Further North

Looking around at other sires with this fish on it, there were comments from some clowns who were actually unhappy Lafleur released the fish...they were PO'd that it dared to eat their perch and walleyes. Sometimes it's hard to see eye to eye with my brother fishermen...

http://www.grandforksherald.com/outdoors/recreation/4016783-brad-dokken-devils-lake-angler-nathan-lafleur-releases-giant-northern ...that's a fish!

A friend has an '05. Great boat.

Sounds like you made a good choice - is the Lund still available?

Congrats! ...my guy is still trying to sell his Chevelle...

Yup. Nothing wrong with those Merc engines at all. I had that same engine in a 1998 40 HP version. ...but I like my Suzuki better...quieter, sips gas, doesn't use oil.

Then go look at both and make a decision...I doubt 1 ft. 7 inches will make that much difference. Odds are usually slim that a fisherman keeps his first boat more than a few years. They find things they don't like, or see their rigs that do what they want better...and the old boat gets sold to help fund the new one.

14' 5" is a little small...but do you really think you'll still have this stater boat more than a couple years?

There you go! The extra "stuff" included with the Starcraft is great...you'll have to buy all that "stuff" anyway...but make sure it doesn't become a distraction to mask a flaw in the boat or the motor. ...I'm still biased towards the Lund and the Suzuki. Suzuki 4 strokes are just crazy good. It baffles me that they don't own more of the market. They are just quietly excellent, getting the job done with a minimum of fuss and a ton of reliability.

Wow! that's quite a step up from what you were looking at last week! I'm biased towards the Suzuki 4 stroke as well - I love mine and in terms of future operating costs it'll use less gas and no oil...and I like Lund boats a lot. That said, there isn't a thing wrong with the Starcraft/Merc offering either - I like that there's a lot of pictures in the add, and sure looks like it's in decent condition. Do you due diligence on both (or just the first one you look at if it rings your bells)...get in, crawl around, poke at stuff, ask questions...you know the drill. Get 'em to a marina/marine mechanic if you can to look for the things you don't know about. I Know you've heard it before...but get them on the water if you can. One thing: that Title thing on the Starcraft spooks me a little. I understand how it can happen, and the seller is up-front about it...but not one dollar changes hands before that title is in your hands if you go with that boat.

Then I understand your frustration...I'd be a little cranky too.

In my opinion, this is really a "horses for courses" kind of thing as well as a preference issue. An angler should use what they have the most confidence in for the presentation that is catching fish that day. There's lots of reasons to learn and try new things...but I don't hesitate to go back to something I have confidence in when I'm having a rough time...I'm determined to learn how to skip with a bait caster this year...but you can bet your last dollar that if I'm feeling frustrated or like I can have more fun going back to a spinning rod for the day...that's what you'll find me doing.

How old is this motor? It's been a while since they made Vectors, no?

Tracker makes a fine starter boat - there's an awful lot of them out there that are meeting the needs of a lot of fishermen...that are clearly doing more than just a couple things right. Are they as well built as a Lund, Crestliner or an Alumacraft? Probably not...but they don't need to be. They get the job done and done well for a lot of people.

Glenn's video is perfect...especially the part about fishing shallow for smaller fish exclusively for a while. I'd also recommend fishing a jig in really clear water so you can sight fish...when you see the bass pick up the jig and connect it to what you're feeling, you'll learn faster.

Another vote for Simms gloves. I bought my first pair at Sierra Trading post.com...a lot of their on-line prices are crazy cheap if you wait until they go on sale from their normally low prices. I think I paid $10 - $15. There's another benefit to sun gloves and buffs that goes past preventing sunburn and cancer prevention that someone already mentioned: when it's hot out, get them wet and they'll help keep you cool.

Thanks - Looking at their site now and downloaded the catalog...I see some potential for crossover into fly tying here...

Where does A-Jay's Custom Bait & Tackle Shop get the material for making skirts?

St. Croix is selling Rage rods for $89, as is Cabela's...if they're doing it, I'm sure others are. I just bought a RC610MXF from Cabela's as a finesse baitcasting rod. I don't see any on their website, but perhaps others have them.

I don't know why either...but it was covered. Saved me about $1500 after my deductible...sometimes all those years of coughing up premiums pays off.

This is just me...but as soon as a river enters the picture, or rocky lakes like we have around here...I start to lean heavily towards aluminum boats. That opinion is changing slowly, over time, but I'm still not there yet...mostly because I can't get behind the "better ride in glass" position for a fishing boat...I fish at least 10x the amount of time I'm running the boat and I like my tin boat up here in places where big rocks that come out of nowhere are common. I don't thnk you'd have any problem selling an Xpress in that area.

Sorry to hear you had another one sold out from under you...that's frustrating. Keep at it, you'll find something. Adding some cash to the pot will help you move up into newer, more reliable boats - I think you'll be happy wit hat decision.

I'd go with the 50 HP. If you go with the 40, you'll wish you had the 50 sooner than later.

Most of the local Minn Kota service centers can take care of this for you - is there one nearby? http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Authorized-Service-Providers/ ...not all of them show up on the site, you might want to call around...I'd try Cabela's.

Brett's Daddy...what did you wind up doing????