WIGuide

My favorite is the Xcalibur XCS100 and XCS200 unfortunately they don't make them anymore though.

Something else I haven't seen mentioned, but I think would have a shot at working is an a-rig, or a single hollow belly swimbait if the rig isn't your style.

Even though it is usually illegal (depending on state) it happens all the time. Depending on the state, you may be able to only put the boat purchase price down. It would be worth checking out the state laws to see.

In short, yes they do help. It's better to understand why it's not planing first though. Is there something wrong with the motor, is the prop simply too big, or is the boat simply underpowered. If the first two check out, then the addition of one would be warranted in my opinion, but They're kind of a last resort.

A good wax with a UV inhibitor.

Although I don't have one of the new ones, used to use their older model. It looks like they revamped the look, and expanded the line. I was really impressed with their first generation rods for the price they were great rods, but they came in a very limited selection and all had a mod-fast taper if I remember right. Their mod-fast is more like a moderate action in most rods. It looks like this new gen has a straightened out trigger which was a problem on the first one. They had a mean hook to them that I took some sandpaper to on mine because it'd dig into your finger.

I use 2 rods mainly for my spinnerbaits. The first is my main rod and it's a 6' MH/F BPS Johnny Morris Signature series rod. I loads well enough for me to cast far enough, but I love using it around cover as it keeps my casts on point. I also used a 6'6" St. Croix Mojo MH/F as well and was a great rod for them. Unfortunately it was laid to rest after I accidentally snapped it under a tie down cleat so it'll be replaced in a few days with a 6'8" MH/F Mojo. The extra length allows me to get a little more distance when I need it, but still keeps my accuracy in check.

As far as I know they did. You can flip and pitch with any reel as Raul mentioned. Just be sure to get one with a fast retrieve rate as well as a strong frame to hold up to the abuse.

Instead of snapping them off for no reason, send some old ones to me, or better yet give some to some kids just starting out!

There's no reason it shouldn't work. 2 chargers pulling x number of amps per bank for 3 banks total doesn't pull any more power than 1 charger pulling the same number of amps per bank for 3 banks

I'll just echo what's been said. I'd also try turning the prop by hand when out of the water and feel if it spins freely. On the last boat I bought the lower unit was going out, I didn't notice it until it was at home, when you'd spin the prop you could hear it/feel it.

It might be easier if we can see what it said instead of stars haha

I haven't tried the 4" model, but if they're anything like the 5" the Big Bite Baits Cane Thumper is a great swimbait. I rig them on a weighted hook, use them as swim jig trailers, and have fished them on a jig head and they all catch fish.

I carry the telescopic pole type. I've got about a 95-98% retrieval rate. It works for baits with treble hooks, single hooks, and the like. Another great use for it is when people you're fishing with manage to get hung up ABOVE the water as well. I've saved a few baits for people momentarily think fish live in trees standing on the bank. http://www.***.com/DotLine_Telescopic_Lure_Retriever_178/descpage-DLLR18.html ^ I believe I have this one and if not it's very similar. Fits in the rod locker so it's easily stored as well. *edit* didn't realize you can't link to tw.

Hello Greg and welcome to the forums. Of the 3 you listed, I'd stick with the Sun Dolphin products as the layouts are better, and give you the ability to add more if you choose. Both the 102 and 120 would be great boats in any small body of water. I used to have a 102 back when it was called a Bass Tender 10.2. Same exact boat and I caught a lot of fish out of it growing up, including my PB. If you can afford the difference, I'd go with the 120 as the added storage is a nice addition. You are able to stand and fish in them. They're more stable than most jon boats up to about 16' because they are wider. Overall they're great little boats and there are many times I wish I could have kept mine for some of the really small lakes around me. I don't think you could go wrong with either of those.

^ x2

Not sure where you're located and what the ramps are like in your area, but around me many of the more popular lakes have a dock that runs right next to the ramp. If yours are the same, you can back in in close to the dock and with the front winch still hooked up, then get in the boat from there, unclip the front and back it off the trailer. Another option would be tying a rope to the boat and the winch stand of the trailer and backing it down and letting it float off and then slowly pulling back up which will pull the boat back in. Take your time and visit a ramp that isn't busy to get the hang of it. Even if you spend a half an hour to 45 minutes of doing nothing other than unloading and loading your new boat it will help you get used to it and streamline the process for when you hit up a busy ramp.

Has it planed out since you've had it, or did this just start happening? Do you rpm's jump way up, or does it just kind of bog when you drop the hammer to take off? I know you don't have a working tach, but you should be able to hear it. If RPM's continue to rise, it's very likely a spun hub. If it' bogs it's either way too big of a prop, or engine issues. As people here have said, make sure it's trimmed all the way down. Other issues that can cause it is having a ton of weight in the back of the boat, also make sure there's no water in the hull as that can prevent you from planing out as well. Report back with what you find.

It looks like it'd be worth what he's asking, although year and condition play a big role in what it's worth. Without knowing the specifics it's hard to tell for sure.

$45 shipping is insane, but so are the prices. They're low enough it makes me wonder if it's legit too.

A little back story...about a year and a half prior to this fishing in my friends boat, an errant cast ripped the second to last guide off my rod I used for froggin'. I was going to get it fixed, but it wasn't and issue. Fished with it for a year and a half with no incident, that is until this one tournament day. We were doing fairly well. Suddenly out of nowhere in mid cast with my frog my line snaps. Apparently what was left of the eye must have had a small edge to it somewhere. It left me with a pretty small amount of line left, before my connection knot to my underpowered backing. I caught a good one within a few minutes which left us needing one kicker to cull a little guy. It wasn't 5 minutes later I saw a fish chasing baitfish right in the middle of this big circular flat covered in pads and slop. I launched my frog out there and I heard the connection knot make it's way through the guides. I just had that bad feeling when that happened. My frog came down, I let the ripples settle, and I think I only twitched it once before the water erupted. I set the hook and after a slight resistance there was nothing. I snapped it off. I put the tm on high and headed towards the mat in hopes of being able to grab my line. While this is happening, I see the bass jump with the frog in it's mouth trying to shake it. It came down on one of the dense part of the pads/mat and flopped on it trying to get back into the water so we got a real good view of it. It jumped one more time doing the same thing. The bass was about 19 inches or so and would have went at least 4 and some change. We ended up taking 2nd in that tournament. Had I landed that fish we would have taken 1st and big bass. It's frustrating to lose it that way!

I used to wear el cheapo sunglasses, because I thought you were only paying for the name with the expensive ones. I managed to stumble across a deal on some Costas that was too good to pass up so I splurged and holy crap they blew me away. They were every bit worth the price!

The Bass Pro PQ is a nice reel especially when you can find it on sale. Their JM signature series is on sale for 139 right now though and those are built like tanks. They might be slightly heavier but they are great reels.

It really depends on your skill level and equipment. There are people that can throw everything on casting gear. Others prefer spinning for their own reasons. I use a mix of both so I can throw small light baits effectively even in windy conditions.

I choose the Pad Crasher because it's cheaper and every bit as good as the Spro. It's a softer body which equals better hookups (not that the Spro's are bad either). I live up in the land of the toothy critters though and I've caught hundreds of fish on both, but I've had some that get shredded on the first hit when a norther or muskie attack it. They just aren't built to handle that. Given that the action, durability, catch rates are almost the same, the cheaper one is the better value.