WIGuide

Haha yeah, the old snot rockets never seem to come through when you count on them to. If you go again, you'll probably catch a boat load of them and come short on the other species.

Sounds like you might like the St. Croix LTB 7'1" MH/F (Jig/baits) rod. It handles a 3/8 oz spinnerbait without a problem 3/4 oz football jig, and I'm sure it'd handle something up to an ounce the same. It's light at only 4.4 oz and has a lifetime warranty. It makes a great all around rod too.

When I was in the same position as you I had called St. Croix customer service to pick their brain on the subject before I ordered one. The guy I talked to up thought graphite was a better option hands down. Lighter, more sensitive, same action, etc. etc. Although I didn't go against his recommendation and try a glass rod, and still haven't tried one I'm 100% satisfied with graphite cranking rods.

Although it's too late now, next time you strip a reel down to the frame, take various pictures as you take parts off so when you go to reassemble, you can see where they all go.

This last weekend I was out bass fishing on one of my favorite fall lakes. The morning was cold...in the mid 30's and highs were projected around 50*. Still warm for this time of year, but not as warm as it had been. I bundled up and headed out anyway in search of some bass, and hopefully some above average ones at that. It took me a while to get anything going, but I finally got bit on a jerkbait and caught a small bass. I started putting more time in with my jerkbait than other baits and I kept getting bit. All pretty normal stuff, but I was surprised at what I was reeling in: a small northern (which aren't abundant on Otter), a crappie, and a bluegill even. I was just thinking, I was close to an Otter Lake Slam (catching all gamefish species on one trip). All I needed to do was catch a walleye, and although present, they aren't an abundant species on Otter either leaving me a snowballs chance to pull off a slam. No more was I thinking that, when I hooked up on a fish that was fighting more like a big bass. I got it closer to the boat I saw the long thin body with a flash of gold and though, "You've got to be joking me!". Sure enough I pulled in a 20" walleye. Slams aren't that rare if you plan on fishing for multiple species throughout the course of a day, or if all species are abundant. However, to catch them all while bass fishing, off the same spot, on the same exact bait, that makes this one pretty memorable and worth writing about.

That's going to look really nice on your boat!

As a guide, I hate when clients ask me not to fish. The reason being is many people "think" they can fish. There's many that can, but if I'm getting ready for a trip and I've never seen you fish before, I've got to prepare for the worst, because believe me there's some guys who can't catch a fish out of a barrel. If your one of those people, and I have to put a patter together on YOUR skills....you're probably not going to have the greatest trip. If you want a better day, allow the guide to figure the fish out, and once he does he can set his rods down. I'm not there to show you up, I'm not there for you to pay for my day on the water, I'm there to put you on fish and show you what you want to know. Other tips for a good guide trip: As others have said know what you want out of the trip and communicate that to a guide. Be specific, and be realistic. If you want to learn how to effectively fish a crankbait, that's fine, but know that the day you go if it's 100*, clear as a bell, and no wind, you're going to be hauling a lot of water without much action. Leave your ego at the boat ramp. I see this much more in men than women, but you're paying the guide to help you, so when they give advice take it. I've seen it happen many times a client isn't catching fish, you give them a pointer to help and it just makes them more bound and determined to catch one their way. Listen to what they say and try to do it to the best of your ability. Before you go, work on your casting skills. I don't know how many times I've taken people out that literally could not hit the broad side of a barn if their life depended on it. It's frustrating when you point out a piece of cover or structure for a client to cast to and they can't get within 10 feet of it. There's days you'll still catch fish, but the tough days get a whole lot tougher when the strike zone shrinks and you can't get your bait inside of it. Lastly, be patient. We're guides, that doesn't make us miracle workers. Guides have rough days too. Also keep in mind, if you're using a technique new to you don't expect it to be an expert with it right away. It might take you a while to learn what your'e doing If you keep these things in mind I think you'll have a pretty good trip, no matter where you go. Good luck and I hope you have a great trip!

