company's design (that new bumper fascia on Ford's compact cars ain't American ingenuity). I care about how good the product is and how low the price is for me. As dumb as it sounds, fishing lures to me are interchangeable and brand name doesn't influence me. Cavemen used to fish with fish bones as basic lures. I could be wrong, but does Tackle Warehouse have things like anchors (not Power Poles/Talons)? I didn't find those boat related things on their site (a few yes) so that's why I see BPS as the "complete" source, albeit not the cheapest.

You should be fine. Just check on it once in a while in the next few trips.

Just tell her you're actually Santa Claus. Or at least one of his elves and this is the post-holiday work.

LOL I didn't spend that much recently but I know what you mean. I've made it a point to come home extra early these past few weeks to ensure I get the Tackle Warehouse box first.

Just had to say that this was an awesome question OP. Tom/WRB you seem to have the most helpful and intelligent posts in these parts. Thanks.

All the input has been extremely helpful, thank you. I spoke with a Minn Kota rep today and he endorsed the Honda brand generators. For all other brands, he said to specifically ask the manufacturer if their model produces "a pure sine wave", which is the safest kind to run the unit with. Again, the help was awesome. Thanks everyone--going fishing again tomorrow and it should be nice. 68 degrees.

So everything I read discusses proper care when practicing catch & release. Heck, there are tons of pros out there talking about the "right way" to handle the bass we love to catch. So why do I continuously see pros and amateurs simply tossing fish over the side? It always seems so callous to me and all the talk about proper care becomes lip service.

I agree about boat covers and driving with them on. I actually have mini-heart attacks the few times I've driven a short distance with the cover on--no matter how tightly you cinch up the sides, wind always finds its way underneath. However, if a cover must be used while in transit, one of the tips I read (don't remember if it was this one) was placing cellophane wrap on your boat's hull to prevent scratches. Btw, I have the BPS boat cover (grey color/waterproof) and it's done a great job. Fit properly, most of the water trickles towards the aft.

When it comes to line, you will get a bajillion opinions of what's good, bad and in between. For the most feedback coverage, I like looking at online reviews. You weren't specific about the kind of finesse fishing you're doing, but here are reviews for 2 lb. test. I like to use 2 - 4 lb. test for super finesse fishing such as drop shotting and the lightest lures. http://www.basspro.com/Fishing-Terminal-Tackle-Fishing-Line-Leaders/Lb-Test-2/Type-Monofilament/_/N-1z0uxahZ1z0xc2rZ1z0xd10 I'm pretty stuck on Berkley for basic monofilament and have never experienced issues with any of their lines.

Get past the entire P90X workout. I finished 2/3 of it last year and then pulled a muscle. I should probably stretch more LOL.

I agree--my self esteem is definitely taking a hit. I feel like the fish are laughing at me and calling my lures ugly. I'm definitely not being too careful with the boat. Here are some of the factors that I believe contribute to my slump. a) I'd been on a bass fishing hiatus for several years until now. This is actually the first time I've ever tried fishing for bass during the winter. I am literally learning winter fishing techniques each trip (first time using jigs). Hence, my learning curve must be tremendous. This is a new lake I'm fishing. My usual lake doesn't allow private boats. So I'm learning the structure, cover and habitats of this new water. c) I personally believe deep/cold water fishing is a more difficult technique. It's harder for me to keep in touch with my lure because of the wind, cold and choppy water. In the spring/summer, my crankbaits were SO easy to fish and detect strikes on. I'm definitely not giving up. I figure, that next fish is gonna feel like I just won the lottery. In fact, today, I got a hit on the jig but lost the fish before I could get it into the boat. I appreciate all the responses, even the ones making fun of my semantics in the title.

It's not even the New Year yet and look at you guys, all busy! Love the information and can't wait to use some of the new features.

A watched pot (or lure) never boils. I know exactly what you mean--it is usually what happens to me as well.

Lerv it.

The exact words in the Minn Kota manual are "Generators with a modified square wave output can damage this Minn Kota charger. Generators with a sine wave output can be used to power this charger." So by my read, the type of output (and hence generator) is a factor. Just putting in the information in case this thread is found by anyone else needing it in the future.

I like the Buffs too. I don't have to put or reapply sunblock to my neck. I also don't have to put sunblock on my face. When it gets cold, I can pull it up over my ears and head. When zooming down the water and it's chilly, it can be pulled up to my face for wind protection. Without the Buff, I'd have to carry sunblock, Chapstick, a hat, a bandanna and ear muffs. I don't have hoods on all my sweaters and sometimes they need to be laundered too.

One of the features iPilot has (and I've used) is the Record Track option. This is when you can record up to 2 miles worth of GPS coordinates (a track) on your trolling motor. So imagine this: You're practicing for a tournament one day or just want to cover an entire shoreline for flippin'. So you begin recording a track and fish the shoreline as you normally would. When you come back the following day (or any other day), you can tell the iPilot to navigate your boat through the same track FORWARDS or BACKWARDS and you've got a day of shoreline fishing without touching controls for the time being. I'd say that's pretty darn useful (and it is, since I've used it).

I charge them by plugging into a standard outlet from my house. But on those trips away from home (and power outlets), that's what I'd need the generator for. My verbiage must've been confusing: I don't want another charger. I need something to plug my onboard charger into when I'm not at home. As I stated above, I've found that the inverter generators are the way to go since they are specifically designed to produce power for sensitive electronics.

I'm actually not surprised since heavily stained water probably lets bass feel more comfortable about roaming around and eating everything. I'd hate to fish a crystal clear body of water (though sight fishing can be fun).

My first time fishing a jig n pig I caught 3 bass. Now I can't get them to look at it (or I'm missing the subtle strikes). But when I caught them, I was jerking it on the ground to simulate a panicked, swimming crayfish. The strikes felt like "mushy weeds" and another felt like just a heavy feeling on the line.

Woohoo! I have the same combo with a 7'3 rod. How do you like it so far? I actually find that it's the heaviest of my current baitcasters (compared to a Bass Pro Qualifier/Carbonlite rod and Pflueger Supreme/Shimano rod). But the white finish is legit!

Ditto as well. BPS still has more selection but I'm sure Tackle Warehouse is well on its way. I get so excited when I see that brown box with the fish silhouette!