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I throw all 3 on MH/F. Never had an issue doing so.

I don't think I'd go any bigger than the 1000. It can still be used for bass if you wish but I think it'd be a better setup for what you're looking at.

You could probably get away with it. I started out with a MH/F but there were times they'd wrap you up in pads and you had to go get them because there was no chance of pulling them out. There were times it'd struggle to control a little bigger fish and you couldn't get them up and out of what cover was there. My primary frog rod now is a 7' H/F and there are times it does feel a little over powered if I'm not in the heavier stuff, but there are times when you get a big one in thicker pads, or they try to take you down into some thicker grass clumps and it makes me happy I've got the heavy.

It makes me wonder if that weld could be ground down some as it shouldn't be interfering with the hole. My dad buy's and sells boats as a hobby and he's owned a lot of trackers. Hasn't had one yet that you couldn't get the plug in from the outside so it makes me think there was a screw up somewhere along the line. Also, I don't know if it'd be worth trying to retrofit the hole to make it work, but TH Marine makes a remote open close drain plug now that closes using a dial like the livewell valves. No more bending over or crawling under the boat to get at it. Only problem for you is they're designed to replace the screw in type plastic plugs. I'm sure you could make one work but it'd take some mods for sure.

Disconnect the shift linkage and shift it by hand. See where it's natural neutral position is. Put your shifter in neutral and adjust the linkage cable so it's properly positioned to keep motor in neutral. It might take a little tinkering, but you should be able to figure it out.

I go e-free unless I don't have any other option. Lucky for me there are quite a few stations around me that have it. They vary between 87, 89, and 91 but I always choose whatever they have that's pure gas.

Nice! I enter those every week. I had been doing it for a few months straight when I told my dad about them....he won either the first or second week haha. I'm still winless

Up to +whatever number we're at for the Trokar Tube Hooks.

I've done it in the past when I've had extra time. It makes them look nice, I don't know that that serves any actual function but I really don't care haha.

It's definitely normal for the St. Croix's. I have no proof of my logic, but when I saw it for the first time, I assumed it was to help the rod load better and relieve some of the stress put on the lightest part of the rod especially as the rod approaches a high stick type situation. Again, nothing to back that up but that was my initial thought when I got mine a few years ago.

Was the bow in his line as big as yours? From what I've experienced, braid is lighter and seems to be more effected by wind than fluoro. Add in the fact that braids slack line sensitivity in near zero and you have a tough situation to deal with.

Why this random year? Mariner is the same as a Mercury. Pretty much the same thing that OMC had with Johnson and Evinrude. Usually one would get the newest technology first. In the Mercury/Mariner brands Mercury would. Nothing wrong with Mariner, although they don't command quite as much on the retail side for whatever reason.

On newer glass bass boats the plugs are the plastic screw in variety which only screw in from the outside of the hull. On a normal plug like you're talking they won't get ripped out as long as you flip the lever up. (had a guy put on in upside down once and as soon as you planed out it loosened itself haha) The plug should fit from the outside. Check to make sure your plug is adjusted correctly as they can be tightened (to be made bigger) or loosened. As blue said most places want you to drain your hull so you don't transport invasive species.

All 3 boats I've owned have been pretty trouble free. 98 2 man Bass Tender 10.2 with 88 8hp Johnson. Not much to go wrong there. Only issue I ever had was when I cross threaded one of the spark plugs, lesson learned in my early teens. 1986 Ranger 320V - 96 Johnson 88spl. Previous owners had stored it outside with a cover so the trailer fenders were faded the boat looked mint. Aside from replacing the bilge pump, areator, and rebuilding the livewell valve the only money I ever put into it were for upgrades. Current Ride is a 1997 Ranger Sport R70 with a 1997 Evinrude 130. Gelcoat needs a little polishing and I had to replace the trim pump as the old one crapped out. There have been a few minor fixes I've tackled that had to do with wiring, but that's only because the previous owners hand no business owning a boat. The only things I've fixed are those that they have messed up. Aside from those few things I haven't had to do anything major. Again only money really spent was on upgrades. With all boats those that are taken care of will last much longer. If you buy one and let it sit out in the yard, the sun will beat it up. If you take care of it, it'll last you a long time.

Just saw this video pop up on Facebook over the weekend. It looks like quite the contraption. Apparently it was thought up and designed by a 15 year old. They're going for $99 a piece on their website and you're limited to two per customer. I think this is another straight up gimmick, but what do you guys think?

A little bit of water isn't the end of the world, however it sounds like you have quite a bit. It very well could be the hoses. You need to remove your plug after you're done fishing though. Figure out how much is coming in during a normal trip to see if it's even an issue. Lots of good info above on how to check for leaks. Also, visually check transducer mounts, or any drilled holes in your hull for sealant. If it doesn't look like there's anything on them, you might want to remove it and put some in there.

Berkley Bottom Hopper Jr's, Yum Sharpshooter, and one that's a little different the Missile Baits Fuse 4.4.

x2

I don't either, I don't mind the look and feel of worn cork.

Why not just buy the bait you want and some chartreuse spray paint? Seems to me to be the easiest option instead of trying to track down something that may or may not exist.

Control consist of the control box (the gear shift/throttle) and the cables that run from the control box to the motor. Also some gauges (trim) is specific to the maker. The hose going from the oil reservoir to the motor is not part of the controls, it's just a hose that is routed into the storage much like your gas line.

You can do what you're looking to do. Lowrance has insight genesis where you can upload your recordings to their sight and it's merged with other recordings and then download the custom map. I believe you can do the same with Humminbird and their auto chart. Navionics also allows you upload recordings to their database and they add that detail to their maps. It can be hard to keep everything straight, but best info I can give you is to do your research to figure out what works best for you.

I did keep a log for a few years. I don't remember what my numbers were, but it was kind of cool to track and see what I caught them on. It let me look at water temps and what I succeeded with and what I failed with. Overall good stuff.

I don't use it all the time, but when I do I sit on a butt seat. It's always in the boat. There are trips I don't use it at all, and others I use it often. It depends on the day. Rough days I use it more than not. I also fish some long days too 8-12 hours so it's nice to get off my feet every now and then.

KVD done? Hahahahahahah yeah no....definitely no.