Congrats on the pb man!

Congrats on the new boat! I'd be finding a way to get out on the water regardless of what the weather is like. Even if it's just to get it broke in that way you're ready to go in the spring!

Currently have them on jigheads for hookup ratio. I've thought about fishing them texas rigged instead. I've just been too lazy to switch them over. I might have to do that anyway.

The bait is a Bass Pro XPS Pro Series Flat Crank. The Pro series was one of BPS's top of the line baits and they did all come with red hooks.

Best baits I have success with this time of year are suspending jerkbaits, crankbaits, and jigs. I've been experimenting with the A-rig this fall as well with marginal success. Part of the issue is the lake I fish the most this time of year is full of timber and that thing hangs up a lot, so it's been more of an exercise in frustration haha.

I like them all as long as they're black and blue haha

That's correct, I was referring to the Ranger Cherokee line, Ranger's first run at the aluminum market. They were built from the early to early 2000's. They discontinued them for some years before returning to the aluminum scene in 2013-2014. You are correct that the new series contain no wood.

I don't have one currently, but I will eventually. Nice work to you guys that have them currently, it looks like you've all done a decent job keeping things at least semi organized! Mine will probably be a disaster zone haha.

Yep then you should be golden with what you have!

Texas rig is a pretty broad range of rigs. You can rig something weightless and it's still texas rigged all the way up to a two oz punching weight. I'm assuming you're somewhere in the middle when it comes to the amount of weight you use. For those I'd think a MH rod would be a good match. I'd either use my 6'8" MH/F or my 7'1" MH/F. The XF action is good if you plan on just using it for single hook applications.

They looked like twins for good reason, that was when Genmar owned both companies so the hulls were manufactured at the same plant. I don't know if they completed the boats side by side or not, but I know there were some differences in build quality. Those pre-CMV hulls had tendencies to develop soft spots in the floors rather quickly. I remember my dad passing on buying a few of them for that reason. I think the Rangers had a thicker and higher quality plywood decking eliminating the issue.

Never said it was easy, but it's worth it. Once you get used to it, it's really not that bad either.

Don't run away from the wind. It should be your friend.

^ This x2 twitches, pauses, and changes in speed and direction will trigger bites.

I have absolutely zero negative things to say about the Legend Xtremes. I've got three and they are my favorite rods. I've got two older models with the cork handles and recoil guides as well as the newest model with the new handle. I wasn't sure I'd like it at first as I'm a big fan of cork, but after using it, I really like it. It's not slippery and when it gets wet it actually gets more tacky. The blanks are very sensitive as they should be for that price. I think they're worth the money and I plan to get more in the future. The other advantage to not only the Xtremes, but any St. Croix rod, the customer service is top notch. They fully stand behind their product which is always welcome to see.

Everyone has different tastes, that's pretty much what it boils down to. Some like the white gel coat look, some don't. It's very similar to the auto industry. Black rims are all the rage these days, but personally I can't stand the look of them and it would be the first change I'd make if I bought a vehicle that had them. The stock colors the manufactures come up with, are all based on what is selling the best in the market. There are plenty of white boats out there, you just have to look hard enough to find them.

Yep it's going to smoke at startup. Usually it does it more when it's colder. I had an 88spl on my last boat and it did the same thing. I've now got a 130 that had the VRO removed and even running usually a minimum of 4 days a week it still smokes some at initial startup and then reduces once the engine heats up.

You might be able to find one of the Rangers from the first aluminum line they came out with that ran from the mid 90's into the early 2000's. I haven't been in the mod-v style ones, but I've ridden in multiple of their v hull style boats. They offered a nice platform, that was stable, and gave a ride much more like a glass boat. Some of the bigger models were rated for 125's and maybe more as I can't remember how big their biggest model was. Here's a few links to examples. http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/classifieds/65544/Ranger.Cherokee/ http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/classifieds.asp?a=46510