Lip 'em!

I definitely wont run it anymore in its current condition and I will try the flywheel trick. I had a reputable mechanic check it out and he ran a compression test and surprisingly it showed good compression all around and all cylinders were close to the same reading. He said the knock sounds like a rod bearing to him and he immediately shut it down. Doesn't sound good guys thats what I figured. i guess I'm just trying to get a few more opinions because the truth hurts lol. Thanks guys

I had posted a link to this video over on the yamaha parts forum but haven't gotten a response so far so I figured I'd pick my fellow BR members' brains. During a recent fishing trip i spent 2-3hrs scanning and when I went to run to another spot my boat would not get on plane and the motor was bogging down. It would only get up around 3k rpms. I limped back to the dock and pulled the cowling and eyeballed and everything seemed to be okay. Pulled the sparkplugs and they were brand new and were fouled and a little dry for my taste. I put muffs on the motor and decided to run it at home and thats when I heard this knock.. It sounds like it is coming from the front of the powerhead instead of the back. It is a deep rumble and I even checked the lower unit to see if the sound could be traveling but it was fine. I did get a low oil alarm on my motor while idling so I checked the oil reservoir on the tank and it was full to the line and my remote resevoir was full as well. The alarm sounded again but I kept idling and it shut back off. What do you guys think could be the issue? Could the oil pump have gone out and starved the motor for oil, resulting in the knock? Heres the link to the video I put on youtube: Thanks!!

The 3 that you said you have not been in are imo the best boats on the market.

Wow, im suprised there's not much love for the spro McStick. Sweet jerkbait. The pointer and new shadow rap are also two of my favorites. I will throw a megabass when I'm feeling lucky, but I just don't have as much confidence in them. lol

I have both, get the lews if you will be throwing moving baits that you want to make a long cast with. Go with the shimano for flipping/pitching. Either are great reels!

The one thats still on the shelf with $6 still in my wallet...seriously though I cant catch fish on any chatterbait to save my life. I spend the majority of my time hungup. Hand me a spinnerbait.

I have not found that it makes any difference whatsoever. If unpainted heads are cheaper then thats just the better!

I have both. Go with the veritas for a frogging rod it will run a little bit stiffer than the duckett which will give you more backbone for a good frog hookset on a long cast.

I use a wide variety of swimbaits and they each have their time and application. Recently I have started using Missile Baits Shockwaves and I am very impressed with their performance, especially for the price.

If that 3/4 ton is a diesel, then this won't be necessary. We take family vacations regularly in the truck. And if a stick is what tickles your fancy, dodge still offers that option. Diesel for life... Lol. Just stirring the pot a little looks like the OP has already made his purchase decision so mission accomplished.

Good, i hope everyone quits throwing them lol

Depends on what I am doing with it. Rage craw, paca craw, yum craw papi, sweet beaver, and pitboss all see regular action.

Love the little johns, well worth the money. Catch a ton of fish on them all year long, but I especially like throwing them on chunk rock in prespawn. Early in the year (like most people) when water temps are still low I do well with any of the spring craw, fire craw, blood craw colors. Later on I really like chart/blue, chart/black, and rootbeer if the water has some color. Cell mate, nasty shad, and spooky nasty for clear water. I throw both the shallow and md regularly but I'd like to pick up a few deep divers to try this summer.

Sorry, yes I was speaking of the old Orra I was unaware that they released a new version. I have moved away from abu's new products after a couple bad experiences so I haven't kept up with them. I would agree Shimano and/or Lews are the way to go IMO.

I'm with you as I generally use feathered trebles on just topwater lures when I am trying to slow them down. I have thrown the x-rap with a feathered treble though, but I didn't feel like it made much of a difference