Al Wolbach

LED lights in a word.............Great..........................Al

I mold jigs with fiber weed guard in the mold without any problems. However I paint mine with a brush using vinyl jig paint. Time consuming but paint holds up well........Al

With the molds that I have you have the option of placing the weedguard in the mold before pouring the lead, or glueing the weedguard after pouring the lead

11lb 7oz Santee-Cooper on pig and jig Caught a 3lb 8oz Crappie the same day on a Suspending Rogue Yet to catch a 5+ Smallmouth..................Al

20' Champion w/225 Yamaha V-Max, 27" Tempest Plus, 8" jackplate. Run almost identical numbers t Way2slow Quote Glass smooth water, 70 - 71, small chop on water 72 - 73. heavy chop with small white caps on the water when a good wind's blowing so the hull can get free, about 76, all gps speeds.

Riskkid- I wish I knew the answer to your questions and hopefully someone on this thread will. I got about a little over 10% off on my last boat and in retrospect probably could have gotten more but was a little impatient to haggle any longer. This dealer had taken me on two test drives and my wife and I one additional time, so he was probably becoming impatient as well. I believe you could get a better deal in the winter rather than a boat show, although I 'm really just quessing. In this area the boats at boat shows are usually sold pretty quickly, normally the first day of the show. I have noticed the for sale adds in the newspaper also increase in the winter which should cause problems for dealerships as well. Dealership prices for new cars can be located on numerous web sites but I have never seen one for boats. Maybe someone on this site can educate both of us..................Al

Sound advice from Way2slow. When you read all the responses on an oil recommendation, remember you asked. PS- I like Amsoil................Al

There are a lot of variables involved to supply a good response but you would probably be ok with something in the 30 lb neighorhood....................Al

On every boat I have ever owned the trolling motor battery was for trolling motor only and starting battery for everything else. I have been told that if you hook electronics to trolling motor batteries a current spike caused by engaging to trolling motor will reset or turn off any fish finders that may be connected to that battery. May cause a premature failure of electronics. You should be safe by just changing batteries............Al

Chug Bug, I don't believe it was the intent of anyone to insult you and I know I didn't mean too. We for the most part are trying to prevent you from making the same mistake we have already made by buying an underpowered boat. Underpowered boats are not like underpowered cars, just takes longer to get there. An underpowered boat will not plane properly and when loaded may not plane at all. They go down the lake with the bow bouncing up and down like a cork in a hurricane because they don't have the power to maintain an even keel. Whatever you buy insist on a demonstration ride. It is the only way you will know how it handles. If the dealership doesn't want to take you he has a good reason. They are provided with demo boats by the manufacturer, but probably not with the smaller engines. They have a manufacturer suggested retail price and they will come down, usually several thousand minimum. And no I'm not going to help with the payments. But I would like you to be happy with the boat you are making payments on. Good luck.......Sincerely...........Al

I can't offer an opinion on either boat. I haven't owned or fished from either. One piece of advice I would offer is to get the maxium horse power engine recommended for either boat. Tracker is famous for selling underpowered boats. I'm sure this will offend some but is common knowledge in this area. Not so sure about Stratos. A friend of mine bought an Avalanche and I believe his has a 115 on it. He tells me it is underpowered and is not very happy because the local Tracker dealer can't make it handle or perform properly. The problem may be the dealer(not sure). Insist on a test ride/drive in a boat exactly like you plan to purchase and see for yourself. Whatever you decision, good luck............Al The Tracker is a good looking boat.

All those shad were not new, they are always there just not on the surface where you could see them. Probably just a bad day to fish, lack of wind for example. A good forage base is absolutely necessary for bass survival. Not a lot of nuitrition in eating fishing lures. I live on a lake in East Tennessee and frequently see large schools of shad swimming on or near the surface on days when there is no wind to keep a ripple on the surface. It must take a very large forage base to support a large number of gamefish on any lake. I don't mean to sound like an expert, I'm not, as those that know me can explain. I believe you just happened to be fishing on a day that the shad were on the surface and could be seen due to lack of wind.............Al

I would like to be the first from this site to thank you for your sacrifice you are making for all of us. That said, the boat you are looking at is commonly called a fish and ski. Most of the larger manufacturers offer one in their line. You may want to check other brands to compare prices. This brand(Ranger) is a very fine boat, however it is also on the high end price wise. They also maintain their value compared to some others. You may want to consider a used boat or another brand. Just food for thought.......Al

Forgot to mention mine was an x85.............Al

I went to a local marine dealer and went to the back and talked with the mechanics. They had a large box of spare transducers left over from new instalations on new boats. They told me to help myself two a couple of spares. you may try this. I would avoid the front office though....................Al

I installed a set of boatbuckle's last year for my 20 Champion. I love the d??? things, I wish I had done it long ago. Handy as a pocket on a shirt........Al

20' Champion dual console w/225 VMAX Yamaha

I have access to wooden cable spools that heavy electrical cable comes wrapped around. I fill the center with concrete attach some limbs and place in lake. Warning, this is not approved everywhere, permits may be required.......Al

Another source: http://www.ospreyproducts.com/theflatfoot.ivnu

Then it should have some flexibility. should work well............Al

I don't have any experience with the product shown but it appears to be a good idea. I have often though pick-up truck bed liner paint/covering would work on pontoon boat decks where mud and dirt fron my dogs could be easily cleaned up. What is the intented purpose of this product?

During the summer months in E. Tn. I fish deep points, bluffs and humps at night or day. The only difference is at night I will use larger worms, Zoom Mag II or Ol' Monster in dark colors. Jigs are the same. For spinnerbaits I will use a Colorado blade with a black skirt in heavier sizes. (3/4 to 1 1/2 oz). Use rattles when possible. I normally do not fish topwaters at night in tournaments, however many fishermen do. As LBJ stated above I would use dark colors. Use of a blacklight will help to detect bites as long as you fish floresent line and is considered a necessary piece of equipment. Before a night tournament I restring all reels with floresent line. Hope this helps...................Al

Thanks Dan, I'll check them out..................Al

Many thanks.......................Al

I agree with New_Bass_man, you made a wise choice and good luck with it............Al