BaitMonkey1984

I always was of the belief that the reason their was engine ratings was due to structural integrity of the boat as well as issues with how the boat would perform with a specific engine HP. I would therefore be afraid the higher HP motor would rip your transom off, or cause your boat to operate in a haphazardly manner injuring, killing, or just plain ruining your day. I try to tweak everything-this is not something I even think twice about modifying. It is there for a reason.

I use both. Personally I think they are both great reel companies. They both are easy to dial in quickly and result in almost no backlash, even for baitcasting beginners like myself. I would say that I tend to be able to get more distance out of the Lews than the Abu Garcia, so if I had to choose I would go for the Lews.

TW. They are one of the only places I can get the d**n T.R.D. plastics.

I have the same problem. Got 3 digital scales in my ranger. One Rapala, one Cabbalas, and one no-name brand. All have problems with consistency. I picked up a spring scale at an old time tackle store and this is consistent and no hassle. only downside is that it is hard to get an accurate reading in anything less than one- quarter pound increments.

Fizzards is an attractant that takes the alka seltzer to another level. The only problem is that sometimes the stuff is too hard to make malleable to your lures. TW is the only place I know that has it.

au garcia orra great first baitcaster very forgiving

I see one major issue that I am surprised no one else noticed...you have an empty section so go buy more bait!Then go buy another 3700 and repeat the process again and again. Works for me.

Check lower gear oil for water. If it is a small piece missing I doubt it will effect drag all that much, and can be reconciled by a keg cover. If it is more significant than it will create drag and may have caused significant internal damage. I would have a trusted mechanic take a look at it if you have any doubts. Motor repairs aren't cheap.

So I went into Dicks today not needing anything as I just picked some stuff up from there on Sunday-mainly the underpins Casey Ashley won the classic on. Anyways, I made the switch to bait casters this winter and have 5 new combos. I was poking around and some abu grace black max combos, some vendeattas, and one pro max without any price tag. I asked the guy in the gun dept to look it up. He ran it up as the Vendetta combo which was only $80 with a $20 mail in rebate, plus a pretty nice sweatshirt for only the cost of S&H. So obviously I couldn't not get it. Ended up getting a $100 setup (looked the price up online) for $60 bucks and a decent sweatshirt to boot. It certainly helped relieve the cabin fever for the night. I am curious, what is the best steal you have gotten from the tackle stores?

Hey if you were selling your boat you would have a drink in your hand too!

Congrats! I remember when I picked up my first ranger- it was a 2hr drive away and I had already test drove it weeks prior. However, that ride took forever. I am excited just to get the boat back from the marina in a couple weeks! Kiss free time good bye that baby is going to consume your life.

I have two boats. One is a 14 ft aluminum with 30 lb transom minnkota the other is a full size ranger bass boat. Not only is the 30b trolling motor underpowered, but once you use a bow mount you will be amazed at how much easier it is to fish. You spend less time messing with trolling motor and more time fishing. I would do it in a heartbeat. Get the biggest trolling motor you can afford.

I did this with a pickerel. One cast to the pads, strike and then my floor carbon leader was cut in half. Two casts later catch a nice toothy critter, and while he is flopping around in the boat it spits out the hook, the worm, and 1 ft of my Bass Pro Shops XPS fluorocarbon leader. Glad I got my tackle back

Due to being bitten badly by the bait monkey this would be impossible. I have numerous bags of my go to baits. Partially because I always grab these go to baits overtime I am in BassPro, Dicks, etc and because I am somewhat fearful that the color/bait may be discontinued. Maybe next time my girlfriend tells me I have too much bait in my the carriage at BPS I can tell her their are people like you that buy multiples of every bait!

X2.

Welcome Greg, great to see more people from New England joining every day. Do you ever fish the merrimack valley or Nh? If so PM and we can trade tips.

Yes that is correct I am having a professional do the work. Also, unfortunately there is only one marina in the area so they can charge what they wish. I am somewhat mechanically inclined, however have not been around boat motors except for the past 7 years. I have no problem ripping apart my 7.5hp on my john boat however, I simply cannot afford to replace my 150hp on the bass boat- so to play it safe all work is done by a professional.

I have a 2001 Ranger R81vs with 150 yamaha max 2 stroke. I bought it 4 years ago and have not had any issues with it whatsoever. It was properly maintained by the original owner and I baby it as well, doing all scheduled maintainence than some. It amazes me how many people skimp on changing the water pump every two years because of the cost $300.00. If you don't like spending money on your boat, then why would you risk such a vitally important piece of a 20k motor. I just don't get it. If you take care of this motor, it will serve you well. I would get it thoroughly checked out for compression and other issues prior to buying to ensure that it is worth the investment. Then, it is up to you to keep her running great, synthtethic oil, seafoam, marvel mystery oil all have kept my engine running strong. Best of luck.

If I catch a catfish I am skunked the rest of the day too. It usually happens with live bait, and predominantly through the ice. I hooked up with a cat trolling one day and just brought in my lines- I knew I was done.

Enjoy you are going to learn a lot and have even more fun. 2 things I would say: One was already mentioned above- ask where the net is stowed and learn how to use it, as simple as that sounds. Some telescoping nets are cumbersome and you do not want to be the reason a giant was lost. I have my net tied down with a carbabiner and cringe when I ask for it (only the lunkers) and the person on the back of the boat can't undo the carabiner. Secondly, square away the logistics ahead of time. Does he want you to drive the boat off the trailer or back up the truck. If you know what is expected, it makes things a lot easier in the morning. Plus, if you aren't good at backing up a trailer this is the time to learn. Also, discuss available room in the boat-rods, snacks, tackle boxes. You don't want to bring too much only to find out half your gear has to stay in the truck. Lastly, on this point- square away the finances before you ever leave the dock. How much, if any money is he looking for for gas, etc. If it's a big lake system and long runs are required then you can expect to burn through some gas in a hurry. Best of luck on the tournament trail.

PP is good. PP slick 8 is fantastic. I get a few years out of most reels, just cut off the last 30 yards a season or so. Never had any problems. Keep us posted with updates, if you had guide issue or not. Could just be a bad lot of line

Might be easier to just attach a lanyard from your vest to the yak, sorta like the surfers have. Only issue I foresee with that possible solution is the motor could still possibly operate with you in the water-resulting in a dangerous situation.

I got my 2004 Ranger R81vs 150HP 2 stroke yamaha 8 years old for a song and a dance at $12k. Hull was in great shape and so was motor. You can get good deals although spring is probably the worst time to buy a used boat, with the season quickly approaching. One thing I would keep in mind is that with older baits you are going to have unexpected costs. I replaced to fishfinders one year, the 3 batteries the next, winch, jack and trailer tires the next. If you get a good hull and motor you are in good shape, just know that each year you should plan on spending money fixing/upgrading the boat. Best of luck, and can't say enough about Rangers or that yamaha.

Gamakatsu 226414 EWG Double HKS is the only thing I use for my frogs now. It keeps the bait upright and has drastically increased my hook-up ratios.

I am cursed with a quasi photographic memory and I am a bit OCD with fishing so despite having a garage and boat full of tackle I rarely forget a lure as I have been only fishing for 7+ years or so. I was digging through my soft plastic swimbait box and came across the remnants of a banjo minnow kit that my grandfather gave me when I was a kid. Out of the 5 or so baits left, there is one that I remember was a pure fish catching magnet. I know they are a gimmicky lure but theres one size/color that catches fish for my home lake. I think I will re-stock...RIP GRAMPS.